The Sauk Centre herald., 1926-08-12
NV. FARM LEADERS
ORGANIZE TO FIGHT
PRESENT UNITED FRONT IN
WAR TO BREAK EASTERN
TYRANNY
SUPPORT HAUGEN BILL
EXPORTABLE SURPLUS OF FARM
WILL BE UNDER INTELLl-
GENT CONTROL

st. Paul, Aug. 11-Support of the
National Agricultural Legislative
committee in its program for legis-
lation embodying the principles of an
equalization fee and Federal board
as provided in the Haugen bill was
promised by the executive committee
of the Minnesota Council Of Agricul-
ture at its meeting at the Saint Paul
Monday.
The support is embodied in a dec
laration of purposes adopted at the
meeting which declared that "the
strangle hold of the industrial East on
agriculture and Western business
may be broken. I"
Plans were adopted for perfection
of the organization in every county
in the state, which will be carried
out at once. Each county will be
represented by an organization of not
less than 10 members, with Ramsey
and Hennepin counties having COM
mittees of not less than 35 members
each.
Agriculture" the declaration of
purposes adopted by the Council
reads, sis not fighting for supremancy
over other groups but for the main
tenance of it's dignity and integrity
and for the preservation of its homes.
1t will never sound retreat. It does
not seek to tear down and obstruct,
but to build and construct. Being
everlasingly right and knowing def
nitely what it wants slegislatively, it
is bound to win and victory is in
sight"
The declaration state that the
financial distress of the farmer al
ready has been felt by the country
merchant, the jobber, the banker and
the manufacturer and is causing
widespread unemployment.
Persistence in the blind course of
denying or concealing these condi-
tions," it continues, Twill not afford
relief or serve any good purpose.
Squarely facing the facts, Western
business and agriculture must now
act and act promptly to escape i'm
pending. disaster.
"The farmers net income has van
ished because of high production
costs and low selling prices due to the
operation of an Unbalanced protect
i've system discriminating against the
products of the farm, and to un-
bridled speculation in the staples that
the farmer produces. He must buy
and operate in home-protected mar
ket and sell in a world market in
competition with foreign labor.
"This maladjustment in the nations
economic system is rapidly driving
our basic industry into bankruptcy
and is seriously affecting Western
business depending on it.
"The Eastern industrialist has pro-
fitted by the losses Of the West and,
needless of ultimate consequences, he
insists that the farmer continue to
provide his factories with raw mate
rials and food below cost of produc-
tion in order that he may be enabled
to sell his products cheaply abroad ;
Sheltered behind the highest tariff
wall in the history of the world, he
refuses to admit agriculture within
the protective system.
"By this selfish policy, carefully
planned and systematically fostered
through Eastern propaganda, it is
intended to eliminate the Independent
homecoming farmer as an American
institution and substitute for him a
system Of farm tenancy to serve
Eastern industry.
The declaration condemns as "un-
American" policy which "allows one
section Of the country to profit by the
distress of another section deprived
of equal rights under the protective
system.
"The legislative handicaps burden
uoekor,. n lo -
moved" it continued. Legislation
proposed to make effective existing
tariffs on agricultural products, and
providing for intelligent control Of
the exportable surplus, was expressed
in the McNary-Haugen bill, and sub
mitted to Congress at its last session.
It received practically the unanimous
support of the West, but was stub
bornly opposed by selfish Eastern in
terests. 1t failed Of passage by a
narrow margin.
sIn matter involving its economic
life, the West cannot submit to the
tyranny of the East. It will insist on
protection for all or protection for
none. The fight will go on until the
issue is settled rightly on the basis of
equality for agricultural North, South
and West.
The Council appeals ssto every loyal
citizen in this state to do his bit and
give his active support to those lead
ers who are bearing the brunt of the
fight and to secure for the West equal
rights and equal protection under the
American system Of government.
II is aimed to include in the MEM
bership of the council the leading
business and professional men and
farmers in the state.