Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-09-07
IN MAsTERFUL SPEECH SECURED
ADOPTION OF CAPPER-vOL-
STEAD COOPERATIVE
SELLING LAW.
HOPE GONE WHEN HE BUCKED
INTERESTS; SAVED MEASURE
Milo D. Campbell Gives Credit to
Senior Senator for Work In
Farmers Behalf.
BY MILO d CAMPBELL,
or Coldwater. Mich. President of the
National Milk Producers Asso-
citation.

While Senator Charles E. Townsend
has done much for the farmers OF
Michigan and throughout the nation
by his efforts in securing improved
national highways, thereby increasing
the value of their property millions
OF dollars and bringing them closer 10
their markets, want TO particularly
refer here to the gallant, successful
fight he waged for the Capper-Vol-
stead bill granting to agriculturists
the right to cooperative selling OF
their products.
When we began the fight for this bill
we found that the middleman and the
great financial interests OF the coun-
try were fatty against IFS and on the
slightest pretext they seized upon the
Sherman law and the Clayton act to
crush our dream Of economic indepen-
dence.
For four years we sought to secure
from congress a law giving US relief
from the obstruction OF these interests
and their hired men TO our struggle
for freedom. We would get the joint
marketing bill through the House on
ly to find it eventually defeated or
pigeon-hoed in the Senate.
Townsend Volunteers.
About a year ago we secured the
passage through the House OF the So
called Capper-Volstead bill. after il
had been reported favorably by the
Agricultural Committee. The bill
went to the Senate and was referred
to the Judiciary Committee over our
protest. Eventually the Committee
unanimously rejected the House bill
and substituted a new bill which was
ten times more oppressive to the far
mers than even the Sherman or Clay.
ton acts.
Among the very first to volunteer
to fight in the farmers. behalf was
for a hearing on the 18th, Sth and 9th
of February Of this year. Amendments,
jokers and every device known to leg
islation were employed in an endeav.
or TO kill our measure which was of.
fered as a substitute for the report OF
the Committee.
The vote on one of the amendments
was very close and our fate seemed
hanging In the balance, when Senator
Townsend arose at an opportune mo.
ment and in a masterful and convinc.
ing speech with the fervor of true
friend, pleaded our cause with such
eloquence that when the final vote was
taken there was but single ballot
against It. The victory was nothing
short of personal triumph for Sena.
tor Townsend.
When the President approved the
bill and attached his signature to il
at the White House there was a scene
seldom witnessed. Representatives
OF farm organizations from all over
the country were there as we'll as Sen.
ators and Representative who had
been loyal TO the farmers. Moving
picture concerns pictured the scene
which marked the freedom of the far
mer from the control of the Big In
terests.
Worked for $500 A Year.
II Senator Townsend had never rem
dered another service TO agriculture
than this, he certainly earned the life
long gratitude of every farmer in the
country by his valor and successful
effort in behalf of this bill.
Senator Townsend has stood Four
Square for the farmer at all times and
has never forgotten his boyhood en-.
yironment. When he was q years
old he worked on farm for one year
for 5000 and was considered to be the
best hired man in Jackson County
From the farmers standpoint he is a
good hand on the farm" now and a
sensible farmer never discharges 8
good hand.
In these words Senator Capper
known throughout the nation as 9
sterling champion Of the farmers In.
terests, pays tribute to the Senator
Senator Townsend understand.
thoroughly the needs of the agricul
tural sections of the country and ha!
given valuable support to the variou.
measures designed to restore agricul
tural prosperity. regard him as one
OF the most influential and usefu
members of the Senate. Three OF thu
most important bills passed In tn,
farmers interest are the Cooperative
Marketing Bill, the Farm Loan Banl
Bill and the Bill to continue the Wa
Finance Corporation. His infiuenc,
was invaluable in securing their pass
age"
A party of 300 former German mi
itary aviators is said to have gone I