The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-07-12
Farm Bureaus
Claim War Tax
Is Not Just
Meeting at Gooding Adopts Strong Reso.
ludons Demanding Relief for Farmers;
Fixing Of Wages Discussed

GOODING.-Farm bureaus of al
counties west of Pocatello held al
all day meeting here Saturday.
large number of representatives wer'
present. The important question O.
wage scale was brought up and thu
discussion showed wide division
of opinion on the subject. Former
Governor Frank R. Gooding lee
those who took the position thai
the farm bureau made serious mis-.
take in not consulting representa-.
tives of labor in fixing the scale. Mr.
Gooding commended that it was unfair
to fix the price of the labor of any
man without the laborer being heard
in the matter.
On motion of Mr.. Gooding the
wages of hay stackers was raised to
$3.50 per day.
AS a result of the discussion it was
generally understood that in adop-
ton wage scales in the future repre-
sentatives of all parties concerned
would have voice.
Farmers Claim Injustice
The matter of caring for crops was
discussed and it was the sense of
the meeting that an injustice was
being done the farmers of Idaho
under the present rulings of the gov
eminent. Mr.. Gooding was chosen
to draft resolutions to forward to the
congressman of Idaho protesting
against present rulings relative to
freight charges on wheat and food
products and also relative to the war
tax on freight shipments. The reso-
luton voicing the sentiments of
the farmers of Idaho follows:
Whereas, the government has
seen fit to fix the price of the farm
ers' wheat with basic points at Chi
cage and the seaboard, and thru it's
representatives is purchasing all of
this wheat.
Whereas, it is apparent that the
cost of producing wheat in Idaho is
much greater than in many of the
states on account. of the cost of abor,
we submit without prejudice that
this is discrimination against this
state.
Whereas, the policy of the gov
eminent since its formation in the
of labor and in COM
Wandering the products of labor
and industry has been to pay the
same price in every state in the
union. we also believe that where
the products of labor and industry
are Communicated by the govern
nent that the freight charge would
be absorbed by the government and
n this way the price paid the farmer
Tor his labor and the use of his soil
will be the same in every state in
he union; there, be it, -
Relief is Demanded
Resolved, that we respectfully
lsk our senators and representatives
n congress to use their influences
n bring about readjustment of the |
wheat prices to the end that |
he farmers of Idaho may receive the |
anne price for their labor and the
Use of their soil as the farmer in the
tates east of the Missouri river. i
Resolved under an act of con-
ress it is provided that there shall
re a war tax Of per cent paid ON
II freight bills. We believe this to
e an injustice and an unreasonable
ax insofar as it affects the farmer
nd producers of Idaho and some
Their states. Freight rates from all
astern states in Idaho are Excess
lively high and we believe them to
e the highest of any state in the
nion. 1t has never been the policy
this government to tax necessities
xcept for the purpose of protecting
ome great industry, while it has
ways been our policy and boast
lat taxation has been made to rest
lually upon all the people. 1t is
vident that the use of the railroads
absolutely necessary and essential
the life and development of the
'untry and the permanent we'll
eing of thepeople, therefore, we
elieve that any tax levies on freight :
aybills is inequitable and unjust.
Shows Discrimination
"The farmers of Idaho arr. paying
war tax on 100000 pound car
ad of wheat of SIS when shipped
Chicago, while farmers in the
ates farther east are paying but
war tax on freight in similar cars.
ne increase in freight rates adds
lditional burdens on our people.
nder the rules and regulations of
g food department the farmers
e compelled to pay this extra war :
x on all wheat they sell to the gov
nment thru it's representatives
thout regard to whether the wheat
ever loaded on railroad car or
It. Much of the wheat of Idaho
milled at home. A considerable
Mount is sold for seed, but under i
listing regulations the farmer must Il
y the war tax of 3 per cent on r
sight waybills on all his wheat al
o 1t may never be hauled a mile
the railroads. This we believe
be inequitable and unjust and we ]
otest against the continuance of
ls practice; therefore, be it
Resolved, that we ask our SEN
DTS and representatives. in con-
ess to use their best efforts to Sc
re the bills or in some manner to
ng relief to the growers SO they
y not have to pay this tax" r
The price Of threshing was fixed at
cents per bushel for wheat and =
rley and 5 cents for oats, the n
mer to furnish the coal.
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