THE GRAIN GROWERS’ GUIDE November 23, 1910

nion Bank of Canada.

Private Funds

HEAD OFFICE: QUEBEC ESTABLISHED 1865 Capital paid-up - $3,244,000 Rest - $1,900,000 TOTAL ASSETS EXCEED $44,000,000 HON JOHN SHARPLES, President G. H. BALFOUR, General Manager H. B. SHAW, Assistant General Manager

WESTERN HEAD OFFICE STAFF, WINNIPEG.

YN Be CORISRO Oe coe eS secs i} intendent West B h j 1

LY ie oo ee ee invested in carefully selected Real Estate or first

» VIBERT asHupenpiior “Alberts, radios mortgage loans at current rate of interest. If .. Supervisor Saskatchewan Branches

THOS. Supervisor Saskatchewan Branches

UNION BANK OF OANADA

you have funds on hand or mortgages or other securities maturing at an early date mail particu- lars of the amount you will have to invest, stating when your funds will be available and the nature of the investment you prefer, whether Real Estate or first mortgage. I shall mail you by return full particulars of the most suitable investment for your funds.

MANITOBA—-Baldur, Birtle, Boisse- yain, Brandon, Carberry, Carman, Car- roll, Clearwater, Crystal City, Cypress River, Dauphin, Deloraine, Glenboro, Hamiota, Hartney, Holland, Killarney, Manitou, Melita, Minnedosa, Minto, Morden, Neepawa, Newdale, Ninga, Rapid City, Roblin, Russell,Shoal Lake, Souris, Strathclair, Virden, Waskada, Wawanesa, Wellwood, Winnipeg, Win- nipeg (N.E. Br.), Winnipeg (Sargent Ave. Br), Winnipeg (Logan Ave. Br.), Winnipeg (Selkirk and Salter Streets). SASKATOHEWAN—Adanac, Arcola, Asquith, Buchanan, Carlyle, Oraik, Cu- par, Esterhazy, Eyebrow, Fillmore, Gull Lake, Humbolt, Indian Head, Jansen, Kindersley, Kerr Robert, Landis, Lang, Lanigan, Lemberg, Lumsden, Luse Land, Macklin, Maple Creek, Maryfield, Mile- stone, Moose Jaw, Moosomin, Nether Hill, Neudorf, Outlook, Oxbow, Pense, Perdue, Qu’Apelle, Regina, Rocanyille, Rosetown, Saskatoon, Scott, Sintaluta, Suthey, Strassburg, Swift Current, Tes- sier, Theodore, Togo, Wapella, Wat- rous, Webb, Weyburn, Wilkie, Wind- thorst, Wolseley, Yorkton, Zealandia. ALBERTA—Airdrie, Alix, Barons, Bassano, Blairmore, Bowden, Brooks, Calgary, Carbon, Cardston, Carlstadt, Carstairs, Claresholm, Cochrane,Cowley, Didsbury, Edmenton, Ft. Saskatche- wan, Frank, Grassy Lake, High River, Innisfail, Irma, Irvine, Lacombe, Lang- don, Lethbridge, Lethbridge (North Ward Branch), Macleod, Medicine Hat, Okotoks, Pincher Oreek, Seven Per-

sons, Sterling, Strathmore, Three Hills, : = | | a m Yr a S S | e Wainwright. a = - BRITISH COLUMBIA :

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Titles thoroughly inspected and all instruments | carefully examined before money is paid out.

References, Bank of Toronto, Winnipeg.

Mail particulars at once to

: f have got a measure of relief from the Elevator Grain Growers extortions, the “‘ MIDGET ”’ will free them from the Flour Combine

THE “MIDGET”? PATENT ROLLER FLOUR MILL

What It Does

Makes 196 to 220 pounds of flour per hour.

What It Is

A Complete Roller Flour Mill in one frame driven by one belt.

Produces results equal to the largest mills.

Floor space occupied, 10 ft. by 4 ft. Height, 6 ft. 3 in. Requires 3-horse power to

drive. Does NOT require an experi-

enced miller to operate.

Contains four pairs of Rollers

and four Centrifugal Flour Dressers.

Leaves Bran and _ Shorts with farmers for feed.

a mene The ‘‘MIDGET’’ has long passed the experimental stage, and on account of its economical operation and excellent work, has proved an unqualified success wherever introduced. It promises an exceptional investment to the man who desires to operate a small flour mill in the West.

This Mill with WHEAT-CLEANER, Gasoline Engine and Building, costs less than a Modern Threshing Outfit, and will run 12 months in the year and 24 hours per day

For Booklet, with full particulars and plans for installation, &c., write to

Ge ee ee ee CHAS. LUNN, JASMIN P.O., Sask.

November 23, 1910 /

~ Last Week in Alberta » Legislature

The ‘pas t week. has ‘been’a quiet one in ae

the A Legislature and has’seen ‘no:

announcement of \ policy and). very: little |... legislation peeping plete although one: ori}. 2." een. inttoduced.: “Pro; «|. Monday” with the ||: from*, the, thrones, “Mr: Stewart; M.P.P. for® |“

two:: bills: have © ceedings ,epened on debate’ on; the-reply to the speech:

Sedgewick,’ moved the “reply. He. was

pléased to note that agriculture was-the ||

first’ iteti mentioned ih, His Honor’s” address and‘ realizing that’ when agricul- - tutal> pursuits are. notin ja flourishing condition’ all business and industry. must

sufferin' consequence, that ‘the’ party to. |."

which. ke: belonged »would give it reason-:

able. financial’ assistance*and would deal.’

with’ it” evén more. generously in the_ future.) 4 yes

Mr\ Mc Gleichen;seconded the réply, and stated © thatthe foundation of ‘this province rests upon’*its. agriculture.’ -As.the farmer . sticceeds the.’ province’ will progress, as he failsiitwwill decline:;: The government should’ make’the foundation . sure. -' He- believed’ that now’ and for years. to come the government would -act :wisely in spending much 'of the money at’ its dis- posal: in making the ‘condition of the farmer. easier and better and he advised that where the. building :of large and costly ; public institutions:‘may be post- poned, let ‘it bé- done. until .agriculture, our foundation; is on a solid basis... -,

Mr. Michener, M.P:P. for Red Deer;: the: new: leider -of the opposition; then took’ the. floor. He had «hoped to. find some instance of constructive legis- lation forecasted in ‘thé speech from the throne, but he had found’ nothing. Referring to some remarks of the previous speakers he stated he did not place much stress on the names Liberal or Conservative as far as provincial politics went. There were no great distinguishing features between the two parties. They were here as a government in power and an opposition.

Premier Replies

Premier Sifton replied to Mr. Michener ina short speech. R. B. Bennett, M.P.P. for Calgary, was the next speaker... Attor- ney General Mitchell then spoke for the government, and he was followed by the socialist member, C. M. O’Brien, of Rocky Mountain constituency, who dwelt at length upon the ‘economic problems from a socialistic standpoint and contend- ed that the adoption of the principles of that party. would remedy such conditions outlined by the speaker of the previous

ay.

Robert Patterson, M.P.P. for Macleod, was the next speaker and explained the manner of his election as Independent Farmers’ representative in the recent contest in his district. He reviewed the speeches which had been given. When Mr. Patterson retired the premier moved a vote of thanks to the lieutenant-gover- nor for his message and the debate on the address from the throne was over.

The routine work of the week has been. along general lines only. The standing orders committee have met regularly and the only other committee which has yet got down to work is the agricultural. This committee held a meeting on Wednes- day and considered several proposed amendments to the Game Act, which will be reported on later.

Among other business taken up during the week, Hon. Duncan Marshall has introduced his *“‘Act respecting charges upon land contained in certain instru- ments,’? and tnis has received sts first and second reading and is in charge of the committee of the house as a whole. This Act was prepared last ‘session and it as yety necessary one. In many lien notes, etc., prepared by machine companies and signed by farmers when purchasing

.machinery on time certain clauses are

printed in» the agreement in such fine type that they are very seldom read. These clauses generally mean that the maker ‘has given.the machine companies a mortgage on his’land and they take advantage of it by filing caveats against the property. ‘This Act, ‘which is finding

ae : favor all over the country, makes such

‘.¢lausés illegal and’ gives the signer the

‘privilege of taking the case to the supreme

gourt' for relief.. There is every prospect

that this bill will become law at an early

' date, 1;

‘Hon: C. R. ‘Mitchell, attorney general

and minister of ‘education, has introduced

‘McArthur;:the’ new member for’

THE GRAIN GROWERS’ GUIDE Grain

cee he Growers’ Gude

oR, McKENZIE, Editor-in-Chief - G. F./CHIPMAN, Managing Editor

Published ‘under the ‘auspices and employed as the Official Organ of 7) the Manitoba Grain Growers’, Association, the Saskatchewan Grain Growers’ .. Association, and the United Farmers of Alberta.

Z t rt ‘

THE GUIDE IS DESIGNED TO GIVE UNCOLORED NEWS FROM PHH WORLD. OF THOUGHT AND-ACTION and honest opinions thereon, with the object of aiding our people to form correct views tpon economic, social and moral questions, ‘so that the growth of society may continually “bein the direction of more equitable, kinder and wiser relations between ‘its members, resulting in the widest possible ‘increase and diffusion of material’ prosperity, intellectual development, right living, health and - happiness. — — é :

“THER. GUIDE IS THE ONLY PAPER. IN CANADA THAT IS ABSOLUTELY OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY FARMERS. It is entirely independent, and not one dollar of political, capitalistic or special interest’ money. is invested ‘in it. All opinions expressed in The Guide are with the aim to make Canada a better country and to bring forward the day when ‘‘Equal Rights to All and Special Privileges to None’’

shall prevail. : :

Canadian Subscriptions, $1.00 per year in advance. Foreign Subscrip- tions, $1.50: per-year in advance, Single Copy, 5 cents.

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Change of advertising copy and New Matter must be received not “later than Friday noon each week to ensure inserticn.

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Address all communications, upon whatever. subject, to The Grain

Growers’ Guide, Winnipeg.. Do not send anything but personal letters to individuals.

Volume III CONTENTS Number

EDITORIAL Page The 0.P.R. Stockyards .. 5 The United States Elections .. .. .. 5 Reciprocity Negotiations .. .. .. ©. 6. ee ee ee ee re te 5 Our Tariff Economically Unsound .. Sllan ok ttn oe Uae se ccnegcrsW erase AS The Farmers’ Unfinished Work .. .. .. -. -. 6. fe ee ee ee ee ee 6

cement

SPECIAL ARTICLES

Saskatchewan Elevator Scheme ..... ..... -. ee ee ee ee ee ees 7 Direct Legislation, by Robert L. Scott (Third Article) ........ 10 Tariff for Masses and Classes, by Robert Hicks .. 22 MAIL BAG Protectionist Bubbles Punctured, by C. 8S. Watkins .. 16 Mr. Kennedy at Minitonas, by David Reid... .. ....-.-: 16 Is Hudson’s Bay Frozen? by W. H. Lawrence .. .. ....-- ++ -: 16 Farmers Read This, by Albert J.8. Webber .. .. .. -. -. -. 0+: 16 On Party Rule, by J. L. Williamson .. .. 17 DEPARTMENTS

Agricultural Department .. wae ee . 18-14 30-33 Saskatchewan Section .. 2. 2... 6. ce ee ee ee ee ee ee . 19-21 Alberta Bection ... .. 6605. che aa 94-86. Manitoba Section .......... . 28-29 Grain Growers’ Sunshine Guild .. .. .. .... +--+: 34 Around the Fireside (Food in Health and Disease) .. .. . 85-38 News of the World (Our Special Ottawa Letter) .. .. . 89-40

. 41-42

Grain, Live Stock and Produce Markets ...........

Page 3

an act respecting truancy and compulsory school attendance; an act to prevent priority among creditors; an act respect~ ing witnesses and evidence; an act re- specting the University of Alberta; and acts-to amend. the school ordinance, the school assessment ordinance and the school grants ordinance, Premier Sifton has introduced an act respecting the raising of loans authorized by the legis- lature. ; University Act

The new University Act, which is a redraft of the old act, and- which provides for an entire reconstruction of the govern- ing body of the university is of interest. The chief feature of this act is that it provides for the appointment by the provincial government of a board of governors in which will be vested all the

powers. of control of the” university,

including its finances.. The board is to consist: of the chancellor and president of the university ‘and nine or twelve members appointed by the government. The chairman of the board.is to be appointed by the government and of the first appointed members three shall hold office for two years, three for four years and three for six years. The senate of the university shall comprise the chan- cellor of the university, the chairman of the board, the president or head of every affiliated college or institute, the deans of the faculties of the universities, all persons who have at any time occupied the office of chancellor or vice-chancellor, the principal of the normal ‘school, the ‘superintendent. ‘of education for the province, or until ‘he is appointed the deputy minister of education, shall be ex-officio -members.

The faculties shall be represented by the deans of the faculties and one member elected by the faculty council. One member appointed by the law society. Ten members elected by the convocation. The election of the first senate shall take place not less than three months after the date of expiration of the term of the present chancellor and senate. That term has already expired and it is likely that an election of the senate may be called shortly after the new act has been passed.

Public Accounts

The statement of public accounts covering the final five months of the old administration ending on May 81 last, has been laid on the table by the premier. This shows a deposit on general revenue account of $130,866.82. This is account- ed for, however, by the fact that in this statement no charge whatever has been made to public account. . It is expected that there was a surplus but the exact amount will not be known till the end of the financial year.

The statement shows that the receipts for the five months totalled $2,151,663.40, made up as follows:—

Balance, December 31 ... 24,830.41 Dominion subsidy, etc.... 457,727 .66 Provincial treasury,

receipts .........6+. 18,090.21 Public works department,

receipts ........05%% 14,294.64 Provincial secretary de-

partment, receipts... 24,196.31 Attorney general depart-

ment, receipts ...... 116,332.40 Agricultural department,

receipts .........005 11,980.95 Dairy commissioner : 17,654.69 Clerk legislative assembly. 2,075.00 Government printer... .. 1,985.78 Miscellaneous, including

loan from Imperial

Bank $1,460,000.00

and $2,495.45, other-

WISE Wo Sek ee bee oe 1,462,495 .45 Balance May 31,1910 ... 130,866.82

is as follows:— oy Loan, overdraft, capital

account expenditure 1,050,304 .58 Civil government ....... 78,976.20 Legislation ........6.54 18,008.61 Administration of justice “171,404.94 Public works ........545% , 455,791.20 Education .......0.04 4% 156,863.08 Agriculture, ete........5 118,658.68 Hospitals, charities, ete. .. 85,703 .07 Miscellaneous ........-- 25,831.11 Remissions, rebates, ete. . 16,470.33 Special warrants ........ 161,027.57

lata os riw a wee $2,282,530. 22 leaving a debit balance of $130,866.82

ture for the five months was $296,120.32, Continued on Page 40 :

THE GRAIN GROWERS’? GUIDE

November 238, 1910

P.S.—The weather may be cold and the wind may be high,

but what cares the man with a good BUCK-EYE

TANNING IS AN ART

Do not take chances of having a valuable hide spoiled by unskilled workmen. Our work is done by trained hands and every hide and pelt which we tan is guaranteed to be as perfect a piece of workmanship as can be produced.

Horse and Cow Hides Make Good Coats and Robes

@ We will tan the hides and make them into garments which will prove a great protection during the coming winter months. 4 A trial order will convince you that our claims are based on facts. Write for prices and instructions to shippers.

Highest prices paid for Hides, Pelts and Tallow. Manufacturers of all kinds of Leather. Our Specialty: The Okinau Brand of Lace Leather. Send for Booklet giving Prices and Shipping Instructions.

Winnipeg Tanning Co. Ltd., Winnipeg, Man.

YOUR WIFE DESERVES

The Greatest Labor Saver ever placed in a Kitchen.

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Just as: Illus- trated

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ighest grade range made in the world. Burns wood or any kind of coal. Takes wood 24 inches long. No. 9-20 has oven 20 x 20 x 13 inches; six 9 in. lids, copper reservoir encased, shipping weight 550 pounds. Complete with high closet and oven thermometer 46.75. Write for Stove Catalogue

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Kitchen Cabinet, $17.50

Buys The handsomest and best Steel Range ever produced. ; thie wm <A new design with elaborate nickeled trimmings. The Larger, Better Quality, and more conven- IS | nickeling is done by special process, and is of a white] ient than other Cabinets sold at $25 to $35

Study the arrangement of this large Kitchen Cabinet and you will soon decide that it is the most conveniently arranged cabinet made. There is nothing small or poky about a Wingold Kitchen Cabinet. From the large divided flour bin to the smallest spice drawer, you will find it just what you need to save thousands of those unnecessary steps which you take every day. Cooking will become a pleasure instead of a burden when you use a Wingold Cabinet. The cutlery and spice drawers, the kneading and cutting board, the sugar, salt and flour bins are all within easy reach. ‘Two large cupboards and china closet com- plete the cabinet in every detail. Made of white maple, natural finish. The base is 32 inches high, 48 inches wide, and 26 inches deep. Entire height of cabinet, 84 inches. shipping weight 200 lbs.

The Wingold Stove Co. Ltd.

186 BANNATYNE AVE. - WINNIPEG

Che Grain Growers’ Guide

Cinnipeg, Hednesday, Hobvember 23rd, 1910

THE C.P.R. STOCKYARDS

The Guide has devoted considerable atten- tion recently to the stockyard facilities of the C.P.R. in the city of Winnipeg. An article published. in the. last issue shows the disgraceful condition now existing. The C.P.R. stockyards are not only inadequate to accommodate the heavy shipments from the West, but apparently the Company makes little effort to give satisfaction to livestock shippers. Cattle are side-tracked and left in the cars without food or water for long periods. If there is an active hu- mane society in Winnipeg it should find plenty of scope for its work. Small ship- pers continually claim that special privileges are given to the big abattoir concern of Gordon, Ironsides & Fares. Shipments that come in for the abattoir concern are never kept on side-tracks, but are immediately given a place in the yards, no matter how much small shippers may suffer by so doing. The action of the C.P.R. in allowing their stockyards to be conducted as they are all tends to drive the live stock trade of the West into the hands of a monopoly. The C.P.R. entered into an arrangement with the city of Winnipeg many years ago to main- tain adequate stockyards in the city, and received exemption from taxes on all their city property on that undertaking. The C.P.R. also signed a forfeit bond of $200,000 in case it should not fulfil its undertaking. The city certainly should annul that agree- ment and demand payment of the bond. Shippers also declare that they are unable to get hay at reasonable prices from the C.P.R. Last year there passed through. the stock- yards 169,458 cattle, 128,073 pigs and 24,221 sheep. The charges for weighing are five cents a head for cattle and three cents a head for sheep. A total revenue from this source of $14,041.72. Profits on the hay which the Company provides is also very large. In the letter from the claims agent published in last issue is a clear indication that the C.P.R. takes no responsibility for cattle in the stockyards. Surely it is time _ the C.P.R. was brought to terms. That great corporation has milked Canada, particularly Western Canada, for the last thirty years to the extent of hundreds of millions of dollars, and in return, have adopted a ‘‘ Pub- lic be damned”’ attitude. If there were decent stockyards in Winnipeg where every shipper would get a square deal and special privileges given to none it would be a great boon to the livestock industry of the West. It is time the city of Winnipeg, the Manitoba government and the Dominion government took hold of this matter and provided relief from the extortion now practised on the livestock shippers as well as on the cruelty practised on the dumb brutes that are com- pelled to go without food and water to satisfy the greed of the railway company and the abattoirs. Heretofore the small shippers have been afraid to speak, but now conditions have become so bad that they feel that nothing worse can happen to them, and in desperation are appealing for relief. Surely the manhood of Western Canada is of a calibre that will not tolerate such high- handed and autocratic treatment as is being given to livestock shippers. Herein lies the explanation of the. decay of the livestock industry in the West.

