Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 46, Number 240, 19 August 1921 — Page 10
AGE TEN
THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM, RICHMOND, IND., FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1921.
SOLUTION PROBLEM IN MARKETING FARM
PRODUCTS SUGGESTED BY CORNELL TEACHER
By WILLIAM R. SANBORN Public ' Interest In the agricultural marketing problem is more manifest today than at any previous time in our history. It is the nation's chief agri-
cultural problem, and tne suDjeci oi
more local discussion in farm circles than is any other phase of farm endeavor. Not only is this true but the general public is vitally interested. First, because the prosperity of the farmer is largely the basis of the prosperity of the nation. Sep ondly, the whole
people are interested in an aDunaant food supply at prices that all can afford to pay. And, thirdly, the country is beginning to inquire: "How much of the dollar paid out by the ultimate consumer is received by the original producer of meats, grains, fruits, melons, vegetables, poultry, eggs and butter?" The public now takes more interest in the welfare of the farmer, the basic producer, than ever before. We are beginning to inquire as to the why of his discontent; to ask what Is
wrong with agriculture in the greatest agricultural country on the planet. We are wondering how much, or how little, the farmer received for the wool in the warm garments worn by the women and children in our homes.
How much did the farmer get for the
wool in our own $50 suit, or in the comforting pair of all-wool blankets for which we have paid $25 or more?
We Want to Know
All of these things now interest us.
We are curious to learn why there
is so much farm legislation in discus
sion in congress. Why the need of
so many bills and measures, all primarily designed to help the farmer, with the ultimate object of benefitting ' alt the rest of us? '
r And so we are reading up on this ' a. j . nr 4hni.tfiiii
trying to arrive at some conclusion.
We are broadening our outlook and are trying to sense world conditions
AUU Lilt ij LllL v .. , as a nation. .". . The average man, Immersed In his own work or busines. has Riven little
thought to this subject, or in relation
to our farmers. But the old order
changeth. An appreciation of the fact that, if anything is seriously wrong with our farmers, as a class, that concurrent effects are felt in every line of trade and industry, has given us a new viewpoint and broadened our perspective. , " . Professor Boyle's Views. Prof. James' E. Boyle, of Cornell college, read a most interesting paper on our present subject before the thirtythird annual meeting of the American Economic association at Atlantic City, in December, 1920. His topic "The Marketing Problem," had particular appeal" to such a gathering. He referred, first of all, to the nation-wide discussion then prevailing and remarked;"True, too much of the discussion sheds more heat than light on the problem. - It seems to be the ooen season for middlemen. Perhaps,"
he Bald, ."the North Dakota farmer voiced the popular feeling when he paid: "Curse these middlemen! I wish I was one." . In continuing the professor . said: "A. prominent granger in a northern state declares the present middleman system Is inefficient, bunglesome, wasteful and costly." The Middleman Talks Back. "A successful middleman replies: The present system of farming is inefficient, bunglesome, wateful, and costly. Continuing his criticism of the farmer, he points out that a very ordinary farmer now raises 54 bushels of corn per acre, but the average for
all American farmers is only 27 bushels per acre, or 50 percent efficiency; that a good farmer grows 28 bushels of wheat per acre, but the American farmer on the average is getting but 14 bushels; that the scientific and up- . - e 1 CAA
lO-uai cuiiuu larmer ia iuomui, . uuv " pounds of cotton per acre, but the
- the acre, or 36 percent eniciency. ine middleman continues his criticism by
saying that only a small percent of the pmn is Kn 1 rnrn rr No. 1 'wheat or
good middling cotton. In short, the ; average farmer, is not efficient as to either quality or quantity of product. And further, says the middleman tc his critics, the farmer is needlessly reducing his crop yield by growing harmful weeds, the' yield being re
duced X) percent in corn, 9 percent " in tame hay, 8 percent in potatoes, 13 percent in spring wheat, 7 percent in winter wheat, and 27 percent in pasture. Or, briefly, the preventable leak , from this one source runs well over a billion dollars a year. A perfect mar- ; keting system waits on a perfect production system. Poor production means poor marketing. .Ideal Marketing Conditions "First, we may inquire, what would constitute an ideal marketing system? An ideal taarket for agricultural products would exist, for instance, if exactly one fifty-second part of the year- " lv crop were produced each week.
