The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1920-11-04
Farmers War on
Administration Policy
Restriction of Credits Attacked by
Washington Meeting-Vol-
stead Bill Landed

ashington, Oct. 29.-War to the
by agricultural organizations
declared against the administra-
financial policy toward farmers
as the result of a two-day con-
Representatives of farm or
ton gathered. for the purpose
citing a crisis in the agricultur-
ustry, which they assert exists.
refusal of the Federal Reserve
to extend credit to farmers in
zee at least partially common
with the credit extended to
lators was denounced in resolu-
adopted unanimously. Farm
from the Democratic South, as
as the Republican North were
esented.
,trClg Endorsement of the bill of
preventative Andrew j. Volstead
Minnesota, providing for collec-
e bargaining of agricultural pro-
cts in interstate commerce was
DICED at the conference, and resolu-
ions commencing its provisions
we're agreed to.
An organization was perfected
whereby farmers are expected to
withhold from the market as much
of their grain product as is not ac-
;nally needed for emergency uses.
This proposal was advanced as the
only way that the farmers could
protect themselves against the al
legged artificial slump in farm price
products.
What Is called the "neXt step
committee was formed, and outlined
a comprehensive program for the
farmers of the country to follow.
As preamble to its recommends
tions, this committee said:
"We realize that considerable ex-
tension of credit has taken place dur
ing the past IL to 1S months but
believe this to be largely the result
of the condition under which bust
ness had to be transacted, and does
not necessarily reflect an unsornld
condition in the couI1try's finances.
at is believed that of the total
credit available the farmer has been
receiving but a pittance, while ap-
parently those who traded in the
farmers products have been abund-
aptly provided for" 4
The committee also emphasized its
belief that no such thing as orderly
marketing is now possible, and on
this point said:
"All these facts repeatedly have
BEEN brought to the attention OF high
officials of our government, including
the secretary of the treasury and
Federal Reserve board, but without
avail"
1t was stated further that in the
opinion of this committee, farmers
shave been forced to bear the ~brLs1t
of a defIation policy instituted by
the government" and it is this which
is the basis for the farmers present
financial troubles.
"Fold your cotton and wheat was
the slogan voiced at today's confer
ence by Charles S. Barrett, president
of the National Farmers union. j
Immediately after the adjournment
of the conference farm leaders de-
parted for their homes to put into
effect a gigantic holding movement
on wheat and cotton.
Here are the recommendations
adopted by farmers organizations
today:
therefore, in view of the agrl-
cultural situation as reclted above
it is clear that farmers must receive
at least cost of production IT they
are to meet the nations needs Tor
food ..,d clothing, and IN order 10
accomplish this result, the agricul-
tural representatives meeting IN
Joint session in Washington, Octo-
Der 1890, 1920, do hereby recon-
mend as follows:
"That all farmers at once Join the
existing marketing organization IN
their respective communities, OF
should there be none, that they at
once form such organization as best
suits the needs of their localities.
"That all farm commodities De
marketed comparatively in an order
Nv manner, i. e., throughout the IL
months period from one harvest until
the next as the demand requires
known as the consumption year, plus
a normal safety carry-over.
= "That the government take the
lead in reopening foreign markets.
and in developing new ones ana
where necessary to finance the same.
sThat the war finance corporation
whose authority and financial resour-
ces are unimpaired, be Immediately
reestablished.