During the past few days the C.P.R. is making considerable addition to their yards, but not enough. Is there any hope that the small shippers will get a square deal in the future?”

THE UNITED STATES ELECTIONS

On November 8 the people of United States passed their opinion upon the Jegis'aiors who enacted the Payne-Aldrich tariff and. thus poured more millions into the tirusi coffers. The result is that the Republican party was thrown out of power in the lower house and the power of the plutocratic senate was greatly weakened. The Republican party has been dominated by political bosses who had selfish ends to serve and who were work- ing for the benefit of the big interests. But there were a number of big men who refused to bow to this oligarchy and worship at the shrine of special privilege. These tribunes of the people began to preach truth and the people appreciated it. The American people are day by day awakening to a realization of their servile condition. They are begin- ning to see through the talk of patriotism and party loyalty that has fooled them so long. They have delivered a stern rebuke to President Taft and warned him against a continuation of his present methods. Popu- lar opinion in United States has carried little weight for a number of years past because the people believed more in party than in principle. Now they are standing for principle. When the people of United States have another two years for thought and have an opportunity to complete the good work they have begun, a new era will dawn in the republic. The result of the election was a body blow to Theodore Roose- velt in his attempt to become a political boss. His self-assumed leadership was not favored. He was turned down by his fellow-Republi- cans who liked much of what he said but resented his actions. Roosevelt’s star is on the wane and his aspirations for the presi- dency in 1912 do not seem likely to receive popular favor. The Republican journals consider the New York election to be a blow between the eyes for Roosevelt. They con- sider that he has had his day and now should mind his own business.

The result in United States, a trust-ruled and tariff-robbed country, carries a moral. Special privilege may for a time tramp rough shod over a people and may fatten through the exploitation of the common people, but sooner or later the day of reckoning comes and the people assert their rights. The prin- ciples which have been bestowed upon cer- tain classes in United States are enough to astound any human heing when the truth is told. It has been ouly through hiding the truth that the people have been kept in subjection for so long a time. The uprising in United States has been due to similar con- ditions, though further advanced, as obtain in Canada. Certain capitalists got control of the governmental machinery and by that means enacted laws which rendered the con- suming public their bond servants. The result was so profitable that it was carried to excess and brought on a peaceable revolu-

tion. It matters not under what name the

government of United States is called so long .

as there are patriotic statesmen at the head of it. There is'a very strong free trade move- ment in the republic, and public opinion is rapidly being educated in that direction. There is also a growing tendency to avoid interference with natural laws. The spirit of progress is abroad on the North American continent, and he exercises bad judgment who stands in its pathway.

RECIPROCITY NEGOTIATIONS

The agents of United States government have been conferring with Mr. Fielding, Minister of Finance, and Mr. Paterson, Min- ister of Customs, during the past week. Nothing has been given out to the public as a result of this conference, but it is announced that everything is satisfactory and that further negotiations will be taken up in Washington with President Taft per- sonally in January. A great deal of stress is being laid upon the necessity of having a square deal with United States and having the American tariff against Canada reduced. This sounds very well when considered in general terms, but if the United States wants to keep the high tariff and rob its people, is this any excuse why Canada should do likewise? If United States can manufac- ture certain things more cheaply than Canada, our people should benefit thereby. The farmers of Canada have repeatedly said that they do not want any protection on natural products. They have also said that they do not want any protection on manufae- tured goods. Then why should not the tariff be reduced, regardless of what United States may do? The people of United States have shown in a very tangible way during the past week that they are entirely dissatisfied with the protective tariff that builds up huge trusts and enhances prices of everything they buy. Let the people of the United States work out their own problem and let the people of Canada work out theirs. If we take off the duty on manufactured goods it will reduce the price in Canada to the extent of the tariff. The price in United States will remain high and the U.S. manufacturers will sell their produce in Canada cheaper than they do in the United States. Wherein will that hurt the Canadian farmers? Of course the protected manufacturer in Canada will complain because he is not allowed to rob the Canadian people as the United States trusts rob the American people. But it scarcely seems reasonable that because one country permits a system of robbery that Canada should do the same. The Canadian manufacturers under protective tariff ship their goods to England and sell cheaper:than in Canada. Canada buys more per capita from United States than she sells to them. But Canada wouldn’t buy unless it was to her advantage to do so, so where is the harm? Let us have freer trade with United States, but the Canadian people should not be fooled by any protectionist argument and continue the system of tariff robbery, simply because the American people are also in bondage.

AVOIDING THE ISSUE

It is interesting to note how busy the Toronto Globe and the Winnipeg Free Press have ‘been lately in drawing the ‘‘red herring’’ of ‘‘senate reform’’ across the trail of tariff revision. Of course we all know that the Senate needs reforming, and needs it very badly, in fact the Senate should be taken apart and completely done over before it is going to be of any particular use as a part of the legislative machinery of the Dominion of Canada. But the good old rule of ‘‘One thing at a time and that done well,’’ is the one that should be followed just flow, and although efforts being made towards reforming the Senate are most com- mendable, yet we would suggest to these two creat journals that if they would devote all their energy at the present time to the tariff question, they would find it far more

Page 6

appreciated by the great rank and file of Canadian readers. The Senate question can then be given full consideration.

‘

OUR TARIFF ECONOMICALLY UNSOUND

The main reason advanced. by those advocating the retention of the present pro- tective tariff is that capital coming into Canada must be protected. The fallacy of this argument lies in the fact that the - eustoms duty only protects certain capital that comes into the country, and the fact is that the customs duty enables capital invested in one class of industry to levy a tribute on capital invested in other indus- tries. Certain industrial establishments that manufacture goods, by reason of the customs tariff, are placed in the position whereby they can levy a tax on the industries of mines, fisheries, forests and agriculture, the success of which is of vastly more importance to Canada than the success of what may be regarded as purely a manufacturing industry. The Canadian census of 1901 places the capital invested in agriculture at $1,787,102,630, while the capital invested in manufactures is placed at $446,916,487, so that the protection afforded the lesser amount invested in manufacture places it in a position to levy a tribute on the larger amount invested in agriculture, to say nothing of the tribute it is enabled to exact from the capital invested in the development of other natural resources, such as the forest, mine and fisheries. The ratio of capital invested in agriculture to that invested in manufactures has undoubtedly increased in favor of agriculture in the last ten years, and there is abundant evidence that the capital that is coming into Canada to be invested in farms and farm land is very largely in excess of that which is introduced for the purpose of establishing manufactures. Be- sides, the dividends that are to be paid on capital introduced into Canada, for purposes of insurance, loans, municipal improvements and transportation, is derived, not from the profits of the capital invested in manufac- ture, but from the profits accruing from the capital invested in agriculture. To the ordinary mind it seems an anomaly that the government should grant the manufacturer who invests his capital in manufacturing establishments the power by law to impose a tribute on the man who invests his capital in the industry of agriculture.

The census returns of 1901 also point out the significant fact that the surplus products of agriculture represent 18.55 per cent. of the capital without allowing anything for the farmer on his labor, or that of his family, nor his raw material. If the usual rate of wages were credited to the 700,000 farmers in Canada the percentage of capital would show no interest whatever on the capital invested. On the other hand, the surplus of manufactures, after allowing the cost of the raw material, cost of wages, salaries, cost of power, heat and fuel, light and contract work, represents 19.82 per cent. of the eapital. The effect of this condition is that our most progressive and public spirited farmers, recognizing that under existing con- ditions they cannot under any circumstances make their capital invested in their farms produce as much as if they had the same capital invested in industrial, transportation or other security, sell their lands, and move to the towns and cities, where they invest the proceeds of their sales in other securities, and endeavor to supplement their income from their capital by securing some light employ- ment. In this way they come into competi- tion with the wage-earners in those centres of population instead of being producers of wealth on the farm. This has the further tendency, as far as the Western Provinces are ‘concerned in any event, of causing the farmers in the old settled districts to dispose of their farms at the comparatively high price that they can obtain to men of limited

THE GRAIN GROWERS’

capital, who carry forward the price of their farms on mortgages, and the development of those farms is curtailed, due

. to the fact that the owner has to apply all

the proceeds of the farm to the payment of interest, and he is not in a position to improve his holding.

Another serious objection to the customs duty is the way it reduces the price, or rather the purchasing power of farm products. It is safe to assume that for every dollar’s worth of manufactured goods the farmer uses in his home or on the farm he has to pay $1.25 on account of the enhanced price caused by the customs duty. The price of wheat, which is the main product of the prairie provinces, will this year net the farmer an average of 75 cents per bushel. The purchasing power of that 75 cents is reduced by 25 per cent. by reason of the customs duty. In other words the price of wheat to the Western farmer is reduced 15 cents per bushel, so that, if parliament would cut the present customs duty in two, it would increase the value of wheat to the farmer 7 or 8 cents per bushel, and the impetus that this advanced price would give to the devel- opment of the Western provinces and the general trade of Canada, is immeasurably more than the advantages that accrue to Canada through protection to the capital invested in manufactures. Those who advo- cate a continuance of the present protective system justify their attitude on the grounds that without protection our manufacturing in Canada would practically cease and our cities and towns would not continue to increase in population. Were their assumption correct, which it is not, but were it true, unquestion- ably it is not in the interest of Canada to continue a fiscal system that has a tendency to create large centres of population at the expense of the development of agriculture and other natural resources. Statistics of population conclusively show that the urban population of Canada is now increasing at the expense of the rural population, and the only reason that can be given for that con- dition of things in a country like ours is that our economic and social system attracts our progressive people away from their land.

THE FARMERS’ UNFINISHED WORK

One of the remarks occasionally heard by the Grain Growers in Western Canada is that the Association has accomplished a splendid work and that conditions are now very nearly satisfactory. This attitude on the part of the Grain Growers is just what the special privileged class have been hoping for. They want to see the farmers’ organi- zation to die out. The farmers of Western Canada who believe that conditions are satisfactory, cannot be thoroughly alive to the methods pursued by the special privi- leged class. The work of the organized farmers of Western Canada is not completed and will not be completed for the next twenty-five years. There is now more than ever the greatest reason why every farmer should join his nearest local association in the three Western Provinces and _ attend every meeting regularly. The work of the organized farmers has only fairly well begun. If it stops now there will be no further improvements secured. The tariff will not be improved, the Hudson’s Bay Railway will be handed over to Mackenzie & Mann, the terminal elevators will still be left as an institution for graft, and the farmers’ interests will be no more protected than they have been during the past twenty- five years.. The most important work that any farmer can do is to stand. shoulder to shoulder with his brother farmers, and see that the movement of reform continues to go ahead. This is no time to back out nor to stand aside and let others do your own work. . Neither is it the time for any local branch to say that they will not send a delegate to Ottawa because there are so

GUIDE

purchase —

November 23, 1910

many btheifs being! sock If stich an idea became general there: would’ be no Ottawa delegation. It is the duty of every local branch to-stand firmly by their Central Association and if it is possible to finance a delegate to Ottawa they should send one.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

It is a matter beyond dispute that the present tariff is a burden to more than 95 per cent. of the population of Canada. It is also eminently fair and just that in the revision of the tariff it should be made ‘as nearly as possible to bear equally upon all classes. Where no protection is needed the tariff should be entirely abolished or be balanced by an excise duty which will bring all the revenue into the Dominion treasury. Of course every industry will declare that it cannot live without protection, but’ those industries that sell their produce in other countries more cheaply than in Canada should not be listened to and should receive no favors whatever through the tariff. Other industries that insist upon protection to maintain their existence should give the pub- lic of Canada a full explanation as to the necessity of protecting them. Any industry that needs protection and must be supported by the rest of the people of Canada through a system of forced philanthropy is nothing more or less than a pauper industry. If then, the people of Canada are compelled to support industries that cannot live otherwise, then the people should know exactly the standing of these industries. Every industry that receives any protection by means of the tariff should be investigated by a government auditor and the report of the investigation should be published in the blue books of the Trade and Commerce Department. By that means the people of Canada would know exactly what it cost to produce these articles and how much watered stock there was in the concern. If then, it was proven beyond doubt that the industry could not live in a competitive field the people of Canada would know just what they were paying to support this industry. At the present time the tariff, as it works out, is a secret and highly organized system of legal robbery. It provides that 95 per cent. of the people of Canada in addition to supporting them- selves and their families, must pay, in addition to all their own expenses, a huge sum into the pockets of the protected manu- facturers, who are already the most wealthy and most influential class in Canada. The tariff is a system under which corruption creeps into our national life; it lowers the moral standard of Canada and undoubtedly does more to injure the common people than any other single law.

‘‘Canada is too prosperous to talk about the lower tariff,’’ say the manufacturers. That is a very lucid argument for the farmer. The farmer is to understand that by paying $20 more than he ought to for his binder he becomes prosperous; by paying excessive prices for his coal he becomes. prosperous; by paying 30 per cent duty on his shoes and 35 per cent. on his woollens he is getting wealthy. If this argument is a good one then the tariff should be doubled, and then the farmers would all be wealthy.

There are several men in Manitoba who are raising apples with considerable suécess. If protection were followed :to its logical conclusion a tariff wall of 100 per cent. should be raised against apples coming: into Manitoba. Of course’ the apple industry. in Manitoba would become Proeentlee: But what: about the people? :

It is interesting to note that the cement merger is already beginning its campaign to throttle out independent industries. How- ever, the price will have to be cut more than ten cents per barrel before the profit is reduced to the danger point.

soso wre

November. 23, 1910

THE GRAIN GROWERS’ GUIDE

_ ager’

Saskatchewan Flevator Scheme

The Elevator Commission appointed February 28, 1910, to inquire into the situation in Saskatchewan and to make recommendations, presented its report to the Government recently and the Government has had the following synopsis prepared for presentation to

the public.

Sask.; and F. W. Green, Moose Jaw, Secretary of the Saskatchewan Grain Growers’ Association.

HE report of the Elevator Com- mission appointed February 28, 1910, by the Saskatchewan Gov-

ernment, has been handed to Premier Scott. 1t is a bulky document, embracing 188 type-writ- ten pages, and the commission is

unanimous in all its findings. Public interest largely centres upon the com- mission’s finding in the matter of the ownership and operation of initial ele- vators, and on this point it may be briefly stated that the commission favor none of the schemes outlined before them in their entirety, but have evolved a solution embodying what appears to them to be the best features of sev- eral.. Government ownership and opera- tion, state aided farmers’ elevators, and all the various modifications of these plans are alike discarded as faulty in some important particular, nor does the existing system receive unqualified commendation.

The Solution

The solution offered by the Commis- sion takes the form of a co-operative joint stock company, owned entirely by the agriculturists of the province, upon the directorate and executive body of which the government shall have no representative whatever. It is sugvested that a minimum of 15 per cent. shall be paid up by the farmers upon such of the $50 shares of the company as are subseribed for, that the: maximum number of shares allotted to any one person shall be ten, and that 25 elevators be the minimum number proposed to be operated by the ecom- pany before the central body can’ be organized and governmental assistance called for. It is suggested that this assistance take the form of a loan for each elevator, such loan’ to be secured by mortgages and to be repayable in twenty equal annual instalments, prin- cipal and interest. The executive of the Saskatchewan Grain Growers’ As- sociation are named as a suitable pro- visional directorate to carry the plan to the point where a permanent direc- torate can be elected.

For the purpose of securing the maxi- mum amount of local control consistent with ownership by the whole body of shareholders and management through a ceutral board of directors, the Com- mission recommended that cach eleva- tor be a separate unit or ‘‘local’’ in the company, with a local board elected by the local shareholders. Each such ‘‘loeal’’ shall contribute one represen- tative to the organization and subse- quent annual meetings, at which the board of directors of the whole com- pany would be elected. It is further suggested that the stock subscribed at each ‘‘local’’ should be equal to the cost of the proposed elevator, and the agyreyate annual crop acreage of the shareholders should not be less than two thousand acres for each ten thousand bushels of the capacity of the elevator, or one acre for every dollar of pro- posed expenditure at each ‘‘local.’’

Commission’s Investigations

Tt will be generally remembered that the Suskatchewan Elevator Commission was composed of three members, these being Professor Robert Magill, of Dal- housie University, Nova Scotia; George Langley, M.L.A., of Redberry, Sask., and IF. W. Green, of Moose Jaw, secre- tary-treasurer of the Suskatchewan Grain Growers’ Association. This body held) pre-arranged and widely adver- tised sittings at leading centres through- out the province of Saskatchewan, and received evidence from a large number of farmers representing all shades of thought and temperament. In response to a request from the Commission for a draft bill embodying their views, the executive of the Saskatchewan Grain Growers’ Association submitted a lengthy memorandum expressing their views and outlining what they consid-

ered to be a feasible and adequate solu- tion of the problem.

The Commission then adjourned to Winnipeg and there took evidence from the Chief Grain Inspector, the Ware-

house Commissioner, and the various interests comprising the Winnipeg

Grain Exchange. Minneapolis, Chicago and Kansas City were also visited in order that the sample market, exchange and inspection systems of each place might be investigated at first hand.

Original Report Lengthy

The report based upon the informa- tion derived from the sources outlined above contains eleven chapters and an appendix comprising ninzteen tables and documents. It is withvut a doubt the most complete and exhaustive analysis of the grain trade of Western Canada in all its bearings and ramifications that has yet been presented to the public, aside altogether from the recom- mendations of the enmmission, and the thanks of the country are due to the members of that body for their untiring efforts towards solving a most intricate problem.

Chapter one of the report deals with the farmers’ claim upon the provincial government, and sets forth that: ‘‘ Agri- culture is pre-eminently the industry of

oceupies six pages of the report and they constitute a formidable indictment of the various interests concerned in the transportation, marketing and milling of Saskatchewan's grain crops. The Com- mission content themselves with pre- senting the indictments as a matter of record, without either indorsing or re- futing them.

In chapter three various schemes of provincial ownership ‘and operation that are presented to the Commission are outlined and analysed. The far-reach- ing proposals of the Saskatchewan Grain Growers’ Assoviation executive, in particular, are discussed at consider- able length.

The first conclusion of the Commis- mission is that there is no widespread demand for a provincial monopoly of storayve facilities and that a scheme looking to that end would not be feas- ible, or welcome.

