THE BANNER-COURIER, OREGON CITY, OREGON. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1922.
Page Seven
oome Aspects o
'JC
Farmers3
f the
Problems
By BERNARD M. BARUCH
(Reprinted from Atlantic Monthly)
This is the first of a series of six
articles written by7 Bernard M. Baruch.
They were written at the request of
the editor of The Atlantic Monthly
because of the writer's independent
viewpoint and his previous studies
made on this question at the request
of the Kansas State Board of Agricul
ture and the American Farm Federa
tion. It is in the belief that these
articles are opportune, interesting and
helpful that we publish them. Editor.
n
Let us, then, consider some of the
farmer's grievances, and see how far
they are real. In doing so, we should
remember that, while there have been,
and still are, instances of purposeful
abuse, the subject should not he ap
proached with any general imputation
to existing distributive agencies of de
liberately intentional oppression, but
rather with the conception that the
marketing of farm products has not
been modernized.
An ancient evil, and a persistent
one, is the undergrading of farm prod
ucts, with the result that what the
farmers sell as of one quality is re
sold as of a higher. That this sort of
chicanery should persist on any Im
portant scale In these days of busi
ness integrity would seem almost in
credible, but there is much evidence
that it does so persist. Even as I
write, the newspapers announce the
suspension of several firms from the
New York Produce Exchange for ex
porting to Germany as No. 2 wheat a
whole shipload of grossly inferior wheat
mixed with oats, chaff and the like.
Another evil is that of inaccurate
weighing of farm products, which, it
is charged, is sometimes a matter of
dishonest intention and sometimes of
protective policy on the part of the
local buyer, who fears that he may
"weigh out" more than he "weighs in."
A greater grievance is that at pres
ent the field farmer has little or no
control over the time and conditions
of marketing his products, with the
result that he is often underpaid for
his products and usually overcharged
for marketing service. The differ
ence between what the farmer re
ceives and what the" consumer pays
often exceeds all possibility of justi
fication. To cite a single Illustration.
Last year, according to figures attest
ed by .the railways and the growers,
Georgia watermelon-raisers received
on the average 7.5 cents for a melon,
the railroads got 12.7 cents for. carry
ing it to Baltimore and the consumer
paid one dollar, leaving 79.8 cents for
the service of marketing and its risks,
as against 20.2 cents for growing and
transporting. The hard annals of
farm-life are replete with such com
mentaries on the crudeness of pres
ent practices.
Nature prescribes that the farmer's
"goods" must be finished within two
or three months of the year, while
financial and storage limitations gen
erally compel him to sell them at the
same time. As a rule, other Industries
are In a continuous process of finish
ing goods for the markets ; they dis
tribute as they produce, and they can
curtail production without too great
injury to themselves or the commu
nity ; but if the farmer restricts his
output, It is with disastrous conse
quences, both to himself and to the
community.
The average farmer Is busy with
production for the major part of the
year, and has nothing to sell. The
bulk of his output comes on the mar
ket at once. Because of lack of stor
age facilities and of financial support,
the fanner cannot carry his goods
through the year and dispose of them
as they are currently needed. In the
great majority of cases, farmers have
to entrust storage In warehouses and
elevators and the financial carrying
of their products to others.
Farm products are generally mar
keted at a time when there is a con
gestion of both transportation and
finance when cars and money are
scarce. The outcome, In many in
stances, is that the farmers not only
sell under pressure, and therefore at
a disadvantage, but are compelled to
take further reductions in net returns,
in order to meet the charges for the
service of storing, transporting, financ
ing, and ultimate marketing which
charges they claim, are often exces
sive; bear heavily on both consumer
and producer, and are under the con
trol of those performing the services.
It Is true that they are relieved of
the risks of a changing market by
selling at once ; but they are quite will
ing to take the unfavorable chance,
if the favorable one also is theirs and
they can retain for themselves a part
of the service charges that are uni
form, in good years and bad, with
high prices and low.
While, in the main, the farmer must
sell, regardless of market conditions,
at the time of the maturity of crops,
he cannot suspend production in toto.
lie must go on producing if he Is to go
on living, and if the world is to exist.
