The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1921-08-19

couragement President Hill went
fully into the history of the farm
bureau, its organization, its respec-
tive affiliating units, local. state and
national, that have on membership
lists nearly 1000, 900 American farm
ers, who are comparatively uniting
to get farmers interested in their
own business. He stated that the
bureau was not a political party yet
it had proportions greater than any
party. Forty-three counties in the
state wide farmers organization that
numbers $4,000 to 10000 interested
members, all the activities of which
organization are. handled through
coordinate committee. In brief Mr.
Hill reamrked that farming, non
hazardous occupation, has obstacles
that only close organization can over
come. The main issue is greater
and more profitable production and
better marketing facilities. The farm
bureau asks no special class legisla-
tion-nothing but a square deal The
bureau has only an office in Wash
ington and so far no program for
congress, but one is in preparation,
being based on four propositions,
transportation. taxation, tariff and
finance, the former the weightiest
subject in view of the confiscatory
freight rates that have stagnated
business, slumped the beef market,
ruined the cattle industry, crimped
the western fruit business and de
flated all farm profits to a point,
where producers are reeling on the
dizzy edge of bankruptcy. The state
research department is busy gather
ing facts to present to congress
These will show the necessity fol
deep waterways for ocean going YES.
sells; recommendation for the st
Lawrence project that seeks to link
the Great Lakes ports with the Gull
sea ports; suggestions for good mar
ket highways in preference to hard
surfaced roadways specifically main
tanned for tourists use; abolition OF
sales tax which is considered unfair
to farmers; more liberal extension
of time credit in periods of stress
and depression.
Mr.. Hill is an admirer of Mr.. Wal
lace, secretary of agriculture. While
in Washington his committee got
fro mthe president an immediate
appointment on the Interstate Com
merce commission. The committee
also asked farmer representation on
the Shipping board and Federal Re
serve board. Concluding his speech,
Mr.. Hill said the bureau must have
the assistance of business men CO.
operatively for the program ahead,
and public sentiment, too, must come
in to aid.
Mr.. McCaffree, former state immi-
grafton commissioner stated that he
was present at Chicago when the
American Farm Bureau federation
was first organized. His sympathies
are entirely with the farmers, who
are trying to find the way out of a
slough of trouble. He made strong
plea for the Sioux Falls stock yards,
stating that his city was the logical
shipping point for the state and fully
equipped to give the state live stock
shipping association the proper serv-
ice. After paying his respects to j.
r.. Howard of the American Farm
Bureau Federation, Mr.. McCaffree
delineated the usefulness of the st.
Lawrence deep way project and con-
cluded with compliments TO Mr.. Hill
whom he designated in perspective
as the leading man in the northwest.
Next following Mr.. McCaffree came
Col. l.. G.. Atherton who substituted
for John Belk, of Henry. In his US
ual Enthusiastically witty manner
Mr.. Atherton annexed the attention
of his audience, Lincoln-like, with a
humorous story before going into the
subject of the u. s. Grain Growers
Inc. This corporation, he maintain
ed. was an outgrowth of the commit
tee of seventeen, who were appointed
to investigate the marketing systems
of America and pass on to others the
results of their efforts. He said that
about so per cent of the bulk of farm
products are rushed off to market In
80 to so days, subject to any price
1t is composed of farmers who re-
serve bulk grain products of tht
far mand distribute them in accord
ance with natural demand. He gave
warning of the opposition of boards
of trade and grain dealers associa-
tions, who arbitrarily scalped the
farmers profits through manipulation
and accumulated vast fortunes over
night by frenzied speculative grain
gambling in futures, and mentioned
that their very opposition and well
advertised campaign propaganda
made it necessary that the U. S.
Grain Growers, Inc, should survive
Mr.. Atherton is a popular speaker
on farm and educational matters, on
all of which he is weli informed. Mr.
Atherton is an orator of rare sort
His highly efficient work was large
ly instrumental in building up local
to-ceb;n for N, huroon He ia cas-