Grain Growers’ Scheme

The scheme proposed by the Grain Growers’ executive does not call for a monopoly but for a competitive system which, by reason of its alleged excel- lencies, would drive competitors from the province and thus establish a vir- tual monopoly. Concerning this scheme the report says: The scheme outlined

Elevator System Recommended

“The Saskatchewan Elevator Commission have recommended a solu- tion of the elevator problem in that province by means of a co-operative joiut stock company composed entirely of farmers, and that the ygovern- ment is to have no control over nor voice in the management of the

affairs of the company in any way.

co-operative principle.

Profits are to be distributed on the The only part which the commission recommend

the government to take is in guaranteeing a loan for the purchase or

construction of elevators upon the security of mortgayes.

Shares in the

company would be 50 each, of which 15 per cent. should be paid up,

and no farmer could hold over ten shares. should be sufficient stock subscribed to provide for the cost of an eleva-

In each local community there

tor, and the local shareholders should elect a local board of management. The government loan would be repayable with prineipal and interest in

20 equal annual payments.

Each of the loeals would appoint delegates

to an annual meeting where the central board of management ‘would be

elected.

The commission recommended that the incorporation of the com-

pany be provided for by special legislation; that the first central meeting he called after the organization of 25 locals, and that the executive or the Saskatchewan Grain Growers’ Association be the provisional directors of

this co-operative company.

They suggest that the company be named

‘The Saskatchewan Co-operative Elevator Company,’’ aud the locals the same with ‘‘No. 1,’’ ete., added in each case.

Saskatchewan, and grain growing is pre-eminently the form that industry takes. A more diversified agriculture would give a stronger basis for the prosperity of the country, but for the present, and probably for many years to come, the growing of grain must be regarded as the souree of the wealth of the provinee.’’ In closing this chap- ter the viewpoint of the Commission is thus set forth in no uncertain terms: ““The point of view therefore . from which this Commission started was that in Saskatchewan the interests of avri- culture are supreme. The Commission may err in its views about any particu- lar scheme of government aid, but its sympathy from the beginning to the end of its work was entirely and with- out qualification for the growers of grain.’’

Indictment Against Elevators

The charges against the present sys- tem are ably classified and summarized in chapter two. They fall] naturally into seven vroups according as they involve (1) the initial elevator companies and operators, (2) the hanks, (3) the rail- way companies, (4) the terminal eleva- tors, (5) the grading system, (6) the milling companies, (7) the Winnipeg Grain Exchange. The publie of West- ern Canada is now very yvenerally aware of the nature, extent and ypravity of these charges and they need not be de- tailed here. The setting of thom forth

by the executive is at all events com- prehensive, and, considering all its fea- tures, it is not surprising that they did not draft a bill to be submitted to the provincial legislature. In regard to initial elevators, the provisions of the scheme go far beyond mere public ownership and operation. They inelude features which, however good or bad in themselves, have at all events no neces- sary connection with public ownership, but are additions to it. Such for ex- ample are the methods of sampling, of grading before shipment, of giving cer- tificates, of securing loans from banks, of government loans, of direet ship- ment from initial elevators, and of dealing with loss in transit. The bill of the Manitoba legislature is a_ bill for publie ownership and operation, but it does not contain such provisions as these. A public system that aimed at giving the farmers a square deal in regard to weights, dockage and eclean- ing, special binning and shipping facili- ties would not meet the above ecompre- hensive demands, It might be reyarded as adequate to the removal of ‘‘more dangerous’’ evils. It is essential also to note that the arguments adduced to show that public ownership would pay, are founded mainly upon these extra features. These are the features that give the facilities which will attract the patronage of the farmers; and the inference would appear to be that with- out them, a public system would not

va A

The commissioners were Prof. Robt. Magill, of Dalhousie University, Halifax; George Langley, M.L.A., Redberry,

be a financial success. In analysing it the Commission regard the proposal to permit sampling being done by opera- tors at initial points us being a very weak feature. This would lead in their judgment to a lack of confidence all round as to the correctness and honesty of samples. After pointing out that in connection with the sample markets of Minneapolis, Kansas City and Chicago, sampling is most carefully done by groups of men under supervision and not by individuals, and at terminal rather than initial points, the report says: ‘The method vf sampling pro- posed by the executive would. prove unsatisfactory both to the inspection department and to the buyers in the sample market. The inspector could grade the sample, but he would know nothing about how the sample had been taken, and he could not have any posi- tive assurance that it was a fair sample. The buyer on the sample market would have no positive assurance that the grade marked on the ticket was the real grade of the grain in the bin.’’ Loans on Street Wheat

An important feature of the execu- tive’s proposal which the Commission could not see its way to endorsing was that which called for government loans or advances upon street wheat in gov- ernment elevators. Suys the report: ‘*The proposal raises questions which are distinct from that of the provincial ownership of elevators. It raises the general question whether and how far the government should yo into the bank- ing business. It raises such questions as whether in case the government de- cided to give loans. it should confine these to small farmers, or to the farm- ing class, or whether there are no other people who carry on a business indis- pensable to the welfare of the prov- ince, and who find it difficult to borrow money from the banks, or who consider the rate of interest too high. And in regard to loans to farmers, it raises such questions as whether grain should be the only seeurity, and whether loans should be limited to such as would en- able the farmer to pay his bills pend- ing the sale of his grain, or whether upon other security and for other pur- poses also, such loans should not be advanced. _ ‘‘These are important questions, too important to be dealt with as side issues of or additions to a scheme of public elevators. Before making such loans a feature of such a scheme, the whole matter of government advances should

* be considered as an independent matter,

and upon its merits. If it were re- garded as impracticable upon _ its merits, it could not be tacked on to a system of provincial elevators; eand if it were found to be necessary and prae- ticable, it might demand a wider scope than could be provided for in such a system, Hail, smut, drought and frost often leave farmers without grain, or with a small quantity, or with some of a bad quality. In such eases the farm- ers would have little grain to offer as security for a loan, and yet in such cases are to be found perhaps the men who most need loans.’?’ Provincial Terminals

The establishment. of provincial owned terminals (should the Dominion Government decide to take over and operate the existing terminals), and the creation of a sample market at Winni- peg or elsewhere, are questions that the Commission consider cannot be passed upon at this time by them, acting as

. they are, in the interests of one prov-

ince. It is pointed out: ‘The question of the terminals is now engaving the attention of the federal authorities, and it would be very doubtful policy for the provincial levislature to relieve the fed- eral government from its acknowledged responsibility in the mutter,’? : Sample Market

Respecting a sample market they. say

in part, after pointing out that ‘the

Page &

difficulties in the way of sampling and transportation are not insuperable: ‘The difficulty in the way of a sample market in Winnipeg is not merely one of sampling, nor one of transportation. It involves the great difficulty about mixing the grain. In asking for a sample market and for special. binning facilities in the terminals, the execu- tive are asking for mixing by implica- tion. And they are not alone in that request. Apart from the exporters, some of whom are opposed to mixing, some and perhaps most of the grain dealers are in favor of a sample mar- ket, and of allowing mixing in private, if not in public terminals, And this view is held by the President of the Grain Growers Grain Company.’’ After outlining the argument for and against mixing they say: ‘‘Such are some of the arguments for and against mixing and the sample market. It is clear that the question of mixing is a serious ques- tion for a country the price of whose grain depends upon the export price to such an extent as that of Canada. It is also clear that the question of a sample market, raising issues so im- portant, depends upon the policy of the federal government in regard to* the terminals.’’

The effect of the executive’s scheme upon the Winnipeg Grain Exchange is discussed and tue Commission are scep- tical as to its having any influence upon that organization. To effect any radi- cal reform there (assuming that reform is needed), ‘‘The whole system of sell- ing must be changed.’’

Executive Plan Unworkable

In respect to the management of a provincial owned system the Commis- sion do not think that the privilege of appointing a majority or any other number of the operating commission should be claimed by, or given to, the Grain -Growers’ Association, or any other body than that finally responsible to the people—the government of the day. The financing of the Grain Grow- ers’ executive’s scheme is discussed and two facts deemed by them to be sig- nificant, noted. One is that the execu- tive declined to submit any figures but ‘contented themselves with a few gen- eral paragraphs in their memorandum.’’ The other is the admission that §‘It would therefore be desirable that ‘the government should undertake an ener- getic campaign of education with the object of convincing the farming public of the general advantage that would flow from a government system, thus hastening the securing of guarantees necessary to the establishment of a widespread system.’’ The conclusions of the Commission concerning the execu- tive’s scheme are as follows: ‘‘The Commission cannot recommend the adop- tion of the scheme of the executive by the provincial goverument. Their ob- jections to it are not founded upon any opposition to the principle of provincial- ly-owned storage. Even though that principle were accepted, this particular, scheme of provincial ownership is ob- jectionable.

Too Many Complications

““TRe question is relevant—how many of the things demanded in the scheme are within the power of the provincial le islature to grant? And is there any- thing to be gained by demanding from a provincial legislature things which, whatever its influence with the federal government might or might not be, it eould not of itself give or secure? Why should the question of initial storage be further complicated by mixing it with questions of banking, of exchanges and of terminal elevators? And_ the scheme is in regard to initial storage objectionable because some of the things it demands are unworkable,

‘‘Lastly, although the executive do not ask for provincial grading, it ap- pears to the Commission that if the sampling is to be done by'the elevator operators, who would be provincial ap- pointees, and if there took place dis- putes about the quality of the grain delivered upon the certificates issued at the provincial elevators, the province would be almost inevitably led to create a crading sys'em of its own. And while some would regard this as an advantage, it mizht have a serious effect upon the export business. The federal system of grading in Canada compares favorably

THE GRAIN GROWERS’

with the state systems of the United States.’’

A scheme of provincial ownership and operation proposed by Mr. Dorrel, Presi- dent ofthe Moose Jaw Agricultural So- ciety, is analysed and disposed of in the following sentence: ‘‘It appears to the Commission that while this scheme con- tains a serious attempt to meet the fin~ ancial difficulty, its financial clauses would be found to be impracticable.’’

Manitoba Elevator Act

The Manitoba Elevator Act is the final scheme. analysed in chapter three. Its provisions are outlined and its points of divergence from the memorandum of the Saskatchewan Grain Growers’ Association. executive, enumerated in the following paragraph: ‘‘The scheme provided for in this act is very differ- ent from that demanded by the execu- tive of the Saskatchewan Association, The act does not touch the matter of responsibility for Joss. of grain in transit. It does not provide for a new grain exchange, or for the removal in any way of those dangerous evils which are said to arise from manipulation, speculation and monopoly in the market. It does not create the conditions which are necessary for the establishment of an effective sample market. In a word, it is an act about initial elevators only; and the initial elevators which it pro- vides for offer none of the special fea- tures demanded by the executive of the Saskatchewan Association. Official cer- tificates of weight and grades cannot be given before shipment. There is no provision for government loans on the security of the stored grain either to attract patronage or to enable’ the farmer to hold his grain and market it

GUIDE

a gain rather than a loss. And the loss would be a limited amount. Govern ments, frequently spend sums for ex- perimental purposes, and the question is, not. whether the experiment is -in itself a yood or bad investment, but whether it gives real guidance in the matter of further expenditures.’’ Their conclusion. is: ‘‘By such an experiment little could be lost, and much would be gained. Even if the province adopted an Act similar to the Manitoba Act, it could hardly hope to establish eleva- tors at every shipping point within a year, or two years, either. If the alter- natives are a deliberate and bona fide experiment.on the one hand, and the provision of a general provincial sys- tem on the other hand, this commis- sion believe that the method of an ex- periment is preferable. But the Com- mission consider that there is another alternative.’’

Financial Questions

In chapter four the financial side of provincial ownership is discussed. Data covering actual operation of farmers’ and milling companies’ elevators, and estimates by various people and bodies are presented, and the general conclu- sion is that, if run as handling, clean- ing, and storage ceucerns alone, ele- vators would require to be filled at least three and probably four times be- fore paying their own expenses, their fixed charges, and their share of cen- tral management and _— inspection charges. Says the report: ‘‘There is the question whether it would be a profitable investment for the province to purehase a large uumber of eleva- tors, and to find itself still confronted with the competition of the most suc-

A Breaking scene near Stornoway, Sask.

leisurely. Space is to be leased to deal- ers for the purchase of street grain.’’ The Commission say that most of those giving evidence would not be satisfied

‘with the Manitoba Act because of the

possibilities of political management contained in it, and because of the grave financial risk involved in the absence of statutory monopoly. The Commis- sion’s own criticism of and judgment upon the Manitoba Act will be cited further on in this summary.

An Experiment Considered

Chapter four considers the advisa- bility of conducting an experiment in government ownership under an inde- pendent commission embracing say fifty elevators for a period of two years, in order that more data might be secured before the province’s credit was pledged to a policy involving many millions of dollars. The Commission regarded this solution more kindly than the preced- ing ones, but only referred to it as a preferable alternative to hastily em- barking upon a scheme of provincial ownership. Two objections are dis- cussed in an illuminating way. (1) ‘‘An experiment is a timid thing, and the case calls for more heroie treatment. The government should determine to drive all privately owned elevators out of business, and in doing so should use every means in its power. But the less responsible a man is for the affairs of the province, the more heroical he ean afford to be. Heroics in legislation are different from heroies on the plat- form.’’ Again, ‘‘An experiment might result in financial loss. Experiments often do result in loss, but if an ex- periment saved the province from the loss of a much larger sum, it would be

cessful companies. If, after the ex- peuditure of a large amount of capital, a monopoly was not secured, the pub- lie system would be saddled with a heavy debt and would still be subjected to vigorous competition. It might serve the interest of some elevator owners to sell their houses ta the province, but it would not serve the interests of the growers of yrain, who would have to pay the bill, unless the new system actually secured a monopoly.

Summary of Suggestions

In coneluding this very important chapter the Commission summarize the means by which the advocates of pro- vincial ownership propose to make the system a financial success. They say:

“*(1) Mr. Walter Simpson argues for a provincial monopoly on the ground that some farmers, and perhaps a con- siderable number, will take their grain to whatever elevator appears to offer the best terms, and this might be the company-owned elevator.

*€(2) Mr. Dorrell proposes that the farmers should give a guarantee, and that the charges in each elevator should be readjusted annually to meet or avoid deficits. ;

**(3) Mr. Gates personally considers that the farmers should bind themselves under a penalty of five cents a bushel to use the provincial elevator.

“¢(4) The executive propose that the government should buy out competitors as far as possible, that the provincially owned elevators should offer very spe- cial facilities in order to draw business, and that the government should conduct an energetic campaign of education, and offer loans at low rates of interest on

November 23, 1910

grain stored in their elevators, in order to attract patronage.

‘oThese proposals are significant of the financial risk which the province would run in establishing a competing line of elevators. And when the area of the province and the probable in- crease in the quantity of grain grown within a few years are considered, the capital expenditure would not be one or two, but several millions of dollars. It is a wealthy country. that can afford to embark lightly upon such a course.

Profits Depend Upon Grain Handled

‘«There is admittedly one incaleulable factor in the problem. The elevator would pay if they handled enough grain. And the incaleulable factor is whether the farmers would take the grain in sufficient quantities to the provincial elevators, if they believed they could do better elsewhere. Some have faith that the farmers would patronize the provincial elevators even at an apparent sacrifice; others have not that faith. And these consider that the farmers should not be called upon to bear the sacrifice.

‘Tt appears to this Commission that the question is not one of the general principle of public versus private owner- ship. If it were only that, there would be little difficulty. It is a question of provincial competition under very spe- cial condi ions. It involves a grave financial risk, a risk grave enough to justify even. the advocates of public ownership in general in hesitating to recommend it, and in endeavoring to find a solution that will find a place for a direct personal interest on the part of the Grain Growers in the new ele- vators.’’

Municipal Elevators

Schemes of municipal and district ele- vators form the subject of Uhapter 5. One essential difference between such elevators and those state-owned is that the element of local loyalty and local pride enters in and the advocates of trese schemes lay stress upon tis fea- ture. The Commission point out, how- ever, that the experience of the muni- eipally-owned and operated elevators at Qu’Appelle and McLean, which were conducted for five yeais at a_ total loss of $8,648.73, would seem to indi- eate that too much reliance should not be placed upon local loyalty and pride when personal responsibility is absent. The Commission commends and criti- cises the scheme of district elevators evolved by the Cory Grain Growers’ Association and presented by Mr. Hoff- man at Battleford in the following words: ‘‘The Commission agree with

Mr. Iloffman’s view of the value of local feeling and local responsibility.

They consider’ that, while his scheme provides for possible taxation in the case of a deficit, he really aims at a direct personal interest and responsi- bility on the part of the growers of the grain. And the question with the Commission is whether there is not a more direct, less artificial and more efficient way of securing that inter- est.’’

Chapter six is a long one dealing with other phases of the enquiry and in it and succeeding ones the Com- mission present the results of their investigation at points outside the province. Little more than the mat- ters treated of can be given here. This is done in order that the comprehen- sive and exhaustive nature of the enquiry may be understood.

“The world market,’’? ‘‘Trading in futures,’’ ‘‘Who is the speculator?’’ ‘Liverpool prices,’’ ‘‘Prices at the boundary line,’’ ‘‘Spreading false re- ports about the supply,’’ ‘‘The ex- porter’s view of speculation,’’ ‘‘Com- petition in the Exchange,’’ ‘A substi- tute for the Exchange,’’ ‘An Ex- change within the province,’’ and ‘Provincial selling,’’ are the subjects discussed in this chapter. Some ex- tracts from this chapter will be of in- terest: ‘‘This Commission do not say that there are no monopolistic tenden- cies in the grain business, either in re- gard to storage or in regard to selling. The present is an age of monopolistice tendencies. Consolidation is at} work in every important industry, and it would be remarkable if there were no consolidating tendencies in the grain business. And these may, and_ prob- ably will, develop mure rapidly in the

- November 23, #10

future. But at present the farmers, by direct shipment of the grain to the independent commission men, or to their own company, can secure com-

peti ive prices and can retain the com- -

petitive market.’’ The Speculation Problem

Another extract follows: ‘The speculating class is often referred to as though speculation was carried on only by a limited number of grain deal- ers. The fact is, however, that the speculator belongs to-every class in the community. Orders to buy or sell with the intent not of receiving or deliver- ing the actual grain, but of closing out at a profit, flow into the Exchange from farmers, business men, lawyers, doctors, teachers, and (it is said) par- sons, from all parts of the Dominion, and from other countries as well. These orders are executed in the pit by mem- bers of the Exchange, who are paid for their services. Many who probably can ill afford a loss, and who certainly can have little knowledge of the conditions affecting the price of grain, rush to speculation in grain as a way of get- ting rich.’’

Sas atchewan Exchange Impossible

Regarding the establishment of an exchange within the province of Sas- katchewan the report says in part:

“It has been suggested that the legislature should seek to create an Exchange at some point, say Regina, within the province. But Exchanges are not created by legislatures; they are created by traders. It would be difficult for the provincial legislature to compel traders to become members in a new Exchange, if they did not wish to join it. And grain traders start an Exchange wherever it pays them to do so.’’

And later: ‘‘The conditions which favor Winnipeg as a place for an Ex- change are obvious. The railway sys- tems of the grain areas of the West meet there. It is the spout through which the grain must go if it goes East. It is the headquarters of the inspection department, and of the ware- house commissioner’s department. It is the headquarters of the financial in- stitutions tat operate in the West. These conditions make Winnipeg the natural place for the Exchange, in spite of its distance from the lakes and terminals, and these conditions give Winnipeg advantages over all other western towns in regard to the selling of grain.

