The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-03-11
FARNIERS' MEETING.

Tine American Society of Equi
will hold a convention at Malt
March 16, for the purpose Of orga-
lzlng county union. Mr.. GeorI
LOTUS OF ST. Paul, and other spea
ers will be present to explain Il,
work OF the society. AL membe,
Of local unions and all farmers Wi
9re interested in more econom
buying and better prices for the:
products are earnestly urged to b
present.
The above was landed us by M
CoOk1ngham, and while we ar
strictly against advertising for mc
order houses or giving space to an
article that would suggest such
thing to the people OF the county
we give this space simply to show
up the workings Of the would-ue
political boss OF the county, and to
what ends he would go to gain his
point. When he handed us the arti-
Gle we informed him that it was
against our policy AID with that he
turned loose hisorotorical flow. With
many large words and more gestures
he said that the merchants Of this
county We're getting rich Off the
farmer and that where there were
ten stores now that when the Amer
lean Society Of Equity was in proper
reduced, to one. We remember back
when the Farmers A4..ance and
several other so-called farmers Or
CARNATIONS We're in existence and
in every case the farmer was the
goat and was LETT holding the sack
open. In Dakota a short time ago
there was similar organization
that not only iieeced a number Of
farmers out OF their years earnings.
but it ruined mum ber financially.
Now We do not think that Mr.
CoOtinGham has the interest Of the
farmer any more at heart than the
editor OF this paper, neither has lie
the interests Of the farmer any
more at heart than the merchants of
the city. and while spea- ing about
it lie has not done as much for them
III mis- entire residence here as any
one OF them do daily. We asked
him If he was not getting something
out OF organizing these unions and
he had to admit that he did receive
a percentage Or commission. He
says there are but three or four Off
GERS at the head of the organization
y th>tt ICY receive something Z
like five dollars per day for thei,
services. This world is not full ol
men who are working for the love
OF humanity, and according to Cook
| lngham S own statement he is re
celving his share Of the sponls.
! AS 10 the farmers. they are Ell
tilted to get every cent they can for
what tney produce, and it there is
them we are ready and willing tC
do so. We believe III unions and
| believe that a farmers union would
| if perfected, help great deal in
! getting top pr,ces for their produce
but at the same time we do not be.
lieve in knocking the merchants
OF the towns. We do believe this
however, it farmers and townpeople
alike We're to pay cash for every
thing they buy there would be a ma
terial reduction in prices. But
however, if the merchant is forced
to borrow money TO carry his pat
rons he cannot do it without jus
compensation. The people of the
county OF Phillips will remember i;
short time ago a statement i'll this
| paper III which we SaIu the taXpay
ers OF Malta would pay one-thir6
OF the taxes Of the county. Reduce
the business houses in Malta, SacC
and DoAson to one-tenthof the mum
| Der and see who would then be pat
! ing the taxes. 1t is plain it wOule
De the great Northern railroad ant
! the farmers, and the farmer Woult
! De the goat as he would not onl,
| pay the taxes direct, but he WOuIt
also pay the railroad company,
taxes in freight. We wlll suppos,
the equity is i'll working order aAt
| the farmers are buying coa. pO@ts
and lumber in carload tots. Nu~
| the first to visit the car Will get
probably, a pretty good quality o
the article ordered but how abou
the last one? He will find beau,
iui bunch OF coal dust, or a nice lo
OF Gull posts. and. il it is lumber
he will have a load of knot holes
This is new country and the wa!
to make it the best in Montana i
for the mel chants and farmers t,
stick together. for what is OF interes
to one is equally of interest to tho