The Meeker herald., 1914-11-14
AGRICULTURAL LEG
ElAT|0n NEEDED
Tho Farm the Place to Study All
legislative Problems.
By pstsr Rassera
Lecturer National farnsss' Unioa

Lecturer N9conal FefDep' Untoa
The principal functisn performed by
government today u 70 collect taxss.
keep records and prevent and punish
crime: but that u not sufficient Gov.
ernment should tip it, hat to the God
dsss Of Opportunity - coursssously
~ II draws q six.shootsr on Q train
robber. We ought 10 encourage thrift
a. well - restrain greed. We have
been basing legislation upon tie 81.
tremes Of human lifs-ths classes
high and low. the dspSavsd and the
talsnted-let u now reach the masses
and the extremes will more nearly
disappear. Our statutes are dlled to
Overlooking with pity and revenge;
let Us add opportunity.
The slogan Of the Farmers Uaica
II cooperation. Not only among in
dividual farmers. but between all 1egi-
innate and useful occupations. We
want to sit around the hearth-stons
Of industry and talk over problems ef
mutual interest with our nsishbors.
We want to invite those who are
earnestly searching fof Information
on public questions to get back to
the soil with their investigations
where. In the stiffness Of nature. they
can climb tie mountain-top Of wis
dom. explore the deep canyons Of
knowledge and stroll through the
quiet valleys Of understanding.
There IL no problem In civilization
that cannot be found in its native
80 ~ ~ -
cational. financial. transportation.
BODYBUILDING and ali other problems
are there. We will discuss q 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-
tufe. But how about the farmer who
bows his back to feed and clothe the
world, and who works from sun until
sum- II hs mot also entitled to an
increase In pay and . shortening Of
hours? Much has been said about
the women in the factory and behind
the counter. but how about the woman
In the held. drenched In Precipitation.
gathering the harvest. and little chill
drsn, their lips wet with mothers
milk. toilins by her sidef Are they
mot also entitled 70 considerationf II
not the man who diss N tie 9rcand
satitlsd to the ssns soasidtratisas ~
he who tolls at the fosss. weavss at
the loom and works behind the count.
er! s-.as- = -.1+ ft-5--
The farmer has been bearing his
burdens a. patiently ~ the beast he
plows. but il patience bar from Jus.
tice? The labor problem Of Virginia
today IL on the farm. and the Arst
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 a. . rule than
any other class Of borrower and his
property. especially that Of farm pro.
ducts. 10 not 30 readily accepted ~ .
basis Of credit ~ the property Of
other lines Of industry OF equal market
value.
A rural or land credit system is
needed that will enable farmer 10
buy a home on long time at . cheap
rate 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. 10 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 Arst
attention should be given those who
create the nations wealth.