Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1922-05-19
Farmers Winning
In Congress Says
Miles Poindexter
Should Now Turn to Business
and Succeed by Combination;
Should Keep Away From Class
Legislation.
BY MILES FOlNDExTER
U. S. 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.
noticed the other day an account
In a newspaper of a month-old baby,
which had been abandoned in {. thick
ct. A policeman passing by heard a
lusty cry from the infant and rescued
lit. This Is very good instance Of
the early age at which even the ques-
'tion OF life or death depends upon
ones own efforts. II this baby had not
helped itself by giving the alarm.
only month old as 1t was, It's exis-
tence would never have been known.
1t would have been the same as though
It had never been born. AS 1t was, by
making this effcrr. the little fellows
life was saved and there is possi-
bility at least that he may grow into
great man and direct the destiny
Of millions.
My purpose in mentioning this Is to
point out the moral that farmers can
do more for themselves than the
government can possibly do for them.
Nearly every Legislative measure that
has been approved and requested
generally by farmers national organi-
cations during the term of the present
Congress, has been favorably acted
upon, and although some of them have
been of substantial assistance to agri-
culture, they will be Of comparatively,
little benefit unless the farmer him
self 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
cne hand with labor, which Is highly
organized, 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.
| 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
a 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 efficien.
cy and economy in marketing, not only
as to methods and facilities, but as %
studying market conditions and prices.
The farmer has made q great deal
of progress in the last two or three
years by way OF national organization
the Farm Bureau and the
combination OF variuus other organi-
Dations, acting jointly in Washington
City. But these activities are con-
fined very largely to political and leg
islative matters. II the same system
could be applied to the farmers busi-
ness, including methods Of producing
his crops, most advantageous use OF
his lands, Improvement OF his living
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
would reap the same ben
efits from such organization as the
cotton, citrus, and raisin growers OF
California have enjoyed in the specific
cases where they have organized along
similar lines. There is no reason at
all why this cannot be done. All that
is required is the will to do it.