Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-09-10
The Leagues MUnSiOn

Inc Leagues I11ZuSlOn
throughout the Willamette valley and to have induced many
farmers to the high dues required to join the organ
! izaton
This not to be wondered at Hard times are always good
time for political agators with cureas for economic
and industrial ills The paternasm which is replacing
democracy teaches everyone look to the the
Of all blessings and consequently of all ills and appeal
to government for aid instead Of exercising individual
initiative and thus preparing the ground for the
agitators harvest.
This situation the result of perversion
for the benefit of special interests Through direct and in
direct subsidy and class legislation favored industries have
proted at the of the public The national resources
have been turned for private exploitation Great trusts
have been created by protective tariffs Monopoes and
combinations rob the producer the end the
sumer on the other.
Nearly every part Of the machine of national produc
tion and dsibution well labor is unonized for
profit except the farmer Combines Of manufacturers rail
roads, jobbers and retailers throttle the natural laws Of
competition and manipulate markets for class profit And
the NonParsan league attempt to further perver
government in the sole interest of the farmer the
farmers for this end.
There is no question but that the farmer has very real
grievance The profits of his labor have been fched by
spectators and gamblers who produce nothing by the
trusts that muct him his produce and rob him his
purchase The boards of trade sell his crop hundred times
before is delivered and fix prices The meat trust ses
the price of his livestock low that spells bankruptcy and
pays him less for hide than he has pay steak from
Of his animals He sells in market regulated by
buyers and buys in market regulated by sellers And
top Of it ALL he has had his taxes raised exorbay and
received little benefit therefrom.
Of the farmer is not entirely without blame Many
of his ills he remedy himself by applying better business
principles and scientific methods His organizations
have been social and political rather than commercial and
accomplished little for his beerment Cooperation promises
to help solve his marketing problems Community and
state elevators and warehouses will aid his financing
There many who affect to regard the NonPartsan
league with Albright form Of anarchy Some of its
remedies undoubtedly than the evils attempted
correct Its leaders thiny disguised communists and
the country not ready for socialism But the League has
attracted national attention to the farmers plight and
vnced farseeng that the handcaps against the farmer
the shape of grain gambling in futures and financial dis
elimination must and that the who grow food
and rament must be given square deal the nation
will grow hungry.
The Non-Partsan League is the product of unsuccessful
farming It's inspiration is socialism It's greatest promoter
hard times Its the exploitation of farmers by
The political and industrial world The most effective way
combat it, is to help make farming profitable by emnat
ng Unnecessary handcaps. n
All the legislation in the world however, will not make
rood farmer out of poor and all the patenasm in the
will not make up for individual deficiencies Prosperity
rtficialy created seldom enduring The farmers
on like that of everyones hests upon the farmer and
he Lord helps him who helps himself.