The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1922-07-06

self that We must all unite under the
slogan America First When ! say
America First, ] mean not only that
America maintains her own independence
and be first in fulfilling her obligations TO
the world, by deeds rather than words,
and by example rather than preaching,
but ! mean that at home any special
interest, any class, any group OF our
citizenship that has arrayed itself against
the interests of all, must learn that al
home, as well as abroad, America First
has a meaning, profound, and, With Gods
aid, everlasting.
II is true that you, the farmers Of this
country. and are charged with an obliga-
ton Of program and definite action that
fosters the welfare of all America, the wei
fare OF the man who lives in the house
with the red barn and the productive
fields behind il, and also the welfare OF
the man who in crowded industrial city.
comes home at nightfall to climb the stairs
to his fourth-hoor home, behind the fire.
escapes, with hunger in the body.
so. \ Day Of Land Hunger.
The day OF land hunger has come. The
day when we see before us the spectacle OF
the land-owning farmer being displaced
by capitalistic speculation in land and
the embarrassing and landlord exploited
tenant farmer has come. The day when
the share OF the American farmer is what
ever is left OF prosperity has been over
topped by the share taken by our indus
trial production, has come.
believe that the American people,
through their government and otherwise.
not only in behalf OF the farmer but in
behalf OF their own welfare, and the
pocketbooks OF the consumers OF America,
will encourage, make lawful. and stimulate
cooperative buying. cooperative dis
tribution, and cooperative selling Of farm
products.
Not for Special Interests.
Industry has been organized; labor has
been organized; cooperation within in
dustry and within labor, and indeed.
cooperation between the two. is far
advanced ] do not contemplate the
organization OF the farmers and con-
sumers OF this country as step toward
organization of special interests to obtain
special favors II did, would oppose
it, But know full well that we must,
all OF us consumers-the laborers, the
business men, the teachers, the children.
the rich and the poor, the young and the
old, the men and the women-aCt together
to find our way closer and easier and
cheaper to the sources Of our food supply.
And know full well that the farmers must
work together to find their way. by better
transportation, better marketing and
Organized cooperative effort, closer to the
consumers OF America. ---
Heretofore the farmer has been an
individualist. Living a somewhat isolated
life and being compelled to work long
hours. il has not been easy for him to
gather with his fellows He has not had
a ready means Of defense against the
strong organizations OF both capital and
labor, which in their own interest have
at times imposed unfair conditions upon
him. 1t y true that at times, during the
past fifty years, there have been temporary
farmer organizations brought together to
combat some unusually burdensome cond-
tons but usually breaking down when the
emergency mas passed
A Different Kind.
But Of late years there have sprung up
farmer organizations Of quite different
sort-organizations with a very lagre
membership, with an aggressive and in
telligent leadership, and with way Of
raising whatever funds they may find
necessary to promote the interest Of their
members. The leaders OF these organiza-
tions are learning rapidly how to adapt
to their work the methods which business
men and working men have found success
full in furtherina their own interests. The
fruit-srowers Of the western coast have
become so strong that they are now able
not only to do away with many Of the
expenses heretofore paid to others. but
also toinRuence the price OF their products.
The grain growers Of the West and North
west have become strong enough to bring
about many changes they desired in the
marketing Of their creps. The farmers
Of the corn belt states ere rapidly perfect
Ing the most powerful organization OF
farmers ever known in this country. All
Of these are 2atural Developments in the
avQlxing change Of relationships and the
modern Complexities Of productivity and
exchange.
So long as America can produce the
foods we need. am In favor Of buying
from America first. II 10 this very prefer
ence which impels development and i'm
provement. Whenever America can
manufacture to meet American needs
and there is als,ost no limit to our genius
and resources-I favor producing in
America fSst. commend American pref
erence for Americas productive activi-
ties. because material good fortune 10
essential to our higher attainment. and
linked indissolubly are farm and factory
in the economic fabric OF American lie.
,.. Individually we cannot do legislative
work. but collectively We can dc much
A farmer at Iowa City. la. shipped .
carload Of hay to 81. Louis lie got
"a. a. r. :. The freight and other