“fAs the country develops the com- manding position now held by Winni- peg may be modified. If, for example, a new northern route be found over which grain can -be shipped cheaply, or if the United States lowered or re- moved the duty on grain, or if at any point, say Regina, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, or Saskatoon, a large milling industry developed, or a large number of railways met, there would naturally spring up one or more new Exchanges.

Must Be a Speculation

‘*Saskatchewan is not the only grain growing province that has no Exchange. There are several important grain growing states in the United States that have none either. But if an Ex- change were established within the province, it would probably rest largely upon the Winnipeg Exchange for some years, do its hedging in Winnipeg, and use all the devices of the speculative market. A new Exchange on the old methods would not remove the evils charged against the Winnipeg Ex- change—it would only bring them within the provinee. If on the other hand the provincial legislature forbade (if that were possible) speculation in it, the new Exchange would be still- born.’’

As to provincial selling the Commis- sion conclude: ‘‘The advocate of pro- vincial selling has at all events the merit of aiming at the removal of the dangerous evils which are put forward as the main reason on behalf of public ownership; the advocate of provincial storage does not even aim at these evils upon which he yet rests his case. But this scheme of provincial or collective selling involves such far-reaching changes that it is needless to discuss it furt'er. It is more relevant to end this chapter by. pointing out how the farm- ers protect themselves in the present

THE GRAIN GROWERS’

market. They do it by shipping large quantities of grain to the independent commission men, including their own company. This is the vest way of pre- venting a monopoly and of retaining competition in the existing market, and it is a better way than any that could be devised by the provincial legisla- ture short of provincial selling.?’.

After discussing in chapter seven some phases of the question that con- cerns terminals, banks and especially the larger milling concerns, the report says: ‘It appears to the Commission that the question of the initial eleva- tors must be distinguished from these other questions, if provincial legisla- tion is to be attempted.

Improvements Made

Chapter eight discusses with thor- oughness and-insight four classes of causes that have operated during the past ten years to materially modify conditions in the grain trade of Western Canada. Of the importance of trans- portation facilities and their extension the Commission say:

‘«The question of transportation is a vital one for the growers of grain in Saskatchewan. And it is an open ques- tion whether the money that would be required to purchase or construct a sys- tem of provincially owned elevators would not bring the farmers a larger return, if it were devoted to the fur- ther development of railway facilities.’’

The loading platform as the real com- petitor of the elevator is given a para- graph, and the following said concern- ing co-operation among farmers during the period in question:

‘“Co-operation among the farmers has proceeded along the following lines:

Grain Growers’ Association

“‘], The Grain Growers’ Associa- tion. This association, organized in 1901, has done good service in promot- ing legislation affecting the grain grow- ers, as for example, in securing amend- ments to the Manitoba Grain Act and the Grain Inspection Act. It has ‘also done good service in making the pro- visions of these Acts better known among the farmers, and in assisting to have them enforced. Its educational work has in many other ways helped to secure the square deal for the farmer. It numbers about ten per cent. of the farmers of the province, but its influ- ence is not confined to its membership. The farmer who believes that he has been wronged in an elevator does not need to fight alone; he has behind him an organization strong in numbers, strong in resources, and little disin- clined to fight with any elevator man or company.

Grain Growers’ Grain Co.

«2. The Grain Growers’ Grain Com- pany. The Grain Growers’ Association aims at organizing the farmers, at pro- moting and enforcing legislation, and at educating them along certain lines: The Grain Growers’ Grain Company aims at becoming their selling agency in Winnipeg. The right of farmers to co-operate in selling is unquestionable and the wisdom of it can only be tested by experience. The company enables them to gain first hand information about the Exchange and about existing methods of dealing in grain. It enables them to ascertain whether or not inor- dinate profits are made by selling on commission, by exporting, or by specu- lating. It enables them to obtain a share of such profits as are made, and to test the seriousness of such risks as are run. Further, it enables other mem- bers of the Exchange to learn from the lessening volume of their business, that there is nothing to be gained by losing the confidence of the farmers. It adds another competitor to the market, and a competitor which handled last year sixteen million bushels of grain. It is a competitor, too, which is not likely to join any ‘combine’ detrimental to the farmers, or to survive the moment it ceases to have the confidence of the farmers. ’’

Changes In Last Decade

The importance and value of public weigh scales at initial points is alladed to and the Manitoba Grain Act is warmly commended as a_ protective measure whose provisions are insuffi- ciently known and used by the shipper. This chapter contains a long lettor from

GUIDE

Warehouse Commissioner C. C, Castle in which he points vut that very many of the alleged ubuses are already amply provided for in the Manitoba Grain Act. The nndings of the Commission with regard to the changes of a decade are as follows:

“It is utterly misleading to ignore the operation of those factors, and to say or imply that conditions in the initial elevators are what they once were. Whatever may have been these conditions in earlier years, and they appear to have been bad, they have been materially changed.

‘‘This change was freely recognized by nearly every-farmer who gave evi- dence before the Commission. In one place after another, and in practically every place visited, farmers assured the Commission that during the last few years there has been a great change. They stated that they personally had little to complain of in reyard to weights, grades or prices, and that they advocated provincial ownership not so much on their own behalf as on behalf of the settlers in the newer districts. True, there were complaints here and there, as there will always be in any business of size and difficulty, by whom- soever conducted. In the newer dis- tricts again practically the same story was told. The conclusion is irresistible, that however powerless farmers were in earlier years against the initial eleva- tors, they are now in a position to largely protect themselves.’’

Improvements Still Needed

Further conclusions along the same line are given elsewhere in the report:

“«The Commission cannot believe that the increased railway facilities, the ex- tended use of the loading platform, the work of the Grain Growers’ Association and of the Grain Growers’ Grain Com- pany, the competition of the farmers’ elevators, the introduction of public weigh scales, and the provisions of the Manitoba Grain Act have had no effect upon the initial elevators. They can- not believe that the excessive storage capacity has had no effect in stimulat- ing competition. They cannot believe that companies would sell out elevators cheaply if they had in these sources of large profits. They are constrained to accept the testimony of many farmers to the effect that the conditions have been improved, and that the man who knows can protect himself so far as the initial elevators are concerned.

‘The Commission do not say that the conditions are always what they should be, that there are no cases of sharp practice, and that there are no grounds for such dissatisfaction as ex- ists. They are impressed by the exist-

ence of a very strong feeling of dissatis-

faction on the part of some farmers who cannot be regarded as incompetent in their business or as mischief-makers or agitators. The Commission believe that behind such feeling there are experi- ences of rank injustice, recollections of times when the elevator operators had the farmers in their power, and when they took full advantage of their oppor- tunity. The Commission believe that the elevator companies brought’ the trouble upon themselves in earlier days. But they believe also that the situation has been materially improved by the factors referred to. It appears to this commission that these factors ean be so strengthened by the province that the result would be to give the farmer complete control in the matter of initial storage of the grain.’’

Clean Grain at Home

Chapter nine contains practical sug- gestions as to what further provisions might advisably be made in the matter of insuring better weight, more clean- ing and fairer dockage. Farmers’ are urged to clean the grain at the proper place namely, on the farm while thresh- ing, and the arguments against such a proper course are disposed of in short order, Referring to the man who thus fails to protect himself against ex- cessive dockage the Commission say: ‘“What such a farmer needs is someone to farm the grain, store the grain, and sell the grain for him, and give him the proceeds. The Commission would strong- ly urge upon the government the de- sirability of promoting as far as pos- sible the poliev of having the grain weighed and cleaned by the farmers themselves.’’

Page 9 Farmers’ Elevators

Farmers’ elevators form the subject of chapter ten, and space forbids more than a brief allusion under this head, Much attention was given to these by the’ Commission, and an auditor was employed to examine their books. Fail- ures are ascribed to two general causes, viz., bad management, and competition. The report says: ‘‘There is every rea- son to believe that a well established and well managed farmers’ elevator will hold its own against all competi- tion. If it has the farmers’ interest on a fairly large seale, and if it has an able and trusted manager, it will get the grain. There are several cases in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba that confirm this belief, cases where they succeeded beyond the average. And if there were a system of such elevators tiroughout the province, there would be no elevator problem.’’

And later, ‘‘It is a mistake to say that as a class farmers’ elevators have been a failure. They have not been a failure, in spite of all their difficul- ties.’’

The Minnesota System

The solution of the elevator problem along the line of government aided farmers’ elevators is discussed pro and

con in this chapter, and the example of

Minnesota with its 204 farmers’ ele- vators is referred to, These are not state-aided, however, but run in suc- cessful competition with the line eleva- tors. Local management is the feaiure emphasized by the advocates of this solution. The Commission does not en- dorse it, but passes on in its report to outline and analyse Mr. Leyi Thomp- son’s scheme which provides for the operation of a system of state-aided elevators by a joint stock company hav- ing central management directed by a commission of three—one appointed by the government, one by the sharehold- ers in the south, and the other by those in the north. While this scheme is endorsed but not adopted by the Com- mission, many of its features are in- corporated, together with some of those of the state-aided farmers’ elevator advocates, in the Commission’s own so- lution which is outlined in chapter eleven.

Commission’s Recommendations

Chapter eleven is a summary of the unanimous conclusions of the Commis- sion and is therefore the most important portion of the report. It follows in its entirety:

‘‘The Commission are unanimous in holding that while initial storage, trans- portation, a system of selling, and term- inal storage, all form one general sys.em of trading in grain, yet from the point of view of action by the Provincial Leg- islature the matter of initial storage must be distinguished from the other parts of the system.

“They are unanimous in holding that the conditions necessary to create an effective sample market, involving as they do sampling, transportation, term- inal facilities and mixing of grain, can- not be dealt with by the Provincial Leg- islature alone.

‘They are unanimous in holding that the question of terminal storage should be left in the hands of the Federal Par- liament in the meantime, and that the question of a sample market depends in. large measure upon the policy adopted by the Federal Parliament in regard to the terminals and the mixing of grain.

Conditions Create Exchanges

‘«They are unanimous in holding that a Grain Exchange similar to existing Exchanges, but located within the prov- ince, could not be created by the Pro- vineial Legislature until the conditions that would make such an Exchange suc- cessful came into existence, and that if these conditions appeared, an Exchange would probably appear also.

‘«They are unanimous in holding that an Exchange within the province in which grain was traded for private gain, and on the lines of speculative market, would not be free from the evils alleged against the present Exchange. The Commission believe that there is at pres- ent real competition in the Winnipeg Exchange, and that while there is the possibility of evils connected with the speculative side of the market, the prac-

Continued on Page 12

: Pagé 10

THE, GRAIN GROWERS’ GUIDE

Noevember: 23,.1910-

Direct Legislation

~The Initiative and Referendum:

What it is and why we need it

By ROBERT L. SCOTT

THIRD ARTICLE

Direct Legislation as a substitute for a second chamber in Representa- tive forms of government.

Does not the innovation of Direct Legis!ation do away with all excuse for a second chamber? At the time of Canadian confederation someone asked Sir John A. Macdonald why he advocated the adoption of a second chamber. The reply was: “To give hasty legislation a chance to cool.” The result of this policy remains with us in the shape of an anomaly known as the Canadian senate, which has degenerated to the status of a refuge for worn out politicians whom the people refuse to tolerate any longer in the representative chamber. Those who have been instrumental in the for- mation or evolution of British representative institutions have apparently been obsessed with the idea that after all the pecple could not be trusted with the result that all manner of schemes have been devised to provide safeguards against hasty legislation. Our forbears did this so effectually that the problem now is how to get done the things the people want done. This is the antithesis of the danger which those.at the dawn of free insti- tutions anticipated.

It is apparent that the framers of the British constitution did not recognize the inherent conservatism that is so closely associated with the progress and activities of free men. How could they? Free institutions had never been tried. The idea of giving working and uneducated men the franchise seemed to some the most preposterous and dangerous which politicians had ever conceived. The men who opposed the extension of the franchise to British working men and the men who have opposed reform and progress at all times have always been unwilling to trust the people because they did not understand them. The world, at all times and at every step of progress, has been filled with croakers who have predicted disaster and damnation as the certain consequence of every new innovation in extending to the people power in directing government. And yet, we continue to progress. We have in the past and we will continue to do so in the future. When it was proposed to extend votes to working men some said such a measure would mean the end of property, it would mean the end of individual liberty. And yet, when, in the history of the world, has property been so sacred or individual rights so inviclable as at the present time? But what is the use of arguing? Some men do not want to be and will not be convinced. We:still have our opinions and will leave them to theirs.

What excuse there can be for the maintenance of a senate or House of Lords when the people can have the Referendum in their hands is more than we cin conceive. If the parliament, House of Commons or legis!ature fail to correctly interpret the public sentiment the people, under the Referendum, have the power to hold up legislation until they have signified their approval of it at the polls. If we betieve in Democracy at all there can be no excuse for tke existence of a second chamber save for the one reason of preventing measures from becoming law when the elected body fail to really represent the people. All possibility of this will be obviated so soon as we have sufficient intelligence to adopt Direct Legislation. It will provide all the advantages that can or ever have been claimed to accrue for the good of the people from a second chamber and will relieve us of the anachronisms and anomalies which are associated with all forms of irresponsible government.

Direct Legislation wi!l separate issues from partisan and_ personal bias. It will leave people free to give voice.to their opinions upon measures free from the entanglement of other issues which are in no way related. No logical reason, so far as we are aware, has ever been advanced to show why we should be obliged to vote for candidates who will enact measures we do not want because that is the only method whereby we can secure measures we do want. The present situation has been very accurately stated in the interrogation and postulate of F. E. Coulter, one of the pioneers of the Direct Legislation movement in the State of Oregon, in these words: “Wherein consists the freedom in being a'lowed to vote for one of two men, neither of whom represents what you want, but who in the nature of things represent you by voting for their own interests? The situation spells misrule and special privilege.

OBJECTIONS AND ANSWERS: A Misinformed Commentator

The following is taken from a Winnipeg paper under date of October 29, 1910, and is intended to be an adverse editorial comment upon the practise of Direct Legislation, as instanced in the campaign in progress at the time of writing, in the State of Oregon:

OREGON’S OVERDOSE

“The absurdities of an overduse of lawmaking by popular vote or the Refer- endum, as contradistinguished from lawmakiug by competent and representatively- elected lawmakers, are abuut to be illustrated in Oregon. In the November clection Oregon voters will be asked to pass on no less than thirty-two separate legislative proposals.

“Tt is calculated that a considerable percentage of these voters will go to the -polls without even having read, much less attempted to understand and think out, these propositions. Some of the questions submitted to this referendum, or to the

infinite wisdom of the man in the street, are complex and difficult, requiring special mental preparation and investigation of conditions.

*“On these more diffienlt measures a local newspaper estimate, based on a canvass of citizens, indicates that only 10 per cent. of the persons who wi!l vote on them will do so with anything like a competent knowledge of their purposes and merits! Other voters will ‘go it blind.”

“Naturally, voters are complaining that they know little or nothing about the matters involved in this mass of submitted proposals, and haven't time or inclination to investigate. Making laws is not their business.

“Whereupon the Portland Oregonian sagely lays down this rule for the guidance of voters: ‘‘ Vote against any proposition that you do not understand.” A good working rule, doubtless, and if faithfully followed sure to produce a large crop of negative votes. But what a commentary on the Referendum panacea.”

At the outset it will clear the atmosphere to say that the editorial of the Winnipeg paper is based entirely upon the fulminations of the “ Port- land Oregonian.”” The “Oregonian” is notorious from the one fact that it is recognized throughout the State of Oregon and every other place where it is known as the special apologist for the railways, the trusts and the whole alliance of business interests known as ‘Big Business.’? The chief occupation of “ Big Business” is to make profits from watering stocks, stealing franchises, subsidies, ete., etc., which occupation is just what Direct Legislation is devised to kill and which it is killing in the State of Oregon. The “Oregonian” is at the present time engaged in a life and death struggle to defeat the will of the people and it is not shrinking from any kind of misrepresentation, prevarication and abuse to attain the end which its masters have in view.

RELIABLE INFORMATION FOR EVERY VOTER

It can be depended upon that the people of Oregon know full well the virtues of the various measures upon which they are asked to vote at the impending election. Under the laws of that State an official pamph- let is issued previous to each election by the secretary of state in which all measures are set forth and discussed fully by those who advocate them or are opposed to them. Those who advocate or oppose a given measure may, upon application to the secretary of state, and payment of the cost of printing and publication, submit such articles and arguments as they see fit for the consideration of the public. We append an analysis of the measures set forth in the Oregon pamphlet (1910). These are the bills referred to by the Winnipeg paper. The article which follows is written by an authority who is conversant with the facts:

“An official pamphlet of 203 pages (including an index of six pages), issued by Hon. F. W. Benson, the secretary of state of Oregon, is the text-book from which these “studies”? have been made. A copy of this pamphlet was mailed in August and September last to every elector ia Oregon, giviag him the exact wording of each bi!! Gr proposed amendment to the state coastitutioa upoa which he is to vole at the election November & next. This pamphlet also contains the arguments that have been offered for and against the proposed measures, the purpose beiag to give the voter all possible information on the subjects submitted to him.

“Of the 32 proposed measures. six were referred to the peuple by the legislature, 25 by initiative petitions and oue by Referendum petition. Twenty-one are bills and 11 are for constitutional amendmeuts. There were 26 arguments filed which favor the propositions, and 16 which oppose them, Fifteen of the propositions lave affirmative but uo negative arguments filed regarding them,while four of the proposed measures have negative but no affirmative arguments accompanying them. One bill —that Lo prohibit fishing, except by hook and line, in the Rogue River—has three arguments, one for and two against. One bill was submitted without arg iment on either side, It is one for an Act to pay $1,009 aanually to the Judge of the Lighth District by Baker County in addition to $3,000 now received by him from the state. This bill was passed by the legislature over the veto of the governor, and gues tu the people by Referendum petition. One bill—to continue the Normal school at Moa- mouth—has in its affirmative argument a cut giving a view of the priacipal school buildings there.

“The measures are printed in the official pamphlet in the order of their filing with the secretary of state. The first measure—that favoring equal suffrage— was filed September 16, 1908; and the last one asking for a three-fourths jury ia civil cases, was filed July 7, 1910. Six of the measures were filed in February, 1909; one each in May and December, 1909; eleven in June, 1919, and twelve in July, 1910.

“There is a clause in the constitution of Oregon which prohibits the legislature but not the people through the tuitiative, from creating new counties. Oregon is large in area but small in population; hence with rapidly increasing numbers there is a conslant need of new countics being formed. Niue of the proposed measures relate to this demand for new counties, and may therefore, together with six propositions referred by the Legislature to the people, be regarded as not peculiar to the Oregon system of direct legislation, thus leaviog-only seventeen measures which should be properly cousidered in a study of the workings of the Initiative and Referendum.’ — H. ?. Cadman, ia Chicago Public, Oclober 28, 1910.

