The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1920-09-29

Spenking nr farm organizations, he
said the farm organization Of The pres
ent day Is quite different from the or
yanizatiOn of lhe past; that farmers
have learned sound principles OF or
ganiza,,n: that they are adapting to
their work the methods which, bust
ness men and working men have found
successful in furtherng their own in
tares:S lie referred especially to the
Successful orSa niZations established by
the fruit growers Of the west and by
the grain growers Of the northwest, and
said the farmers Of the corn belt
states are also rapidly perfecting the
most powerful organization Of farm:
ers ever known in the country. He
pointed out very frankly the danger
that would come to the nation II the
problems of the farmer were not
frankly recognized, and If the farmer
was not given absolutely fair treat
mrnt
He said We Have witnessed restrict
Ell production of manufactures and OF
labor, but we have not yet experienced
the ten.ionally restricted production
Of foods;uffs, and expressed the hope
that we9never may have that expert
ence
While frankly recognizing the need
Of a national agricultural policy, he
disclaimed any intention Of suggesting
that the government should work out
an elaborate system Of agriculture and
then try to impose it on the farmers.
Of the country. He denounced such an
effort as utterly repugnant to Amert-
can ideals. He said that government
paternalism, whether applied to az
ricuture or to any other OF our great
national industries, would stifle ambi-
ton, impair efficiency, lessen produc-
ton ind make US q nation Of depend
ent lncompetents lie said the farmer
requires no special favors at the hands
Of the government. All he needs Is
fair chance aud such just considera-
ton for agriculture as we ought to
give to a basic industry, and ever seek
10 promote for our common good.
Senator Harding then spoke Of the
definite policies to which the Republl-
can party Is committed and which he.
as its candidate, endorses.
F1rm Representation.
First--Ths nesd Of farm, representa-
ton in larger governmental affairs 10
recoonlxsd. During the past seven
years the right Of agriculture to
voice Yin governmental administration
has been practically ignored, and III
times the farmer has suffered griev,
ously as result. The farmer has a
vital interest in our trade relations
with other countries, In the admins.
tratien Of our financial policies and In
many Of the larger activities OF the
government.
second.-Ths right Of farmers to
form cooperative associations for the
marketing at their products must b
granted. The parasite in distribution
who preys on both producer and con-
sumer must no longer sap the vitality
Of this fundamental life.
Scientific Study.
Third. - The Republican party
pledges Itself to 4 scientific study Of
agricultural prless and farm prodvo-
tlen costs, both At home and abroad,
with 4 view to reducing the frequency
Of abnormal fluctuations here. Stabili-
zation will contribute to everybody's
confidence. Farmers have complained
bitterly Of the frequent and violent
fluctuations In prices Of farm products.
and especially In prices Of live stock.
They do not find such fluctuations in
the products Of other Industries. In 4
general way prices Of farm products
must 80 up or down, according to
whether there is 4 plentiful crop or a
short one. The farmers raw materials
are the fertility Of the soil, the sun
shine and the rain, and the size Of his
crops is measured by the supply Of
these raw materials and the skill with
which he makes use Of them. He can
not control his production and adjust
it to the demand as can the manufac-
turer. But he can see no good reason
why the prices Of his products should
fluctuate SO violently from week to
week and sometimes from day to day.
To Stop Price Fixing.
Fourth.-We promise to put an end
to unnecessary price fixing Of farm
products and to III considered efforts
arbitrarily to reduce farm product
prices.