The Moorefield Examiner

In The Examiner of a few weeks ago the writer from Bergton seems to think that the farmer needs no legislation as he is now so prosperous.

Brother Scribe what is the greatest sign of prosperity of a country?

Is it not the banking business? If so do you not know that there were 137 failures last year and nearly all of them in farming sections? What is the per cent of farm failures? 100 per cent more than in 1918. What is the per cent of gain of the laboring class (above the cost of living) such as clerks, teachers. R R men, miners, etc? 24 per cent and that of the farmer 2 per cent.

What is the cost of gain of farm equipment since 1918? 340 per cent and the gain to the farmer in what he has to sell is 72 per cent.

If the farmer is so prosperous why has farm values decreased 25 per cent." In Iowa one of the richest of farming states land values have decreased 32 per cent.

We believe in legislation for the farmer but not for some of the bills that have been presented in Congress but would like to see the iniquitous tariff law repealed, which would be the best law that could be enacted for the farmer for the greatest prosperity the country ever had was during the Wilson administration and that under. the Underwood tariff law.

But you say we need protection.

We of twenty ounce brains should not pit our judgement against such men as Mr Lea, president of the Baldwin Locomotive Works. the greatest locomotive works in the world, who said at a dinner given before the present Fordney-Mc Cumber tariff bill was passed (which is the highest tariff ever passed) that "he had always been a protectionist, for we had been an infant and debtor nation, but we are now the greatest nation and a credit nation and that we needed no protection"

Now we will name a few who are having prosperity: P Lorillard Tobacco Co , of Missouri, with a capital stock of 132 millions made a net profit of 27 per cent; the Standard Oil Co., of Indiana, made a net profit of 32 per cent; the Aluminum Trust, of which Andy Mellon is the principal owner. a net profit of 22 per cent. And scores of others we could name but think those are enough. And then they are reducing by large amounts the taxes on their incomes. But is the poor farmers taxes being reduced?

Look at your tax ticket and see if it is not increased and then look at the different licenses you must have and we think it won't be long before a law will be passed requiring one to have a license tag on your old cradle before you can cut your rye on the mountain side because of the money that is squandered for we were told just a few days ago by one who was in our state capitol that at least four men who are receiving large salaries from the State have been attending school. If such is being done in the Dept. of Schools what is likely being done in all departments.

No wonder Gov. Gore is calling for an investigation of all the departments.

But what will the investigating amount to. Millions being spent on investigations but no good attained as all manner of dirt is covered up

Look at the Brookhart-Steck senatorial contest in Iowa. The investigation shows that Steck. a democrat, was elected U' S Senator in 1924 by 1476 majority but was cheated out of it. They cry for honesty and economy but if they know the meaning of either, practice neither.

Farmer