A consideration of the merits of the various measures set forth in the Oregon pamphlet is not germane to our enquiry. It will be,sufficient to say that in deciding upon the thirty-four measures submitted to the people of Oregon at previous elections they have not made one mistake. We do not mean to say that no good measures have been defeated at the polls but it is a fact to which all conversant with the facts can testify that what- ever errors have been made in the judgment of the issues presented have been on the side of refusing to pass measures which the people did not understand. ‘These same measures may at some other time be accepted by the people as a result of further educational propaganda.

HOW OREGON VOTES The following is a tabulated list of the measures which the people of

’ Oregon have voted upon at the three elections since the practise’of Direct

November 23, 1910.’

Legislation was inaugurated. It furnishes ample demonstration of the sanity and conservatism of the pecple. It also affords excellent testimony that they understocd the issues upon which they voted:

iS oe nm | be | Be /Bs 52 S93 |3355 2 Sa 2: 235 3 | ° ae ev? |5o3 al Az ad SS jkaeO ELECTION 1902 Total Vote 92,920 Original Initiative and Referendum Constitu- tional Amendment............. 6.50005 62,024] 5,668 | 56,356] ..... 73 ELECTION 1904 Total Vote 99,315. Local Option Liquor Bill oo... 0.. 20.0000. 48,316 | 40,198 | 3,118] ..... 84 Direct Primary Billy is.s eee 56,205 | 16,354 | 39,851 | ..... 73 ELECTION 1906. Total Vote 96,751. Woman Suffrage Amendment ............ 36,928 | 46,971 | 12... 10,043 | 87 Amendment applying Initiative and Referen- dum to Acts of Leyislature affecting Con- _stitutional conventions and amendments ..| 47,661 | 18,751 | 98,910) .....- 69 Amendment to give cities and towns exclusive power to enact and amend their charters 52,567 | 19,942 | 99,625 | ..... 15 Amendment affecting compensation of state ADTINLED scp it tu garda aka. eras wep eaetverne ecg 63,749 | 9.571 | 54,178) ..... 76 Amendment for Initiative and Referendum on : al! local, special and municipal laws ....... 47,778 | 16,735 | 31,043 | ..... 67 Bill proposing change in Local Option Law 35,397 | 45,144] 2000, 9,747 3 Bill for state ownership of a run down tell road] 21,525 | 44,525 | ...., 113,000] 79 Atiti- Pass sili. ee sites ssiea soe kowaet nese « 57,281 | 16,779 | 40,502 | ..... 76 Bill for ficense on gross earnings of sleeping, refrigerator car and oil companies......... 69,635 | 6,440] 63,195 | ....- 79 Bill for license on gross earnings of express, telegraph and telephone companies ....... 70,872 | 6,360 | 64,512 est ty 80 Referendum to veto an appropriation act of Depisldture ye iis (62S eo bee te ceed 26,758 | 43,918 17,160 | 73 ELECTION 1908. Total Vote 116,614. Amendment increasing compensation of mem- bers of the General Assembly ........... 19,691 | 68,892 | ...., 49,201] 76 Amendment relating to location of State In- | BUIEUTIONB kolo ae eieas a ape ee Baad aay ans. seh’ 41,975 | 40,868 | 1,107] ..... 71 Amendment increasing the number of judges of the supreme court and making other changes relative te the judiciary .... 0.6... 30,243 | 50,591} ...., 20,348 | 69 Amendment changing time of holding general elections from June to November ........ 65,728 | 18,500 — 47,1380 vs 08 5's 72 Bill relative to the custodyand employment . of county prisoners 2.0... eee eee ee 60,443 | 30,033 | 30,410 | ..... 78 Bill providing for free transportation of pub- ReOP CORES. mecca avis ohh ete Cage sewn aon 28,856 | 59,406] ...., 80,550 | 76 Bill: proposing the building of armories for the national guard .... 0.0... 0000.0 ee eee 33,507 | 54,848 | ...., 21,341 | 76 Amendment to increase appropriation for State UNIVErsily, cog ccenae ins cee ceases 5 44,115 | 40.535 | 3,580] ..... 72 Woman Suffrage Amendment ............ 36,858 | 58,670] .. 2... 21,812 82 Bill prohibiting fishing for salmon or sturgeon on Sunday and at night in certain moaths OPURE VOD Sc cocests tient: eo Geena cease taraheu are ans | 46,582 | 40,720 | . 5,862] ..... 75 Amendment giving power to cities and towns to regulate race tracks, pool rooms, sale of HQUORHCbO,. 335 sietus cain aten a rent eco alos contin 39,442 | 52,346] ...., 12,904} 79 Amendment exempling property improve- ments from taxation, proposed by Single DHNGES Sie SEG Bee eh ola vay ane clout acct Gain ee 82,066 | 60,871] ..... 28,805 80 Amendment providing for the reeall, i-e., the removal of a public officer by vote of the people and the election of his successor 58,381 | 31,002 | 27,879 | ..... 77 Bil providing for clection of United States .. senators by vote of the people ........... 69,668 | 21,162 | 48,506 | ..... 78 Amendment providing for proportional repres- MET URUT OT eee chat ae Gane ark a aye te cae a) meee Rees 48,868 |, 34,128 | 14,740 | ..... 71 Bill limiting expenditure of money in political campaigns and against corrupt practices 54,042 | 31;301 | 22,741] ..... 73 Bill regulating salmon fishing .............. 56,130 | 30,280 | 25,850]. ..... 74 Amendment providing for choosing of jurors, CUE eta Sina, ain ash aie eeslalhendteiegsas one aa 52,214 | 28,487 | 23,727 | ..... 69 Bill providing for the creation of the county GETIOOU RIVER yi cia io dt otoe eps tora Ricans oe =, Ko 43,948 | 26,778 | 17,170 | ..... 61

THE WISDOM OF THE PEOPLE

The reader will note that nineteen measures were submitted to the people of Oregon at the election of 1908. If further testimony to the in- telligence of the people and their discrimination in choosing measures is required no more eloquent tribute to it can be found than in the fact that the opinion of the people was identically the same as that of the Professor of the Oregon University on all questions,save one. That was the amendment favoring woman’s suffrage. Previous to the election and for the purpose of testing the merits of the people’s judgment a “straw”; vote was taken among the professors of the university. After the state election it was found that the judgment of the professors coincided with that of the people with the one exception. The people refused woman’s suffrage. The professors favored it. Where is the danger of trusting the people? If the people do not understand the issues, wherein lies the common. sense in having elections to appoint “competent and representatively elected lawmakers?”’ If the people do not understand the issues they will elect the wrong man. _ If the people don’t understand the issues why do we have elections at all? If the people don’t understand the issues the representa- tives they elect must be representatives of ignorance and misunderstanding. If the peop‘e don’t understand the issues all popular. government. all,

THE GRAIN GROWERS’

GUIDE Page atast!

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representation, is a travesty upon order and intelligence. Democracy is a failure. Ke

To say the people have not the intelligence to decide between issues ‘ is to say that they do not know what they want. For our part we have that sublime faith to believe the people know what they want far better than the politicians who are always so anxious to tell them.

“Why sherld there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there aiiy better‘or equal hope in the World?”“Abfaliam ‘Lincoln, 9"

Page 12

Saskatchewan [levator Scheme

Contined from Page 9

tice of so large a number of farmers in shipping their grain to independent commission men is the best means of preserving a competitive market under the existing conditions.

‘Whatever. evils may be connected with the Grain Exchange, they could only be removed, if at all, by the Sas- katchewan Legislature, for Saskatche- wan grain, by the creation of some sys- tem of collection or provincial selling, which would abolish private trading.

‘(The Commission are unanimous in holding that the schemes of the execu- tive of the Grain Growers’ Association of Saskatchewan ‘and of Mr. Dorell are not workable.

‘«The Commission aré unanimous in holding that the schemes of municipal and district elevators, while aiming at local loyalty, do not secure a personal and direct pecuniary interest from the farmer as is needed to make the ele- vators a suecess in competing with other elevators.

Condemn Manitoba System

‘“The Commission are unanimous in holding that a scheme similar to the Manitoba sclieme would not be satis- factory to the farmers generally on the one hand, and on the other would probably end in financial disaster. True, by various conceivable devices of bookkeeping the facts might be more or less concealed for a time, but if there is anything of a business character that ean be forecasted, such a scheme runs the greatest possible financial risk.

‘‘], There is excessive storage capacity in the province at present, tested on a storage and handling basis. On that basis few of the initial eleva- tors in Saskatchewan are profitable.

‘‘There is no doubt that the Govern- ment could purchase a large number of the existing elevators at prices not unreasonable. It eculd probably pur- chase some independent elevators, and some belonging to the ‘‘line’’ com- panies. But if it endeavored to buy a monopoly, it would most probably find itself as the result in the posses- sion of the least successful elevators at many shipping points. Owners would probably in many cases be pleased to sell their houses at something like the cost of erection, to the government. They cannot expect better terms from any other quarter. The Government would thus saddle its system of storage with a large initial outlay, only to find itself still confronted with the keen comre‘ition of the most successful com- panies. Such a beginning would he fatal to the system. An indiscriminate buying of existing elevators would bé in the interests of the owners of exist- ing elevators, but would not be in the interest of the grain growers who would have to pay the bill.

Government Ownership Problems

‘9, But assuming that the Govern- ment did purchase a large number of elevators and did euter into competi- tion with the remaining trading com- panies, it is demonstrable that the Government would compete under sev- eral grave disadvantages:

““(1) Tt eould only store and handle while its competitors could also buy and sell. Its income would be limited to the maximum rate of 1% cents per bushel, and there is no reason what- ever to suppose that it could secure the maximum rate. On the contrary the probability is that its rivals would store and handle for less than the maximum rate, perhaps for one cent per bushel. And it is sheer nonsense to suppose that under such competition the Government would receive a con-

siderable income from _ secondary storage. *€(2) The Government would find a

difficulty in providing for street grain. Many farmers desire to sell their grain outright. And if a farmer has to pay interest it might suit him best to sell his grain at onee, pay his’ bills, avoid that interest as far as possible, and avoid also the storing and insuring of the grain, and the possible fluctuations in the price.

‘«The Government would be com- pélled to make some provisions for

THE GRAIN GROWERS’

street grain. It conld lease space in the elevators, and perhaps secure some buyers. Possibly it could induce thé Grain Growers’ Grain Co. to buy the street grain, or some similar company.

(3) The Government would be at a disadvantage arising from the fact that farmers having no direct and per- sonal financial responsibility for the provincial elevators would feel, accord- ing to their own representatives, free to take their grain to whatever elevator paid them best.

-“*(4) The Government would be at a disadvantage arising from the fact, universally admitted, that there is a general disposition to exact the utmost possible from the public treasury, while not giving the utmost return. This is perhaps the greatest obstacle to the development of public ownership, and so long as such disposition is general, so long will governments find it diffi- cult to compete in matters commercial or industrial with private corporations.

Danger of Politics

*€(5) .The Government would be at a disadvantage arising from the fact that political influences would tend to make themselves felt. Whatever party happened to be in power would be tempted to run the system in its own political interest. Appointments would be made on the grounds of party affilia- tion, and on the same ground contracts would be given and money spent, and all this would be used by some grain growers as a sufficient ground for tak- ing their grain to the other elevators.

**(6) A Government that wanted to discredit the whole principle of public ownership, that desired to hold it up to the ridicule of the West, or that was even unsympathetic to that principle, would have a splendid opportunity. The conditions under which the provincial

GUIDE

“¢(2) Ownership by the whole body of shareholders and management through a central board of directors.

‘‘The Commission consider that the managing body should be wholly elected by the shareholders themselves, and should be entirely independent of gov- ernment interference. There is no rea- son why the Government should elect even one member of the managing body, or interfere in any way with the man- avement, the loan being secured and the conditions of obtaining it fulfilled. The local boards should be elected by the loeal shareholders, and their powers and functions duly set forth, the shares should be confined to agriculturists, and the transfer of shares by shareholders should be subject to the approval of the shareholders at the annual meeting. The annual meeting should be composed of delezates duly appointed by the local bodies and the central directors of the company.

Shares Per Acreage

‘“The shares should be $50 each, with not less than 15 per cent. paid up, and the maximum number of shares sold to one person should not exceed ten. The stock subscribed to each local should be equal to the cost of the proposed elevator, and the aggregate annual crop acreage of the shareholders should not be less than two thousand acres for each ten thousand bushels of the capacity of the elevator, or one acre for every dol- lar of proposed expenditure at each local.

‘‘As soon as twenty-five locals are organized, the first meeting of the share- holders should be called, and the officers of the company elected, as provided for in the Act, and the Government should then be prepared to grant the loan on the conditions outlined, and thereafter from time to time as the required con-

Returning from Church in Rokeby District

elevators would operate are not condi- tions that make for suecessful public ownership, and they would require to have behind them a government not merely in sympathy with public owner- ship, but so devoted to it that the mem- bers would be ready tv stake their poli- tical careers upon it. Advocates of public ownership of public utilities may well hesitate to rest their case on pro- vincial versus private initial elevators.

‘‘On these grounds the Commission consider that the financial success of such a scheme is so doubtful that they cannot recommend it to the Govern- ment. On the contrary, rhe Commission are unanimous in advising the Govern- ment against such a course.

‘‘The Commission are unanimous in holding that a solution of the elevator problem satisfactory to the farmers must give the farmers full control of the system. And they are unanimous in holding that no storing and handling elevator is likely to be a financial sue- cess, unless a considerable number of the growers of grain have a direct per- sonal interest in and responsibility for the elevators.

Solution Is Co-operation

‘‘The Commission therefore are unanimous in holding that the solution must be sought along the lines of co- operation by the farmers themselves, assisted in the matter of finance by a provincial loan.

‘“The Commission consider that spe-

cial legislation should be enacted -pro-:

viding for the creation of a co-operative organization of the farmers on _ the principle of:

- *€(1) The maximum amount of local contro] consistent with

ditions are fulfilled. The loan should be repayable in twenty equal annual instal- ments, capital and interest, except that only the interest should be paid the first year the elevators are in operation. The loan would be amply secured by mort- gages on the property, and by the un- paid subscriptions, which could be called in when necessary to meet possible deficits or provide the fixed charges, the liability being lessened thereby each year. Insurance policies on the build- ings should also be made payable to the Government. Co-operation Profit Distribution

‘*Tt is the opinion of the Commission that the interest on the paid up capital should be limited and that, ir possible, the profits of the company should be distributed on the co-operative principle, according to the business offered by each member of the company. The same principle should, if possible, prevail as regards the locals, thus securing to each of these the advantages of its own en- terprise and discretion. .

‘The Commission consider that for purposes of preliminary organization the executive of the Saskatehewan Grain Growers’ Association should be the pro- visional directors, and that the Govern- ment should make a special generous grant to them for that purpose.

“The company might be called the Saskatchewan Co-operative Elevator Company, and the locals the same, with No. 1, ete.

Not Opposed to Public Ownership

“The Commission are not opposed to the principle of the public ownership of publie utilities, but they consider that provincial competition with pri- vate companies in the matter of initial

November 23, 1910

storage is subject to conditions which would invite failure, and that such a - scheme in any case would be limited in the scope of the service it could do for the growers of grain.

‘¢The Commission would have little objection to an experiment by the prov- ince were it not for the fact that an experiment upon a large scale is being conducted by the provinee of Manitoba. If Saskatchewan would make an equally serious attempt to develop a co-opera- tive solution of the prublem, the west- ern farmers would soon be in a_ posi- tion to avail themselves of the best results of both experiments. Both plans aim at removing initial storage from the ownership of companies interested in the trading of grein. The one plan aims at ownership by the State and management by the Government, and the other aims at ownership and man- agement of the growers of grain. Both plans recognive the strength of the feeling of injustice in the minds of

‘many farmers, both seek to create con-

ditions for the marketing of grain which will give the farmers confidence and satisfaction, and both involve fin- ancial aid on the part of the State. The chief difference between the two plans is that in the one the issue is in the hands of the Government, while in the other it is in the hands of the farmers themselves, and to this Com- mission at all events it appears that this difference is in favor of the co- operative plan. This plan avoids many of the risks and limitations of the other plans, and is pregnant besides with possibilities for the future.

THE CHINESE PARLIAMENT

China is moving very rapidly in con- stitutional changes. One stri,ing proof of this is that the date of the convoking of the first Imperial Parliament,which was originally fixed for the year 1915, has been advanced two years in compliance with the demand of the newly constituted senate. It would appear evident that there is a substantial popular sentiment in China in favor of as little delay as pos- sible in the complete establishment of representative institutions. Prince Yu Liang, a member of the Grand Council, is reported as having publicly declared in the senate that “the entire nation, from the “highest classes to the lowest, was agreed “upon the early establishment of a general “parliament.”

The report says further that the sena- tors received this declaration, from one near the throne, “with prolongued cheer- ng,”’ and it is worth noting in this con- nection that the senate is composed of one hundred members elected by the provinces and one hundred appointed by the central government. With so strong an element in its composition under court influence rather than popular influences, it is all the more impressive that this body should have forced the government to advance from 1915 to 1913 the date for the introduction of a complete parliamen- tary system.

Parliamentary institutions are so alien to Chinese traditions and experience that their working will present problems of a peculiarly difficult nature. As yet the country has developed no strong central government, such as in Japan was made the pivot of the Japanese experiment in this direction. The Emperor is an infant, and there is little indication that the regent is a strong man, capable of exalting the influence of the throne. The Empire is an enormous country in territorial extent, and it contains an im- mense population. With all the difficul- ties which the Chinese parliament must encounter. its early establishment scems in line with progress and the real interests of the Chinese people.

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November 23, 1910 ~

THE GRAIN GROWERS’ GUIDE

Farm and Field

DRY FARMING AND IRRIGATION

(By F. H. Newell, Director of U. 5. Reclamation Service, Washington, D. C.)

The public now believes in dry farming. It has passed through the stages of ridicule, of mere toleration and finally of over-enthusiastic peromotion and is set- tling down as an accomplished fact. It has ‘suffered both from neglect on the one hand and from over-zealous friends on the other. The crop statistics of 1910 are showing that it is no longer a theory but has realized a degree of success justifying the prediction of well-informed men.

The practice of agriculture in the arid regions has been, and still is, to a large extent, a matter of pioncering. Lik other pioncering enterprises. the practice of this new form of agriculture has been beset with much disappointment and hardship especially on the part of those who have been illy prepared or badly advised. Not every man is capable of being a successful farmer any more than he is capable of being a successful carpen- ter or groceryman. It may be claimed that a higher degree of intelligence. skill, energy and strength is required of a successful pioneer farmer than is necessary for the mechanic or tradesman.

It is unfortunate that these pioneer enterprises of developing the arid regions, either by irrigation or without it, have always attracted a great many men who have not succeeded in other occupations. Many of these men are predestined to failure, because of lack of physical strength of energy and especially of what people call “common sense.” They are easily attracted by the novelty of the situation, and forgetting that there are many lays of nature and rules of practice to be observed, attempt the impossible and become quickly discouraged. It is this feature that has been particularly conspicuous during 1910, as the climatic conditions of aridity have severely asserted them-

selves and many would-be farmers have ~

learned to their sorrow that arid agricul- ture is one whose rules cannot be dis- obeyed with impunity.

