1449 
The Time Has Come for Action 
HE prospects now seem good for a conference 
in the near future of the divergent groups of 
milk producers in the New* York City supply zone. 
Our suggestion of three weeks back to this end has 
brought generous approval from producers in many 
quarters of the territory. The recent meeting of 
dairymen at Watertown discussed the situation 
openly and frankly for the better part of a whole 
day, and it was followed by a conference of North¬ 
ern New York dairymen, who appointed a steering 
committee to try to arrange a meeting of represen¬ 
tatives of the different groups in the hope that they 
would find some common ground on which all could 
stand together. 
As we have repeatedly stated, there are now five 
groups of dairymen, all competing with each other 
for a sale of milk. It was stated in the Watertown 
meeting that at least one of these groups had re¬ 
turned to its producers at times less than the returns 
from local cheese factories. Already price-cutting as 
a policy had begun in one city. Extension of the 
policy is threatened. Some dealers are paying less 
than others, and are using their advantage to cut 
in on the trade of other dealers, who use the experi¬ 
ence as an excuse for cutting the price to their own 
producers. The low prices to producers for months 
past have discouraged production. Farmers have 
reduced their herds. Some have sold out en¬ 
tirely. All are feeding less grain. As a re¬ 
sult. there is a shrinkage in production, and the 
supply is short. The Borden Company have just 
announced that they are short 20 per cent on their 
wholesale trade and two per cent on retail trade. 
The condition is no better with other dealers. The 
economic law is working out its own adjustments; 
but the process is always slow and whenever the 
pendulum is ou one side or the other of the equilib¬ 
rium, the producer suffers for the lack of stability; 
that is. most of the time. 
Since all agree that it will bo impossible at this 
time to bring all the groups into one unit, the obvious 
thing to do is for the groups to get together and 
agree on a basis to at least stabilize prices and adopt 
such other measures <>f common good as they may 
without sacrificing any of their principles. 
No sense of pride should cause any hesitation in 
going ahead with this movement. The suggestion 
is not ideal for a dairy organization It does not 
measure fully up to dairy needs. But it is felt by 
many that a reorganization of the whole industry 
in one unit now is impossible. What is proposed is 
the best we can get. Let the curtain be drawn on 
the past, except as we retain its lessons; and let us 
look calmly and serenely to the future. Bring the 
real big successful dairymen into the conferences; 
and, above everything else, open wide the doors to 
full and complete publicity. 
Some Advantages of “Getting Together” 
E VERYONE of the four dairymen’s organizations 
now seeking the farmers’ support must justify 
its existence by real constructive service, rendered, 
not alone to its own members, but to the entire in¬ 
dustry. Their interests are closely interwoven. Any¬ 
thing that strengthens and helps one, benefits all. • 
Anything that weakens one. weakens all. The suc¬ 
cess of one creates confidence among all. The failure 
of one may wreck all. Every constructive accom¬ 
plishment of any one group, even if made from the 
most selfish motives, is bound to benefit the whole 
industry, and in that way strengthens the other 
groups. Every destructive effort, even if made from 
the most altruistic motives, and in the most high- 
minded way. is bound to barm the whole industry, 
and thereby injure all. 
If this community of interest exists between the 
members of each group; if their best interests de¬ 
mand some co-operation; if sm co-operation can 
be brought about in a legal and prvprr way, with 
due regard to the interests of all those concerned, 
viz., the producer, the distributor . :1 consumer, 
what are some of the things they all would like to 
do—things they cannot do won, im: singly or in 
pairs, but can accomplish rough their united ef¬ 
forts? 
By an interchange of the knowledge and experi¬ 
ence of all the groups the u i , t < would bo on even 
terms with the organized lur ors of their products. 
The information thus secured, and ii is the purpose 
of trade associations in all dor lines to keep their 
industries thoroughly -too would dr w the farm¬ 
ers, for example, wh if costs t > produce, process 
and distribute milk. ,md hew these costs vary in 
different seasons; h why ami to what extent de¬ 
mand and supply fluctum nw j eat the surplus 
is; how it can be incur h <lisp of; who causes 
Vhc RURAL NEW-YORKER 
it and who should bear it The farmer is as intelli¬ 
gent as any other business man—give him a correct 
understanding of the facts and he will draw a sound 
conclusion. 
The farm organizations could join with the dis¬ 
tributors in an aggressive advertising and educa¬ 
tional program.' 
They could unite with the public authorities in 
supporting and enforcing sensible agricultural laws 
and health regulations. 
They could ascertain, as far as possible, the fac¬ 
tors which determine what is a fair market price for 
their fluid milk. 
They could decide who is to bear the burden of 
the surplus milk—the producer or the dealer. If the 
dealer bears it. the flat price would have to be low 
enough to enable the dealer carrying the largest 
surplus to handle it at a profit. If the farmer bears 
it. and the present multiple price is to continue, 
each must, in some practical, sensible, simple legal 
way bear his share of the surplus. 
