The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1913-12-12
RADFORD'S PLATFORM
Ex-President OF the Farmers
Union Outlines Legislative
Needs Of Farmers.
MARKETING AND HELPING THE
TENANT FARMER THE PARA
MOUNT ISSUES.

many requests to run for Governor
Peter Radford gave out the follow
ing statement:
any duties with the National ana
State Farmers Union, consider,
present a wider field for rendering
public service than that afforded by
the Governorship of Texas. Many
things are possible through mutual
cooperation that can not be accom-
plished through legislation and l
consider it my duty to work in this
broader field.
"0ur government has been run by
city men and agriculturists whose
knowledge of farming has been ac-
CURED by looking through the win
dcws of Pullman cars and while the
hsmer bears the brunt OF taxation,
owns the larger per cent of property
and seyenty-six per cent Of our pop
lation lives in rural territory, he has
little voice and t~.9ives comparative
" small benefits from government.
The farmer asks no favors, but he
is entitled to the same consideration
from government that is accorded
other lines Of business.
81 follow the pillow fora living and
my views are gathered from actual
contact with the soil and are ac-
Quired from association with the
great body Of organized farmers Of
this State, and I think fairly rep
resent the consensus Of opinion OF
the farmers of Texas as a whole and
embody the elements of constructive
legislation needed in Texas today.
Agricultural Legislation Needed.
"The laws Of Texas relating to
business are wholly unsuited to the
transactions Of the farmer. While
primarily based and admirably
adapted to the needs of commerce
and industry, they work hardship
upon agriculture. We must give the
same care and consideration to sys-
tenn of cooperative laws extending
TO the farmer the facilities adapted
to his business that is now afforded
corporations. We need to enter Wig
orously this unoccupied and fruitful
field of legislative activity and in
stall the legal machinery adapted to
permitting and encouraging coop
erative business concerns and facili-
tating cooperation between different
lines of industry.
"1n glancing over our statutes |
find that most OF our laws are aimed
at the punishment of individual and
corporate criminals and while APP
proving the wisdom and applauding
the efficiency of these laws, / do not
believe government can hope TO fully
perform its duty toward all the peo-
pie by addressing itself to the sup
preston OF crime alone. ] want to
plead for the able and law-abiding
citizen that consideration from gov
eminent that is now accorded the
incompetent and criminal classes.
We must not relax for a moment
our efforts TO restrain the avaricious
and protect the weak, but let us ex-
tend the functions Of government
into developing new regions of agri-
cultural. industrial and commercial
activities for the honest, energetic
and law-abiding citizens. There
should be breathed into our statutes
the spirit Of the builder and hope
and encouragement for the conscien-
tious and ambitious should abound
in our laws. New areas of oppor-
tunity should be opened up for Tie
home-owner, the laborer and the in
vestor. Legislation should be based
upon the needs Of that large body
OF intelligent and progressive farm
ers that constitute the great bulk
OF agricultural population rs well
as assisting the incompetent.
Cooperation the Remedy.
"ro meet the expectations aud ne
ccssities Of the farmers we must de-
volop a cooperative system Of rural
credits that will make money, at rea-
sonable rates Of interest, constantly
and easily available 10 maintain and
expand their business. Farm ten
anoy is the greatest menace now con
fronting the State and can only be
checked by aiIording the tenant and
the laborer facilities for acquiring
property and BY reducing the high
-ates Of interest which are now sap
ping the vitality of agriculture.
The curse Of farm pcasantrv now
confronts us and our farmers are
fast becoming agricultural gypsies.
wandering from farm 10 farm We