In all the affairs of life the failures are usually more instructive than the suc- cesses. It has been interesting to note that in nearly every instance the failures, both in irrigation and in arid agriculture have resulted from disobedience or neglect of known laws. Students of conditions have predicted certain failures on the part of most ill-directed efforts and have shown that while an occasional success, might be made through chance, yet in the

long run, the pioneer farmers must follow the rules laid down or suffer the conse- quence. One of these has been the thorough tilling of the soil and the storage in it of al! of the moisture available.

In travelling through the arid West, it is noticeable how few of the pioneer farmers have properly. tilled the fields, and how many have simply broken up the top soil and allowed it to dry out instead of properly pulverizing it and thus holding the scanty moisture and humus from being dissipated by the winds. The results have illustrated the old maxim of the unwisdom of putting all of the eggs into one basket. Case after case has been noted where, in the eagerness for large areas the dry farmer has attempted to put in hundreds of acres of one crop and has neglected to till a few acres where a little water might be had for artificially moistening the soil.

The best condition for success in the arid regions is one where a small acreage on each farm can be irrigated and intense- ly cultivated and where a variety of crops, especially those consumed on the farm and in the home, can be raised. This small area, even if no more than a good- sized garden patch, is the citadel of the home. It provides potatoes and other vegetables for use during the winter, and possibly some alfalfa or other forage for the family cow. It insures the perman- ence of the family. Outside of this area there may be a hundred or several hundred acres under cultivation by arid agriculture without the artificial application of water. This larger tract of dry land may yield a generous living, alternate portions being cropped each year with reasonable success and with occassional bumper crops. Here on the dry land is where the larger profits may be made witha relatively small

investment. It is this combination of irrigated land with larger areas of dry lands on which there is an intelligent application of dry farming principles which has enabled hundreds of farmers to succeed while their neighbors, depend- ing upon one crop and trying to utilize all of the dry land every year, have failed miserably.

There are now available to every man a number of publications giving clearly the principles of arid agriculture... These have been printed under the auspices of the state and federal government and by individuals. There is no excuse for any man not grasping the fundamentals; but there is in the makeup of every pioneer farmer more or less of the desire to speculate. The rules laid down in the books and the advice given him by the agricultural experts seems to be too exact- ing; he wants to try his chance, and be- lieves that with the favorable weather then prevailing he can run the risk of doing a little less work than is called for by the experts. He remembers having heard of some one who made a success without so much plowing and harrowing; being pressed for time, or money, he puts in his entire area in the quickest manner possible. This year’s results have shown the unwisdom of such a reckless course. While instances may be pointed out where a fair crop has been attained, the great number of results serve to emphasize the fact that it doesn’t pay to take chances and that the man who proceeds cautiously has been the winner.—Dry Congress Bulletin.

THE DISC PLOW The disc plow a few years ago was presented to the public and heralded as a plow bound to replace entirely the mould- board type. ‘This it has not done; yet

POWER PLOWS

During the past few years there aas been | a steady demand for power plows, that is

for plows that are employed for breaking up new land come to the West with money have found in the power plow, not onlv a labor saver but’ a mone; maker. With tne power plow the new comer can turn over a large quantity of land in the spring, in a short time. and sow the same to flax, thus realizing in the first year one of the most profitable crops in the West. Under the old conditions of hreaking the land with horses the settler had to wait for a full year to realize a crop because it took the greater part of the first year to break up the land with horses,

It is well in many ways that such work can he dove by power plows. It saves the muscle of horses. [It makes it pussible to do much breaking that would not be done if horses had to do it. It avoids the necessity of buying expensive food on the part of the beginner who would otherwise have to have vorses and to buy food for horses where it is not easily ob- tained. It is a matter for thankfulness that power plows have thus come to the rescue at such a time. It may also be added that power plows may turn land more deeply than 1t would be turned in many instances, tf the work must be done by horses.

The plow that will dothe work best will depend to some extent on the nature of the work to be done. If very large areas are to be plowed, steam will probably best do the work. If small areas are to be turned over, gasoline power may be used. This means that gasoline power in some instances will best meet the needs of the individual farmer, while steam power wili best mect the needs of him who wants to to do large areas of job work. The dis- tance to which fuel or gasoline must be carted should also be well considered. After the breaking has once been done, it will probably be found that the small outfit will best meet the needs of the farm- er. When job work is to be done the under- standing should be clear as to the char- acter of the work called for before it be-

A new ty,e of reversible disc plow. swinging the hitch from one end to the other

it has found certain conditions under which it will work much more satisfactory than the other type of plow. ‘These con- ditions are two in number, as far as the writer has been able to determine. The gumbo soil that sticks to the mould- board plow—the dise plow with its scraper to clean the dise will turn a furrow, regard- less of tae scouring properties of the soil— and. tre hatd dry soil which often exists in the fall of the year.

Under favorable conditions, however, the mouldboard plow is to be preferred as it turns a nicer furrow, is not so clumsy as the disc plow and is muea lighter in draft.

At many of the plowing matches held in the West the dise plow has been sent out by companies for trials aud always proved successful in sticky soil. I have seen a dise prow put on a piece of land that was never known to clean with the mouldboard plow do good work,

The dise plow is a very handy implement to have on the farm, for there are few farms that have not a piece of land that is diffi- cult to make the mouldboard clean at some period of the season. When:such an occasion arises the dise plow can be ut inlo practice and thus no time would ¢ lost as would otherwise result: witn the muuldboard plow.

This plow is made to turn a right or left furrow by

gins. The depth should be specified the plow should turn the ground over. There should be no spaces unturned. Tt should be plowing, not rooting through the land. This feature of the work cannot be given too careful attention. If the person who undertakes to plow 5 or 6 inches makes it 3 or 4 or 4 to 5, he is not doing honest work and should not be paid in full. The value of the right kind of plowing at the first cannot easily be over-estimated.

After the sod has been broken the light power plow will probably best do the work. Its light draft would be an advantage on the yielding ground that has once been broken. It is probable that such plows will be used on many farms, and in so far as they can be, they will make the work lighter for horses, as horses may do still lighter work while the power plow is doing the heavier.

ALFALFA POINTERS A plot of thrifty, well-established alfalfa suitably fenced and used for pasturing swine of whatever age can scarcely fall short of being among the most profitable parts of any farm upon which swine hus- bandry is given attention.

Fed alfalfa in reasonable. rations of from ten to twenty pounds a day, livery

Many new settlers who-

‘Page 18

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BRANDO!S!, MANITOBA

horses may be kept in vigorous thrift with a small additional quantity of grain, and thus a saving made of tweaty to thirty per cent. ia cost of maintenance. In the alfalfa districts there may be found many liverymen, who, having had experience with alfalfa hay, fed their horses little of anything else. In the last few years there has been a growing demand for alfalfa hay for southern towns and cities.

Milk producers who know it. best concede that alfalfa is an invaluable feed in the dairy, closely akin to wheat bran in results, and usually much less expensive. In the average small town or city there is about one cow for every ten or fifteen people. Therefore, in a town of one thou- sand population there will probably be 75 to 100 cows. If alfalfa will increase the quantity of their milk and butter-fat, giving a product at a lower cost than the concentrated foods, it should be more used. But as yet it is not generally used, because it is not understood and appreciated.

One of the foremost horse-breeders in America, who constantly maintains up- wards of 100 head of various ages, writes that: “In my experience of twenty-five years in pasturing horses on alfalfa, results have convinced me that it pro- duces more bone, muscle and blood in horses in less time than any other pastur- age with which I am acquainted. But I believe it profitable in raising the best horses to use also a moderate grain ration, to stimulate rapid growth and early devel- opment; my horses, however, have shown no ill effects from pastwing on alfalfa without grain or other feed, and I have found such pasturage conducive to health and prolificacy, maturing animals equal for service to any raised otherwise. I have raised three-year-olds| grown on alfalfa and a light grain ration to exceed a ton in weight, carrying all the good quali- ties of the breed to which they belonged. Further, I find using alfalfa as a horse pasture a much more economical method of raising horses than any other.’”’-—From Coburn’s ‘‘The Book of Alfalfa.”’

A FEW “DONT’S” Don’t smoke a cigar while filling the gasoline tank, or you may leave this world quicker than you expect.

Don’t continue cranking the engine after a kickback without doing. some- thing to prevent another kickback. It may mean a broken wrist.

Don’t bend a split pin at right angles. Pins on the connecting rod of the driving wheel of a locomotive are bent just a trifle outward. This is a good idea to follow in regard to the pins for the car, They may have to be removed some day.

Paige ‘a4:

MAKING CHEESE AT HOME

If farmers’ wives realized how easy it is to make full cream cheese at home, many. more of them would make it. I have made it many years and can tes- tify that, the rules I give below are practical and work out in excellent re- sults. The home-made cream. cheese is declared to be the best cheese ever eaten,

You will want no. elaborate outfit; just the common things available in a farm house will be needed with one or two small exceptions. You will have to buy a cheese hoop, a bottle of cheese color and some cheese tablets. You will need a boiler, or a tub or both; some squares of cheese cloth, some salt, some time.

Use the milk from two milkings and weigh it. If you have no large scale, ~ weigh part of it in a pail of any size

‘and then measure by that pail. It is essential that you know about how much milk you have, as the cheese tab- lets come to set a hundred pounds of milk, and if more or less is used, the proportion of the rennet tablet makes the cheese dry and tough, and a little too little makes the cheese too soft.

You want the milk to stand = at eighty-five degrees. This must also be tested accurately, as a few degrees of heat toughens the cheese, and a few degrees too low a temperature makes it

too soft. Eighty-five is just right, get that exactly. Put the milk in a tub, or barrel

churn or any receptacle large enough to hold it that is handy. Stir in the dissolved cheese tablet, also a table- spoon even-ful of cheese color. Throw a cloth over the milk and go about your work.

In an hour test the cheese by break- ing a little place in the clabber, and if the whey exudes well, the elabber. is ready to cut. With a long knife cut it into inch squares, cut clear to the bot- tom. of the mass. >

Put a square of cheese cloth ‘over the clabber, or a cotton flour sack will do, if. you get flour in such sacks. Be- gin dipping off the whey; when you have dipped off all you ean, let it stand a few minutes, and dip again; keep on this, way until you have reduced the quantity in the tub from one third to one-half; then with your hands break the remaining clabber gently; handle the whole thing as carefully as a thin shelled egg, as rough handling clemin- ates the cream, and it is needful to keep that in the cheese. After break- ing, dip off the rest of the whey until the curd is solid. and tenacious.

At this point heat up two or three quarts of the whey to ninety degrees and pour this over the curd, breaking it gently; dip off this whey and heat another lot, and pour over curd, break- ing it carefully. If the curd squeaks a little as you handle it, it is ready for the salt, but if it is soft and not tena- cious and ‘‘squeaky,’’ heat four quarts of whey to a hundred or two or three, it depends upon the softness of the eurd. Pour this over the curd and work it through it, and drain off. If this does not make it hard enough, you have failed to follow the rules, for these, exactly followed, bring as exactly a result as the multiplication of two by two gives four.

To a lot of eurd from a hundred pounds of milk add about four five tablespoonfuls of salt and work it in. Into a pail put a clean wet cloth (cheese cloth or flour sack), lift the eurd gently into this and it is ready for the press.

A galvanized hoop twelve inches in diameter and eighteen inches high will hold a twenty-pound cheese, and also a five-pound one, if you haven’t any bigger one. You can get your tinner to make you such a hoop, and also haye eut a piece of galvanized iron that will just fit inside the. hoop.

You, will need a wooden cover also that will just fit inside hoop; this cover will need. a wooden handle on. it, as this.is what is ealled the ‘‘follower.’’ and ig put on top of the cheese and

THE GRAIN‘ GROWERS’

The Dairy

follows it as it is pressed down by the weights.

To press a cheese, no boughten press is needed; have a two by four nailed to some outbuilding, up some two feet or more, and have another two by four for a lever to use as a fulcrum to press cheese. Any man will understand how to fix that.

Fix a place for the cheese by putting a box or clean board under the im- promptu pressing apparatus. Put the galvanized circular piece on this, and place the hoop over the circle, Lift the cheese into a hoop, smoothing it into place a little, and draw the corn- ers of the cloth over the cheese as smoothly as you can. Put on the fol- lower and let it sink down to the cheese. If the top does not come up high enough to receive pressure from the lever, fix it so it does, either by raising the entire cheese, or by putting small pieces of wood on top of cover. Put the two by four lever in place where it rests upon the cover and not on the edge of the hoop. Leave the cheese until noon, if you have made it in the morning. At noon place on the end of the lever some weight, a stone as big as a common dinner kettle will be big enough. See that your covering is resting evenly and that the lever does not touch the edge of the hoop.

At night take a clean wet cloth, re- move the cheese from the press, turn it over, and put the clean cloth in the press, put cheese back after taking off the first cloth. Don’t fret if it is skewy; it will even out through the nivht if you get your pressure even. Put an extra weight on at night, and in the morning your cheese is ready to be removed from the press. Take off the cloth, rub the cheese for fifteen minutes with butter; use plenty of butter. If the edges of cheese are ragged, trim the rays off, but do not cut any more than needful, as you want no open pores. Put a bandage around the cheese: place it on a clean square of cloth; fold the corners of the cloth loosely over the cheese and. place on a clean board in a warm and airy place.

For the first few days turn the cheese and rub it two or three times. This will prevent molding. If the cloth gets damp put on a clean one, and change

it as often as necessary. Keep the cheese warm. Common flies do not make cheese

mites. The cheese fly looks something like a mosquito, is small and slim; look out for these, there is very little danger with reasonable care.

When the cheese has formed a thin erust it will not need turning more than once a day. but never neglect that, and rub it well each time. If it eracks, you have dried it too fast; fill the eracks with butter, but this too is not likelv to happen.

When the cheese is six weeks old it is prime to eat, and many cut a cheese at four weeks, but they are not as ripe or good. When you eut your cheese let it stand half a day or more in the air; this improves the flavor very much. It is as easy to make a cheese as a mess of butter. Try it.

CURE FOR STINK WEED TAINT

Yearly thousands of dollars worth of Canadian butter is rejected by buyers because it has become tainted by the odor of some disagreeable weed that the cow has eaten, This butter frequently finds its way across to Liverpool and is there rejected by the cargo inspector,.

Among the weeds eaten by cows perhaps the worst is French weed common- ly known as “Stink weed.” This weed has a very disagreeable odor and when very little is eaten by the cow the taint will appear in the milk and to a much stronger degree in the cream and butter,. Cattle eat this weed greedily and in districts where it grows in abundance the farmers find ‘it almost impossible to raise good butter.

The Remedy

It will no doubt be hailed with joy by farmers and those engaged in the dairy business to hear that’ a simple remedy has been discovered by a farmer that is

GUIDE

said to cure cream of the odor of French weed no matter how bad it is tainted.

- The farmer, who is a subscriber to the

Grain Growers’ GuIDE writes as follows :—

“I would like to give you something to help you as a farmers’ paper. Some- thing worth thousands of dollars to the farmers of Western Canada’ Give it prominence. The farmers’ wives will bless you. Here it is. a te

Do vour cows get at and eat stinking weed and spoil the butter? If so slice a raw potato and put in cream immediately after separating. In less than twenty- four hours (or even until it is churned) all disagreeable odor and flavor will have disappeared. If cold setting is practiced warm cream to blood heat and treat the same as from separator. rk we

This is not my discovery but it is too good to be kept a secret sure and un- failing in its results.

A_FARMERS’ FRIEND.

THE HOME PASTEURIZATION OF MILK «

kre he #96

L. A. Rogers, Bacteriologist, Dairy Division, Bureau of Animal Industry, gives the following on the above subject in Farmers’ Bulletin 413: baie

Milk is most conveniently pasteurized in the bottles in which it is delivered. To do this use a small pail with a perforat- ed false bottom. An inverted pie tin with a few holes punched in it will answer this purpose. This will raise the bottles from the bottom of the pail, thus allowing a free circulation of water and preventing bumping of the bottles. Punch a hole through the cap of one of the bottles and insert a thermometer. The ordinary type of thermometer is likely to be inacurate, and if possible a good ther- mometer with the scale etched on the glass should be used.

Set the bottles of milk in the pail and fill the pail with water nearly to the level of the milk. Put the pail on the stove or over a gas flame and heat it until the thermometer in the milk shows not less than 150/ nor more than 155/F. The bottles should then be removed from the water and allowed to stand from twenty to'thirty minutes. The temper- ature will fall slowly, but may be held more uniformly by covering the bottles with a towel. The punctured cap should be replaced with a new one, or the bottle should be covered with a new one, or the bottle should be covered with an inverted cup.

After the milk has been held as directed it should be cooled as quickly as possible by setting in water. To avoid danger of breaking the bottle by too sudden change of temperature, this water should be warm at first. Replace the warm water slowly with cold water. After cooling , milk should in all cases be held at the lowest available temperature.

This method may be employed to retard the souring of milk or cream for ordinary uses, It should be remembered, however, that pasteurization does not destroy all bacteria in milk, and after pasteurization it should be kept cold and in a cleanly manner and used as soon as possible. Cream does not rise as rapidly or separate as completely in pasteurized milk as in raw milk.

LAW IN REGARD TO TESTING CATTLE FOR TUBERCULOSIS

Hoard’s Dairyman—On December 1, 1910, the following law goes into effect.— 1492d—1, (Ch. 542 1909.)

Cattle, testing before sale, exception. Section 1492d—1. ‘From and after Dec- ember 1, 1910, it shall be unlawful to sell or otherwise transfer any bull, cow or heifer of the bovine family, over six months old, for other than temporary feeding purposes or to be exported from the state or slaughtered, unless the same has within two years prior to such sale or transfer been tuberculin tested by some competent person approved by the live stock sanitary board, and been found to be free from tuberculosis, the same to be shown by the temperature sheets of such test, one copy of which shall be delivered to the purchaser at the time of sale. and another at the same time shall be sent by mail to the state live stock sanitary board; and no person shall purchase any such animal except as above provided unless the same has been tuberculin tested, and the evidence of such test as provided in this act accompanies the animal, and nu person shall at any time , or in any manner apply tuberculin to any animal

November 23,1910

unless such application be reported to the state live stock board.” é

Penalty 2.—‘‘Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one-hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the county. jail not less than ten days nor more than sixty days.”

The board is desirous of having it generally known that such a law appears upon the statutes, and that this luw will be enforced.

A pamphlet containing the veterinary and sanitary laws can be had free of charge by sending your name and address to the secretary of the live stock sanitary

board. HERBERT LOTHE,

Secretary.

Madison, Wis.

Up-to-Date Specialties For Farmers

And Gardeners

Things yeu need—implements and tools that should be on every truck garden and farm. Our way of making these special- ties assures adaptability, strength and service at the minimum price for the best goods of their kind on the market.

Without wings and ladder, it is a per- fect wagon box. With them, it is the best Hay, tock, Wood, Poultry, Oorn or Fruit Rack ever invented. Adjusted to any position in a minute without wrench, hoek or rope.

