Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-03
WHY WE SHOULD NOT GROW
REEFS

BETS
We have been reading elaborate
articles on why we should grow
beets," by people who have missed
the real object the Beet Growers AS
sociation, therefore it seems best
that the Association set forth a few
statements to enlighten those who
will read
In days gone by the various bust
ness interests of our country found,
that by joining forces they were bet
ter able to further their interests
This has gone on until today practi-
cally every phase of big business is
organized
Agriculture plodded on all these
years, listening to the velvet tongued
politician promising golden fut-
ure under his wise guidance, until
the farmer began to wake up to the
fact, that all industries previously
organized were fiourishing tremend-
ously while agriculture was still
plodding on. Wise farmers began
to form organizations, namely Grang-
es and Cleaners and Farmers clubs
until today we have many, which
have greatly benefited the farmer by
! bringing spirit of amity. But today
the farmer finds that if he is to have
any recognition whatever by the
worlds organized business he must
provide the source, namely, organiza-
ton for self preservation. There
fore few years ago the Beets Grow
ers of Michigan found it necessary
TO Join hands. This is no small or
ganization, it national affair and an
organization TO be reckoned with in
the future as well as today.
The association expects to find
faint-hearted followers and aliens,
who must either have to change their
views or drop into oblivion. These
can easily be recognized this year as
the scattering beet fields begin TO
flourish However the stand patters,
who stand for a square deal and are
not tempted by few paltry dollars,
men, who have enough faith in agri-
culture as a business to want to get
out from under the heel Of the big
organized sugar interests, will be in
the ring to stick, until their interests !
are put on recognized organized
basis to compete with other organized |
business. Shame 10 the farmer who !
hasn't faith enough in his own bust |
ness to stand on both feet and face
labor and capital and say, Meet me
at my farm"
True there is food shortage, but
why is this so? Have we asked |
capital to take all our labor? Or
ganized capital asks cost of produc- |
ton and 10 per cent and gets il. Or
ganized labor says more wages"
and gets it. DO the fuctuating prices
paid the farmer on any crop he may
grow guarantee 10 per cent or even
cost of production. No, indeed, there |
fore the farmer cannot compete with
organized capital in securing labor,
consequently a food shortage.
When the farmer finds himself rep
resented in the legislature, he will
have a better system of marketing /,
He will have stabilized prices He
Will have a contract for sugar beets
which represents both parties, both
III principle ana nnancc, ana the Sug-
ar manufacturers will be glad to rec
ognize the Beet Growers Association
So II is easy TO see how the short
sighted money-minded man will say
that the Association has failed How
ever, it remains for those level-head-
ed far-seeing farmers who joined the
association to gain a principle. name
Ia tot fnr an1 iA,,
well as fair share of profits, to re-
main true 10 their own ideas of just
ice and TO receive the honor when the
day, not far hence, comes for the as
ISOLATION to come into its own in
Michigan as it has already done in
the Western states.
Jennie VI. Schiff.