The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-01-06
b Business
in Farming
Is Planned
Nebraska Farmers Do Not
Seek Special Legislation to
Solve Problems-Lower
Freight Rates Needed.
Keefe Heads Bureau
BY PAUL GREER.


Lincoln, Jan. 5.-tSpecial. The
farmers OF Nebraska are not asking
for many new laws to help them out
of their difficulties. Instead of try
ing to legislate themselves into the
seventh heaven of prosperity, they
are turning their attention TO the
possibilities Of playing the game of
business under the regular rules.
That tendency was not ice alb .
throughout the sessions. of organized
agriculture which closed at the state
agricultural college here today. 1t
bs present also in the annual ccn-
Veution of the Nebraska Farm Bu-
reau federation. which may properly
be referred TO as a rural chamber of
commerce.
In other years. there have been al
most innumerable resolutions calling
for new laws which were expected to
revolutionize tho business of agri-
culture. The farm bureau discus
sions and resolutions this year are
mainly in the direction of economic
instead of political action. Eastern
ers and those westerners With the
eastern viewpoint which considers
that the farmers arc asking special
class privileges, have little or moth
ing to base their opinion ON.
One may find the same thing is true
in the state legislature. where there
are many farmer members. but hardly
anything That may be called special
legislation.
Want Lower Rates.
Ask any farmer what lie needs
worst of all and the answer is sure
TO he ''lower freight rates.
O. +. Bradfutc of Ohio, newly.
elected president of the American
Farm Bureau federation, added his
voice today to that~of the many other
speakers who urged this. Farmers
pay 55 per cent Of the nations freight
bill. he declared. and they are the
only shippers who do not pass this
charge on to consumers. The farm
bureau policy calls for a rate based
on the proportionate value of the
products shipped Only in this way.
1t is held, can freight charges be ad
justed in such a way as to bear justly
on bulky and low wpriced farm prod
ucts.
sWNext to the subject OF freights in
interest comes reduction in marketing
and production costs. Standardiza-
tion and grading OF farm products is
another favorte topic. as is improve
ment OF methods and materials
worked with.
Keefe is President.
Harry J.. Keefe of Walthill was
elected president of the Nebraska
Farm Bureau federation this after
noon. Mrs. Matte Graham of Da-
kota City was chosen vice president.
There was difficulty in getting presi-
dent The Office was first offered to
j. y. Norton of Polk. who resigned
this same office last year To run for
the democratic nomination for gov.
ernor. After he refused. it was of
feied unsuccessfully to Charles Stew
ard of Red Cloud.
Mr.. Keefe, who was elected. was
not present. and II. u. Lutte, secretary,
expressed the belief that he would not
accept. The executive committee will
meet tomorrow to decide on a secre-
tary. This committee consists OF Ben
Maiben. Palmyra; II. l.. keefe, }. \.
Norton, Charles Steward. Jake Ped
rett Kimball. and Mrs. Graham as
delegate at large No member for the
second congressional district was
chosen on account of insufficient rep
resentation in the convention.
The farm bureau resolutions opposed
a gasoline tax and went on record as
iavoring state and national income
taxes. with no reduction in the fed
cral rates. A resolution condemning
the showing of Arbuckle films, intro
duced by Mrs kissinger of Clay coun-
ty, was adopted. So also was one ad-
vocating an increased tax on amuse-
ments.
- Plan Marketing Body.
\ proposal for "A new cooperative
marketing organization, including not
only the farm bureau. but all other
farm organizations in the state, was
adopted. This recommended joint ac-
ton with the Farmers union, the
Nebraska Wheat Growers. the Equi-
ty union. the Grange and the Coop
erative Elevator association, to work
out statewide grain marketing
agency. b. +. Parmentier, Lincoln;
Charles Murray. Friend. and L. V.
Keogh, .Stockville, We're named as
members of the committee. which is
expected to meet before February l.
The Home Economics association
elected Mrs. Ray kallenbarger of
Dunning. president. Mrs. c. b. Boyce
of Waterloo, vice president, and Miss
Stella Mather SCORE tarY. .trea surer.-