PROGRAM OF RECONSTRUCTION 241 



should be encouraged as a possible economy in trans- 

 portation. 



For these ends, we must rely first of all upon existing 

 agencies. The present machinery of preparation and 

 distribution of soil-grown products should if possible be 

 socialized, made to serve more fully the mutual interest 

 of producers and consumers. Those private establish- 

 ments that deal with the slaughter and distribution of 

 meat products; grain elevators and mills; cotton gins; 

 sugar factories; and all other converters of farm prod- 

 ucts into forms for consumption; storage and ware- 

 house concerns; commission men and all wholesale and 

 retail distributors must bend to the demand for service 

 in the public interest. The farmer insists that the nor- 

 mal and legitimate machinery of the market shall not be 

 prostituted to merely speculative or gambling methods. 



It is beyond question that such ends can be gained 

 only by intelligent, fair, but rigid control by adequate 

 law and administrative rule. It may also require a 

 measure of government ownership and management. 

 The American farmer will not ask government for this 

 service if it can be given through private agencies. 

 But he will insist that it be given. And if the aid of 

 government must be invoked, he will not be deterred 

 from his demands by fears of any theory of social or- 

 ganization. He wants fair dealing, substantial justice 

 in this realm where his very existence is at stake. 



COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AMONG FARMERS 



Farmers are coming to realize more keenly that in 

 the long run, the responsibility for a reasonable finan- 

 cial return for their labor depends upon themselves 

 rather than upon the attitude of other interests or upon 