The most he can do is to curtail pro
duction a little or alter its form, and
that because he is in the dark as to
the probable demand for his goods
may he only to jump from the frying
pan into the fire, taking the consumer
with him.
Even the dairy farmers, whose out
put is not seasonal, complain that they
find themselves at a disadvantage In
the marketing of their productions,
especially raw milk, because of the
high costs of distribution, which they
must ultimately bear.
Ill
Now that the farmers are stirring,
thinking, and uniting as never before
to eradicate these inequalities, they
are subjected to stern economic lec
tures, ami are met with the accusation
that they are demanding, and are the
recipients of, special privileges. Let
us see what privileges the government
Starting
Sunday
For
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Feb. 12, 13, 14
D. W. GRIFFITH'S MASTERPIECE
''-r-r i fsSj
NT
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PARKER AND JOS. R. GRISMER
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A great bell tolling Humanity.
A story of laughter Rabelaisian horseplay.
Quaint absurdities springing, gay barn dances sleigh bells ajingling.
Love's voice sweet and low strong and tender across fragrant
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In the end, amazing scenes, March storm, ice break-up, Anna and
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"The Musical Dough Boy"
Walker and Brown
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PRICES 25 and 50c
has conferred on the farmers. Much
has been made of Se?tion 6 of the
Clayton Anti-Trust Act, which pur-,
ported to permit them to combine with
Immunity, under certain conditions.
Admitting that, nominally, this ex
emption was In the nature of a special
privilege, though I think It was so In
appearance rather than in fact, we
find that the courts have nullified It
by judicial interpretation. Why shoidd
not the farmers be permitted to ac
complish by co-operative methods what
other butfnesses are already doing by
co-operation In the form of incorpora
tion? If It be proper for men to fornv
by fusion of existing corporations or
otherwise, a corporation that controls
the entire production of a commodity,
or a large part of it, why Is it not
proper for a group of farmers to unite
for the marketing of their common
products, either In one or in several
selling agencies? Why should it be
right for a hundred thousand corporate
shareholders to direct 25 or 30 or 40
per cent of an industry, and wrong for
a hundred thousand co-operative
farmers to control a no larger propor-.
tlon of the wheat crop, or cotton, or
any other product?
The Department of Agriculture Is
often spoken of as a special concession
to the farmers, but in its commercial
results. It Is of as much benefit to the
buyers and consumers of agricultural
products as to the producers, or even
more. I do not suppose that anyone
opposes the benefits that the farmers
derive from the educational and re
search work of the department, or the
help that It gives them in working out
Improved cultural methods and prac
tices, In developing better yielding va
rieties through breeding and selection,
in introducing new varieties from re
mote parts of the world and adapting
them to our climate and economic con
dition, and in devising practical meas
ures for the elimination or control of
dangerous and -destructive animal and
plant diseases, insect pests, and the
like. All these things manifestly tend
to stimulate and enlarge production,
and their general beneficial effects are
obvious.
It Is complained that, whereas the
law restricts Federal Reserve banks
to three months' time for commercial
paper, the farmer is allowed six
months on his notes. This Is not a
special privilege, but merely such a
recognition of business conditions as
makes it possible for country banks
to do business with country people.
The crop farmer has only one turn
over a year, while the merchant and
manufacturer have many. Incidental
ly, I note that the Federal Reserve
Board has just authorized the Fed
eral Reserve banks to discount export
paper for a period of six months, to
conform to the nature of the busi
ness. The Farm Loan banks are pointed
to as an instance of special govern
ment favor for farmers. Are they not
rather the outcome of laudable efforts
to equalize rural and urban condi
tions? And about all the government
does there is to help set up an ad
ministrative organization and lend a
little credit at the start. Eventually
the farmers will provide all the capi
tal and carry all the liabilities them
selves. It Is true that Farm Loan
bonds are tax exempt; but so are
bonds of municipal light and traction
plants, and new housing is to be ex
empt from, taxation, in New York, for
ten years.
