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Show PROTECTION AND THE FARMER If by abolition of protection the price of what the farmer buys should be brought down to the levejl of the world market, the j market in which he sells would also -be brought down to that level, the buying of the industrial population would be reduced to an equality with that of the foreign industrial population with which it would compete. The farmer's export surplus would be proportionately propor-tionately increased and the world price level would be depressed, for it is doubtful whether foreign consuming power would be greater. Wherein would the farmer benefit? But the level of prices for many farm products under protection pro-tection is not below that of manufactures. Wool is an example. It is well protected, and the woolgrower is prosperous. He so fully reilizes the benefit of protection that eastern Oregon newspapers which oppose' protection as of no advantage to the farmers become discreetly silent when asked if they favor free wool. Growers of sugar beets profit by the sugar tariff, and oppose reduction. Dairy farmers ask for higher duties on cheese and butter to shut out the Danish product. Control of domestic prices by the world market prevails only as to staples like wheat, which are not perishable, are in worldwide demand and of standard grades. Full benefit of protection can be secured by the farmer when he adjusts his business to conditions that he cannot change. The nature of the farmer's industry compels him to produce in small units, each on his individual farm, while the manufacturer both produces and sells in l rge units with all the advantages that the manufacturer enjoys. Farmers are doing this to the number of two; millions through co-operative marketing1 associations, which) have become strong with good business management, have good credit and have established wide markets. With wheat, succers has been limited, for that grain- is grown in almost every state and can be handled with full efficiency by nothing short of a nationwide nation-wide organization. From the Portland Oregonian. |