Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1921-01-06
Farmers SUPPORT
ANTI-STRIKE BILL

L
has the ardent supprt of farmers is
demonstrated by statement made IN
behalf of a similar prov sion In the
railroad bill last Spring. The state
ment referred to was signed by re-
presantatives of the National Grange
the American Farm Bureau Fedora
aon, the Cotton States Board, and
the Association of State Farmers
Union Pres dents. 1t says in part:
So much has been said in jus.ifica-
ton Of the organ zed strike that we
deem it advisable to outline the po-
sitiGn of the farmers upon this all
important question. We deare to
discuss the question more particu-
larly as applied to the RAILROADS for
the reason that farmers are more
directly affected by railroad strikes
than str rkes in, other lines of indus
try or commerce.
The statement has been made often
that organized workers have an in
herent right to strike, that the publ C
generally has accepted the statement
as being true and, as result, strikes
have, in times past, received to some
extent the support of public opini-
on. Recent events, however, indicate
that the country is giving this ques-
ton sepous consideration, and as Il
result, there is a growing demand
that some other method be employ
ed to bring about the settlement OF
controversies between employer anC
employee. This demand is more pre-
nounced on the part of the farmers
than of many other classes, for the
reason that they are affected more
directly than most other classes. The
farmers develop a section of couatr:
adapted to the production of perish
able prducts. They spend vast suns
of money in building houses ans
barns, digging drainage or irrigation
bitches, and in bringing the land t.
high state of productivity. Suc'
land could not have been deyelope:
if the transportation facilities hal
| not been such as to insure that tn
farmers could get their products t.
market with the least possible della,
J and before they become unfit for con
sumption.
On the other hand, no great cit,
could be built up if it were not TO
the fact that those who live in tner
may depend first on the farmers O
the adjacent country for SUP
ply of food and second, On he rail
roads to deliver farm products
q CITY consumers with regularity an
as needed.
1t naturally follows that thos
2 who believe that labor has an il
e heEent right to organize a strike bt
lieve that such organizations haV
right to staFye the people of tn
}, cities to death, on the one hand, an
j. to destroy the property of the farm
e ers on the other. No such right ha
ever existed and no such right exist
now 1t is economically unsoup
Il What would be the verdict Of th
= people if the farmers should suddel
ly DECIDE to strike and refuse
supply the needs of those who al
q not in a position to produce food ar
r clothing for themselves? They wou
IS be condemned from ope end OF tt
J. country to the other. II the farme7
,e have no such moral or legal Figh
then why should it be conceded (
anyone that those who handle tt
m farmers products have a right
ct block transportation and thus jeopa
N die the food and clothing supply
v the Natin? If the farmers have ]
such rights, those who handle h
=, products have no such rights.
OF The farmers must look to Congre
lg to solve this great question in t
le light of fairness for all and not +
ID the benefit of the few, at the e
pense and perhaps misery and su
os fering for all.