Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1919-04-11

ing and when local people are no.
only ready. but willing to shoulder
the responsibility of an organization
These organizations may take the
form of Oranges. locals of the Soci-
CIV of Equity, Farmers Unions, Farm
ers Clubs. Seed Growers Association,
Live Stock Associations, Dairy I'M
provement Associations, Study CLUBS
etc"
From this it will be seen that 1t
becomes a part of the county agent S
duties to organize associations OF
farmers whenever it becomes neces-
sary to accomplish some special OBJ
ject.
The government fully understood
that there was one field that the
, Farm Bureau must stay clear of and
that was the field we know as "busi-
ness" that is buying and selling.
When the bureau enters that field it
is certain to come to grief and its
usefulness will be destroyed. On this
subject the government says in its
county agents handbook:
"The County Farm Bureau or
other organization connected with
| the work of the county agent does
not normally undertake to transact
cooperative business. 1t is, how
ever, a legitimate function of the
Farm Bureau to assist officially in
organizing subsidiary associations
for the cooperative purchasing and
selling of farm commodities and OF
transacting such business along eco
nomic lines"
When it comes to selling any farm
produce, from apples to sugar beets,
the government intends the Farm Blu
reau to stand from under and if the
farmers think an organization is
necessary to help in the marketing
they must organize outside the Farm
Bureau.
1t is the function of the Farm Blu
reau and the county agent to educate
in methods of production. They are
intended only to keep the farmer in
formed as to the best methods of ag-
ricultural practice. The county agent
is the representative of the Depart
ment of Agriculture. He is en-
ployed to show the farmers how to
best do things, to tell them about the
best varieties of seeds, etc., to go
about among them and ascertain
who is employing the best methods,
and to carry such methods to other
farmers. The county agent has no
business championing the cause of
any banker, merchant or manufac-
turer He has no business to talk
politics or attend political conven-
tons. He has a right to vote for
whom he pleases, but he Las no bust
ness to become the partisan for any
candidate
The farmers pay taxes to keep the
agent in the co MY. He should
serve all impartially. When any
farmer observes the county agent do
ing anything that is not within the
province of his duties it is the duty
of that farmer to lodge a complaint
with his county commissioners and
see that the agent attends to business
or quits.
The beet contracts circulated by
the sugar companies with coupon
attached stating This contract ap-
proved by Utah State Farm Bureau"
and asking for permission to deduct
one-half cent per ton to this organi-
cation, is the rankest kind of pre-
sumption. 1t is one of the most
glazing frauds ever attempted to be
perpetrated upon the citizens of any
state. The man who signs such a
contract is only contributing means
to keep himself in bondage. He is
either natural-born fool or is be-
ing fooled in the most hurtful way
possible. For your own and your
children's sake, don't sign such a
| contract.
lntermountain Association of
Sugar Beet Growers.
Box IL Salt Lake City, Utah.