The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1919-12-18
WANTS BETTER
UNDERSTANDING
Federal Reserve Agent Thinks Causes
Of Complaint in County Should
BE Analyzed

re06881 0e80EV0 Agent x0lUk0 N3U6e8
Of Complaint in County Should
Be Analyzed
HONEST STATEMENT OF FACTS
All Injustices Should Be Ruthlessly
Eliminated
John H. Rich, federal reserve agent
for the Ninth Federal Reserve dis
trict, in recent statement plead for
better understanding between farm
ers and town dwellers Of each COM
munity in the northwest, and for in
telligent efforts to meet propaganda
now stirring up unrest and partisan
feeling among northwestern farmers.
"Certain factors in our immediate
northwestern territory should cause
serious ALARM" said Mr.. Rich in his
statement on business conditions. "It
has been habitual to associate unrest
more with the laboring classes than
with other classes of the public. No
where in the United States is unrest
more acute or bitter feeling more
prevalent than among the agricultural
population in the Ninth Reserve dis
trict. Since the beginning Of the war
farmers have been under heavy pres
sure to attain the highest possible
production. They have been enjoying
the highest prices that have ever pre-
vailed in the northwest, yet there is
widespread dissatisfaction and COM
plant.
part Of this is due to vicious
propaganda based ON false economics
which-has been spread through all the
farming districts. The farmers have
been deliberately misled and have not
had the benefit of corrective legisla-
ton at the hands Of those competent
to tell the truth about the economic
problems that are serious to the agri-
cultural class.
"Part Of this is due to the feeling
of surprise and bitterness upon realix-
ing that, while enjoying high prices,
their anticipated profits have been cut
by rising costs. The two influences
combined have made many thousands
of men, who have ordinarily been clear
and level headed in their views, criti-
cal and antagpnistic toward their gov
errrnent, and bitterly, hostile toward
business Interests At: the. larger CEN
tiers, which they have heen led to
believe arp antagonistic toward them.
A division between country and city
would be one of the most unfortunate
things that could happen IN this dis
trict. ..,.. ...-.
"There is urgent need that reliable
and thoughtful men to whom the
farmers will listen should seek to
make clear the manner in which the
various economic cross currents have
been working during the past three
years. Those who have the conf
ence Of the farmers can do the latter
a genuine service and perform a SER
vice to their country in annihilating
the false doctrine that has been spread
about. The causes Of complaint should
be analysed and identified, and if they
rest upon injustices, these should be
ruthlessly eliminated. To . certain
extent, the farmer, like everyone ellie,
must work out his own salvation, but
the community as . whole, is seriously
at fault il it permits the farmer, be-
cause Of his isolation and his lack Of
close contact with other sections Of
the public, to become the victim Of
either those who are radical propa-
gandists for profit or those who are
propagandists because they hate their
government, and who, while prating
Of democracy are seeking TO- over
turn the very foundation stones upon
which the truest and best democracy
in the world is founded:
''Those who came into this terri
tory Is or 80 years ago included many
thousands who came with nothing
whatsoever in the way Of property or
goods. Today these men find, as does
every citizen, that there are some
things in life and environment which
are justly subject to criticism. On the
other hand large percentage have
prospered amazingly, and those who
were thrifty and industrious have be-
come influential citizens, and well to
do members Of their communities.
Obviously, world in which such
remarkable things have occurred IL
not IN wrong. It il q duty resting
upon every responsible citizen TO
countsraet tie vicious, conscisncelsss,
false and deliberate prop6ganda which
has created this feeling"
E. A. Waters of ST. Paul arrived ia
Oakes Wednesday. Hs came for the
purpose Of onsidsring IL building, of