The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1922-06-16
GROUP MARKETING OF farm PRODUCTS
HIT BY A DECISION OF SUPREME COURT

Farmers have been working hard
the last few years to perfect sys-
tenn of group marketing which would
insure the producer just and fair
share of what the ultimate consumer
must pay.
Economic conditions, says the One
gon Journal, brought about by the
methods of spectators who do rot
take into account any consideration
for the producer, has been largely 1e-
sponsible for this widespread move
ment that has swept the country. Self
preservation is first law of nature
and cooperation is lut one case whe1e-
in similar conditions of individuals
have made grouping together for the
accomplishing Of given purpose I'M
perative.
Although few co-marketing cr-
ganizations have failed in their pur-
pose, because of poor business man
agement or because of pressure
brought against them by antagonistic
influences, vet the spirit Of coopera-
tion lives stronger in the hearts of
farmers today than ever before.
Can this psirit be held in check or
drowned by interests which desire to
continue purchasing from individuals
SO that the process of exploitation
may be continued? Will decision Of
the courts upon technicality Of law
stop all future attempts at coopera-
tion or will it but crystalline this
movement further giving it power to
sweep aside all obstacles.
Farmers are watching with interest
news dispatches which state that CO.
operation is threatened by recent te-
cision Of Chief Justice Taft regarding
the liability of labor unions to employ
ers when strikes are held and the op-
inion of leaders Of the farm bloc that
this will apply to organized agrlcul-
tural as we'll and that in cases where
the organization refuses to accept
farmers crop and he can prove tbat
he suffered financial loss as reorlt
he would be entitled to sue for dam
ages.
The Taft decision, it is said, yir-
tually wipes out the immunity ella .se
contained in that paragraph Of the
Sherman and Clayton laws which spe-
officially set forth that labor unions
and farmers uniohs. are not iistla to
the penalty provisions contained in it,
Experts are Of the opinion that this
decision is body blow to organized
agriculture.
Is such decision upon technical
ity to stand in the way Of farmers
e grouping together to seek markets FOL
q their crop? Are farmers to be for ,et
7 to "go it alone" while every othel
d "Big Business" is allowed to comtin,
!, under at least "gentlemen's agree
Q ments," to exact enormous and I'm
T scrupulous toll from the producer
: Are the producers to be downed ant
I, again held under the heel of profitcar.
. where they have been held for many
z, years?
Some big business interests which
\ have felt that their program Of moat \
making is threatened by the very ect
of cooperation by farmers, have Ie
clared war upon organized agriculiur
: AL No doubt these interests are ;iib
i, liant over the decision just made
The question new is: Will organ
2 ized farmers sit idly by and allow {
decision upon technicality Of law
a law which was designed and intcn
ded to exempt them from its penal
\ ties-to eliminate the only methot
they have ever been able to put lit,
effect for the purpose of securing
: justice. Organized agricultural nigh
; wake up some day.