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Editorial
August 3, 1923
The Producers News
Plentywood, Sheridan County, Montana
What is this article about?
Editorial advocates cooperative marketing as key solution to farmers' economic woes, beyond rural credits, citing President Harding and Senator Brookhart on low prices, lack of pricing power, and successful examples in U.S. and Europe.
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THE WAY OUT FOR FARMERS
In his speech at Hutchinson, Kan., President Harding predicted great gains to American agriculture from the intermediate farm credit legislation recently enacted, but not yet operative.
Better rural credits are, of course, imperative. But they are only part of the farmer's problem.
It is necessary for all to borrow at times. Agriculture can flourish, however, only when assured of ability to repay, with enough left over to give a fair return for service rendered.
The farmer's difficulty today is that he gets too little, while the consumer pays too much.
Senator Brookhart wrote recently:
About forty-five million of our people are farmers. They have a capital investment in agriculture of about eighty billion dollars But these farmers have no power to charge the cost of production for their products; they can add in no profits and they toil without the assurance of any wage. Their prices are fixed by other agencies in which they have no voice.
Forty-five million Americans with eighty billions of investment need remain thus at the mercy of other agencies. They are quite able to create agencies of their own.
On a large scale in fruit growing in California, in tobacco growing in Kentucky, and in other fields, co-operative marketing has proved profitable to American producers and acceptable to consumers.
Senator Brookhart's studies of co-operative marketing in Europe will show similar benefits there.
The political obstacles to co-operative marketing in America are being removed. Few will long resist concerted pressure from 45,000,000 farmers, with their votes.
Other difficulties in the development of this method of economic relief can be located and conquered through experience.
After all, the best help is self-help.
In his speech at Hutchinson, Kan., President Harding predicted great gains to American agriculture from the intermediate farm credit legislation recently enacted, but not yet operative.
Better rural credits are, of course, imperative. But they are only part of the farmer's problem.
It is necessary for all to borrow at times. Agriculture can flourish, however, only when assured of ability to repay, with enough left over to give a fair return for service rendered.
The farmer's difficulty today is that he gets too little, while the consumer pays too much.
Senator Brookhart wrote recently:
About forty-five million of our people are farmers. They have a capital investment in agriculture of about eighty billion dollars But these farmers have no power to charge the cost of production for their products; they can add in no profits and they toil without the assurance of any wage. Their prices are fixed by other agencies in which they have no voice.
Forty-five million Americans with eighty billions of investment need remain thus at the mercy of other agencies. They are quite able to create agencies of their own.
On a large scale in fruit growing in California, in tobacco growing in Kentucky, and in other fields, co-operative marketing has proved profitable to American producers and acceptable to consumers.
Senator Brookhart's studies of co-operative marketing in Europe will show similar benefits there.
The political obstacles to co-operative marketing in America are being removed. Few will long resist concerted pressure from 45,000,000 farmers, with their votes.
Other difficulties in the development of this method of economic relief can be located and conquered through experience.
After all, the best help is self-help.
What sub-type of article is it?
Agriculture
Economic Policy
What keywords are associated?
Farmers
Cooperative Marketing
Rural Credits
Agriculture
Economic Relief
What entities or persons were involved?
President Harding
Senator Brookhart
Farmers
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Cooperative Marketing As Solution For Farmers' Economic Problems
Stance / Tone
Advocacy For Self Help Through Cooperative Marketing
Key Figures
President Harding
Senator Brookhart
Farmers
Key Arguments
Better Rural Credits Are Imperative But Only Part Of The Solution
Farmers Receive Too Little While Consumers Pay Too Much
Farmers Lack Power To Charge Cost Of Production And Have No Voice In Price Fixing Agencies
Cooperative Marketing Has Proved Profitable In California Fruit Growing And Kentucky Tobacco
Political Obstacles To Cooperative Marketing Are Being Removed Through Farmers' Votes
Self Help Is The Best Help For Farmers