' marketed each week, and consumei
. each week, and if the quantity and ' quality were always the same and the ' demand' remained constant, and .h? ; price remained the same, and if each , buyer paid cash. "There would then be no credit problem, no storage problem, no grad- ; ing problem, and most significant of all, no price problem. Contrast this ideal situation with the real situation. Using wheat as a typical crop, we know that the world's eaters of tho wheaten loaf need, on the average, " three and a half billion bushels of wheat per year. And, oddly enough, this was actually the world's crop in
-1914. But a year before that and the year after that the crop was half a . billion bushels larger. And one year later, in 1916, the world's crop was a ' billion bushels short of the 1916 crop ,; Weather, insects, plant diseases factors beyond the control of man control the supply and the quality. Unlike a factory, the output of a farm
WILL RECTOR LISTEN TO CALL OF LOVE OB DUTY? HIS ENGAGEMENT TO DIVORCEE SETS CHURCH AGOG
cannot be controlled within definite limits." The Middleman's Duties After stating that neither supply or demand are constant factors, the speaker said: "Viewing the whole sit
uation from the economic standpoint we may say that farm commodities ars
produced for the consumers, but ar not produced at the right time, or the right place, or of the right quality, or in the right quantity to meet his daily consumptive requirements. Hence our present middleman system to overcome these four maladjusments in production and consumption: (1) time. (2) place, (3) quantity, (4) quality. "He assumes, therefore, two riskc: (1) price fluctuations due to changes In supply and demand; (2) perishability, particularly in fruits and vegetables. The loss here is 40 per cent in the more perishable products." What Marketing Really Means "Marketing is sometimes narrowly defined as the changing of ownership of goods. This is merchandising and is only one step. Marketing is a far more complex thing than that. Marketing begins with the production of a marketable product and continues
till the product Is in the consumer's
home. Marketing consists of five sep
arate but related steps: namely, (1; production, (2) storage, (3) transpor
tation, (4) credit, (5) merchandising. A solution of the marketing problem, is, therefore, a solution of five separate problems. They are bound up together, and all must be considered, if more efficiency is to be introduced in
to our middleman system. Regarding the Solution "A problem once clearly stated is half solved. If, therefore, we have stated the marketing problem correctly, its solution has been suggested. Recent market reports dealing with the fall in the price of cotton spoke of market gluts of low grade cotton, which caused stagnation in domestic
and foreign markets. The hay market in ten leading cities tells the same story of gluts by low grade hay and a scarcity of No. 1 hay. The first problem for the farmer therefore, is not how to increase the crop yields but to produce more of the better grades. Limitation of output is a twoedged sword, now being played by cotton farmers and wheat farmers. The labor unions have already used and abused this weapon and caused public odium to attach to the term. The farmer ought to (limit the qutput in tho sense that he keep the poorer
stuff at home. By glutting the market with poor grade stuff the farmer spoils hfs own market and does not benefit the consumer." As to Proper Grading After stating that the first step Is production for market the speaker described grading as the second. "Grains and .cotton are largely sold on grades but even In these commodi-
Ities the buyer at country stations is
commonly too lax in adhering strictly to federal standards. Most farm commodities have no federal grades or state grades, or any other kind of grades. Here lies the first field for co-operative marketing by farmers; that they may put on the market a
better product, graded and standardized. Most of the large, successful cooperatives, such as the numerous California examples, the Warren county, Ky., strawberry growers, the Eastern Shore of Virginia produce exchange, and so on, establish their own respective grades, and stand back of them. "In other words, they imitate successful-manufacturers have a brand
and guarantee its integrity. When a good article, graded and standardized, i3 ready for market the marketing problem is half solved. In no other way can f. o. b. sales be made. Good production means good (cheap) marketing. As long as ungraded stuff is
sent to the city market, just so long will it be necessary to have commission merchants handle it, and handle It, moreover, on a wide margin. The commission merchant system is a poor system made necessary by poor production. For, as said before, poor production means poor marketing. Transportation. "Most farm crops are produced many miles from the place where they are consumed. Hence, comes transportation to give them place utility.
