American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-06-01
SELF HELP BEST
SAYS PO|NDEXTER
Farmers Through Organization Can DO
More For Themselves Than The
Government Can He Says.
By MILES POINDEXTER
J. S. Senator from Washin gton

U. .. senator from washington
Relief of most of the difficulties of
farm marketing can be had through
farmers cooperation.
1t is an old saying that God helps
those who help themselves" 1t is
also common observation that the
fate of individuals depends upon their
own efforts more than anything else
combined.
1 noticed the other day an account
in a newspaper of monthold baby,
which had been abandoned in a
thicket. A policeman passing by
heard a lusty cry from the infant and
rescued 1t. This is very good in-
stance of the early age at which even
the question of life or deatfi depends
upon ones own efforts. If this baby
had not helped itself by giving the
alarm only a 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
fellows life was saved and there is a
possibility at least that he may grow
1 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
during the term of the present Con-
| hoc tod
and although some of them have beer
of substantial assistance to agricul-
ture, they will be of comparatively lit
tie 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 or
ganized, and on the other hand with
''big business" which is also highly
organized, both in the buying of his
implements and supplies, and in the
selling of his crops. H
| l am not in favor of class legisla-
tion, 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 power
full Organizations. BY being organized,
both labor and business are able to
command the highest quality of SER
vice. They have the ablest lawyers to
] advise them both in questions of legal
difficulties, and in getting out of such
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
through the Farm Bureau and the
combination of various other organ
izations. If the same system could
be applied to the farmers business,
Including methods of producing his
cropsg most advantageous use of
his crops, most advantageous use OF
his lands, improvement of his living
conditions, employment of his labor,
buying of his farm implements and
family supplies, and placing his crops
upon the market in good condition and
to the best advantage as to price, he
undoubtedly would reap the same
benefits from such organization as
the cotton, citrus and rasin growers o.
California have enjoyed in the spec
ific cases where they have organized
along similar lines. There is no rea
son at all why this cannot be done. All
that is required is the will to do it.