So far as it is legal these groups could co-operate 
in securing for the producer his fair share of the 
consumer’s dollar, not only by shortening, quickening 
and cheapening the process of distribution, but in 
securing prices that fairly reflect market conditions 
and which do justice to producer, distributor and 
consumer. 
If even a small part of the above program can be 
accomplished through the co-operation of these 
groups, aside from the financial gain to dairymen, 
the greatest benefit would be the increased strength 
of farm organizations and the heightened morale 
of the farmer. 
The foregoing is merely a suggestion of what can 
he accomplished if the members of those different 
groups and their leaders are actuated by unselfish, 
constructive, liberal-minded motives and are deter¬ 
mined to forget some of their differences and work 
for the good of the w’hole industry. a producer. 
President Howard on Agricultural 
Outlook 
James R. Howard, president of the American Farm 
Bureau Federation, in speaking before the New York 
State Farm and Home Bureau Association in Syracuse. 
November 22, said that certain changes and readjust¬ 
ments in the agricultural situation are due. following 
the third year of depression. In speaking of the low 
prices of farm products, he said this had recently taken 
form over wide areas as a political protest. Too many 
people, he fears, hope for relief in this way. while relief 
must come from economic laws properly worked out. 
He is convinced that there must be many readjust¬ 
ments in agriculture itself. In his position he is given 
opportunity to see the agriculture of the country as a 
whole. One thing that must come to it that will be of 
interest to farmers of the East is such a readjustment 
that farmers of the West will grow the things that can 
be marketed at least expense, concentrated products, 
while the East must grow perishables. 
Concerning the increase of dairying in the West, a 
matter of concern to New York and the East, he told 
of a recent trip to Utah. Two things impressed him, 
bearing on Eastern dairying. One was the fact that 
where seven years ago it was purely a beef cattle State, 
now there are two dairy cows to one beef animal; 
where a few years ago there were no dairy cattle in 
the State Experiment Station, now there are five dairy 
animals to one beef. The other thing he observed, and 
he could see the same here, was that a year ago the 
farmers had trouble with their beet sugar contracts, 
while potatoes were high; so this year they planted 
potatoes and neglected the beet acreage, and now they 
can’t sell their potatoes, while sugar brings a good 
price. 
“In the next few years,” said President Howard, “the 
States farthest from markets will command the dairy 
markets, excepting in fluid milk. For many Western 
States the only hope for the farmer is to grow the 
things that go to market in condensed form. Cheese, 
butter, condensed milk, and similar products, will be 
their only hope. What does this mean? That those 
near the consumption centers must raise the perishables, 
fluid milk, fruits and similar products.” 
The A. F. B. F. research department had just com¬ 
piled figures showing that since September a year ago 
prices on farm products have risen one point, as com¬ 
pared with 25 points on commodities other than farm 
products. 
He told of a former Congressman of his acquaintance, 
who is now a lawyer in Chicago. He met him in a 
restaurant the other day. and he was complaining of 
having to pay the plasterers who were working on a 
new home he was building $10 a day. “And that’s 
not all.” he facetiously said, "the contract says double 
pay on Saturday afternoon and Sundays, and Monday 
off for vest,” 
"But are you actually paying that?” 
“Surely I am.” 
’’Where do you get it ? Don’t you get the price out 
of your clients?” 
“Certainly. How else could I afford to pay it?” 
“Where do your clients get it?" 
“Oh!” after n minute. “I sei' the drift of your ques¬ 
tions. Of course, none of us really pays the bill. It s 
the farmer, the man who produces all. whose prices 
have not risen, who is paying the plasterers, the law¬ 
yers, and all the other folks’ bills.” 
With good wage? everywhere else, he reported labor 
as scarcer on the. farms, particularly of the corn belt, 
than at any other time known, except during the war. 
lie believes the present stringent immigration law a 
mistake. It results in all crude forms of labor bring 
short of help. After foreigners have been here a few 
years they will not work at digging ditches or on farms, 
and there is now none lo take their place in such work. 
Those who Would make good farmers and factory men 
are barred by the literacy test, and they go to other 
countries to compete with American farmers. lie 
would revise the law. not allowing indiscriminate im¬ 
migration. but would find out about them in their own 
habitat, not ou Ellis Island. He does not approve the 
literacy test, as the European university graduate is 
likely to be a Bolshevik. He would let enough pros¬ 
pective good citizens enter to supply agricultural and 
industrial needs. 
President Howard firmly believes in the Eighteenth 
Amendment, not only for moral reasons, but because it 
has been an economical benefit to agriculture. Things 
are bad. but they might have been worse had it not been 
for prohibition. It may be criticized, and is. But the 
newspapers are the chief critics, and they were never 
for prohibition. Tbe prohibition forces were never 
good advertising resources, while the liquor forces were. 
