Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, June 9, 1922, Page 8

NEED A DIFFERENT SPIRIT IN DEALING WITH FARM (Written Specially For The Bulletin.) I get very tired and a little inclined to be touchy reading the lucubrations of congressmen and editors and other big- heads over “What the Farmers Want." I look with something more than amaze- ment, with something closely approach- ing disgust on the hundred-and-one nos- trums which self-selected delegates to farm commissions and farm councils and farm conventions set out on their three-card-monte tables as panaceas for agricultural ills. According to some, the farmers want more representation on the federal re- serve board. According to others, they want the “agricultural bloc socalled, to take control of congress According tc still others, they want of the foreign- a tarifft which shall shut out country all importation of grown farm products. According to many they want more constderation at the hands of banks and bankers, and the privilege of borrowing mare money at lower rates and on more IMeral terms as to collateral. And 5o on and so on, ad infinitum, ad naueeam. AlL whether belonging to the classes mentioned above or to other classes not specially named, seem to agree that the thing needed in order to smooth the far- mer's rocky road is something in the way of government action. They call for more and different legislation. They want . boards of investigation authorized and laws passed and business restric- tions relaxed for the special benefit of farmers. Or clse they want different laws passed and additional restrictions imposed—again for the special benefit of farmers. But they all unite in hold- ation demands a g and the appoint- ment of mere officials. In other words, they propose to till the farmer's complaints by feeding him a tew more bottles of speclally pr ed Political Pap. Always with the un- derstanding that said Political Pap shall be the sort prepared in their own laboratories and according to their own specifications. You would think to hear them talk and spout they have an intimate and exact wledge of the situation; that they kmow precisely what is the matter with the patient, and have in pillboxes the ons and only sover- ng cure for every symp- that their guide-books are nfallible rules of the road. T am irresistibly reminded of what Lit-| tls Tom saw in the island of Poluprag- mosyne, as described by Charles Kings- ley in his highly educational if not al- ways strictly veracious fairy story of Also tom. the only and “The Water Bables.” I quote “There Tom saw ploughs drawing horses, nails driving hammers, bulls keeping china-shops.” ete. “When he got into the middle of the town, they all sst on him at once, to show him his way; or rather to show him that he did net know his way; for as for asking him what way he wanted to 2o, no ons ever thought of that. But one pulled Bm hither, and another poked him thither, and a third cries— “‘You mustn't go west, T tell you; it ls destruction to go west.' *“But T am not going wWest, as you east les here, my | s the east.’ ‘But I don't to go east’ sald Tom ‘Well, then, at all events, whichever way you a you are goingj wrong,' c with one voice— | which was thing which they ever agreed about: and all pointed at once to all the thirty-and-two points of the compass, till Tom thought all the sign-posts in England had got together| ar@ tallen fighting.” Now, whether all this happemed Tom, the water-baby, on his remarkable journey to The-Other-End-of-Nowhere even Mr, Kingsley admits to be = matter of some doubt. But it is what is happening to Ha: e farmer, all over the United Sta He is being pulled one way and hauled the other, prodded punched and pan-handled, twisted up back alleys and steered into blind ditches by the most promiscuous set of | Maulbery ses who ever proposed to| make millions by the sale of eye-water distilled from turnips It is very rare that any ome of these loud-voiced friends of the farmer knows to even a little bit of what he is talking sbout. T would be willing to bet some- t not many of them could tell ce, off-hand, hetween a clevis 1 hitch Or between poison lvy and woodbine. Or how to manage quick-grass. Or what to do with the maggots in an onion-bed. Or how to get & decent living off a hilly, stony, "|take to enlist his support for any set imen either virtuous or wise or just by steep-sided and thin-soiled New England farm. ILLS. YeYt they are all cock-sure that they know more about the game than the men who make the cards, It I wanted to know what was the trouble with farming, and what is need- ed to restore agriculture to its proper standing among our national industries, 1 shouldn’t go to any convention or| comraission or congress of speech-mak- ing pap-seekers. I should go with my] flivver or my old horse and buggy across| two or three counties, stopping wherever I saw a real farmer really at work, and seeking his viewpoint—if he was willing ta give the plow-team a five-minute rest and talk to me over the fence. The result of such an inguiry would unquestionably be the development of a good many crude theories and the pro- duction of a good many one-sided state- ments. But they would all have come out of the honest and permanent dirt of the farm—not from the shifting caverns of a delusive