The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-08
FARMERs IN THE SADDLE.

FARMERS IN THE SADDLE.
| For many years the farmers of this
country were urged to organize for the
promotion of their own interests
They were told that members of all
other trades, professions and indus
/ tries were banded together for mutual
| protection and advancement of their
interests while the farmer alone was
striving to succeed thru independent
effort.
| Apparently the farmers have given
heed to this advice to a remarkable
extent. since to promote the political
and economic interest of the farmer.
| there are reported to be four distinct
organizations of national scope an
Washington, D. c., with a membership
of 100000. Thru affiliation with
numerous state associations and kin
; dred organizations these national
headquarters probably have follow
ing, it is estimated, of over 100000
of farm population
The census of 1920 gives the num-
Der of farms, as 100000, with S,OoO,-
| 600 farmers. Department of agricu!-
ture lists 1851 agricultural associa-
tiQns of state scope 265 of national
and 14S interstate.
The American Farm Bureau feder-
alton has active organizations in 1000
counties covering forty-seven states.
Federal aid in organizing and carrying
| on its work is extended thru the
states relation service of department
4 of agriculture.
Membership in the National Farm
ers' Union lies chiefly in Maryland,
Virginia, Kentucky. Georgia, Nebras-
ka, Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado.
The Farmers National Council mem
bership lies chiefly in Oregon. Wash
ington, Minnesota, North Carolina and
/ Nebraska, and includes many not ac-
tuaIly Identified with farming. The
National Grange, pioneer organiza-
ton, is confined largely to New Eng
land and portions of the middle west.
Organization starts with a local club
which links up with county unit. a
state federation. with national repre-
sentation in some of the aforemen-
toned bodies. Headquarters in WASH
| ington are manned with specialists
covering transportation, taxation,
tariff, finance, markets, statistics and
publicity.
| National referendums on questions
Of public policy and welfare are con-
Quoted and almost every shade. of eco
nomic opinion is represented. In the
American Farm Bureau federation, on
the question of government control OF
railroads $500 out of 1900 counties
polIed voted for private control and
ownership; while the Farmers Ma
tional Council. which has affiliation
with the Peoples Reconstruction
League, a farmer-Iabor aggregation
with radical tendencies. advocates
restoration of the railroads to unified
4 government operation and control.
However these activities may BIZ
viewed. it cannot be said that the
farmer is not having his day in court
The Congressional Record teens with
! speeches and debates on the many
bills pending for relief or advance.
ment of agricultural interests. Tho
senate agricultural bloc is credited
with substantial legislative results
Bills which farm organizations have
been actively pressing include: Flu
lures trading, packer control exten
sion of farm loan banks. commodity
financing, farm loan interest rates
truth in fabric, cold storage, cooper
alive marketing, foreign export financ
ing. permanent tariff. taxation revi
sion. good roads, and milk.
Members of congress recently hav'
shown disposition to plumb thu
depths of this multiplicity OF farm or
CARNATIONS, seeking to determine tn,
degree OF responsibility OF spokesnae!
for measures advocated and the gen
eraI understanding of their relation
and effect on welfare OF the nation a
whole. Credentials of those wh'
speak for the farmer before congress
> are scrutinized more closely, it is said
than ever before.