The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-12-08
FARMERS MEET
HERE To COPE
WITH PROBLEMS
Only Farmers Can Help
Agriculture, Is View

The American farmer alone has the
right to work out a national agricul-
turaI policy, Sam H. Thompson, presI-
dent of the American Farm Bureau
Federation, told 5000 delegates to
the eighth annual convention today.
Thompson called on the 100000
American farmers to band together,
"emulating industry and labor" if
they would secure equal representa-
ton and the economic rights "to
which they are entitled"
"If we are to have safe and sane
agricultural policy" said Thompson
1T must be worked out by the farm
ers themselves. The development of
a national policy is Of national con-
Germ. The right and duty of the
farmers to lead in its determination
should be definitely recognized.
/ No Waverng.
at is noteworthy coincidence
that while we are assembling here
congress will convene in Washington
There will be no wayering in our de.
mand for the passage of legislation
which will relieve the farmer from
the unjust punishment from which he
suffers through the production OF sur
pus farm products"
More than 5000 delegates, repre-
senting farm organizations in 4b
states and 1900 communities were
present when Thompson opened what
is expected to be the most important
meeting in the history of the fedora
ton.
Split in TWO Groups.
The convention was split into two
widely differing groups as the meet
ing began, one determined to stop
at virtually nothing to secure relief.
the other, more conservative, seeking
to prevent what might be the begin
ming of Transformation Of the fed
Grafton into quasi-political party.
Thompson, elected last year over
the more conservative o. e. Brad
flute, who paved the way for the adj
dress by President Coolidge, frankly
stood opposed to the do nothing
policy which he said marked the ad
ministration's attitude toward farm
relief. !. ssgs
5rookhart Looks In.
Senator Smith w. Brookhart OF
Iowa looked in for moment. He is
on his way to Washington and con-
fessed that he was at sea to know
what congress was going to do about
the farmers. However, something
has got to be done, he said, and sus-
pected that the farmers ought to do
it themselves.
Thompson, in speaking of the gen
eral decay of farm life said it would
be alright if all the young dumb-bells
went to the city but it was the other
way round; the bright young boys
left the farms.
Employers Man Present.
Magnus Alexander of the Nationas
Industrial Conference Board, an EN-
ployers' association, said that indus
try must take a larger interest in
farm problems He suggested that
the bankers and commercial men
might supply the directive brains for
urging diversified farming and other
methods of relief. He said the farm
problem was very wide one, affect
ing not only the farmers and consum-
ers here but the International market
as well. If we would dispense with
our agricultural products in the world
markets we must not prevent out
siders from disposing Of their goods
to us, he said.
Robert Pack, a propagandist for
privately owned public utilities was
another speaker. He is from the On
tario Hydro-electric company and
painted the virtues OF his company to
the Ontario farming communities.
The sessions will continue for sew
eral days.