The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-01-04
'MUCHvVORKDQN[I
bYlFARMHbURlAU
A REPORT SHOWS.
Secretary Lincoln Says Ohio
Organization Best In
United States
Each County In State Now
Has Farm Bureau, Adams
Last To Organize
(By Associated Press to Tie Hannerl

ding clothes a year ago, the Ohio
Farm Bureau federation today is an
! agrarian giant, and, according to Muir.
ray d. Lincoln, secretary, Is just
stretching its muscles in adolescence.
i Until recently, the least organized,
farmers OF Ohio and the United
States, Lincoln asserted, soon will be
the best organized class of citizens in
4 this country. afst
\ A year ago, the Ohio Farm Bureau
federation was more or less paper
organization, with aims and ideas in
an. amorphous state. 1t had 10000
members,i each paying 81 annual dues.
Today 1t has 10000 members, and
each are paying $40 year into the
treasury, bringing in~dues aggregat-
ing 100000. The Ohio federation
i goal is 100000 members and dues of
$1,OOO,OOO.
Just year ago, the federation
pleaded for at least one representa-
tive from every county at its meet
ing in January. Now it is asking ev-
cry one Of Ohio's 140O townships to
be represented next month.
At it's last meeting it suggested to
the county bodies that they increase
the membership fee from 81 to $40
and accept. only three-year member
ships. This, it wasthought, might re.
suit in fewer members but more mon
ey to do things with. Instead of de-
creasing the membership, the scheme
doubled it in nearly every county in
which a campaign was put on.
Those facts are brought out by Lin
coin in a report, showing what the
farm bureau has done in organizing
farmers OF the state.
He emphasizes that the farm bu.
reau movement still is in Its infan.
cy, and numerous details and plans
remain to be ironed out. He declared
the bureau in Ohio and nationally is
officered by men without taint of rad.
icalism, who realize their responsible.
ity and are endeavoring not to abuse
the power or influence they may OBJ
tain from what already is said to be
the largest organization of farmers
ever formed.
Half of each membership fee or $5,
remains with the county bureau, 81
goes to the state federation, and 81 to
the American Farm Bureau fedora.
tion, the parent organization. To date
the state federation has received
$4,000, while $4,000 has been sent
from this state to the national body.
Every county in the state now has
q farm bureau, Lincoln said, the last
Adams county, having been organized
a month ago.
The apparently immense funds. in
brief, Lincoln said, are to be used for
II these purposes To organize the pro,
ducers, help maintain county agricul.
tural agents in counties, and assist
ants; preach more efficient produc'
tiOn and, after that, bring about col
}. lective marketing and buying.
The Ohio federation has worked
out program of primary efforts
? which has become known the country
4 over as the Ohio plan. 1t embraces
! the formation OF livestock shipping
agencies in every livestock county
fruit and vegetable marketing asso
, Citations in all communities growing
those products. cooperative elevators
wherever deemed necessary. etc
, Dairymen are to be organized in the
same way.
Eleven counties now are shipping
livestock on the county cooperative
plan. In two months, 1t is predict
, ed, such plan will have been organ
ICED in 22 to 25 counties. Fayette
, county last month, according to fig
: ures at the farm bureau federation
, sold 100000 worth Of hogs over q
farmer-owned platform. This month
1t is expected to reach 100000.
The Ohio Cooperative Sugar Beet
, Growers association, organized las,
summer, has 1000 members, all OF
, whom market their products through
the association agent.
A dairymen's organizer has been
empolyed to start work Jan. 10.
. The cooperative elevators have
: taken over the Union Elevator Co. oi
Cleveland, as their first big sO-called
holding company. 1t Is planned tC
. have branches in Columbus, Toledo
and Cincinnati, This holding com
pany plans to employ experts TO sell
grain to millers or export companies
In 5O0,000.bushel lots or more.
while primarily concerned right
.. now with better system Of market
J ing. we don't propose to ask the con