American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1915-01-02
The Farmers Society Of Equity

Recently we have had In this To-
cality, Mr. Victor c. Fonnesbeck. a
young farmer from the northern part
OF the state, seeking to interest the
farmers in the Farmers Society of
Equity of indianapolis, Ind, nat
ural farmers organization which now
claims a membership of almost mil
lion members. In the various states
of the union.
| understand this society has al
ready been established in Cache and
Box Elder counties, and considerable
benefit Is reported to have been de-
rived from 1t in the way of increased
prices for produce and material
saving In the price of machinery,
fencing, sacks, etc, which the farm
ers are continually buying in consid-
cradle quantities
The plan of the organization is to
establish in the principal cities and
towns Of the state, town or local
units, comprising as many members
as possible. Town units In county
unite In forming county unit, and
the various county units in the state,
In turn, affiliate together, forming a
state unit and clearing house,
through which the business of the
state is transacted The state unit
forming part Of the national organI-
cation. To organize q state unit at
least five counties must affiliate to-
gether.
The purpose of the society is the
mutual protection and uplift of the
farmers This is to be accomplished
in number of ways; few OF which
may be mentioned
lst-ITo provide markets for the
produce of the farm.
2nd-To encourage the erection OF
elevators and store houses. where
crops may be held and money realized
on same to meet the farmers immedi-
ate wants, until such time as a fair
and legitimate price may be realized
3rd-To aid the farmer in the pur-
chase Of his machinery, fencing, seed,
etc, cutting out as far as possible the
middle mans profit.
4th-To promote and encourage all
industries in the county that aim for
the betterment Of farm life condi-
tons.
The farmer has long been looked
upon as the legitimate prey OF mid
die men, who have taken the cream
and left the skim milk. This has
been made possible on account OF the
unorganized condition of the tiller Of
the soil Only by organization can
the farmer expect TO get the respect,
consideration and returns that his oc-
cupation and industry entities him to.
But says one, "The farmers can't stick
together" That is just what the mid
die men want the farmers TO believe,
and loose no opportunity of impress
sing them with tn eidea. We should
get rid of such nonsense, for self in
terest demands that the farmers get
together, not for the purpose of eX-
tortion, but to get fair compensa-
ton for honest toll, In this day OF
high taxes, high water maintenance,
high cost for everything that the
farmer does not raise, does II not oc-
cur to you, fellow farmers, that un-
less We organize for self protection,
that we will all land In the poor
house together.
The Farmers Society OF Equity has
organized units In American Fork
and Lehi, | believe; and invitation Is
extended for others to investigate the
movement Some circulars will be
distributed in the near future to the
farmers, and one of the national or
ganlzers is expected soon to meet
with the people.
Respectfully,
GEO, f. SHELLEY,
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