The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-11-02
wilson SNUB
FOR FARMERS
Hughes Shows How TiIIers of
the Soil Were ignored in
Railroad Discussion.
CROP RAISERS FOOT BILL TO
PAY FOR BROTHERHOOD DEAL.

Democratic Nominee LeveIed a Body
Blow at the Interests of Our AgricuI-
tural Communities When at the Be-
hest of an Exclusive Group of Rail-
road Workers He Increased Their
Pay Without Investigating the Justice
of the Demand.
Charles e. Hughes, who left Lincoln
Tor his second days campaigning in
Nebraska, told a crowd of farmers in
his speech there that the Democratic
Administration had ignored the agri-
cultural interests of the country in
urging the enactment of the AdamSon
law. The nominee in support Of his
contention, cited telegram from
President H. N. Pope of the Texas
Farmers Union to President Wilson
requesting that the farmers be per
mitted to submit data in arbitration
proceedings between the railroads and
the brotherhOodS. He said:
Someone Must Pay.
81 want to say in reference to rates
that it seems to me the farmers of
the country were very little conSid-
cred the other day, when on the de-
mand of the Administration the wages
of a group Of railroad workers were
increased by law, in response to force.
Somebody has got to pay the increased
bills, and the farmers will know very
quick who has to pay them.
1.-THE farmers were not represented
that in this surrender.-I have here a
copy of a telegram that was sent to the
President by Mr.. Pope, the president
of the State Farmers Union of Texas.
which l shall read to you:
We ask that you make no conces-
sions or commitments that will in
any manner cause an increase in
freight rates on products produced
or consumed on the farm. The men
who pay the freight have an equity
in this dispute, which neither the
railroad trainmen nor the railroad
managers have authority to repre-
sent. If it is your intention to per-
sonally dispose Of the matter we
ask that you postpone further con-
sideration until a committee or
farmers can prepare information
and data to present their side OF
the case If you conclude to settle
by arbitration, then the organized
farmers should have representation
on any arbitration committee that
NAV be formed to dispose of this
question: for the men who pay
should have representation as well
as the men who receive 1t.
we again urge that all questions
involved be settled by arbitration,
where all parties and all interests
can be heard and the subject dealt
with aside from haste and intimi-
dation.'
Asked to Abdicate Authority.
The crowd cheered when Mr.. Hughes
concluded reading the telegram.
"No regard was paid to that mes
sage" Mr.. Hughes said. "The bust
ness men Of the country, through the
Chamber Of Commerce Of the United
States, were at the same time ana
had for many weeks before been I'M
nloring the executive and leaders In
congress for an immediate ana
prompt inquiry in order that the JUS
tice of this matter might be known.
The farmers were not there except
through the presence OF the repre-
sentatives of the people in congress-
and those representatives were asked
to abdicate their authority.
az am in favor of everything that
can reasonably be done for the pro-
motion of agriculture. l am glad to
note the work of the Agricultural De-
partment. It will be continued with
me if | am intrusted with the power
to the utmost of efficiency under my
administration.
A Body Blow LeVeled.
But it is idle to talk of interest
in the farmer when you have action
like this taken in congress overnight,
against the protests of the farmer,
and leveling a body blow at the In
terests of our agricultural commun1-
ties"
Mr.. Hughes again denied the dec
1aration that a vote for him meant