Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-21
SAY FARMERS OPPOSE
= u. S. RAIL OWNERSHIP
Representatives of Agricultural Organiza-
tions Are Quoted to Disprove
Contrary Claims.

!, of the country were for government
ownership. and how bitter was their
opposition to the Cummins railroad
bill. made interesting reading.
Says Letter Wns Wrong.
But the letter had the facts wrong.
Here is what the letter says: AS you
will doubtless know. an overwhelming
majority of the farmers favor
an extension of the period of govern
ment operation of the railroads for
at least two years. in order that fair
test may be made of government oper-
alton and a plan may be worked out
for the ultimate disposal of the rail-
roads which would be fair to all in
terests involved
The truth of the matter is. these
o-called farmers delegates did not
represent the great mass of American
farmers. doubt If they represent
10000 farmers in the entire country
The great farmers organizations are
for the most part heartily in favor of
the Cummins railroad bill. and bit
terly opposed to the government re-
tention of railroads"
That Hampton and Marsh of the
farmers national headquarters faith
fully represent some farmers with
radical tendencies in the western
states is the opinion of Charles A.
Lyman. secretary of the National
Board of Farm Organizations, head
quarters of which are in this city.
Mr.. Lyman said that while Hampton
and Marsh have lined up the American
Society of Equity. containing perhaps
10000 farmers of Wisconsin. Mime
sofa. Iowa and North Dakota. and
couple of other farmers protective
societies. tire total number of farmers
represented by these men will not ex-
coed 100000.
Oppose Government Ownership.
The majority of members of the Ma
tional Board of Farm Organizations,
Mr.. Lyman said. are heartily opposed
to government ownership, and favor
the return of the railroads to their
owners.
A. NJ. Loomis. assistant to Prof At
keson. pointed out that at the fifty
third anPual session of the National
Grange. held November IL at Grand
Rapids. Mich. the organization, with
out a dissenting voice. went on record
as being unalterably opposed to gov
eminent control The resolution on
naturalization. adopted at the meet
ing. reads. in part, as follows:
I'VE declare our opposition to gov
eminent ownership and to nationali-
cation of business and industry unless
required in the public inter-
est. We favor the safeguarding and
protection of every right of private
property on the broad ground that
only by the full development of the
right of private property can there be
the full measure of indi-
vidual initiative and emulation upon
which a democracy is based and by
which it's future is assured"
More Oppositio. Voiced.
On the same day this resolution was
adopted. Mr.. Loomis said. the Amer
lean Farm Bureau. in Chicago also
voiced it's opposition to federal own
ership. The same week the state COM
mittees of agriculture met in Chi
ton.
Early in November the National
Farmers Congress. composed of
STEADY. clear-thinking delegates"
named by the governors of the va
rious states. met at Hagerstown, Md,
and went on record as being opposed
to government ownership,
Of RI
ownership. according to
Mr. Loomis, the letter to President
Wilson made it appear that the farm
ers were all keen for this business
of government control. and the news
papers naturally played up the fact"
Property Rights Upheld.
In the address of Oliver Wilson,
master of. the National Grange. de-
Iivered at the annual meeting. the fol-
lowing was stated:
One Of the imperative necessities
of today is the putting of emphasis
upon the sacred rights of property. as
opposed to the wild orgies of radi-
caIism. naturalization and anarchy.
which are sweeping the land and
threatening to destroy every industry,
every farm and every home
On Tuesday of last week Prof. At
keson dispatched letter to Senator
Cummins urging prompt action by
the Senate in turning back to the
owners the railroads of the country.
and enacting proper legislation for
this purpose.