Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-11-07
How Shall Farmers Federate ?

The Country Gentleman.
Now that the spirit of organization has
taken hold on thousands of farm commu-
mites and the sentiment Is ripe for ma
tional federation of these. the question
arises How shall farmers federate What
form of association is most effective
Shall the plan of the American Federation
| of Labor or the somewhat different method
| of the United States Chamber of Commerce
\ be copied or is the scheme of the Nonpar-
tisan League a good modelY Tn bundle
of questions is being repeated in hundreds
of meetings. for the reason that each Of
our present groups desires to make its plan
the model for the ultimate national asso-
citation.
1t is case somewhat like that which
led to the designing of the Liberty motor
and the standard army truck when the
war began. Nearly every manufacturer
presented his design as the one that should
be chosen as the model. Instead of choos-
| ing any single one of these. the engineers
got together and made a composite of the
| best features of all and-they worked. So
we hold that the new national farmers
federation, by whatever name it may be
called, must be a composite Of the best
features of all existing organizations.
There are a lot of things that must be
the result of compromise in order that a
complete and comprehensive structure may
be quickly evolved. Just as any good law
is usually composite of lot OF sueees-
tions, so must be national farmers or
eanization. The League of Nations plan
was worked out in this manner.
II enough of the more experienced farm
ers of the country are consulted we have
no fear that a sane, workable plan fol
federating their organizations cannot be
produced. We fear only those who seek
to put through fixed plan that has been
tested on but q small scale.
The proposed national federation Of State
Farm Bureau Federations offers the great
est promise of leading the way to the
ultimate ideal that has yet been proposed
Corresponding to its importance are the
difficulties and DANGERS. By reason Of its
potential political power alone it will be
made the objective Of every influence that
seeks to misdirect the public welfare for
private ends. 1t will be sought by sharks
of every sort who will hope to capture il
in it's infancy.
We have no more sympathy with ring
controlled farmers organizations than with
any other group led by self-appointed
bosses. One is as dangerous as another
to the general welfare 1t is, therefore, OF
vital Importance to keep close to the rank
and file Of farmers 80 that they will stand
sauarely behind the new movement. They
must be assured that they are the power
within the organization and not merely
ciphers standing behind leader who leads
as he chooses.
We propose no pet plan and propose nc
favorites for leaders, but we will insist
that the organization be built up and moi
down. Thus far the leaders in this move.
ment have been going forward carefully
which is greatly to their credit. We have
seen good men won over to the idea o.
federation after months Of careful think
ing. their judgment ripenine with expert
ence. 80
The job is too great and important to b.
done at a single conference at Chicago o.
anywhere else. The objective Is so i'm
portant that it justifes hard work on !
all winter. Let the beginning be made
Chicago and then carry on the perfectini