Imperial Valley press., 1924-11-08
DEFENDING VALLEY PRODUCERS

rrf.
ihe campaign just now being entered upon by the
iaIilers ana the business men of Imperial Valley
against excessive transportation rates one that calls
Tor earnest and united action
!, ne Iarm bureau, seems very proper, is taking
e ieao IN thls important campaign The present situ
alton is primarily imposition upon the producer but
that also inks up the business in very definite
manner and ne is going to back the farmer in forceful
way Ior ne knows full well that his prosperity depends
upon the prosperity of the farmer.
The immediate work to be done is to raise a fund
OF sufflcent size to finance the fight war chest is
one OF the first and indispensable requisites This is
In good hands and is we'll under way. Complete
cooperation between all interests in all parts of the
valley is obviously necessary.
The situation confronting the valley is very seri
Gus one similar fight made last year to estab-
sh the right of vegetable growers ice their ship
ments as they chose. They contended it was not ne
cessary IN the cold winter months to make of what
is known standard refrigeration" In spite of all
the rules of transportation companies and of all the
DEGREES handed down by the higher-ups their simpler
cheaper method was sufficient to place their products
on the market IN proper condition. But this right
ship as they pleased not granted until they had
fought and hard battle. 1t is estimated that the
result of the seasons operations under this plan
left additional sum of not less than $4,000 in the
hands of the producers. consummation we'll worth
while.
But the growers are faced with renewal of
the old trouble. Through reclassification,
other hocuspocus, they are back where they 1t
is to remedy this that farmers and business of the
valley being called to They going rally
and in this cause which the very life
and success of everything in the valley the Press go
Ing 10 iend every assistance WITHIN Its power
There is shameful and shameless discrimination
against the people of this valley. The railroads and
the subsidiary companies may discaim and and
explain but the fact still remains. Since it requires
less ice to protect shipments than he transportation
companies demand the growers and shippers should
be permitted to less ice 1t this battle that
was fought and last year 1t is this battle that is
now on again in earnest and must be won again in
way that will establish longer peace the more just
and equitable basis.
At the very beginning of this fight the Press ap-
peals to the farmers and business Of the valley
to join hands, in full and perfect accord in support OF
their mutual interests. They showed in the primary
fight for Boulder dam what they can do when they
stick together. They showed last year how they can
win through their cohesion in such struggle as has
Just entered upon again. 1t is absolutely neces-
sary that they give another example of shoulder
fighting.
The producers here must be constantly on guard
The hazards of market and climate of insects, water
and seed make their business gamble at best. Trans
portaton companies, commission firms and other
middle men do not share in this uncertainty. They
take their toll in any event They hover over like
swarm of vutures fatten off those who till the soil
and bring forth the worlds food supply They swoop
down upon US when the crops ready and pick our
bones If there is any flesh left it not their
fault.
It requires heroic and sturdy stuff to fight an
organized horde. The promising future OF this rich
section cannot be realized except the people learn how
to stand together in defense Of their rights. United
we stand; divided we fall