The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, May 26, 1919, Page 5

culture, and is responsible for studies in the cost of production of farm crops in this country. “Labor income” he defines as “what is left for the farmer’s labor and managerial ability after deducting from cash receipts and increased inven- tory all the expenses, including an allowanece for the unpaid family labor, depreciation on the equip- ment,; and interest on the value of the property.” Notice the low rate of interest allowed on the investment. The farmer can not borrow money at 5 per cent for the purchase of land; yet the calcu- lation of his own earnings would show far worse if he were allowed to figiire 6 per cent or 7 per cent on his investment. : “During 1917,” says Doctor Taylor in his bul- letin, “prices were high and rising higher, more rapidly than wages and other costs were rising. In this regard 1917 will prove, it is believed, an outstanding year. In 1918 wages and many other elements of cost have risen more rapidly than the prices, and the prospect is for prices to-fall more rapidly than costs in the period of reconstruction. “This gives none too cheerful an outlook for the farmer; even with such high prices as those of 1916 and 1917 the average labor income for the five years stands at $408. Who would count this too high? But who will guarantee the farmer as good an average for the next five years? It is a matter of great importance to keep close record of farm finance during the next few years in order that the farming interests may secure a hearing before committees on reconstruction. “The -future of American agriculture demands that the road be kept open to the top. A high per- centage of the young farmers must be able to save (Continued on page 14) -~ Ny 5y VI G1/7—%% /B LA o o= — = o fatllty Y What would you think of a farmer who, when it was time to harvest his apple crop, sat under the tree with his hat in his lap, waiting for the fruit to drop? What would you think of a farmer if he refused to use a ladder which was at hand to help him gather the crop? This is what farmers are doing in many of our states. They’re sitting still, waiting for prosperity to drop in their laps, L. , ~ USE THE LADDER! [ ‘ E Z = < / : 4 4 (/ I SR f“‘;/ i\ ¢ 1 LS by —Drawn expressly for the Leader by Congressman John M. Baer. when they might use the ladder of organization and gather the fruits of their own labor. While the unorganized farmer sits and waits, the profiteer steals up behind and takes the cream of the crop for himself. The Nonpartisan league ladder is made for the farmer, to help him gather the products of his own toil. Don’t you think a farmer must be very foolish if he can use it and doesn’t? ‘PAGE FIVE