The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-11-12

lion, IaVOTdUlc laws, anu just dumlu
istration Of the laws, while they are
very important, cannot alone make our
business profitable. The government
cannot make us all rich. 1t can simply
make the conditions favorable, de-
fend us from injustice and give US
square deal. Equal opportunities to
all and special privileges to none Is
all we ask. We must still by individual
effort and CO. operation work out our
own salvation. Hence, our campaign
of education and our legislature pro-
gram, although vitality essential, are
simply preparatory to our real pro-
gram.
Our chief work is to build better
marketing system through which we
can get a larger share of the price
paid by the consumer for our profit.
james Wilson, former secretary OF
agriculture, after careful investiga-
ton, stated that out of the dollar
laId by the consumer for our product
the farmer received, on an average,
thirty eight cents and somebody else
the sixtytwo cents. We want a larger
share.
Our marketing plan, is wrong. We
have been accustomed to dump al
most the entire annual product of our
farms on the market within a few
months they are harvested. This OF
course, is long before they are need
ed by, the consumer. We have thus
invited into this business a group of
spectators who buy these products
of the farmer and hold them until
they are wanted by the consunAar.
Having the products OF our farms in
ofn
they have a chance, which they are
not slow to use, to manipulate prices
and reap marvellous profits.
I'VE expect to build cooperative
selling machi ne, owned and directed
by the farmers, with which we can
hold our products until they are want
ed by the consumer. This will give
the law of supply and demand better
chance to operate. We believe it will
be beneficial both to the producer
and to the consumer. We are not or
ganizing a farmers strike by which
to exact exhorbttant prices. To at
tempt to do this would be to invite
disaster. We are in the farming bus
mess for life and are interested in
permanent success. We are much
more likely to deal justice with the
public than group of sIeculators
who are looking for present gain with
little regard for the future.
About two months ago the Ameri-
can Farm Bureau Federation held a
remarkable marketing conference in
Chicago. 1t contained representatives
from every important CO. operative
organization in America. AS a result
of this conference THE COMMITTEE
OF SEVENTEEN were appointed.
composed of the most capable men
that could be found. They are giving
this problem careful study. We believe
that they will develop a profitable
marketing plan. The reTprt Of this
committee is awaited with great in
terest.
THE Farm Bureau is undertaking
4 great work, not only for the farmer,
but also for the Nation It intends to
secure for the farmer a square deal.
and a financial return sufficiently
large that he can maintain the fertility
Of his land. Unless he can do this,
1t will bring disaster upon the Nation.
Upon the farmers Of America rests
a great responsibility. To them is
entrusted the fertile land Of hts ma
ton, than which there are none bet
ter. 1t is their privilege and their
duty frd@ the products of these
farms to feed and clothe the nation.
not as soil robbers but as real farm
ers, transmitting this heritage to the
next generation more fertile than
when they received it. It is their duty
TO make these farms the best place
on earth to raise children. that their
sons may grow up to be manly men.
and their daughters womanly women.
Industrious, intelligent and actuale5
by the highest moral and spiritual
Ideals.
These farms should ever remain
the place Of labor. patient, persistent,
enthusiastic, cheerful, successful la
Dor. If successful. it will be pleasant
for there is no happiness greater than
the joy Of achievement. the thrill of
victory. These farms must not be the
place of rnceasing grinding drudgery. ,
Our farm life should be made so |
satisfying that our sons and daugh.
ters can resist the lure of the city |
end look forward with pleasure to
these farms as their future homes.
accomnlish these results MANY
thfnss are necessary. but as a founda-
ton on which to build, we must make |
farming profitable
MY memory goes back half a cen
tury and I have seen no movement
that gave, So gre" nromise of do
ing this as ne Farm Bureau"