On the other hand, the farmer roads
of plans for municipal housing proj
ects that run into the billions, of hun
dreds of millions anaually spent on
the merchant marine; he reads thai
the railways are being favored xh
increased' rates and virtual guara ties
of earnings by the government, vith
the result to him of an 'ncreased
on all that he sells and all tha; hr
buys. He hears of many mauifesta
l 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 s 1 1 e 1 1 1 f 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 : 1 1 ; ; ; i ; i i i 3 1 s s : ; ; : :
Save Amer' :an Eyesight
Urges San Francisco Mayor
Need
National
Campaign
to
Battle with
Dangers of
Defective
Vision,
He Says
i V . si. j
I ? :;
t rw f
I 4i:mm.
Hons of governmental concern for par
ticular Industries and interests. Res
cuing the railways from insolvency is
undoubtedly for the benefit of the
country as a whole, but what can be
of more general benefit- than encour
agement of ample production " of the
principal necessaries of life and their
even flow from contented producers to
satisfied consumers?
While it may be conceded that
special governmental aid may be nec
essary in the general Interest, we must
all agree that It is difficult to see why
agriculture and the production and dis
tribution of farm products are not ac
corded the same opportunities that ars
provided for other businesses; espe
cially as the enjoyment by the farmer
of such opportunities would appear to
be even more contributory to the gen
eral good than In the case of other
Industries. The spirit of American
democracy Is unalterably opposed,
alike to enacted special privilege and
to the special privilege of unequal op
portunity that arises automatically
from the failure to correct glaring
economic inequalities. I am opposed
to the Injection of government Into
business, but I do believe that it is an
essential function of democratic gov
ernment to equalize opportunity so
far as it is within its power to do so,
whether by the repeal of archaic
statutes or the enactment of modern
ones. If the anti-trust laws keep the
farmers from endeavoring scientifically
to integrate iheir industry while other
industries find a way to meet modern
conditions without violating such stat
utes, then It would seem reasonable
to find a way for the fanners tu meet
them under the same conditions. The
law sh. u'd operate equally in fail. Re
pairing the economic structure on one
side is no injustice to the other side,
which is in good repair.
We have traveled a long way from
the old ( (-option of government as
merely a defensive and policing agency;
ind re:-:ihi!ive, corrective, or equaliz
ing legislation, which apparently is of
a special nature, is often of the' most
general beneficial consequences. Even
the First Congress passed a tarilf act
that was avowedly for the protection
of manufacturers ; but a protective
! tariff always has been defended as a
means of promoting the general good
, through a particular approach ; and
1 the statute books are filled with acts
i for the benefit of shipping, commerce,
and labor.
the world, so that they shall be as well
Informed of their selling position as
buyers now are of their buying posi
tion. Fifth : freedom to Integrate the busi
ness of agriculture by means of con
solidate! selling agencies, co-ordinating
and co-operating in such way as to
put the farmer on an equal footing
with the large buyers of his products,
and with commercial relations in other
Industries.
When a business requires specialized
talent, it has to buy it. So will the
farmers; and perhaps the best way for
them to get it would be to utilize some
of the present machinery of the larg
est established agencies dealing In
farm products. Of course, if he wishes,
the farmer may go further and engage
In flour-milling and other manufactures
of food products. In ' my opinion,
however, he would be wise to stop
short of that. Public interest may be
opposed to all great Integrations ; but,
in justice, should they be forbidden to.
the farmer and permitted to others?
The corporate form of association can
not now be wholly adapted to his ob
jects and conditions. The looser co
operative form seems more generally
suitable. Therefore, he wishes to be
free, if he finds It desirable and feas
ible, t resort to co-operation with his
fellows sad neighbors, without run
ning afoul of the law. To urge that
the farmers should have the same lib
erty to consolidate and co-ordinate
their peculiar economic functions,
Photo by Buehnell
James Rolph, Jr.