“Eureka” Sanitary Churn

Barrel of finest stoneware—top of clear

ressed glass. Churns by hand lever. he only sanitary churn made. 8 sizes —6, 10 and 12 gallons. “Kureka” Root Cutter

will slice or shred from 1 to 2 bushels per minute. Fastest machine made— easiest running. Tapering cylinder—10 best steel knives,

“Eureka” Cembination Anvil

Best iron anvii, with vice, pipe vice and drill attachment, and saw clamps. Just what you need for repairing tools and machinery. Weighs 60 peunds.

The “Bacen” Seed Drill will handle the most delicate seed with- eut bruising er breaking, and will sew evenly to the lant seed. Write for Catalogue

Every farmer, who wants to make meney out of hia farm, ought to have our new catalogue. It shows our TOOLS. Rakes, Hees and Machines as they are, and describes their construction im detail. Write fer free cepy.

The Eureka Planter Go., Ltd, Woodstock, Ont. @1

THE FISH BRAND SLICKER

famous for its sureness A \ \ doing its day's work-\ \e@ad

and that day's work is aN

to keep you dry and

comfortable when it

rains, \

SOLD EVERYWHERE

Imperial Hote

Corner Main St. and Alexander Ave.

The Farmers’ Hotel of Winnipeg.

Centrally lociited. Good meals, and warm, comfortable rooms

Rates, $1.50 per day

ANGUS McLEOD JAMES MORTON { Proprietors

FREE BUS

November 23, 1910

FANCY APRONS HANDSOME

TOILET SETS WORK BOXES WRITING DESKS

MANICURE SETS MIRRORS GLOVE BOXES CUSHION TOPS HAND BAGS FANCY BELTS

THIMBLE SETS

NEEDLE CASES

HANGING LAMPS SILVERWARE STUDY LAMPS

MUFFLERS

We Have Planne

Here Are Some Suggestions

Gifts for Girl Friends

JEWEL CASES SILVERWARE

NECKLACE AND LOCKET

BROOCHES FANCY STATIONERY

WAX SEALING CASKETS

FITTED SUIT CASE

CHAFING DISH ART BRASS OUTFITS

LADIES’

EATON'S CHRISTMAS

________-~— The Greatest Help in Gift-Choosing — MN Write for Your Copy TODAY WWWWwyuM

Christmas Remembrances for

Wife or Mother

JARDINERES

CUT GLASS TABLEWARE

CRUMB TRAYS SPIRIT KETTLES FANCY BASKETS

PLUM PUDDING MINCE MEAT HONEY

CHOICE RAISINS CURRANTS

For Christmas Candies, Christmas Stockings see our Grocery Catalogue— SENT FREE ON REQUEST.

“T. EATON CS...

WINNIPEG

Table Delicacies for Festive Days

SELECTED DATES CANDIED PEELS CHOICE FIGS

CRYSTALLIZED FRUITS

ASSORTED NUTS

Groceries, Candles and

Christmas Giving

For

Your

VERYBODY has the desire to give—particu-

larly at Christmas time. Almost everybody

here in the West has the means of giving. But we all stop to ask the question: ‘‘What shall I give?’’ Suppose you should take a walk through Canada’s largest store. You would come away full of ideas. You would know just what to give. Or suppose we should bring the store to you in Catalogue form! That would be almost as good, would it not?

There are three Haton Catologues that will tell you al) about it—

The FALL AND WINTER CATALOGUE

The SPECIAL CHRISTMAS CATALOGUE The DECEMBER GROCERY CATALOGUE

All or any of these Catalogues sent free to your address on request

FOR THE LITTLE FOLKS

TOY

For Little Housekeepers

TOY STORES TRONS BROOM AND

Dust pan | WASHDAY SETS TEA SETS PASTRY SETS STOVES KITCHEN UTENSILS FURNITURE ROCKING CHAIRS

For Baby

TEDDY BEARS BABY SLEIGHS

LITTLE BIBS LINEN BOOKS BABY PLATES

Mechanical Toys STEAM BOATS TRAINS TYPEWRITERS ELECTRIC ENGINES STEAM ENGINES

Musical Toys

PIANOS HORNS VIOLINS TRUMPETS

Boys’ Favorites WAGONS SOLDIER SUITS ROCKING HORSES POP GUNS AUTOMOBILES

GUIDE

Page 15

Joyous Surprises for Little Girls

DAINTY PINAFORES MOTOR VEILS NECKWEAR

HANDKERCHIEFS

PRETTY HAND BAGS |

JUVENILE | WRITING PAPER

CHILDREN’S PAINTS | NECKLACES |

GIRLS’ OWN ANNUAL

SKATES DOLLS’ HAMMOCKS DOLL CABS

DOLLS

SEWING CASES

HANDKERCHIEF BOXES

FANCY BELTS GAMES TOY TEA SETS

CATALOGUE

MUFFLERS BRUSH SETS TIE BOXES SHAVING SETS :

COLLAR CASES SMOKING SETS

Things Men Will Like

NOVELTY MATCH HOLDERS

PIPE RACKS BILL WADS CUFF LINKS FOUNTAIN PENS TRAVELING BAGS

Gifts for Lively Boys

MOUTH ORGANS PENCIL SETS

BOYS’ OWN ANNUAL AIR GUNS

SMALL GAME RIFLES TOBOGGANS

SKATES

CANADA

FOOTBALLS

TEN PINS WAGONS

SLEIGHS

TOY ENGINES TOOL SETS ‘“‘CHUMS’’ ANNUAL

providing

a problem or offer suggestions.

possible. necessarily for publication. those of The Guide,

PROTECTIONIST BUBBLES PUNC- TURED

Editor, Guide:—You asked for opin- ions from farmers on Protection, so you must blame yourself for this letter. I am and have always been a strong Free Trader, as selling my produce in an open market in competition with the world, and buying in a closed market does not and never did seem to me a square deal. We are all, or at least we are supposed to be, citizens of one coun- try, and why some are favored with pro- tection and others left to rustle in the cold seems strange to me, We hear a lot. from our protectionist about ‘‘Can- ada for the Canadians,’’ ‘‘Patronize Home Industries,’’ ‘‘Protection of Vested Rights’’ and ‘‘Dumping by For- eigners.’’ ‘‘Canada for the Canadians’’ sounds all right, but because I am an Englishman am I to presume that I have no right here at all? Why not carry this farther: ‘‘Manitoba for the Mani- tobans,’’? ‘‘ Winnipeg for Winnipeg- gers,’’ and every small village for itself. How should we get on at all if I am not to buy except from my own village, and they must not buy except from me? That this is the logical conclusion you must come to is of course absurd.

‘*Patronize Home Industries’’ is an- other nice-sounding phrase, but let us investigate it a little. Wagon building is a home industry. Eleven years ago I bought a wagon for $70 which today would cost me $110—$40 difference. Well, who gets this $407 Does it go into the mechanic’s pocket who makes the wagon? Some of it I presume goes to extra cost of material, at least that is

one of their excuses, but it edn’t all |

go there. I should not kick if I could see that any of my wheat which is being eaten in Toronto or Hamilton was bring- ing me any more than that which is being eaten in London or Liverpool. Again was I sure the extra cost was going into the mechanic’s pocket, who made the wagon, I should not kick so much, but how am I to think it goes into his pocket when I hear -that he is kick- ing about the extra cost of living and no corresponding increase in wages? I believe in ‘‘Live and let live,’’? but I don’t see why I as a farmer should be expected to patronize home industry when I often notice tnat the very men who preach this never practice it. Do they always buy home-made articles such as yachts, furniture, clothes, jew- elry, ete.? I think not. ‘‘Protection of Vested Rights.’’ Quite a mouthful. Have we not invested our capital and a good many hard years’ work in this country? Are we not citizens and just as law-abid- ing as any manufacturer? Is not the prosperity of Canada due as much to the farmer as to anyone? What pro- tection have our vested rights got? When if even the Argentine or any other country can produce wheat cheaper than we can, will we get a bonus to protect us?

‘Dumping by Foreigners.’’ This is one of their strongest points. Well let us see how it works out. Is there any law to prevent foreigners dumping down materials used by our manufac- turers? Are not most of their raw materials on the free list? Is it fair to allow their raw materials to be dumped in free when ours are taxed? Are not implements as much raw ma- terial to us as iron and steel to them? What harm wéhld it do us as farmers if, say, they dumped in a few thousand binders at $40 apiece? Would it cause

THE GRAIN GROWERS’

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS

This department of The Guide is maintained especially for the purpose of a discussion ground for the readers where they may freely exchange views and derive from each other the benefits of experience and helpful suggestions. Bach correspondent should remember that there are hundreds who wish to discuss . We cannot publish all letters received, and ask that each correspondent will keep his letter as short as Every letter must be signed by the name of the writer, The views of our correspondents are not of necessity The aim is to make this department of great value to readers, and no letters not of public interest will be published.

the immense number of

though not

one bushel of wheat less to be eaten or would it cause the price of beef to go down? I think not. There is no danger of our market ever being flooded with $40 binders, but even in an extreme case such as this would be, what harm would it do us as farmers? If say the Australians sent over a lot of wool and sold it at a third less than our wool, do you suppose our woollen manufacturers would not buy it? When we investigate this dumping ‘we find that what is sauce for the -goose is not sauce for the gander. It is no time to allow foreigners to dump in raw material that the manufacturers want, but to dump in anything the farmer needs. What a horrible idea! Am I not right in stating that the packing houses get ‘a rebate in tin used in the cans for export? I know it is right across the line. Why should we farmers have to pay duty on our tin- ware and the packers and canneries be

GUIDE

‘Are we to always field for the manu- facturers and never go to bat?’’ I see a chance for a change if we only stick to it. By all means let us send a strong delegation to Ottawa. Another grand idea of theirs is the British preference. Does it help us as much as they claim? I think not. I notice a resolution by the manufac- turers on preferential trade which ends up with these words: ‘* Recognizing al- ways that the minimum tariff must afford adequate protection to all Cana- dian producers.’? Which shows that under no consideration will our manu- facturers come out in the open and compete with England of their own free will. They say that if England: will put a tax on foreign wheat and let in colonial wheat free they might con- descend to consider whether they would not lower their tariff.. Let us analyze this a little. A tax on wheat means dearer bread to the English working man, therefore they know there is pre- cious little danger of the Englishman taxing it. I can’t imagine a much crueler tax, and they are perfectly safe to talk about it. Do we as farmers want extra for our wheat out here if the stomachs of the poor working-men’s wives and children in the old country

suffer? I think not, but in fact, per- sonally the idea is degrading. Too much like blood money. As I have

trespassed far too much on your space I will conclude by hoping the day will soon come when we shall have free trade within the Empire. One King, one Flag, and British subjects and Brit- ish merchandise can stand anywhere under the flag without being molested by a Custom House. Cc. 8S. WATKINS,

Langvale, Man. Sec. Dunrea G.G.A.

MR. KENNEDY AT MINITONAS Editor, Guide:—Mr. John Kennedy, vice-president of the G.G.G. Co., ad-

The Beaver Dam near Oak Lake, Man.

exempt? Again, if it is a sin for other countries to dump their stuff on us, do we not dump all we can on them? Why can I buy Canadian cheese cheaper in England than here? Is not Protection responsible for this? When I think of clothes I consider that $1 in England will buy as much as $2 here, not only in price but in quality. If a man in England bought a pair of boots for $3 and wore them out in three weeks there would be ructions. How many has that happened to out here? Is not protection responsible for this? I could go on giving instances forever, but no need, you have all had experience. How many individuals does protection help? Does it help the artisans, mechanics, railway men, miners, clerks, storekeep-

ers or any man with a fixed income? ,

I think not, so we are left with a few boss manufacturers ‘as the only ones it really helps. Exactly how many it would be interesting to know. I al- ways thought Macaulay’s description of a government was correct, viz., ‘*Government of the people, for the people, by the people,’’ but I find that we have a government, ‘‘Of the manu- facturers, for the manutacturers and by the manufacturers.’’ Change about is fair play, and it is not our foaings yet.

dressed a very well attended meeting of Grain Growers here on November 4. The hall was filled. President McLeary, of the Minitonas Branch of the M.G.G.A., acted as chairman. Mr. Ken- nedy explained the G.G.G. Co. in a very able manner, and was ready to answer any questions which anyone wished to put to him, and I am very pleased to say he had to answer quite a few. Everything we could think of we went into, and thoroughly satisfied ourselves that the company was on the right track. Mr. Kennedy was equal to the occasion. He answered all questions without hesitation. He explained the Inspection Act, how very far wrong it is and gave us the whole history of the G.G.G. Co. regarding its option dealing and the holding and selling business which it has been aceused of. Every- body at the meeting whom I spoke to were perfectly satisfied that the com- pany was right. I believe at the pres- ent time the company could not be under more able management, but we have to watch the future. These men at the head of it cannot live forever. Then the company must watch and re- tain the confidence of the producers; if ever they lost that confidence what would be the result?

November 23, 1910

I believe Minitonas is standing very loyal. I was talking to the G.G.G. Co.’s buyer the other day and he was telling me out of 27 ears of grain shipped from here only one of them he could not trace to the G.@.G. Co., and nearly all went through the elevator. The G.G.G. Co. made no mistake when they appointed their buyer at this point, and the Asso- ciation had their eyes open when they recommended him. He is sparing no time in directing smafl lots and car lots through the proper channel, and he is very useful otherwise in the way of shipping out cars and watching the com- pany’s business in general. Just before closing I wish to say that the ‘‘few’’ kickers we have here against the G.G.G, Co. were all conspicuous by their ab- sence from the meeting. I hate to see cowardly work of this kind, as I am the first to admire the fellow who has pluck and determination to fight.

DAVID REID. Minitonas.

FARMERS READ THIS

Editor, Guide:—I note with much satisfaction your views as to the lobby- ing committee being left at Ottawa after the delegates leave, for only by pressing home our attack can we hope for success. That committee should in my opinion be permanent—the value of such a Parliamentary committee cannot be over-estimated. To mistake the po- tentiality and utility of this policy I should like to say that in Great Bri- tain the Postal Telegraph clerks, of which I was a member, had a Par- liamentary committee, and when press- ing for reforms, obtained them through this agency time and again, and that in spite of repeated opposition by succes- sive Postmasters-General, and many suc- cessive commissions of enquiry were ob- tained as witnesses—the Fawcett Com- mission, ‘Tweedmouth, Raikes, Hob- house ‘‘Commissions,’’ and Parliamen- tary Coninittees.

On October 5 I moved the following, which was unanimously carried: ‘‘That in the opinion of this Branch U.F.A. (Stettler) a lobbying committee should be appointed for the furtherance of our legitimate interests both at the Pro- vincial and Dominion Parliaments. Ex- pense of same to be met from funds of U.F.A.”’

I quote the resolution from memory, but this was the substance.

ALBERT J. 8. WEBBER. Stettler, Alta.

Note—If the funds are available the farmers should certainly leave several good men at Ottawa all through the session to watch their interests.—Hd.

IS HUDSON’S BAY FROZEN?

Editor, Guide:—There has been a great deal said in The Guide lately about sending a large delegation of our association to Ottawa to lay our claims before the Parliament. Some say send six hundred. Of course six hundred men is quite a bunch, but in my judgment there should be a thousand or fifteen hundred delegates go from the West. Of course it would be cut of the question to expect each of those delegates to be heard before the Parliament, but the fact of a large number being present,

wearing _ badges, would greatly strengthen our speakers. While it is well-known that the farmers of the

West made a good impression on Sir Wilfrid Laurier during his recent visit through the Western Provinces, yet there is a great deal to be done yet. We have asked for nothing but what we are entitled to. Let us be persistent in our efforts and at the same time let us be reasonable. One thing which should not be overlooked by the dele- gation is the lumbermen’s new deal which is set forth in The Guide of October 26.

I notice that Engineer Armstrong has rendered his report pertaining to the Thunder Bay Railway and route, in which he said this railway could not be operated more than two months in the year and at the most three. For the benefit of your readers let me say that in the year 1884 there was a com- mittee appointed by the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba to inquire into this subject. The committee was com- posed of Messrs. Harrison, Greenway, Killam, Leacock, Wilson, Davidson, Cyr, the Hon. Mr. Brown and the Hon. Mr. Miller.

On page 14 of their report we find the following: Captain James Hack-

November 23, 1910

land has been employed by the Hud- son’s Bay Oo. for thirty-nine years. He was in command of the H.B. Co. schooner for sixteen years of that time and he first navigated the Hudson’s Bay in 1847. He says the straits are open all the year round, never freez- ing over, and there is no reason why steamships should not navigate the straits at any time. The navigation of the Hudson’s Bay is not considered dangerous, there are no shoals, there are few fogs.’’

Page 16—‘‘Walter Dickson was twenty years in the employ of the H.B. Co. He lived for eighteen years on the coast of the Hudson’s Bay, and for seven years in the interior between James Bay and Lake Superior. He says: ‘I have had an opportunity of gaining information cespecting the Hudson’s Bay straits from my long acquaintance with the Esquimaux who reside about the straits, and from my personal observation of the Bay my- self. I have reason to believe that the Hudson’s Bay Straits and the great body of the Bay are navigable at all seasons of the year, and afford no pe- culiar difficulty to ordinary navigation. The Esquimaux made use of skin boats for ordinary hunting and_ travelling purposes in winter. During a residence of thirteen years among them I never heard of any of the Ksquimaux cross- ing the Bay on the ice. Icebergs prop- erly so-called are not found in the Hudson’s Bay and straits, nor can they get there so far as I am aware. The nature of the ice found in the Hudson’s Bay is shore ice, generally from two and a half to three feet thick, and at many places along the shore porous at all seasons of the year. From what I have observed of the movements of the ice in the Hudson’s Bay during the summers I passed in that district, I am perfectly assured that an ordinary iron screw steamer would never have any difficulty in getting through or around that which is usually met with in the Bay and straits. The chief rea- son the old sailing vessels of the H.B. Co. often met with detention in the ice was ‘at the season when floating ice is met with. There is generally very little wind, and sailing vessels are considered as helpless among the ice as they would be in a dead calm in the centre of the Atlantic or elsewhere. Hudson’s Bay has always been found of easy access to a good and careful navigation.’ ’’

Page 46—‘‘James Hargrave was at the factory on Hudson’s Bay from 1867 to 1871, in the employ of the Hudson’s Bay Co., and heard the cap- tains of vessels say that the Hudson Straits are navigable all the year round.’’

Page 52—‘‘James Wood left Strom- ners on the 6th of July, 1882, on the Hudson’s Bay Co. ship The Prince of Wales. Captain Hard, who comthanded the vessel, told me that was his forty- sixth trip through the Hudson Straits and Hudson’s Bay was as smooth as glass and the Bay and the Straits are open all the year round.’’ '

In the annual report of the Depart- ment of Railways and Canals on page 22 I find the following reference to the Hudson’s Bay survey: ‘‘It might be mentioned in passing, the greatly in- creased difficulty a hostile fleet would have in blockading the Atlantic coast of Canada were the Hudson’s Bay route opened up. The fact that the ships may leave and enter Port Nelson all the year round is a fact worth remem- bering when the possibilities of war are considered.’’

The above reports speak for them- selves, and when we consider that they came from disinterested parties they cannot very well he doubted.

