The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-01-01
NEED BUSINESS hen
III CONGRESS
President w. J. Tod of State Live
Stock Association, Speaks
Plainly


In a recent Interview Mr. ". J.
Ted, president of the Kansas Live
Stock association, and vice president
of the American Live Stock associa-
ton, declared that the decreasing
prices of dressed meats called for
concerted action by the farmers anG
stock raisers of Kansas. Mr. Tod Is
one OF the prominent farmers and
stockmen Of the state. His ranch and
farm OF 1000 acres near the town c.
Maple Hill, In Wabaunsee county, Is
one of the show places OF eastern Kan
sas. Mr.. Tod goes straight to the point
and urges the farmers, stock raisers
and business men of Kansas and the
West to unite and elect practical bust
ness men to congress.
What Mr.. Tod says applies with tel
ing force TO the Sixth cOngTessionGi
district which is distinctly a farming
and stock raising region. ITO get re-
lief from the conditions prevailing IL
the country which are wrecking thou
sands OF farmers who are raising cat
tie and hogs, we must send men &c
congress who are familiar with the
needs of the people and who will enact
laws that will make it impossible for
a few packers to fix ruinous prices 20
be paid for cattle and hogs and at the
same time put the price of dressed
meats beyond the reach Of thousands
of poor people and the laboTing class
es,' Mr. Tod says. Congress is the
body to take hold : and throttle the
combine that fixes the prices of or
l. h., 81 ll-
dressed meat, and to prevent E
gang OF gamblers in grain from fixing
the price the farmer must take for his
corn, wheat and other products"
Mr. Tod says that concerted action
at the primaries by the farmers and
stock growers in every congressional
district in Kansas would result in
sending to Washington men who know
the needs Of the producers of the state
and who would lead in the passage of
laws that would put stop to this ruin
Gus discrimination. "In the years past
we farmers and stock raisers have per
mitted the little politicians who live at
the county seats to name our congress
I men. Each in his turn has promised
relief, but conditions have grown
worse" Mr.. Tod said. 1.-THE time has
come for US to get away from the coun-
ty seat lawyer type of politiciOn in the
election of congressman. We should
+ choose for this important Office men
Of the highest business standing and
who are in touch with the states par
amount interests - agriculture and
stock raising. AS great a state as
| Kansas, leader in these two important
! industries, should send men to Wash
ington who are competent to grapple
with these questions. The men best
qualified to serve US in congress are
those who have made a success In
their own business. It is this type Of
men, rather than the eounty-seat poll
tician, who will give the people the
most useful service in Washington"
Mr.. Tod's statements will be read
with interest by every farmer, stock
raiser and business man of the Sixth
/ district-for everyone Of these is q
business man. Here the people have
decided to select one Of their fellow
citizens as their congressman, whose
1 life for thirty years has been linked
with these interests. When Otis L.
Benton of Oberlin, takes the oath Of
office in Washington, 1t will be his
pledge to the people to give them faith
full service in the enactment Of laws
that will prevent the grain gamblers
and packing interests from fixing the
price to be paid for our farm products
and live stock.