Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1919-12-25

On November IL, 1919, the rep
resentatives of three-qrarters of mil
len farmers from 81 State declarations
of farm bureaus met at Chicago and
gave the lie to the oft-repeaied state
msnt, Farmers will not stick togeth-
err" Farmers, landowners and ten
ants alike in the great farming sections
of the country have been forced into
this organization by misrepresenta-
ton, by price fixing, by unique labor
agitation, etc.
A Misrepresentation
In the New York Times, December
10. an editorial entitled "The Farmers
and the Railway" begins: "Mr. Samuel
Compers, who will be recognized i'm
mediately as one of our foremost ag-
riculturists, presents to the President
the petition of the farmers Of the
United States for the naturalization
Of the railways Upon behalf OF the
President, Secretary Tumulty said the
President was very glad to receive THIS
Communication" How does this
sound? The purpose of this open let
ter is to giveIthis first statement the
lie to jefferson county farmers. The
National Farmers Council has been
meeting with labor declarations and is
giving the country the impression that
they represent farmers.
Farmers National Council Exposure.
The facts are, this so-styled farm
ers' organization is socialistic en-
dowed organization, assuming farm
ers' support, making the country be-
lieve farmers are sympathetic to or
ganized labor Organized labor has
never met with anything but contempt
in attempting to cooperate with any
real farmers organization. The point
is, how long are self-respecting farm
ers to allow such interests as or
ganized labor to capitalize the farm
er's indifference to his own proper or
ganization, and set UP so-called
farmers organization and work the
farmers detriment with il?
Views of the American Federation.
Contrast this with the expression Of
the Chicago meeting Of Farm Bureaus
Federation, who spurned the labor in
novations and passed this declaration:
eve oppose the government owner
ship of public utilities. We demand
the early return of the railroads to
private control"
"We declare our independence OF af-
Citation with any commercial, labor or
industrial organization.
Action of Jefferson County Farm
Bureau.
At a meeting of the Jefferson Coun-
ty Farm Bureau at Charles Town De-
cember 20, a delegate was instructed
70 represent the farmers of the county
at a State meeting of farm bureaus,
declaring the farm bureau here de-
sires that West Virginia become a
member of this national organization.
At the same time it is felt that the
farmers of the county have not vigor-
ous supported our local farm bureau.
We feel they should avail themselves
the opportunity to learn of the effect
of the local, State and national or
ganization. There are many things the
farmers of the county wish for that
The national organization will fight
LOT. why NOT support II
Daylight Saving Repeal.
Five State declarations from the
corn belt in August are almost solely
responsible for the daylight saving re-
zeal. Metropolitan interests and la
Dor desire its re-enactment again.
Without vigorous opposition from the
farmers il will doubtless become law
again,
Price Fixing Questioned.
Also, because of price fixing and la
Dor troubles, the wheat average was
cut % per cent this fall. The city
and labor are now asking a continue
ton of price fixing for wheat. These
and a hundred questions are confront
ine the farmers today. If there is an
individual farmer in Jefferson or any
where who can put these things right
let him come forth. There is none
Organization is the only method by
which this can be accomplished.
The Extent of the Farm Bureau Move
ment.
The spirit of organization has no.
reached our section as yet. There are
more farmers in Illinois who pay SIS
Yearly membership fees in their or
ranization than there are farmers in
West Virginia. Only $4,000 West Vir
mia farmers pay S100 membership
fees. Only 302 farmers belong to the
arm bureau in Jefferson. Many OF
these are business men. There should
be 1000. In one Illinois county $780,
900 is used annually in their farm
bureau activities. Iowa has 10000
members. Indiana, Ohio and New
York have 100000 members each
ranging from $500 TO $500. In
he present campaign for securing
members in Jefferson many solicitors
have obtained every farmer interview
ed.
Your Moral Support.
The farmers moral support is more
valuable than his membership fee
The farm bureau is his organization
and he should participate in its actiy-
tiles when possible He should make
an effort TO find the local treasurers to
nav his annual fees as much as mis-
&c TSpape rssn6scriptrion or credited &C
counts. Too much is expected for
local farmeSs to go to expense and
lake time to solicit fees.
The County Agents Function.
Every farm bureau employs coun-
" agent as an active secretary. His
duties are many, The national fed
Grafton officers will refer all questions
of Importance back to the State Of
CARNATIONS. These in turn will relay
the question back to the counties. 1t
would be the county agents business
to get an expression from the farm.
ers by informing them of the issue, and
return their desires back TO head
quarters. Then the National Fedora
ton can speak for the farmers in the
truest sense. 1t is the county agents
business to keep the issues that are
pertinent to the farmrs before them in
public community meetings, farm
visits, and Office conferences. He
serves the farmers in procuring any
information they may desire for their
business. II is OF significance that
1910 kLara v,ara - the limited