The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1930-06-20
[E AGRARIAN QUESTION
ND THE DRAFT PROGRAM

De consumed Dy tne WORKERS, even II CIey were
able to buy all the food they wanted. On
the other hand, would not the spectators in
food increase their profits on the strength of
higher wages to the workers?
Point (g) paragraph two, fails to point out
the impossibility of restoring solvenoy to agri-
culture Qiquidating the agrarian crisis) even
if they succeed" in pauperizing two or three
million farmers. The facts are that there is
absolutely no hope for the bourgeoisie to solve
the agrarian crisis.
In section 4, paragraph 5, page SO, the draft
speaks of "illusory and passing advantage
small farmers will gain from concessions the
bourgeoisie will make to unite all bourgeois
elements against the revolutionary advance of
the proletariat." But will the bourgeosie make
concessions to the really poor farmers, share
troopers or poor tenants, even of passing
advantage to them? True, the big rich farmers,
farm corporations and certain of the middle
farmers will more than likely have some con-
cessons made to them in order to unite them
against, not only the proletariat but also
against the poor farmers. The term small
farmers is too confusing in these days when
even many small farmers are farming very
intensivey on small farms. In fact different
iation of the farmers is not made clear in the
draft. The draft should have at least las it
mentions history of farm organizations) men
toned the Western Progressive Farmers or
ganization of which William Bouck was the
father. This organization had some signifc-
ance. 1t was born in the State of Washington
and spread it's influence through Montana,
Minnesota and Wisconsin and was the first
organization to my knowledge that advocated
economic action The government through the
Farm Board is now trying to put into practice
the very slogan advocated by the W,P.F., i.e.,
that farmers should quit producing for the
markets and only produce enough for them
selves. But the origin of the W.P.F. is i'm
portant for us, it was born in rebellion
against the leadership and patriotism of the
National Grange. 1t was split of the radical
elements away from the Grange, and with a
real revolutionary fighting leadership, this or
ganization might have been today the van
guard in leading the poor farmers in struggle
against American imperialism. But with
Boucks passivity, and the Party's opportunism
on the agrarian question, the W.P.F was al
lowed to die an organization, without strug
gle to it's credit.
Suggest Scientific Revolutionary Program.
We cannot go on without scientific revolu-
tionary agrarian program Such program
should be ready before the next party plenum.
In the meantime we can rally the poor farmers
to the League and Party on the slogans men,
toned below.
The convention should discuss the question
of agrarian organization by the party and
U.F.L. and the immediate organizational steps
to be taken to build and strengthen the U.F.L.,
and the establishing Of an agrarian department
in the party in every district. Also the question
of weekly farm paper, and some space in the
Daily Worker devoted to agriculture If this is
done it will move us a step forward in agrar-
ian work.
foII Il l..
also be discussed at the convention in order to
acquaint the comrades with the revolutionary
Importance of these demands
/. The abolition of all forms of taxation
on poor farmers poor owners, tenants and
share-croppers).
2. The liquidation of all indebtedness of
all categories of poor farmers.
8. Absolutely no evictions from the land
for failure to meet financial obligations OF
otherwise
A. The abolition of sales of poor farmers
property (chattle, land or personally by sher-
ifs sales, auctions or any other means of
confiscation.
5. A decided reduction of rents for middle
and poor farm tenants, and the abolition of
the share-crop system.
6. The abolition of the Federal Farm
Board, which is an instrument in the hands
of the big farm corporations, rich farmers
and finance capital, whose policy means the
ruination of the poor farmers, one and all.
The disseminating of financing by the gov
eminent of farm corporations, rich farmers,
their Enterprises and organizations, and free
subsidies to all categoriee of poor farmers.
AS we'll as the above demands the follow
ing demands may be considered by the con-
vention as to their revolution content.
a. Free transportation of all poor farm
ers children to and from school (regardless
of nationality or color) and transportation
to be heated in cold weather
b. Free installation of electric energy to
all farms of poor farmes.
In offering the last demand we have in
mind the fact that in order for poor farm
er to get electricity on his place he is forced
to pay so much pole from the main line to
his farm he must guarantee to purchase
from the power trust an electric range, and
guarantee to use so much electric energy in
certain given time, and several other form
alities.