The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1910-02-03
THE MEAT BOYCOTT.
As Viewed by a Practical Bates
County Farmer.


let US turn on all the light, since light
has been demanded. The producers
and the consumers are the two par
ties concerned.
As it appears the consumers have
demanded an investigation in regard
to present prices of meats. As a
producer we invite investigation, not
only in regard to present prices, but
let the investigation cover a period of
years or even generations. Now, we
want to be fair in this matter and are
willing to take the present attitude of
the consumer in patient manner and
give him time for full consideration.
However, in the meantime, would
like to suggest a few things for the
consideration of the consumer:
lst The producer is the American
farmer.
End. Who is the American farm
err?
The American farmer is the men
who have fought the hardest battle of
the human race. He has fought
from one generation to another, sacri-
ficing his whole strength, health and
even his life in the end to have the
struggle continued by the bravest of
his children. The succeeding genera
tons have succeeded by degrees till at
last he has been recognized by those
who have from time to time sneered
at the occupation.
The American farmer has worked
by the sweat of his brow all these
years, laboring II to l6 hours per
day, taking his own judgment for the
future supply and demand of his
products, and has meekly abided by
the markets which are governed by
supply and demand.
Now, the tainted hearted, cold
shouldered boys that grew up on the
farm and, at or before the age of
manhood, decided that tilling of the
soil was for the weak minded, low
spirited brother, proclaims his BROTH
er is receiving more consideration
and more compensation for his efforts
than the once wise and educated
brother.
Yes, the cold shouldered brother
Joined the union, demanded go cents
to 81 per hour for his knowledge and
got it through the combined efforts of
his brotherhood. Later, he demand
ed the s hour for a days work and
got it. Quite a success | should say!
What has the farmer brother been
doing? He has been working IL to
16 hours, sun up to sun down, in the
field and feeding and nursing the
newborn calf, pig or lamb by Ian
tern light, while the educated brother
took in the best plays at the opera, as
well as other luxurious amusements.
Now, | am one of the farmer broth
ers and want to tell you from expert
ences it took the most courageous,
bravest hearted, self-sacrificing broth
er to stay with the soil, and to-day he
is not to be dictated to by his once
wiser brother in any terms of finance.
We have won the battle and won it by
a hardifight and your brotherhood
cannot put you right. 1t cannot gov
ern supply and demand. 1t cannot
crush the victory we have wun. IT
cannot repay us for the long hours of
hard labor. we have performed. 1t
cannot come back and command our
sympathy after striking blow after
blow at our existence.
Now, we solicit the consideration
of the brother consumer. We want
him to investigate thoroughly and we
think he will decide the tiller of the
soil has at last come to his own. And
after such decision we invite brother
consumer to come back to the soil
and make these acres of ours produce
double present amount as they are
ready to do if we only could get the
labor toscultivate intensely as do the
more thickly populated countries.
Now, a little more in regard to the |
boycott Of meats. We producers
consider it very discourteous act. |
believe the offenders will
soon see their mistake and let the
market have its natural course and
we invite such decision and will for
give the act.
pY% 10 @ho ooucrn,or xx,,chod m MR.