The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1920-12-23
FARM BUREAU GAINS
Farmers Who Met in Princeton Arm
DRY Last Saturday Favor
Farm Bureau.
Drive Begun, About $50 Members Now
Enrolled-Milaca Township 81,
Milo Sc, Bogus Brook So.


ory than were present at the Milaca
meeting the preceding Tuesday. Mr..
E. w. Smith, captain Of the team of
solicitors in this county, explained the
nature of the farm bureau as nation
al, state and county organization. He
told the men that the capitalists are
fairly we'll organized and are repre-
sented by such bodies as the chambers
of commerce, the laboring men are
united in the American Federation Of
Labor while the farmers remain I'M
organized. The farm bureau has been
wonderfully we'll conceived. The
smallest unit is the township organiza-
ton, next the county association, then
the state and, finally. the national
federation. If it is we'll managed, the
farm bureau federation promises to
be one of the most powerful organiza-
tons in the country. Think what an
influence the Minnesota farmers could
exercise if they would stand together.
Concerted action can accomplish won
ders. The man who ridicules the idea
of keeping politics out of the farm
bureau cannot be capable Of doing any
real thinking or he is actually opposed
to the movement. The state officials
of the Minnesota farm bureau fedora
ton and officials from other states en-
phasized this point more than any
other at the convention held in St..
Paul LIST month. The farm bureau
can remain united organization only
so long as political affiliations are ig-
nored
Mr.. Smith said the marketing prob
lem demanded more attention than the
question of increasing the production
on the farms. The farmers viii never
be able to alter market conditions ex-
cept through the action of some big
organization Individuals or small
groups can accomplish practically
nothing.
In regard to the county agent Mr..
Smith said it would be impossible to
make any definite statements at the
present time. The county association
can secure good man if the members
are willing to pay the price.
Mr.. Mcmillan, in discussing the
question of selecting county agent.
brought out an excellent point Good
agents may be scarce now but de-
mand always tends to create a sup
ply. The farmers in Mile Laos coun-
ty should organize and then engage
the best agent available for the salary
they wish to pay. Later they may
be able to pay larger salary or more
desirable men may be available, and in
either case another agent could be
engaged. Mr.. Mcmillan endorsed Mr..
Smiths views in regard to the adj
visibility of the farmers organizing
to further their own interests. Right
now we have question before the
public which is of material interest to
the farmers, the question of increase
in telephone rates. Mr. Mcmillan
said that single individuals could exer-
else but little influence in the contro-
versy but big organization would be
in a position to offer effectual OPPOSE
tion if the increase was Judged to be
unfair.
Only five men were present at the
meeting Saturday who are not real
dirt farmers" Two of these five, E.
L. Mcmillan and Fred Newton, own
farms in this county Mr.. Newton,
who has large farm which is operat-
ed by his son, was member of the
old farm bureau association and is
much interested in the present move
ment.
Louis Normandin presided at the
meeting. He spoke of the benefits
that the members of the farm bureau
should derive from the association and
said it was strange that the farmers
themselves should be opposed to form
ing an organization. He said here
the business men are urging US to
form big organization which will be
of especial benefit to us and we are the
ones who are opposing the movement.
He called for rising vote on the adj
visibility of forming a farm bureau
association in Mile Laos county. Ev-
cry man in the room, except Messrs.
Steward and Dahlberg, who modestly
refused to vote, rose and thus put him
self on record as favoring such an
association.
The membership drive has pro-
crossed very well considering the
weather and the condition Of the
roads. Mr.. Smith and his team Of
solicitors have discontinued their
work in this county until after the