Transportation is the most expensive link in the marketing chain from the time the product leaves the farm till it reaches the retailer's hands. Government investigations have shown that the haul of cotton or wheat from the farm to the local station, over country roads, actually costs more than the haul from the" Atlantic seaboard to Liverpool. The big leak In transportation, in other words, is due to bad country roads. This leak will never be cured by scolding the middleman. It will be cured by co-operation in the widest sense of the term cooperation of all the various interests, rural, urban, local, state and national until good roads are secured for the average farmer. The question of de
veloping rural express lines is one for the farmer to solve." The Use of Credit.
"Farmers should be educated to thej new view of credit; that it is a tool toj be used by the prosperous and not a i mere 'debt, or badge of non-prosper-j ity. He should be taught that somebody has to furnish credit to market;
his crops and must be paid for furnishing this credit; that wholesale credit is cheaper than retail credit; that modern banking machinery exists to furnish more and cheaper credit to
the farmers (organized or unorgan-;
ized) who have successfully taken the first two steps in marketing. Whenl
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DISABLED VETERANS
WANTING AID MUST FILE APPLICATIONS Veterans who have claims for com
pensation pending, or those whose
cases have been settled unsatisfactorily and wish them reconsidered.
may file application for such action either Friday or Saturday evening of
this week, at the American Legion
club rooms. About 20 veterans In Richmond and Wayne county have applied up to the present time. A "clean-up" squad, made up of state officials or the American Legion, a corps of doctors, and Red Cross representatives is now making a tour of the state. The exact date at which the squad will arrive here is not known, but service men who wish to present their claims based on disability Incurred during service, must apply this week, in order that their names may be sent to state headquarters. Persons coming to the legion clubrooms in the K. of P. building to file their applications, are requested to bring their discharges, and all correspondence or other information relating to their disability, which they may have. Compensation claim numbers especially are desided.
KIWANIS CLUB TO MEET IN KOKOMO SEPT. 29-30 KOKOMO, Ind., Aug. 19. The board of trustees of the Indiana district of Kiwanis, meeting with the local club Thursday, selected Sept. 29 and 30 as the dates for the district convention which will be held here.
M
asonic
Calend
ar
Left to right: Mrs. Philip M. Lydig. Dr. Percy Stickney Grant and Bishop William T. Manning.
Is his love for the fashionable Mrs. Philip M. Lydig. twice divorced, to drive Dr. Percy Stickney Grant from his pulpit at the Ascension church in New York
city? Across the engagement of this celebrated couple, the announcement of which has caused a storm of conjecture to arise in prominent Episcopalian circles.
falls the ominous shadow of Episcopal disapproval. Bishop William T. Manning, who must pass upon the marriage, refuses to make a statement at this time.
these means of credit are exhausted'
it will be time to talk of creating new agencies for securing credit for financing the marketing process." Cost of Production. "A word must be said .about the cost of production and its relation to selling price or value. Value (price) depends upon two factors utility and scarcity. Cost of production governs supply, or the scarcity factor. Utility governs the demand, and has no direct relation to cost of production. Hence cos't of production is not the correct basis of price, but is only one important element in it. Any price fixed by collective bargaining, collective selling, or otherwise, must actu
ally reflect supply and demand, or it will not stay fixed. For it will lead
either to a surplus (which the consumer refuses to take except at price concessions) or to a shortage, leading consumers to bid up the price." Merchandising the Product We cannot omit brief mention of what Professor Boyle said as to merchandising, the last step in marketing, or the actual sale of the goods to final consumers: "The price problem Is a knotty one," he said, "but we know that supply and demand do determine general prices. At least, they mark out a sort of prize ring, and within this ring buyer and seller fight out the price by the bargaining process'. Of course, the more powerful bargainer has some
advantage over the weaker. A seller pressed by poverty, ignorance or
weakness is at a disadvantage. "Here is where the argument comes in for co-operative selling organiza
tions among farmers. They are mobilized; they have' power; they have a voice in marketing. Collectively they secure and use market information. Thus the potato farmers in the Eastern Shore of Virginia Produce Ex
change spend $30,000 a year for telegrams. They are justified in doing this, for they have for sale a better product, graded and standardized. They would not be justified in this expenditure if they did not have such a product for sale. Being mobilized 3,000 strong, they are powerful bargainers within the limits of the law of supply and demand." While incomplete, we have presented the heart of Professor Boyle's address. It contained much food for thought, but space forbids printing here in its entirety. The central thought and sense of his argument
have been preserved in this presenta
tion.
