Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-09-08
HARDING FAV0RS SQUARE
DEAL FOR FARMERS

past fifty years, there have been
temporary farmer organizations
brought together to combat some un-
usually breaking down when the
emergency has passed.
Organization Developing.
But OF late years there have
sprung up farmer organizations of
a quite different sort--organizations
with q very large membership. with
an aggressive and intelligent leader
ship. and with way Of raising
whatever funds they may find nee
essary to promote the interests OF
their members. The leaders of these
organizations are learning rapidly
how to adapt to their work the
methods which business men and
working men have found successful
In furthering their own interests. The
fruit growers of the western coast
have become so strong that they are
Rmany OF the expenses heretofore
paid to others. but also to ipflu-
hance the price of their products.
The grain growers OF the west and
northwest have become strong
enough to bring about many changes
they desired In the marketing of
their crops. The farmers OF the
corn belt states are rapidly perfect
Ing the most powerful organization
OF farmers ever known In this coun-
try. All OF these are natural devel-
opments in the evolving change of
relationship and the modern COM
plexities OF productivity and ex-
change.
Our Business Not to Destroy.
It Is more than conceivable. it Is
apparent. that we are able to deal
more wisely and more justly with
our agriculture than we have In the
past. Unless we do deal more fair
ly there may come conflict be-
tween the organized farmers In the
surplus producing states and those
who insist on buying their crops be-
low production costs. We have
witnessed the restricted production
OF manufacturers and Of labor. but
we have not yet experienced the in
tentionally restricted production OF
foodstuffs. Let us hope we never
may. It is our business to produce
and conserve. not to deny. deprive
or destroy.
have no thought OF suggesting
that the government should work
out an elaborate system OF agricul-
ture ind then try to impose II on
the farmers Of the country. That
would be utterly repugnant to
American ideals. Government pater-
nalism. whether applied to agricul-
ture or to any other Of our four great
national industries, would sttfie am
fbition. impair efficiency. lessen pro-
duction and make us q nation OF de-
pendent incompetents. The farmer
requires no special favors at the
hands OF the government. All he
needs Is a fair chance and such just
ought to give to basic industry.
and ever seek to promote for our
common, good.
Some OF the things which ought
to be done, II we are to put our
agriculture on a sound foundation,
have been mentioned In the national
Platform OF the party to whose
pledges I am committed.
Farm Representations.
First, the need OF farm representa-
ton In larger governmental affairs is
recognized. During the past seven
years the right Of agriculture to q
voice In government administration
has been practically ignored, and, at
times, the farmer has suffered
grievously as a result. The farmer
has vital interest in our trade
relations with other countries. In the
administration Of our financial
policies, and In many OF the larger
activities Of the government. His
interests must be safeguarded by
mon who understand his needs, he
must be actually and practically
represented.
Second. tho right Of farmers to
form cooperative associations for
the marketing Of their products
must be granted. The, concert OF
agriculture is az essential to farms
as q similar concert Of action
IL to factories. A prosperous
agriculture demands not only eff
cheney In production, but efficiency
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