The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1920-09-30
THE FARM BUREAU

aftlCleS OH the fdrn bureau luio
article will deal with the duties of the
Executive Branch of the American
Farm Bureau Federation.
The work CT the Executive Branch
of the American Farm Bureau FEEDER
alton is divided into three depart
ments, Education, Farm Economies
and Statistics, and Transportation.
TIE duty of the Department of Edu-
cation will be to keep before the peo-
pie and acquaint them with facts re-
garding the farming business and the
relation of the consumer to the pro-
Queer. There has been altogether too
much misunderstanding between the
two. One effort will be to eliminate
some unnecessary middle men, thereby
Shortening the road between the n
who produces and the one who con
sumes the product.
This department will utilize the
daily, weekly and monthly press to
place sound agricultural information
before the general public. The farm
ers will come in for their share of
education along lines of better grad
ing, packing and marketing of farm
produce and the elimination of waste.
The farmers will also be kept in clos
er touch with market conditions and
tendencies This publicity service is
primarily intended to bring closer re-
~lations and cooperation between pro-
Queer and consumer.
The Department of Farm Economics
and Statistics aims to first work out
a system of improved cost accounting
methods for farmers. The Farm Blu
reau cannot go before any legislative
Or business committee with out defin-
,te cost of production accounts for
farm products and expect to get re-
suits. Very few farmers keep an ac-
cIrate cost Of production record on
products grown. This Department
will also interest itself in crop statis-
tics and forecasts and the relation of
prices to supply and demand. 1t ex-
poets to largely cn,raii fluctation due
10 price manipulation. A study of the
Worlds supply of Agricultural pro
ducts and crop conditions will be made
and policies adopted according to Am
erican farmers needs. An analysis of
credit for farmers is under way with a
view to correcting present conditions.
Farmers credit must be extended to
longer periods and therefore at a more
nominal rate of interest. Turnover i'll
city business is usually much more
rapid than in the farming business.
Six months loans to city business men
may allow of several turnovers during
that period where in the farm business
IL takes from one to three years for
one turnover. Credit extensions every
six months at the high rate of interest
are not conducive to the best interests
of farmers.
The Economics and Statistics De-
partment will consider the tendencies
in the tarin, internal revenue legisla-
ton. ocean freights, etc. The fixing
or removing of tariffs on farm pro-
ducts is a much mooted question, and
one that gives much concern. Many
farmers are looking forward to a more
definite tariff policy and one that will
not be subject to chonge because of a
different political party happening in
to power.
The latest department added is the
Bureau of Transportation The trans
pGrtation problem is perhaps one of
the most complicated of all those un-
dertaken by the Farm Bureau. This
Bureau was created to help improve
the service of our railroads. 1t will
work to prevent excessive t%ransporta-
lions burdens on farm products, help
to simplify traffic as a whole and con-
tinually check tendencies in the rates
and regulations on agricultural pro-
ducts.
Regardless of the>activities under
taken, every n can feel assured that
no radical program will be advised
by the Farm Bureau. II has steered
clear of all political and radical alli-
ances and stands four square before
the country, loyal to its best interest
and asking nothing for agriculture
that is not fair.
Next week a discussion of the Farm
Bureau in the County and it's relation
TO the State and National Organiza-
tion.)
y e. II. Aicher,
County Agent.