The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-12-07
FARMER WRITES TO SAM GOMPERS
ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION

plasterer insist on double the wages ~
1914? Let the cost Of building return
like the turner's products 10 aroulu
tho 1914 level aud this country Will eN-
pcr!cnce the greatest building ho"m III
history. with Il consequent reduction OF
rents and unemployment.
You nlso Inquire for the capitalist
who has suggested 4 reduction In 'h'
rate OF interest" In 1914 the banks N
this part Of California charged us
farmers per cent. During the war
they raised the rate 10 $ per cent ANA
have now reduced that rate tn : per
cent or the prc-war rate Of discount
Contrast with this the oO0 per cent In
crease which union labor ts eHtortIng
from ua and you will understand why
at last tho farmer IL beginning to awake
TO who his enemies are. a farmer who
has had his fruit and vegetables rot In
the field because those who haul his
stun 70 market enforce double pay Is
doing some thinking and Union Labor
Is guinK to hear the results OF HIS con-
illusions.
Now, Mr.. Gompcrs, because YOU are
the very able and hOnorcd president or
the American Federation OF Labor you
have easily been duped Into thinflnE
YOU arc the voice of labor and also you
have been able. through united effort,
70 make most OF tho country believe II.
Stupendous error.
As UT Bees II.
You only represent n ANA segment
OF American labor. The farmer und his
assistants perform much moro labor
, than the 4. F. l.. members. 10 say moth
ing OF labor performed by unorRRnized
labor. The 4. y. l.. Ia banded together
to promote !ts own interest by exploit
ing the other members OF society
chiefly the farmer. ! have heard many
rhupaodIes about the sacred rights OF
labor" should llko to ask you when
!s moro sacred. the dollar in my pocket
which I earned yesterday or my TO-DAY"
labor by which | hope to earn another
dollar?
should liko also to ask why tho
farmer In expected TO work for twenty
nys cents per hour tand this IN murh
more than his labor Income FOR lS&"-
1921. to produce food for all, and Their
when he ~ met at the railway BY the
brotherhood who operate the Trains
they should be permitted TO Oxtort from
him the 81 TO 81 per hour Tor hauIing
This some food to market? Yes. .aooF
IN sacred" at least that OF somo re"
people.
Rauisdy SuggeBted.
There Is no uso bOloOorinB congress
! or tho president or capital or al OF
them together 10 relieve the nemploy-
mcnt situation. This car be done only
in one Of two ways. Either double the
price OF farm products or haIve lLe
price Of the things the farmer has 10
buy, including labor IN The form OF
manufactures. buildings, machiner! ana
transportation, etc. n one VINO Gun
perform either If these miracles Will
be able to put several million Of the
unemployed 10 work.
In conclusion, Mr.. GomperS. the
farmer from very necessity Is oeinE
forced 70 think and organize. And
hope he will not be inhaled by ceinaGo-
cues 10 ask for especial privileges ana
monopUlirs. as has union labor. hut VIII
content himself with Improving ms
product and giving his customers n
better service through cooperative
effort. And that he will se TO 1t that
the special privileges now granted 10
| union labor are swept away 30 that all
industry may be or the same c"mpeu-
tive basis as his own. Invisible govern
ment, whether of capital or labor or
church or secret society. Is lnto!eraole
in America.
Respectfully,