Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-05-25

problem is intensified. The great
growth Of the cities and the larger
villages during the hast three decades,
and the consequent relatively smaller
number of farmers. has caused farm
crs To organize 10 protect and promote
their interests. Thus the contacts be-
! tween business men and farmers be-
come more important How shall thev
he organized, and how shall the best
cooperation and relationships be estab,
| lishedy
There have been many attempts
mostly Oh the part of chambers of
commerce or boards of trade--to e..
tablish such relationships. As u rule
these attempts have either failed or
fallen short of their aims because
business men have usually approached
the problem specifically, pntronizing-
ly, aud with lack Of appreciation Of
the farmers situation and point OF
view, The inevitable result has been a
lack OF response and cooperation on
the part Of the farmers.
There are of course many phases Of
this problem, which Is social as well as
economic. Two possible ways of meet
Ing the economic problem suggest them.
selves: First, new organization In
which business men and farmers have
equal rights and privileges must he
formed to work out these common prob
liens; or, second, frequent conferences
must be held between established or
CARNATIONS representing the two groups
| in business matters of common concern
Both ways are now being tried In
various counties in New York state.
In Otsego county there has been or
ganized II new county association In
which business and professional men
Of the villages and the city, and farm
ers, are equally represented. This
association is supported by both single
and plural five-dOlar memberships. 1t
Is controlled by a board of directors
consisting Of one bona fide business or
professional man and one bona fidc
llarmer from each of the - townships
and from the city Of OneOnIa. From
this board an executive committee OF
seven members Is elected
The object of this association Is TO
promote the agricultural commercial,
industrial, economic, civic, and social
welfare Of the people of OtsegO coun-
ty." The immediate projects OF the
new organization are road improve
ment, boys and girls work, cooper
ntive associations, reforestation. cat
tie disease control, II farm exchange.
In Niagara county different plan
for securing cooperation in matters Of
mutual concern Is being followed Here
conferences are held between farmers
represented by members of the execu-
tive committee Of the county farm bu-
reau association, anu business men rep.
resented by executive committeeman Of
the chambers Of commerce OF the cities
Of Lockport, TOnawanda and Niagara
Falls.
This Informal conference group has
for It's purpose the discussion OF prob I
lens OF common interest which affect !
both city and country. as, for example, Z
central misunderstanding plants for the
county. Various viewpoints and facts /
are presented. policy is agreed upon |
where possible, and then each group /
refers the matter under discussion /
back to the parent organization with |
recommendations
In Tioga county the farm bureau has
been instrumental In helping TO re-
organize the Owego chamber Of com
merce and to obtain a good representa-
ton Of farmers In 1t. Thus farmers
and business men are here attempting
to make contacts In the urban organlza-
tion. which regards the city and the
farming community as equally within
its sphere OF activity.
There is something to be said for
each Of these aud probably for still
other plans. However. since each
group aTead" has end must have it,
own distinctive organization to protect