fog-bank waiting for the rising sun }o abolish it, So far a¢ my conversatfons with real farmers have enlightened me, 1 should say that very few of them understand and practically none of them care a rap for the schemes which are devised or advocated by “agricultural congresses” called by politicians and composed of politicians, mainly. Nor are they inter- ested in the operations of any ‘agricul- tural bloes.” They may not be able to tell a hawk from a hand-saw, even when the wind is northerly, but they do know. the difference between a spoonful of pap and a baked potato, or between a hill of corn and a stalk of pig-weed. There is no doubt that a great many gentlemen who are holding office or run- ning for office or secretly hankering af- ter office would like to have the yoting farmers regard them as devoted friends and champions. But they Insult the in- telligence of even the dumbest-headed farmer |n two states when they under- of cranky innovations, conceived in ut- ter ignorance of the real facts and mas- querading in imitation garments, There are others who hold the same feeling as I do about this matter. The number is growing, T think. Even the editors of big city papers occasionally “strike twelve,” as the saying is, in dis- cussing it. Here, for example, is an ex- tract from a recent editorial in the To- ledo, O., Blade: “From the plain statements of a far- mer—an everyday, dirt farmer—to us we venture to say that what the average farmer wants are lower freight rates, a! fairer share in the prices paid for farm products by consumers, a higher return on investment and labor, a lower price for farm impiements, relief from the evils that make,a gamble of farming, an income in proportion te the Service rendered society. “The man who tells the farmer that politics will bring these things is ped- dling a nostrum. Legislation can do little. Tempestuous talk can do nothing. Relief for the farmer must be in the di- rection of better business and he is in- finitely more likely to obtain this relief by his own power and that of his non- political organizations than through gen- tlemen who put emery powder into the works at Washington. “Whatever it is the farmer wants, it will not be political horseplay which gives it to him.” ] That seems to me to cover the ground and express the plain truth about as well as you or I could do it. ..As a matter of fact, it isn't new leg- islation or more legislation which 1s needed to cure farm flls. It is a differ- ent spirit in dealing with them. And that {s something over which legislation is as powerless as it i{s over the moral v. It is simply impossible to make act of congress—or even by constitu- tional amendment. ‘When Humpty Dumpty has once tumbled off the wall not all the king’s horses mor all thel king’s men can set Humpty-Dumpty up again. It's against the course of na- ture, And the course of nature runs its own| way, utterly regardless of human acts or edicts. So far as I kmew him, the American farmer doesn't want special privilages nor special rights, nor special legisla- tion. that which he produces. He wants just an honest deal and a fair show .in the game, He doesn't want Political Pap, but he does want thres square meals a day and what Mr, Hohenzollern' once described as a “place in the sun.” He doesn't want charity, but he does want what he earns. It the rest of the world is compesed of foreseeing and really intelligent beings, they will see that he gets this much. They will heartily. support him in taking this much. THE FARMER. Special Sale FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY All of our Spring and Summer Trimmed Hats Radically Reduced. HATS at $1.98 $2.98 $3.98 Values to $10.00 S. KAMSLER 112 MAIN STREET of Millinery He wants simply his full share of | |§ NORWICH BULLETIN, FRIDAT, NG % TWEE o G i FIFTY YEARS OF ey Pla”i ('addefl (h pe samisFvinG service: 1872 - 0ur Golden Anniversary Year— 1022 HOME FURNISHERS Timely Home Needs of Beauty and Merit At Extraordinary Price Concessions Free Concert THIS AFTERNOON FROM 4 TO 5 AT THIS STORE Wheeler Wadsworth, of the All-Star Trio and his Orchestra of Nine Artists with ZEZ CONFREY, composer of “Stumbling’”’ etc., will be here in person, and will play for an hour. This orchestra will also ap- pear at the Battery B Dance at the Armory, Tonight — Tickets for which are on sale here. 4-Piece Bedroom Suite in Choice of Three Finishes An attractive Suite, comprising Bed, Dresser, Chiffonette and Triplicate Mirror Dressing Table—finished in Wal- nut, Ivory or French Gray—a regular $300.00 value. 