Mayor of San Francisco
EVERT individual with "a love for in! the proper care of their vision 3
the well-being and happiness of the promulgation of facts and figure
his fellow man" should co-operate in along the lines of eyesight conserva-
a campaign against evils of defective tion of the utmost importance,
vision in American life, according to Tiiere no end to the evils that
Mayor James Rolph, Jr., of San Fran- ariso from defective vision Those of
cmco- us who daily drink in the great variety
The chief executive of California's of sights that come to us in the bustling
largest city, in an interview just issued, world, who see the beautiful works, of
terms conservation of eyesight a na God and man we should feel the aaet
rv
I Now, what Is the farmer asking?
! Without trying to catalogue the re-
: medial measures that have been sug-
gested in his behalf, the principal pro-
posals that bear directly on the Im
i provement of his distributing and mar-
! keting relations may be summarized as
follows :
1 1 First : storage warehouses for cot-.
. ton, wool, and tobacco, and elevators
I : for grain, of sufficient capacity to meet
: : the maximum demand on them at the
' peak of the marketing period. The
: ! farmer thinks that either private capl
: ; tal must furnish these facilities, or the
: ; state must erect and own the eleva
: j tors and warehouses.
:; Second: weighing and grading of
: agricultural products, and certification
: ! thereof, to be done by impartial and i
j disinterested public inspectors (this is j
: already accomplished to some extent
; by the federal licensing ' of weighers
: I and graders), to eliminate underpay-
: j Ing, overcharging, and unfair grading,
: and to facilitate the utilization of the
: j stored products as the basis of credit.
: ! Third : a certainty of credit sufficient
: ! to enable the marketing of products
: : in an orderly manner.
: ' Fourth : the Department of Agricul-
: j ture should collect, tabulate, summa-
: ; rize, and regularly and frequently pub-
: lish and distribute to the farmers, full
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Have you heard the new Brunswick Records?
tional problem of vital importance.
"Time was when measures to allevi
ate defects of vision were far more
erudo than they are today," Mayor
Rolph stated. "Modern optometry
accomplishes feats little short of the
miraculous. Particularly in a pro
motive way in educating children
and rmmj manhood and womanhood
profound pity for that person congenl
taliy blind or sightless from accident,
disease or neglect.
"Let us all co-operate in th dis
semination of useful knowledge that
will tend to lessen the eye trouble of
the world, and we will be doing a work
most valuable in promoting U we
fare of mankind."
For over 18 years I have been advocating measures along these
lines and from my experience, professionally, can honestly say Mayor E
Rolph does not put sufficient stress upon the importance of caring for E
the eyes. Over 11,000 cases treated in 18 years.
1 DR. FREEZE, Eye Specialist
E 505 Main St. Oregon City
E " Opposite Postof fice E
iiiiiimiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiin
III Invest Right!
and
You Will Be Happy
If you want your dollar to work for you, earning
a large rate of interest Duy in West Linn.
These people have bought in tne past week.
TS'tkrf 13 M l ft hi f4 hi ?1 M fl n
REDUCTION
M. H. Martin
Melvin Young
Edward McLean
Mrs. Etta Pitts
Fred W. Mowrey
Union High
7th St. Foot of Elevator
Phone-427
illman
West Linn near Bridge
Phone 386
International 8-16 Tractor
Including 2-Bottom P. & O. Plow
Lowest Ever Quoted
' This is the lowest price ever quoted on this sturdy two-plow tractor and it includes all necess
ary equipment PLATFORM, FENDERS, GOVERNOR, BELT PULLEY which cost extra on
many tractors.
The International 8-16 is unquestionably the best buy in the two-plow tractor class. As the
price has been made regardless of manufacturing costs, the Harvester Company does not guaran
tee to maintain it.
Don't" goad the sweltering flylpestered horses through hot weather plowing and seeding when
an 8-16 will do the work better at a big saving o time and labor. It will also do your fall and
winter belt work.
These prices are lower than ever before, and certainly justify the immediate purchase of a
tractor. v
All prices f. o. b. Oregon City. We can arrange suitable terms. Call and see us at your first
opportunity.
William E. Estes & Son.
7th and Molalla Are.
Farm Machinery and Hardware
Phone 180