Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1920-09-04
HARDING URGES
COOPERATIVE
FOOD DISPOSAL
Tells National Farm 0rgani.
zation Representatives That
1t Is Only Way to Reduce
n. c. |.

Marion, O., Sept. 3.-Co-operative
farmers associations for distribution
Of farm products were advocated by
Senator Harding in a speech here
today as a necessity if food prices
are to be reduced.
Speaking to a committee of the
national board of farm organiza-
tions, the nominee declared he abb
horred any idea of class organiza-
tion as such, but knew that unless
the producers and consumers were
brought closer together by organ
lied effort, organized profiteering
will squeeze in somewhere between"
with your assent" said Senator
Harding, Il will not welcome you
as representatives Of farmers organ
izations and l shall make no appeal
either now or later, to the people Of
the country. which may be labelled
an appeal in behalf of farmers.
Permit me, therefore, to welcome
you as Americans. | deplore the
use in political campaigns or in pub
lie administration of special appeals
and Of special interests. | deplore
any foreign policy which tends to
gro1p together those Of foreign
blood in groups of their nativity. |
deplore class appeals at home |
abhor the soviet idea and the com-
promises and encouragements which
we have seen extended to it.
America First"
"When the responsibility for lead
ership i'll this fight was placed upon
me, l said to myself that we must
all unite under the slogan America
first When I say America first
I mean not only that America main-
tein her own independence and shall
Be first in fulfilling her obligations
to the world, but | mean that at
home any special interest, any class,
any group OF our citizenship that has
arrayed itself against the interests OF
all. mustilearn that at home as well
as abroad, America frs. has mean
ing, profound, and with Gods aid,
everlasting.
"I desire. with all my heart to
speak for the consumer when | speak
OF American agriculture. With the
agriculture of the United States-the
basic industry am deeply con-
cerncd. We must look our land
problems and farming situation
squarely iii the face and act bravely
and wisely and promptly.
"The day of land hunger has
come. The day when the share OF
the American farmer in whatever
is left of prosperity has been over
topped by the share taken by our
industrial production. has come. The
Gay when industry outbids agricul-
ture for labor has come.
These conditions call for wise
action on the part of government.
They call for the presence OF the
American farmer in our govern
ruent offices administrative and rep
resentative. They call for extension
OF the farm loan principle. not only
in the case o. the man who already
owns farm, but to worthy Ameri-
cans who want to acquire farms.
Must Have Cooperation.
Il shall soon set forth at greater
length the proposals in mind to REM
edy these conditions. On this oc-
casion, however, l lay stress upon
one-co-operation. l believe that
the American people, through their
and otherwise, not only
in behalf of the farmer, but in behalf
OF their own welfare. and the pocket-N
books of the consumers of America.
will encourage. make lawful and
stimulate cooperative buying, CO.
operative distribution and co-opera-
tive selling of farm products.
Industry has been organized: la
Dor has been organized. Coyopera-J /
tion within industry and within la
Dor and. indeed. cooperation be-
-wecu the two. is far advanced. |
10 not contemplate the organiza-
ton of the farmers and consumers
Of this country as step toward or
gan;zation OF special interests to OBJ
tain special favors. If ! did I,would
oppose it. But | know full we'll that
we must all Of US consumers act to-
gether to find our way clearer and
easier and cheaper to the sources
Of our food supply"