The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1922-05-19
PO|NDEXTER IS
CERTAIN FARMER
CAN MEET ISSUE
Strength in Congress
Demonstrates Potential
Success of Cooperation
Ayers Scion.
(By MILES POINDEXTER)
u. S. Senator from Washington

Observation-Disclosures of most of
the difficulties of farm marketing can
be had thru farmers cooperation.
1t is an old saying that God helps
those who help themselves" 1t is
also a common observation that the
fate of individuals depends upon
their own efforts more than anything
else combined.
noticed the other day an account
in newspaper of month-old baby,
which had been abandoned in thick
ct. A policeman passing by heard a
lusty croy from the infant and rescued
it. This is very good instance of
the early age at which even the ques-
ton of life or death depends upon ones
own efforts. If this baby had not
helped itself by giving the alarm, only
month old as it was, its existence
would never have been known. 1t
would have been the same as though
it had never been born. AS it was,
by making this effort, the little fell
lows life was saved and there is a
possibility at least that he may grow
into great man and direct the des-
tiny of millions.
My purpose in mentioning this is to
point the moral that farmers can do
more for themselves than the govern
ment can possibly do for them. Near
ly every legislative measure that has
been approved and requested generally
by farmers national organizations dur
ing the term of the present congress,
has been favorably acted upon, and
although some of them have been of
they will be of comparatively little
substantial assistance to agriculture,
benefit unless the farmer himself takes
those voluntary steps which will put
him in the way of getting the benefit
of conditions created by these laws.
The farmer deals on the one hand
with labor, which is highly organized,
and on the other hand with big bust
ness" which is also highly organized,
both in the buying of his implements
and supplies, and in the selling of his
crops.
| am not in favor of class legisla-
ton, and it is not necessary that there
should be any class legislation. All
that is necessary is that the farmer
should have the benefit of the same
right to organize enjoyed by labor
and by business. Heretofore he has
been lone individual, dealing with
powerful organizations. By being or
ganized, both labor and business are
able to command the highest quality
of service. They have the ablest law
yers to advise them both in questions
OF legal difficulties, in case they should
get in. They have experts on efficiency
and economy in marketing, not only
as to methods and facilities, but as to
studying market conditions and prices.
The farmer has made a great deal
OF progress in the last two or three
years by way of national organization
thru the farm bureau and the combin-
alton of various other organizations,
acting jointly in Washington City.
But these activities are confined very
largely to political and legislative mat
tiers. If the same system could be ap-
piled to the farmers business, includ-
ing methods of producing his crops,
most advantageous use of his lands,
Improvement of his living conditions,
employment of his labor, buying of
his farm implements and family sup
plies, and placing his crops upon the
market in good condition and to the
best advantage as to price, he undoubt-
eddy would reap the same benefits
from cotton, citrus, and raisin grow
ers of California have enjoyed in the
specific cases where they have organ
lied along similar lines. There is no
reason at all why this cannot be done.
All that is required is the will to do it.
-O