The Volstead act has increased the use of ice cream of 
milk as a beverage, and has helped sugar growers, by 
increased use of candy and soft drinks. If has also 
helped fruit growers materially. Contrary to some, it 
has helped, instead of injuring, the grain farmer. It 
is a fact that there was never so much distilling as in 
the past two years, not referring to illicit whisky, but 
to alcohol making for chemicals and industry. The 
American grain farmer was out of it before the Eigh¬ 
teenth Amendment, anyway, as Cuban blackstrap mo¬ 
lasses bad taken its place in liquor manufacture. Ac¬ 
cording to this farm leader, farmers everywhere need 
to take a firm stand for prohibition. it. G. F. 
New York State Notes 
The fourth annual meeting of the New York State 
Farm Bureau Federation came to a close on Thursday, 
November 23. after the most successful meeting which 
they have yet held. This meeting was of unusual in¬ 
terest, owing to the fact that the Home Bureau Feder¬ 
ation meeting was held in conjunction with it. President 
S. L. Strivings in his annual address spoke of some of 
the vital economic conditions as among the most im¬ 
portant things that are holding his attention at the 
present time, lie said, in part: “When the low prices 
of farm products are compared with the comparatively 
high prices the farmers must pay for their goods, it is 
little wonder that the farmer asks if his organizations 
have as yet done much for him. Certainly if they had 
done no more for him than to teach him the advantages 
of concerted action their service would have been ample. 
This, after all. must be the solid basis of every con¬ 
structive action the farmer can take for self-help. When 
he has to pay the miner ?s.50 per day to dig his coal ; the 
clothing maker $5 cents per hour to make his ckobes; 
the carpenter fi-5 cents per hour to build his barn ; the 
craftsmen of almost any trade from 55 ceuts to $1.25 
per hour to do for him the work in making his tools, 
his harness, his automobile, his <hoes and. in short, 
anything and everything he has to buy. is it. any wonder 
if he stops and asks if he can afford to hire such expen¬ 
sive servants to make for him the things he would like 
and ready needs? Is it any wonder if he stops buying, 
or if he buys at all, is obliged to buy scantily? Is it 
any wonder that he compares the ruinously low prices 
he gets for the things he makes for others with those 
he has to pay for the things they make? These are so 
apparent and the contrasts so evident it is little wonder 
if he begins to ask if his methods of approach to his 
task have been wrong and that he better adopt the same 
methods which get results for the other fellow. 
“No maker of goods lays the product of his factory 
on his front steps and waits for a bidder, except the 
farmer. Such a process of trade is ruinous to the man¬ 
ufacturer. In the trade channels tbe maker follows 
his goods to market, determines their selling price, 
plans for his competition, makes what he feels he can 
sell, sells when he will and at such a price as suits his 
fancy or the group which has made the trade agree¬ 
ments, bolds when it serves bis purposes, and joins 
with other tradesmen in fixing trade standards shaping 
trade ethics, and in placing his goods. 
"The farmer is our most needed manufacturer, and 
as such lias a right to do all these things. He has not 
done them, perhaps will not soon, but should probably 
do much more than at present. In fact, it looks plain 
that he minst do some or all of these things if the other 
fellow does, or go our of business. The recognition of 
this right has been made the subject of Federal law, 
and he may follow his product as far down the trade 
channels as he may wish." 
At. the evening address of the first day. Commissioner 
Graves emphasized the importance of the findings of the 
Commitree of Twenty-one and jokingly spoke of the 
fight which hail so recently been on in connection with 
the township bill which was repealed. He stated that 
the fact that the Committee of Twenty-one report 
called for a voluntary system of adoption of changes 
in the school system was the proper way that changes 
should be brought about. He said that he. as an indi¬ 
vidual. and his department were willing to co-operate 
with farm organizations in carrying on the program for 
better schools in the country. 
On the afternoon of the second day. President J, R. 
Howard of the American Farm Bureau Federation 
brought his message to the delegates of the Empire 
State. lie pointed out that prohibition has been a sav¬ 
ing factor in the agricultural depression. Mr. Howard 
said milk producers and sugar beet and fruit growers 
have been greatly benefited by prohibition, while grain 
farmers have not suffered because of it, for Cuban black 
strap molasses had usurped the distillery market before 
prohibition became effective. 
The high poinr of the conference was ou Wednesday 
afternoon, when a pageant was given, showing the 
development of agricultural organizations. This pageant 
was written by a farm woman ou Long Island—Mrs. 
G. Thomas Powell, president of the Nassau County 
Home Bureau. This pageant was unusually unique in 
that those who took part came from all over the State 
and were allowed but one rehearsal. Despite this, the 
pageant was a success. 
The election of officers came the last afternoon. 
Enos Lee. of York town Heights, as president, succeeded 
S. L. Strivings, who has been president since the start¬ 
ing of the federation. Mr. Lee is also president of the 
Westchester County Farm Bureau, nud has been vice- 
president of the federation for the past two years. The 
other others elected are as follows: First vice-presi¬ 
dent. B. W. Mill er. Oswego; second vice-president, 
Peter G. Ten Eyck. Albany ; treasurer. W. A. Matber, 
Adams; director. 11. R. TaUnage, Riverhead. E. a. f. 
