The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1915-01-21
illustrating the character OF unneces-
sary expenses to which We refer
Union Opposes Full Crew" Bill

sary expenses to which We refer.
Union Opposes "FuII Crew" Bill.
The Texas Farmers Union regis
tered its opposition to this character
OF legislation at the last annual meet
Ing held In Fort Worth, Tex, August
4, 1914. by resolution. which we quote,
as follows:
THE matter OF prime importance
to the farmers Of this state is an ade-
quate and efficient marketing system:
and we recognize that such a system
is impossible without adequate rail-
road facilities. embracing the greatest
amount Of service at the least pos
sible cost We further recognize that
the farmers and producers in the END
pay approximately s5 per cent OF the
expenses OF operating the railroads,
and II is therefore to the interest OF
the producers that the expenses OF
the common carriers be a. small a.
is possible. consistent with good ser.
vice and safety. We. therefore. cali
upon our lawmakers. courts and
juries to bear the foregoing facts In
mind when dealing with the common
carriers Of this state. and We do espe-
ciaily reafiirm the declarations OF
tho last annual convention Of our
State Union. opposing the passage Of
the so-callcd 'full-crew' bill before
the thirty-third Legislature Of Texas."
The farmers OF Missouri In the last
election, by an overwhelming ma
jority. swept this law OF the statute
book Of that state. and II should
como on OF all statute books where
II appears and no Legislature OF this
nation should pass such q law or
similar legislation which requires un-
necessary expenditures. =,
The same rule applies to all regu-
iatory measures which increase the
expenses OF industry without giving
corresponding benefits TO the public.
There Ia ofttimes body OF mon as
sembled at egislatures-and they
have n right TO be there--who. In
their zeal for rendering their fellow
associates a service. sometimes favor
an increase In the expenses OF In
dustry without due regard for the men
who bow their backs to tho summers
sun TO meet the payroll. but these
while making . record
for themselves. rub the skin on tho
shoulders OF the farmer by urging tho
legislature to lay another burden
upon his heavy load and under tho
'asA OF pa II enacted" soad him on
10 pull and surge at the traces OF civil
ization. no matter how he may sweat.
foam and gall at the task. When
legislatures "cut q melon" for labor
they hand the farmer a lemon.
The farmers Of tho United States
are not financially able to carry dead
heads" on their payroils. Our own
hired hands are not paid unless we
have something for them TO do and
we are not willing to carry the hired
help OF dependent Industries unless
there is work for them. We must
therefore insist upon the most rigid
economy.
Legislative House-cIeanIns Needed.
While the war is on and there is q
lull In business. We want all legisia-
tive bodies to take an inventory OF
the statute books and wipe on all
extravagant and useless laws. A good
house-cleaning Is needed and econo-
mics can be instituted here and there
that will patch the clothes OF INDECENT
children. rest tired mothers and lift
from despondent homes.
workmen taken on and
useless expenses chopped down all
along the line will add TO the pros
perity OF the farmer and encourage
him In his mighty effort to feed and
clothe the world.
II any OF these industries have sur
plus employees We can use them on
the farm. We have no regular
schedule OF wages. but we pay good
'arm hands on an average OF $3.50
Der day of thirteen hours when they
board themselves; work usually runs
about nine months OF the year aud the
hree months dead time. they can do
he chores for their board. II they
prefer TO farm on their own account.
here are more than $4,000. .000. 900
lcres Of idle land on the earth's sur
ace awaiting the magic touch OF the
low. The compensation is easily OBJ
ainable from Federal Agricultural
department. statistics. Tho total
Iverage annual sales of = farm in
he continental United States amounts
o $4,000; the cost OF operation 10
$4,000; leaving the farmer sl76 per
nnum to live on and educate his
amily.
There is no occasion for the legis-
atures making position for surplus
mployes OF industry. Let them come
back to the soil" and share with us
he prosperity of the farm.