OCR Text |
Show THE FARMERS' MISTAKE. We wish to reiterate, with emphasis, our suggestion of yesterday that tho farmers are making a very serious mistake mis-take in breaking off negotiations with the smeltermen. The statement of Mr. Whitley that the smelters are willing to spend all the money necessary to remedy whatever evils exist Is, we are certain, made In entire good faith, and Ihe fact that he so readily consented to lake under consideration the scheme of Mr. Pasco for controlling the smoke Is sufficient proof. The farmers, in taking the matter to the courts, ard shutting themsslves off from their true remedy, which certainly Is In mutual concession and adjustment. Litigation Is long, and usually unsatisfactory to both sides; and the remedy will be uncertain un-certain of application. We lake It that the old Idea of abolishing the smelters as a nuisance has been abandoned; but in so far as any such spirit may survive, It is an Impossible demand. Tho smelters aro too Important for tho country, their work Is so Immense In the production of marketable wealth, that they are a flxeure. and the business community desires them to stay and to do their work In ever-Increasing volume. At the snmo time, the Justice of doing whatever Is possible to prevent the infliction in-fliction of damage must bo apparent, and tho need of payment for damago that cannot be averted must be conceded. con-ceded. A common ground of mutual advantage ad-vantage and forbearance Is needed, and the farmers, In declaring for war, are abandoning the ground that must necessarily at the last be their best point of advantage. |