W. H. LAWRENCE. Aberdeen, Sask.

ON PARTY RULE

Editor, Guide:—Speaking of parties and party government I might say that history will go to prove that the most satisfactory system of government in all lands has been party government, that is to say, government by parties whose members truly represent the people, but I think that in order to procure good legislation it is always essential that there be at Iéast two distinet parties with different plat- forms, and that these parties adhere closely at all times to the principles of their platforms. Now, we in Canada

THE’ GRAIN GROWERS’

have government under the party sys- tem and therefore it should be or might be an ideal government, but many of the readers of The Guide seem to be dissatisfied, so much so that there must be something wrong, in fact all of the writers to The Guide, no mat- ter as to their views on individual questions, seem to be agreed that some- thing is wrong with our system of gov- ernment, and the chief reasons ad- vanced for this trouble seem to be that the members of our parties represent the money of our land rather than the people of the land, and also because we have not got two distinct parties with different platforms. Our several parties are also accused of not sticking at all times to the platforms upon which they were elected.

It is true that we have two parties or at least two party names, and it is also true that their platforms look dif- ferent, but it seems to me that the only great difference is that the one is in power, while the other is out, so we have the ‘‘ins and the ‘‘outs,’’? Ex- perience has taught many of us that it is useless to turn one party out and put the other in in order to procure promised legislation, and this matter of procuring required legislation is the question of the day with the western farmer. That is in reality what the row is about.

I do not suppose that anyone would suggest that we depart from the system of party government, and if we are all agreed on this point then the solu- tion to our problem must be found either in our remodelling the parties we now have to make them fill the bill, or in the organization of a new party, and the new party would require to be different both in platform, in principle and in purpose from the parties which we now have. Personally I am of the opinion that the desired end may be accomplished by following either of these plans, although I am not old enough in the game nor yet sufficiently informed to be positive as to which plan might be best. In either case the farmers must go into polities and go in with both feet, and just here let me say I have no ,time for the farmer who says ‘‘Let us organize, but let us keep out of polities.’? That is exactly what the monied interests of the land are preaching to the farmer. They know that our wrongs can only be righted behind the sereen in the polling booth, and they say to the farmer: ‘‘It is all right to organize and to agitate, but in Heaven’s name don’t get to monkey- ing with the polling booth and the bal- lot box.’’? In the past we have listened somewhat. to this advice. We have or- ganized the Grain Growers’ Association chiefly for the purpose of agitation, and several things have been accomplished, not the least important of which is that with the organization and with the agi- tation has come education and as a re- sult of this education there are num- erous farmers in the West who, with Mr. Kirkham, are asking for a chance to mark a ballot in their own interests. This is a privilege which is today de- nied us as we go behind the sereen and take up a ballot paper bearing only the names of two candidates, one a Grit and one a Tory and both ‘‘ Party Standpatters.’’ I have therefore every sympathy for those who ery out for another party, but I believe that this should be an organization entirely sep- arate from the Grain Growers’ Associa- tion, although no one can deny that the Grain Growers’ Association is and has been the breeding ground from which muJ)titudes will go forth to vote in their own interests if given an opportunity. Is it not to the credit of the Association that it is so.

From time to time we hear it said or insinuated that it is useless for the farmers to go into polities, that all their political organizations of the past have gone to ruin and accomplished nothing. This statement to my mind savors much of narrow-mindedness or near-sighted- ness, and is absolutely untrue.. No man during his life time accomplishes all of his desire, but he should be satisfied if when he comes to pass away he can know that some advancement has been made in the cause to which he has de- voted his life, and it will remain for those who follow after him to take up the good work, and earry it to its com- pletion. Should it not be even so with organizations? Why should we ask that

GUIDE

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any one organization perform the whole work?

One of the great laws which our Divine Creator has stamped upon this whole universe is that ‘‘ Except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone,’’ and if this be true the fact that our farmer organizations of the past have died and have been followed by others seems to me to be proof conclusive that the spirit of these organizations still lives and that we are much nearer to the attaining of our desire because of these very organiza- ‘tions which have been and are now passed away.

I would say then that if Mr. Kirkham with others who are like minded wish to jump out and organize another po- litical party, call it what you will, tak- ing as its object Direct Legislation, Clean Polities, A Square Deal, ete., ete., they should have the sympathy and support of every agency at work in the common cause, and while it too may pass, it shall not be described as the passing of an arrow, the path of which is immediately closed up and lost.

I have made mention of the possi-

ility of remodelling or readjusting the artes which already exist, and while T believe that this is possible, I am

ready to admit that it will be a great task. If, however, it ean be done, I am of the opinion that it would be just as satisfactory if not more so than the institution of the third party.

I believe that without leaving myself open to the possibility of successful con- tradiction I can say that we in Canada under the circumstances. which now exist are more subject to despotic sway or to one-man rule than are the people of any modern country.

Our Prime Minister surrounds himself with a cabinet which he can depend upon to stand by him to a man. These in turn see to it that the men elected are men who, if they have an opinion of their own, will exercise much care in Voicing it, and more especially should such opinion be contrary to the general drift of the party, and so on down to the district convention the man in demand: has been the Party Stand Patter until, as has been said, no one man ‘in all modern countries enjoys the unique position of the Prime Minister of Can- ada when it comes to a matter of pro- curing the legislation he desires. Now these things ought not so to be, and the sin lies at your door and mine because if we will be careful to do our duty these things will not be. If the mem-

Page 18

bers of the Grain Growers’ Association take this matter up and deal with it as carefully and as thoroughly as they have dealt with other great questions I believe we can to a great extent over- come the difficulty.

Suppose we agree to be Grits and Tories (and for me I detest the term). Let those of us who are Grits get busy before the next nomination day and select the man whom WE want as OUR Grit candidate. We can allow of his being a good Grit, but no ‘‘Stand Pat- ter.’’ Let US lay down the platform upon which he shall stand, and pledge him to use his every effort to secure the legislation which will benefit our dis- trict, not our party. Let us incorporate in this platform such planks as the Initiative, the Referendum, the Recall, and any others which tend to give a square deal to all, always remembering that we are the people and that we take dictation from no party leader or Political Boss. Let us then get out and see that a clean campaign is conducted and that every man so entitled votes once and once only. Let those of us who are Tories do likewise, and I will venture to say that no matter which eandidate is elected or which party placed in power we shall have good gov- ernment and always in the interest of the masses of the people, and we shall under these conditions find Party Gov- ernment a success.

I have attended many meetings of Grain Growers’ Associations and at most of these meetings I have heard some enthusiastic farmer speaking of the legislation which we require as farmers, and he winds up by saying: ‘*Gentlemen, if we stand together we can procure what we want for we have the votes.’’ It is a fact we have the votes, but is it not also a fact that we have a strange habit of giving our votes away or of sacrificing them upon our Party altar and _ receiving little or nothing in return.

Let us get wise. The solution of all our problems lies in vur own hands. There is nothing to be gained by abus- ing the other fellow nor by writing let- ters to The Guide calling someone down for making a suggestion with which you cannot agree. Let us rather encourage every man to speak out his mind. Let us each be prepared to receive ideas as well as to give them, and I have no hesitation in saying that when we have talked these matters over carefully and coolly, and I believe the Grain Growers’ Association is the place to talk it over, the proper course of action will become apparent. It will then only remain for each man to do his duty in the small sphere in which he is placed and the result will be not only tie discovery but the ‘application of that which is best for all.

I hope to see many interesting letters in The Guide upon this subject.

J. lL. WILLIAMSON. Manor, Sask., September 28, 1910.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Editor, Gumpe:—In our struggle for existence as farmers we are conscious of unmerciful pressure by certain organized commercial interests, which have appar- ently captured the steering apparatus of our ship of state. Who and what these are we have a certain indefinite knowledge of and the information circulated in your columns is gradually dispelling the fog which involves us. A clear view of the whole position iskhowever desirable, and it is to be hoped you will be able to explain to us ere long much more concerning the entangled mesh of vested interests which overhangs us like a pall. Who are the rulers of principal combinations amon them; who and what are principa bodies of shareholders, who benefit from them and where and how do the latter spend their gains? Who and what are the main bodies of the laborers working under them, what is their condition and what interests do their earnings and sympathies support? Some light on the subject in general is reflected by reports of current occurrences in other countries.

In Spain, which is working for a pro- found economic revolution, it is shown that there is no question of religion, of race or party politics, but, as with us, there is an overwhelming “burden of commercial robbery draining the resources of land and people. :

In Italy is reported a food crisis, which exposes a similar vicious condition.

t is inevitable from the conditions o

THE GRAIN GROWERS’

their occupation that farmers should be slow to combine and even to inform themselves of the artifice developed to tax them inequitably, but a full knowledge of the ultimate destination of much of their own legitimate earnings and of the methods whereby they are filched would do much to promote a vigorous defence. When farmers are ruined and driven out of the farming industry they have little chance to succeed in the parasitical industries which live upon the very farm- ers they are consuming. If on the other hand we should succeed in reducing the heavy tale of parasitical industries and their workers be forced to leave the factory for the land, there is ample space in Canada for new farm settlements, and a co-operative system of trading will improve the condition of all concerned. What the country wants most is a great man, a statesman of unassailable position and of. patriotic character, a St. George who may match our modern dragon, corruption. It is comfortable to find signs indicating that even now he is arising with both name and nature suitable for the role. We no _ longer wander in the gloom of the Middle Ages, nor even that which enveloped the Africanders but yesterday, and with the press, the postal service and the telephone the farmers should at last manage to awake and clear their industry of noxious insects.

JACK O’LANTERN. Pincher Station, Alta.

FARMERS’ PARTY? YES

Editor Guipe:—Thinking the enclosed cutting, which is from the English ‘‘Sun- day Chronicle” worthy of a place in the Mail Bag, I am sending same. It is surely clear to all that politicians are more masters than servants of the paper, in spite of the boasted power of the vote. While the party system prevails it is necessary that farmers should get right into politics—a “‘ Farmers’ Party? Yes!— and be right on the spot where and when the business is done, help to do it, not running around with prayers and petitions to our “servants” and ‘‘masters.”—D. S.

“Go back over the history of legislation and administration in Great Britain, and you will find that political power and economic advantage have always gone hand in hand.

“When political power was almost the unique possession of the land owner, the land owner had it all his own way. He was dominant; and he put up a good fight in defence of his dominance, for he perceived with singular clarity of vision exactly what he was fighting for. In point of fact he fought so well and so cleverly that in spite of his defeat he still retains a good deal of that for which he fought.

“The non-landed commercial classes, what we call the middle classes, fought so hard to dethrone the landed classes because they, too, knew exactly what it was for which they were fighting. To achieve their end they brought the country to the verge of revolution. They would have toppled over that verge had they not got their way. They acquired politi- cal power, or, at any rate, a large share of it, and they used it unhesitatingly, deliberately for all it was worth. They never made the mistake of thinking that politics do not matter; that they may safely be left in other hands. They do not make the mistake now. The railway directors do not make it, the brewers do not make it; no, nor the lawyers, nor the army men. nor the navy men. It is the working classes who only make that mis- take, or who, at least, give every indica- tion of making it.

“The working classes, as a whole, are still of opinion that politics do not matter, that political power does not carry with it administrative and economic dominance, that is a thing apart, as it were, and has nothing whatever to do with agreements

and arrangements, and arbitrations and-

wages boards and labor exchanges, and all the other machinery for making life more decent. For that is the end of politics, you know, to make life more decent, to make the world a better place too live in just that and nothing more.

‘I sometimes think they never will change that remarkable view of theirs; that they will continue to send forty or fewer, members to the House of Com- mons; that instead of legislating they will continue to be legislated for, that instead of administering they will continue to be administered; and when I think that I feel desperately tempted to pitch my pen into the fireplace and learn the con- certina.”

GUIDE

Dr y F arming : Its Principles and Practice By William McDonald, M.S., Agr., Sc.D., Ph.D. $1.31 post paid

This is one of the most valuable books on dry farming that has yet been published, and a study of it would be of great value to farmers in those parts of Western Canada where dry farming is being reduced to a science. The author of the book, in addition to his experience in the Transvaal, has visited all the important experiment stations in the United States where dry land investigations are being conducted. On this account the book is replete with the very latest information that is valuable on the subject of dry farming. A great deal of his information is drawn from Utah and Montana, where dry farming has been conducted very successfully. A number of the illustrations are taken from dry farms that are being conducted by Prof. Aitkinson in Montana, and these farms are considered by experts to be the most up-to-date dry farms on the continent. For the man who is handling a dry farm proposition a book of this kind is almost invaluable, as it covers a thorough conservation of soil moisture, and gives information on the various methods of cultivation necessary with different varieties of soil.

Professor W. J. Elliott, who is in charge of the C.P.R. Farm at Strathmore, Alta., says: ‘‘I could certainly recommend ‘Dry Farming’ to all those who are considering this work in any one of its phases, and in fact for the man who is farming under more humid conditions there are many points that will aid him very much in the handling and treatment of his soil.’’

The book is written in a simple style that may be understood by every man who reads, and in fact, so well has the author prepared this work that it reads like an interesting novel. It contains 290 pages and is well illustrated. ;

Sixty Years of Protection in Canada, 1846-1907

By Edward Porritt

Western farmers at the present time are intensely interested in the tariff, and are anxious to secure information upon tariff matters. The above mentioned book by Edward Porritt is the best work on the subject. Mr. Porritt is a British Free Trader, and was for two years a lecturer in Harvard University on political economy and Canadian constitutional history. In 1905-6 he travelled with the Canadian tariff commission and devoted a great deal of study to the Canadian tariff and the abuses which have followed protection. Mr. Porritt’s book is entirely non-political and is a study of the tariff history of Canada for the last sixty years. It is written in a most interesting manner and at the same time contains exact information on trade and manufacturers and the methods by which tariffs are made. Every farmer who is interested in tariff reduction will find Mr. Porritt’s book the most valuable one that he can secure. He will also learn how the manufacturers lay aside politics in their efforts to have the tariff burden increased. If every farmer in Canada would read Mr. Porritt’s book, the ‘‘system of legalized robbery’’ would come to an end inside of one year. The book contains 478 pages and is fully indexed. It will be sent to any reader for $1.50 postpaid.

Direct Legislation

If you are interested in improving the system of government in Canada you should study Professor Frank Parson’s book entitled ‘“‘The City for the People.’’? He devotes a great deal of attention to Direct Legislation, and this is considered the best book published on the subject. He also deals in the same book with Public Ownership, Home Rule for Cities, and the Merit System for Civil Service, and the best means of Overcoming Corruption. Professor Parsons in his book shows how reforms have been accomplished in Switzerland and in some of the American cities by means of the Initiative, the Referendum and the Recall. The book is double indexed for subjects and persons. It is a book to read carefully and to digest and to think about. This book is published in paper binding at 50 cents. In lots of 10 or more, 45 cents each. They will be sent to any reader postpaid on receipt of price.

Audel’s Gas Engine Manual By Th. Audel

The vast acres of Canada’s Last West will be a long time untilled and would be a considerable time longer were it not for the advent of the twentieth century new power—GAS. Seasons wait for no man, and the success or failure of the crop depends upon the work required being performed at the proper time, whether it be in seeding, cultivation or harvesting. The great need of the West is men to sow, till and gather, and these are the functions that the internal combus- tion engine furnishes the agriculturist to quadruple the labor that man furnishes. With the Gas Tractor the sod is broken, the land cultivated and the crop threshed with the minimum amount of manual labor and with an ease and convenience that steam power was never able to furnish. Then the various details of the farm work are taken care of by the stationary gas engine and furnishes the power for the sawing and chopping, pumping, churning, washing machine and separator, in fact all the chore work is taken care of by the gas engine. It is natural, then, that every farmer wants education in the operation of the Gas Engine, and no better book can be found that takes up the various details of construction and operation and in easy understood language, than Audel’s Gas Engine Manual furnishes. It takes up the care and management of Gas, Gasoline and Oil Engines, Marine and Automobile Engines. The book contains 512 pages and is well illustrated by diagrams, printed in large, clear type on good paper and will be the best’ read book in the farm household. Postpaid, $2.00.

Book Department, Grain Growers’ Guide, Winnipeg

November 23, 1910

Ronee)

THE FARMERS’ NEEDS

It is difficult to imagine how equal opportunity can produce an equal pro- duction and distributiou so long as un- equal mental and physical force prevail

in the race. If the law of competition is to prevail, sooner or later the weaker will go down. So long as interest on capital is allowed, he who procures capi- tal will secure the cream of the worker. If capital and land were all equally divided tomorrow, the law-making - power to rest as it does now in the hands of a public who did not fully understand the principles of self-gov- ernment; who treated their franchise either ignorantly, carelessly, selfishly or as an unholy thing, another redistribu- tion would be necessary in a very short time. If self-interest and competition is to be the basis of arbitrament, class consciousness is bound to-be developed as a natural sequence. If every other class is driven to set their hours of labor and their pay for same, which doubtless is their right; if organized engineers, firemen or conductors can stop every train in the land at will, coal miners also can do it. If manufacturers can cause grass to grow on the street of any city they choose, is it not plain that our modern institutions have al- ready developed a class organism very dangerous (like any other war) to the common people, and does not this de- mand the creation of a new power, a new ideal, and a new standard of con- duct? To make the discovery and ‘ap- plication of that which shall prove to be best for all the people. This is the work cut out for the men on the land. The work of organization and educa- tion of both the heart and brain, secur- ing the necessary training for so great a work is a large contract. This is why the Grain Growers’ Association needs putting on a solid life plan basis. It must have an ideal higher than a purely mercenary one, however. It needs the greatest minds and largest hearts in its service. Its cosmopolitan membership, its limitless field‘of operations demand this. The great office of arbitrators of the differences of the struggling masses and classes at war with each other, must be filled, and can only be filled by the men of the land. Their interest is iden- tical in every respect, and they alone possess that virility and sturdy indepen- dence necessary to solve the prob- lems confronting us. Not because of inherent qualifications, but because of their environment. Their need is edu- cation ‘and consecration to the noble work of completing the unfinished task of the ages. The establishment of the brotherhood of man in spirit and prac- tice through law, by law, until it is the law. A law to which the mighty engine of public opinion will render a willing acquiescence. The right discovered and applied by a might that is right. F.W.G.

MONEY FOR LOBBYING

‘‘It is somewhat staggering to con- sider how large a number of American business men believe, as an article of practical faith, in the incurable corrup- tion of government. When a bill is introduced in any legislature which threatens loss or inconvenience to any industry it is usually pretty easy to get the men engaged in that industry to subscribe to a fund for the purpose of defeating the bill. This statement does not apply merely to so-called ‘‘big’’ business. It applies to all sorts of busi- ness. Introduce a bill requiring that all butchers’ shops in Indiahoma be disin- fected once a week, and see how quickly the butchers of that commonwealth will come forward with their defense fund and lobbyist. Of course they will not tell their lobbyist to bribe anybody. Personally a majority of them detest bribery. They will not even know from evidence admissible in court that any- body is bribed. But they think the only practical way of beating the bill is to put up money and trust the disburse-

THE GRAIN GROWERS’