Thursday night in the schoolhouse here.
Business matters only were discussed. It was decided to send in
township orders for coal and fertiliz-f
er to the Federated Marketing Service, the co-operative purchasing department, of the Indiana Farmers' federation. Cards will be sent out to the members for individual coal and fertilizer orders.
RECORD BREAKING CROWD EXPECTED There will be something doing every minute at the Great Darke County Fair, August 22nd to 26th inclusive. Purchase a family ticket and
a season auto ticket and enjoy the entire week. Horse racing, calf contest, pig contest; horse barns, cattle barns, hog barns, overflowing. Make this your vacation week and enjoy the fair. Advertisement.
Friday, Aug. 19 King Solomon's Chapter No. 4 R. A. M., special convocation. Work in the Mark Master's degree. Light refreshments.
Get a "Yardstick Measure the height of the floorboard of different cars. This will lead you into consideration of many vital factors of comparison. A Marmon 34 is at your disposal. A demonstration made gladly. Chenoweth Electric Service Co. 1115 Main Phone 2121 MARMON 34
FALL MILLINERY Beautifully trimmed, chick styles UNION STORE, 830 Main
NOW A FOLLY TO HAVE CORNS
Darke County Pig Prizes
Determined Next Week GREENVILLE, O., Aug. 19. With
ddu neaa or pigs entered in the pig club contests of Darke county, boys and girls are eagerly anticipating the fair which starts next week, when the placings of the contestants will be determined.
Besides the feeding contest, which is conducted by the fair, the four breed associations of the county are also' conducting breed contests, in order to instruct the children in growing out pigs for breeding stock.
Abington Farmers Co-Operate in Coal Order ABINGTON, Ind., Aug. 19 With the best attendance that had turned out for several months, the farmers
association of Abington township met
Million of People Know An Easy Way to End Them Quick and San Folks all about you now treat corns in this scientific way. That's why corns are becoming so uncommon. At the first corn pain they apply Blue-jay the liquid or the plaster for sale at all druggists. The pain stops instantly. Soon the whole corn gently loosens and comes out. This is not like old ways, harsh and crude. It is the modern method, put out by a laboratory of worldwide repute. For millions " of people it has solved the corn problem. It will bring you freedom and forever when you know it. For your own ' sake, find this out tonight. Liquid or Platter T 1
ruue-jay Stops Pain Instantly Ends Corns Quickly
"Better Than the Rest, You'll Say It's Best"
A
PURE
Ice Cream
has been proven true by thousands who eat BENDER'S Pure Ice Cream regularly. After a trial you won't be easily satisfied with any other. Insist on Bender's at your dealer's or phone 1183.
The Talk of the Town Is Our Special Policy at a Special Rate
ASPIRIN
Mime "Bayer" on Genuine
H. C. HASEMEIER CO.
Warnine! Unless you see the name
"Bayer" on package or on tablets you' are not getting genuine Aspirin pre-; scribed by physicians for twenty-one ! years and proved safe by millions. Take Aspirin only as told in the Bay-j er package for Colds, Headache, Neu-j ralgia, Rheumatism, Earache, Toothache, Lumbago and for Pain. Handy! tin boxes of twelve Bayer Tablets of! Aspirin cost few" cents. Druggists! also sell larger packages. Aspirin is , the trade mark of Bayer Manufacture ! of Monoaceticacidester of Salicylic-j
acia. Aaverusement.
