The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-08-06
AIDENGTHEFARMBUREAU.
ADVANCE MEETING HELD
HERE YESTERDAY
GREAT WORK IS RECORD
ForcefuI Addresses Made BY
Several Men Prior To
Membership Drive

About fifty township chairmen and
committeeman of the Blue Earth
County Farm Bureau met yesterday
morning with Farm Bureau men from
Iowa, and Minnesota counties and
started the campaign to develop a
strong Farm Bureau organization in
Blue Earth county.
President Austin called the meet
ing to order and said he was sur
priSed and pleased to see such a
large representation Of farmers pres
ent at this busy time. 1t indicated
just one thing to him, and that was
in the success of this farmers orga-
nization. j. S. Jones of University
Farm, spoke briefly regarding the de-
velopment of Farm Bureau work in
Minnesota. Three years ago compar-
atively few people ever heard of a.
Farm Bureau, now the combines
membership Of the farm bureaus
number over a million memOers and
the movement is only started.
Address BY Sullivan.
Eugene Sullivan Of Iona Lake, who
is in charge of the Blue Earth coun-
ty drive, told in his district, forceful
way Of the need at this time for a
strong farmers organization. He was
interrupted many times by applause
as he told Of what other states had
Organization is necessary in all
lines of activity If It had not been
TOR organized capital we would new
er have had a railroad through Blue
Earth county. But organized capital
became oppressive and caused limo
cent people to suffer. Labor found
1t necessary to organize In order 20
protect themselves, provide food and
clothing for their family and educate
their children. Remembering the
injustices suffered, it seems that at
this, time labor is going too far ana
is causing innocent people to suffer-
He does not believe for one minute
that the Farm Bureau organizations
will ever cause innocent people to
suffer, if he did he would be sorry
for every minute spent in the work.
Not Getting Right Prices.
Farmers at this time are not gett-
ing cost of production prices. Tie
average yield Of oats at the present
prices Of CSC bushel will be pro-
duced at a loss. Meat prices to rne
farmer are way below the cost or
production. Because of these condi-
tons farmers are leaving the ,arm.
II farming is to prosper in proportion
to other lines of activity it will be
necessary for farmers to pay more
attention to the organization of their
business. The Farm Bureau organi-
cations, especially the State and Ma
tional Faderations, are paying espec-
ial attention 20 legislation, marketing
and transportation problems. AS q
result Of the meeting in Chicago,
July, % and "a, the Farm Bureau
Federation is setting about the So
luton of marketing problems in :
sane, systematic way. The pigeon
holing of the Nolan Bill, repeal of
daylight saving law are evidence
that their influence is already being
felt in a legislative way The Farm:
Bureau Is non political and believes
in Tive and let live" but square
deal for all.
Reports from the drive yesterday
afternoon show that 70 percent OF
the farmers believe in the organiza-
ton and are signing up for member
ship. This is to be thorough can
vass and every farmer will be given
an opportunity to have part in this
organization which is working for
his interests.