9-Piece Wm. and Mary Dining Suite in Early English Oak $ l 89 Consists of Extension Table, China Closet, Buffet, 5 Side Chairs and 1 Arm Chair. Server to match, if desired, extra. A fine reproduction of the durable William and Mary period. Clothes With a Geod CEDAR CHEST Good is the word that should be applied to our line of Cedar Chests —They are very strongly con- structed of one inch stock, and handsomely finished. Get one for your home—they provide the best kind of clothes protection. See the chest we are of- $1 6 50 fering at .. Protect Your == iy | R IF YOU CANNOT HEAR m‘: Agggg Al:“:?os Refrigerators of the Better Kind MORROW AND HEAR| In Great Variety in the Victor catalog. sortment is varied enough | SpeCial Offer in This|to meet every hood asite New Victrola [*tle and price. Console Outfit Strong Couch Hammock $9.90 If you have wanted a Couch Ham- mock, you should investigate this offer. It is made of heavy duck, in khaki or gray, and has comfortable upholstered spring seat. Will give you many years service and comfort. Attractive Fibre Rockers and Chairs Finished in French G-+, Ivory, Natural, Mahogany and Brown—some with Cretonne and Tapestry Covered Seats and Backs, and some plain. In assorted styles and all very moderately priced. Distinctive Porch or Lawn Furniture Made of Cedar Settees, Chairs, Rockers; Benches and Tables—attractively designed, strongly built—finished smoothly and durably to withstand outside exposure. See this distinctive fur- niture. It is moderately priced. SENDS IT TO YOUR HOME AT ONCE SMALL WEEKLY AMOUNTS PAY FOR IT This Outfit' Consists of : — Victrola Console (as shown) ........$115.00 6 Double-faced Rec- ords (twelve se- lections) ........ Choose Your Piano Here From the World’s Best Makes Here will be found the world- famed CHICKERING — the oldest piano in America — ‘|and the best in the world. 4,50 |Other renowned makes are the Haines Bros., Wasser- -.15|mann, Crawford, Hallet & Davis, Autopiang, Behr Bros., Exceptional Offers From the Jewelry Department GENTLEMAN’S WATCH 15-jewel, with 20-year guarantee, plain or engraved, 12 size, gold $1 2 50 filled case ........ : 1 Velvet Record GENTLEMAN’S WATCH Brush ... \ 17-jewel, with 20-year guarantee, plain 1 bottle of Oil — afi:dng“ved’ 12 size, gold $22 50 300 Needles . .. .10|Conway, Lexington, and Special lot of Ladies’ Solid Gold Rings. Values 53 50 Tombicaa -2 . SHI0 oTt::ro‘:nenhip of any oneenof these instruments will give up to $10.00—Our Special Price Now . ... .. . l"vl:) :;;“";‘;\“l:i y:“;ag‘bp‘:;t you the greatest pride and satisfaction. The prices are ment on this handsome new|varied enough to suit every purse, and the terms low outfit. enough to make the possession of one a very easy matter. Musical Instruments of Quality That Are Easy to Play| All the Latest Hits for Your Piano At Prices That Make Them Easy to Own LATEST SHEET MUSIC Violins, Mandolins, Banjc-Mandolins, Ukel eles, Saxaphones—and a great variety of | ALL THE LATEST POPULAR HITS WILL ALWAYS other instruments. It will surprise you to learn how easy it is to play one of these in- BE FOUND HERE. COME IN AND LET US PLAY struments, and it will please you to know how easy it is to own one. Come in and see | THEM FOR YOU. OUR PRICES ARE LOWER THAN our complete line. ELSEWHERE EN £0. SINCE 1872 NORWICH Cut Glass at Special Low Prices Be Sure and Hear Wheeler Wadsworth of the All-Star Trio and His Orchestra Tonight, at the Armory. Tickets on Sale Here. YOUR CREDIT 1S GOOD HERE — USE IT AND ENJOY IT’S ADVANTAGES 35-i41 MAIN 5T YANTIC A family reunion was held at the home of Edward Jones over the past week end at which twenty-two were presen:i. ) Jones’ six children and six grandekil dren with other members of the fam- ily were in_the party. Among those pres- NORWICH, CONN. ent were: Mrs. Sarah Schlough and son, George Schlough, and son-n-law and daughter, Mrs, Eiwood M. Parley of Wa- terbury, Edwin Jones of Yantic, Mr. and Mrs. John Jones of Waterbury, Mr. and Mrs. William Jones and daughte, Shir- ley, and guests, Mrs. Ruth Fergusos Mrs. Grace Hartwell and son, Donald, and Mr. Smith of Oakville, Mr. and Mrs. Evan Jones and son, Edward aad daugh- ter, Elizabeth A., of Waterbury, and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Bishop and daughter, Olive, of Yantic. Mr. Jones, who is nearly 80, thoroughly enjoyed the reunion and was as usual very- active. Mrs. George Manning hospita: tained the Dorcas Missionary society of enter- the Methodist Episcoptl chur:l® at her home on School House H I, Thursday The baseball games that have been held on the Franklin road baseball lot recently have revived a great deal of the sporting spirit in the village and the members of the American Woolen. com- pany’s team have on hand a contributed sum toward the purchase of baseball suits. To further the interest in the game, many of the old-time favorites in Yantic who are now members of the Yan- tic Fire Engine company have challenged the American Woolen company to a game on the home lot Saturday. The Yantic Fire Engine company has as 'bnzalu ~ John Lamphere, William Counterman and Joseph Wheeler, while Eilis Bentley and Ernest Sherman will be catchers. It is not known who the American Woolen company will have, as it is understood tha tthey are going out of town for their battery. Mrs. John Ayers leaves this (Friday) mocning for. Detroit, Mich., where she will spend the summer with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Ayers. Miss J. M. Pendleton, R. N., was in Niantic, Hartford and Meriden this week in “the interest of the stat o % o e board of Thomas Pfieffer has received one of the large photographs taken of the 301st Field Signal batialion's triennial banquet Wwhich was held at the New American house ‘in Boston this spring and which was attended by 120 reembers of the bat- talion, including M. Pfieffer. ‘Mrs. John Kilroy entertained the mem- bers of the Woman's guild at her home Wednesday afternoon. After the business meeting a social hour was spent during which the hostess served delicious re. freshments