Don't miss the bargains wc are now offering at our big Remodeling Sale.
WEISS Furniture Store 505-513 Main St
CORRECTION In our ad "of last evening. Dresses up to $3.00 values, choice 519S, 6hould have been Dresses up to $25.00 values. Vlgrarfs Ladies' Shop
Round Trip LOW RATE Round Trip $2.00 WEEK END EXCURSIONS $2.00 Including War Tax Including War Tax EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY . via ' ' ,
Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern Traction Co.
to
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. Tickets good leaving Richmond on all trains from 12:10 p. m. on Saturday to 12:10 p. m. on Sunday. Good returning, leaving Indianapolis on all trains on Sunday only. Tickets not good returning from Indianapolis on Saturday. For further Information call local ticket agent. ...
Saturday Specials LACE VEST EES Yes, another lot has come. Freshen up your dress or suit with one of these pretty Lace Vestees. You would expect to pay $1.50 or $2.00 for them. Choice, $1.00. NARROW BELTS Look smart with the sleeveless or jumper dress; besides, they've been about the scarcest thing in town lately. Came 'just yesterday a new supply of white, black, brown. Some in kid, patent leather; others novelty effects $1.00, 50c, 23c. NEW LACE GUIMPES To wear with jumpers br sweaters; made from fine net, with rows of beautiful lace trimming, in white or cream. We show some very smart styles $3.00, $2.50, $2.00. WOOL SCARFS Just received a new line of these popular Scarfs, made of fine lambs' wool, with belt and pockets. The color combinations are beautiful. Price range $4.50 to $7.50. SILK BLOUSES An assortment in Georgettes and Crepe de Chines ; light shades ; good range of sizes ; regular values worth up to $6.00. Choice, $3.48. SILK HOSIERY Gordon Round Ticket Hose; the heel and" toe made of four threads, and will give entire satisfaction to the wearer. Shades, black, grey, chestnut, cordovan, navy, white. A few months ago these hose sold for $2.50. Special, pair, $1.25. VANITY PURSES Another new item. Bright nickle finish, with mirror, coin purse and vanity pocket; very attractive. Special, $1.00.
AUGUST SILK SALE The response to the Navy Blue and Black Silks on sale has been most gratifying and creating a very active demand. The sale includes Taffetas, Messalines, Canton Crepes, Tricolettes, Crepe de Chines, Charmeuse Satin. You'll appreciate the values offered. $2.25 $1.95 $1.79 $1.65
Either sex and all occupations accepted, housewives included. Same price, same benefits to everybody.
Age limit 16 to 65 years. Benefits paid resulting from the following S
Maximum Wkly. Maximum Death Maximum WTdy. Sick Benefit Benefit Accident Benefit $25.00 $7,500 $25.00
Pays Surgeon's Fees and Phvsician's Bills 20 Dividend Each Five Years
Entire Cost
A Year to All
WE ARE STRICTLY AN OLD-LINE STOCK COMPANY No red tape, no medical examination. Come and read our contract and be convinced. Issued exclusively by North American Accident Insurance Co. of Chicago Oldest and largest company in America. Over 35 years of successful operation. Over $7,500,000 paid In claims. Operating in 47 states under government supervision. Represented by LEMPKE and GRIPE Above Wilson, the Cleaner 1016 Main Street Room 12, Comstock Bldg. Manager Lempke will leave Richmond tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 20 last day. See him at once. Office open from 8 a. ni. to 10 p. m.
WOOL JERSEY Yes, they are popular and scarce, but we looked ahead and have the goods and the price. The most wanted shades are Burgandy, Plum, Mode, Copenhagen, Brown, Navy; 54-inch width. Price, yard, $3.50.
THE STORE WITH ONLY ONE PRICE
Special Shoe Sale of Oxfords FOR SATURDAY
200 Pairs Black Kid Oxfords All sizes and widths; your choice Saturday for
NOTE : This lot consists of every black high heel Oxford and Tie in the store; qualities up to $9.00.
$2 95
T7T
SNOB
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