The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1920-11-24
Farm Bureau
Will Legislate
CONVENTION PREPARES BILLS
BASED ON AGRICULTURAL
PROGRAM FOR NEW ERA.
PLEDGE SOLID SUPPORT.
POTTER REELECTED PRESI-
DENT; REPEAL OF CANADIAN
RECIPROCITY ASKED.

RECIPROCITY ASKED.
The following account Of the last
days work done by the Farm Bureau
Federation which convened last week
in st. Paul is taken from the Mime
,sapols Journal of Saturday.
b. The Legislative committee of the
|, Minnesota Farm Bureau federation
appointed today by l.. E. Potter, who
was reelected president today for his
second term, has begun preparing a
series of bills designed to put into
practical operation the agricultural
program of the federation, backed by
the unanimous pledge of support from
the representatives of nearly $4,000
Minnesota farmers, assembled in the
federation convention in St. Paul
Sharp debates on the convention
floor over some provisions Of the ten
tative program drawn up by special
committee resulted in notifications
which brought the entire convention to
it's feet to pledge the support of the
72 county bureaus to the federation
policies as they were finally approved.
The demands of the state farm bu-
reau federation which its Legislative
committee must shape into bills to be
acted upon by the legislature, or which
will go to Minnesota's congressman
for support in Washington, call for:
Repeal of the Canadian reciprocity
act.
Creation of state cOncilatiOn court
to investigate practices and profits
in all disputes arising from the buy
ing and selling of the necessities of
life
Re-establishment of the United
, States employment bureau, and provl-
siOns to stabilize labor conditions.
Investigations to determine, by ac-
curate accounting systems, the actual
cost Of production of farm commodi-
ties, as basis, for the price to be
paid, which, the convention agreed,
should cover the production cost plus
a reasonable profits.
Legislation to compel boards Of
trade to admit to membership on
cooperative basis farmers profit
sharing organizations.
Adjustment of existing inequalities
in grain grading to establish a stan
dard for grains that will not penalize
wheat on technicalities that do not
lower it's true milling value.
Decision Of the convention to de-
n1and admission to boards of trade for
farmers cooperative enterprises will
mean that bill based on law alrea-
DIV in existence in Nebraska will be
introduced in the next session of the
legislature, l.. E. Potter, president of
the federation, said today. The law,
now under test in the courts, is Chap
ter 233, Nebraska laws of 1919; it is
entitled "an act declaring organiza-
tions dealing and trading in grain and
farm products to be public markets"
to regulate the membership thereof
and the rights Of members, and to de
clare an emergency.
1t Provides:
That every organization operating
a trading room for members only for
exchange of farm products is public
market.
That every such market is open to
any person or firm whose methods do
not violate reasonable rules, and that
such organizations may include coop
erative associations.
That any rule to control or limit
any such association in the distri-
button of it's profits is unreasonable.
any rule in violation of the act, or re-
fuse or delay membership to an ap-
plicant entitled to it under the act, or
refuse to deal with such a member,
shall be declared monopoly in re-
straint of trade.
That violation of the act shall re-
suit in proceedings to dissolve the Of
Tending organization.
e. -. ,,s.iH 10 IL Il
similar rights in Minnesota, Mr.. Pot
ter said today, does not bind it to fur
ther the organization of central
farmers selling agency to take men,
bership in the Minneapolis Chamber
of Commerce or other board of trade,
but merely opens the way to such ac-
ton if the farmers Of the State decide
that it is necessary desirable.
Delegates in the debate on the pro
posal to demand membership rights in
exchanges insisted that the federation
program be made more specific, and
call for legislation.
Forming Corporations Asked.
Endorsement of this program i'm
plies legislation" said Victor Ander-
son, treasurer of the federation and
member of the special committee
which drew up the program. Every
provision of this program that is
adopted will be taken up by the legis
lative committee of the federation for
proper action.
II believe this provision should be
more definite" said c. M. Bendixen. |
do not believe that terminal exchanges
will grant these memberships. | be-
lieye we should pO on record for legiS-
lation to compel them to open men,
bership to u.s."
A delegate from Red Lake Falls
went farther
eve should form corporation" he
said, within this organization, to
lease or otherwise acquire storage
terminal facilities"
E.4alI:.LxAa,.4 &c %