The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1926-01-29
THE FUNCTION OF THE PROGRESSIVE FARMERS
BY VIM. BOUCK

Many earnest and well meaning persons are somewhat at
regard the fnctonng of the Progressive Farmers
Some think is kind of political clubto help elections
somewhat ladies aid club aids church work Some look
i as social effort ony-many interested in providing social
functions for progressive aiding in hold
ing together progressive and radical elements in the commun
y.
Some believe it to be open political club which
and political conventions for the progressive
elements.
Let look its history and the need that brought
about
For many years. since the Greenback movement in the
70s and Sos anyway progressive elements in the American
electorate have been trying build up agraran and latter
V united front of agaran and other laborng interests with
the view of ultimately taking government by
class for ours-he working class.
They tried it in the Greenback movement They tried
in the POpust And again they tried in the Non
partisan League by organizing open political
machine wherein the members who had studied and planned
and sacrificed for the had influence than the
ordinary ignorant voter who from motives of personal
est enthusiasm of few months duration joined the
ment ignoany believing that year he could be made
ireland when dsusoned at election time left the
quickly he entered Or the pigeon who planted
by the Interests confuse and dhearen the progressve
their mOvemenand the latter class succeeded each in
stance breaking the party and the So often
had been the failure of such movements that many real
dishearened getting anywhere with such
organizations indeed getting anywhere until such time
as some kindly revolution broke up country and its fabric
of capitalist CRAFTS.
1t has been the contention of world thinkers for many
years that only thru Economic organizations and thew fnc
tonmg behind closed doors the workers of any country
MAINTAIN movement especially political one the face
OF such opposition the ruling classes always maintain
Let glance at their ways: The Bankers and great in
dusria magnates control both capitalist parties Their con-
troll nationally has been seriously Chaengedeven by
such organizations the Nonparsan League Why? They
meet behind closed DOORS decided who and what shall lead the
Republican and Democratic parties and appoint men to carry
out their wishes. Then very innocent way have little
Republican Democratic caucus wherein their wishes are
carried out to the letter Now when we wish to CHALLENGE
their control organize OPEN political movement invite
everyone and the press be present in every stool
pigeon that comes Then IGNORANTLY BELIEVE we can
lick the other fellow. What folyl
Iaking the above into consideration the Western Pro
gessve Farmers organized function for the producers
behind closed doorand make plans and carry them out
S see fit
Some think should wait and organize during the sum-
mer new states his would be good far weather is
concerned-a mighty sight better than now But it will be
political year Many will look that case as an aid to
some political movement-just for election and nothing more
as temporary platform clearing house function thru
during political campaign-and if that psychology gets con-
troll OF the membership it organized power under the
sun will prevent its breaking up after a season or two
Get organization started NOW before election and
It's problems and discussions before people then YOU
can and will organize during election months But you
lec getting started and wait until political matter is up
per most IN people minds you have made grave mistake If
their minds grasp the organization months before the
paIgn they will consider integral part of election
machinery and nothing else They will learn its true function
before that mebut if you wait until campaign time to begin
look out tor the fate that other organizations the past
In word our functions to unity and cohesfy pro-
ducers sentiment their way unmoested by other inter
ests and stool Pigeonsto have time perfect their plans
then to carry them out in the different efforts of civic and in
dusna teand in order to aay any misunderstanding get
the organization started long before the campaign is on