Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1914-10-02
Leg
ISlAT|OA NEEDED
The Farm the Place to Study All
Legislative Problems.
BY Peter Radford


The principal function performed by
government today IS to collect taxes,
keep records and prevent and punish
crime; but that is not sufficient. Coz
eminent should tip its hat to the Cod
dess of Opportunity as courageously
as it draws a siX-shooter on a train
robber. We ought to encourage thrift
as well as restrain greed. We have
been basing legislation upon the ex-
tremes of human life-the classes
high and low, the depraved and the
talented-let us now reach the masses
and the extremes will more nearly
disappear Our statutes are filled to
overfowing with pity and revenge;
let us add opportunity.
The slogan Of the Farmers Union
is cooperation. Not only among in
dividual farmers, but between all legi-
innate and useful occupations. We
want to sit around the hearth-stone
Of industry and talk over problems o.
mutual interest with our neighbors.
We want to invite those who are
earnestly searching for information
on public questions to get back to
the soil with their investigations
where, in the Stiffness of nature, they
can climb the mountain-top of wis
dom, explore the deep canyons Of
knowledge and stroll through the
quiet valleys of understanding.
There is no problem in civilization
that cannot be found in its native
state on the farm. The labor, edu-
cational, financial, transportation,
home building and all other problems
are there. We will discuss a few Of
them.
The Labor Problem.
We bow to the dignity of labor.
No one would be willing to do more
to tighten the burdens, increase the
safety, comforts and profits of those
who labor in commerce and industry
than their fellow toilers in agricul
ture. But how about the farmer who
bows his back to feed and clothe the
world, and who works from sun until
sun? Is he not also entitled to an
increase in pay and shortening o.
hours? Much has been said about
the women in the factory and behind
the counter, but how about the woman
In the field. sdrenched in PRESERVATION
gathering the harvest, and little chill
dren, their lips wet with mother;
milk, toiling by her side? Are they
not also entitled to consideration? Is
not the man who digs in the groun5
entitled to the same consideration as
he who tolls at the forge, weayes &;
the loom and works behind the count
er?
The farmer has been bearing his
burdens a. patiently as the beast he
pl3ws, but Is patience a bar from jus
tics? The labor problem of Virginia
today is on the farm, and the first
attention should be given those who
labor in the field.
The Need of Cheap Money.
Agriculture has never been proper
" financed. The farmer pays much
higher rate of interest as rule than
any other class OF borrower and his
property. especially that Of farm p~o
ducts, is not so readily accepted as
basis OF credit as the property OF
other lines Of industry of equal market
value.
A rural or land credit system is
needed that will enable farmer to
buy home on long time at a cheap
rae of interest
A statute based on sound business
principles that will enable the land
less to buy and encourage the large
land owner to sell, is much needed
and one that merits the most serious
consideration of our law makers.
The financial problem of the state
and nation is on the farm, and first
attention should be given those who
create the nations wealth.