The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-07-23
ALFRED DISCUSS HAY QUESTION

| / am yet +" on trial. and hav,
waited patiently for my accusers
whom you kindly invited to appeal
against me to set forth their charge
Up to the present, they have hel(
their peace and | am still anxiously
holding in reserve some effective
"gasses" for defense against renewa
of attack. But inasmuch as you
graciously proposed for me that the
erection of triumphal arch, adorned
by my own impressive portrait, bear.
ing the inscription, "He had the
nerve" He believed in himself"
herewith present my smiling face
and ask for the inscription proffered
with these words added, in bold
type; "The farmers believed in him
too, and trust him now" for the rea.
son that these farmers have spoken
for themselves, and |. respectfully
submit herewith their verdict, as
given by men pro and con. with
holding some pointed terse' state
ments from some of these and others
for future use. There were OBJ
tanned in response to the following
inquiry, based on the critism your
paper offered. Under date of April
%, wrote these representative
men:
Some criticism is being made of
my policy as state relative of farm
markets during the past year, par
ticulary relative to my advice given
to the farmers early in the season
of 1917, to hold their hay at a price
ranging from $3.50 to $500. This
criticism is generally couched in such
words as the following:
Alfred studied the hay question
Of the west and advised farmers to
hold their hay for $500 a ton,
which they did to their sorrow.
Large stock owners moved their
flocks and herds out of the state to
winter in other valleys and on the
southern deserts, ETC."
"You are familiar with the mar
ket's demand, with the quantities
of hay sold, the shortage of cars, my
policy regading this matter, and with
its actual effect on the producers
''Now inasmuch as we are ap-
preaching another season in which l
must inform and protect farmers in
the values of their agricultural pro-
ducts, to the best Of my ability, I
am very anxious to know just how
my labors in these particulars are
received by the farmers in general.
If / have made mistakes-and no
doubt / have-I am very anxious to
avoid their repetition and in every
way give the farmers of this state
the best there is In me, though that
best be little.
Twill you please write me fully
and frankly in this matter? If the
farmers approve my policy of the
past, would appreciate word from
them thru you, expressing that ap-
proval, and wherein by policies have
failed to bring proper results to those
who applied them, l would be equ-
ally pleased to have the error pointed
out. I will appreciate constructive
criticism"
Here follows a few of their re-
plies:
Parma, Idaho, April 81, 1918.
81 am sure some loss was sus-
tanned by the farmers of our county
by advising mot to sell their hay for
less than $500 per ton, as they
could realize from $500 to $500
by feeding it themselves or bailing
and shipping same"
c. B. ROSS,
President Canyon County Farm
Bureau.
Caldwell, June Is, 1918.
Regarding the situation in our
county, it is true that very few
men have expressed themselves in
The slightly criticising way regard
ing your handling of the hay situa-
ion. But I believe that is in very
small number of cases that in fact
t would not be considered of any
Importance.
"In this particular county we could |
lave sold every ton of hay in the |
county for $4,000 a ton +. o. b.
oregon Short Line, if we could have
,otten the cars. AS a matter of fact |
We could not secure the cars, there
ore small amount of hay was left
n the county. But the amount of
lay left is not at all detrimental, as
many of the men holding their hay
ave been financially able to do SO.
R. H. MUSSER,
County Agricultural Agent Canyon
County"
Nez Perez, Idaho, June 8, 1918
81 will say that have heard no
from this part of the state.
n fact our farmers here appreciate
he assistance that you have given
4 locating hay for us in the south
IN part of the state.
"At one time I ordered hay from
We different parties and then called
n your office ad was supplied the
ay the order was received. l.
Thinking this information may
g of some use to you I am
Very truly yours,
A. e. WADE,
Co. Agricultural Agent Lewis |
County"
Mountain Home, April 20, 1918.
"In regard to the stand taken by
ou on the price of hay will say so
II as l have been able to learn, each
nd every hay grower in this section
the country is perfectly satisfied +,
it'll results obtained last year., and t