a highly desirable thing it would be in the apple-growing industry of the Northwest if prices were stabilized so both producer and consumer would know what to expect from year to year. No one thing would more quickly place the orchardist in a position of security, contentment and prosperity than the mere stabilization of prices at a figure which insures him an equitable profit. The orchardists realize this just at present, and there are many factors at work influencing toward such an arrangement.
With prices of the past year below cost of production it is easy sailing to propose and work for their stabilization at a figure that would mean profit instead of loss. The trouble will come when conditions change and prices soar to the point where undue profits become possible. Then re turns the danger that Greed will forget its lesson and demand the excess profit.
HOLD DOWN IN FAT YEARS
The editor who sets out to advocate fair wages and fair profits for any industry with which he is concerned takes account of the future. He must make up his mind to advocate holding prices down in flush years as well as pushing them up in lean years. Knowing how great would be the ultimate benefits, there was no hesitancy in this particular editorial in pointing this out and advocating it. Fortunately, in my line, it was possible to point to a branch of the industry which has achieved success and stability through this broad-gauge policy.
Turning to the other side of our analysis, not much need be said about what the producer publication accomplishes for its clientele through what it does to those interests so often regarded as "hostile." You know what a common attitude it is for the laborer to consider the capitalist his enemy or the shipper to think the railroad exists for little more than to gouge from him every possible nickel. This attitude is fallacious and harmful. It has slight foundation in fact, however, and the producer's publication must fight his just and righteous battles. Such actual enemies as he has it exposes. His lawful interests it defends.
It is just as necessary for those who handle our producer's products to play fair as for him to do so. His publication helps enforce this obligation. Occasionally, through publicity in its columns, it may inject the fear of God into them. If true to its trust the publication faithfully and fearlessly does this. Most of them do. The few which are recreant may flourish for a time, but they are headed for an untimely demise.
Enough, I am sure, for the destructive side of our theme. The lasting good the editor and his publication accomplish for their specific industry is largely of constructive nature. Stabilization of industries, with whatever resultant benefits this assures, is achieved almost entirely through constructive action.
The publication that intelligently and conscientiously works for this objective stands for less suspicion and more sincerity; less hostility and more helpfulness; less greed and more good-will; less vituperation and more arbitration; less conspiracy and more co-operation.
Women Writers Meet
With Miss Grace Edgington of the University of Oregon in charge of arrangements, a most interesting session of Oregon women writers was held on the campus during the Oregon Newspaper Conference. Among the speakers were Anne Shannon Monroe, Mrs. Grace Torrey, Mrs. Mable Holmes Parsons, and Earl C. Brownlee representing Mrs. Maryland Allen, all of Portland. Problems of special interest to women interested in writing were handled at the meeting, which was held in the Woman's Memorial hall. The tea given in the beautiful Alumni hall was attended by a large number of students, faculty women, and newspaper men, besides the women writers themselves.
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