Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1922-01-06
OVER THE LINE FENCE
BY Sam Jordan in the st. Louis Globe
II Democrat

BY Sam Jordan in the st. Louis Globe
gIt Democrat
II The coming year is sure to be hard
lon all farm organizations since
4 times are hard and money hard to
get. On this account there are many
members, perhaps, who will not keen
up their memberships, and on account
of shortage of funds many functions
must either cease altogether, or in
part at least.
il However, it should be remembered
by all farmers that now is the time.
II ever to stick to their guns. We are
lust now beginning to get our bear
ings in such a way that we can begin
20 see our way to better things. We
have now come to the point where we
are recognized in the big affairs of
this country. We hear much direct
prediction about the agricultural
bloc in Congress, the menace that it
Is likely to become, and the danger
IN legislation by ''bloc" of any kind.
1t must be admitted that legisla-
tion by groups or "blocs" is not the
best way, but" those who are COM
lplaining loudest would have us be-
heve that the agricultural bloc is the
Eonly one in Congress. Much legis-
lation has been by "bIocs" for many
years past and every bloc has not
altogether been in the interest Of
farm matters.
Thinking farmers have for a long
eime been aware Of how things have
gone, and the past activities or GER
tain blocs have taught us the way,
and try as we would we had not been
aole to make any headway against
them, and now since we have learned
the way, we are just Fighting, fire
with fire." Sometimes this is the
best one can do, which in the present
crisis seems our only way out.
Financial blocs, business blocs,
shipbuilding blocs, and various and
divers others breeds have been oper-
atlng in the past to their own particu-
lar advantages, and since we farm
ers are learning the game and playing
it, we are causing great alarm in GER
tain quarters.
The enemy of farmers organiza-
tions is an enemy possibly for at
least two reasons. One is that this
may be menace to his business, and
the other is the fear that his organ
lied power will be used in an OPP
pressive manner, much as we have |
been in other forms of organized |
Power of Farming
In my Judgment we should view all
such things, not from a personal
siewpoint, but from the viewpoint Of |
the common welfare. If the farmer
attains vast power, and uses it for
i'll, or against the common interests
Of the country, he would better never
| cannot make up my
mind that he has any such motive
IN view. He is human of course, and
the radical element will continue to
howl against every other line of
human endeayor, but we believe that
the extremist will always be in the
If he were not, and the
time should come when he would
abuse his power that abuse will spell
'uin in the end.
We have seen both capital and la II
'or abuse their power, and at this
ime, both are more or less reaping
he results of that abuse. Public sem
iment is against both at this time,
md that sentiment has been brought
bout by the abuse and unreasonable /,
less Of both. Laws against the ag-
,ressions of both are being called for,
md legislatures are trying to find
means of bringing about corrections
t these abuses, but on the face of
matters, both capital and labor seem
gainst any rule that will curb the
wo, A third element, the people, 9
must eventually interfere to such an
xtent that dangerous power must v
e eurbed. "