Milford chronicle., 1930-11-14
Corporation Farming

| The extension OF the corporation
farming idea is pointed at as one o.
the most serious dangers threatinl
American progress. These danger!
include the destruction of commun
ity values, elimination of rura
schools and churches, and throwing
great country areas into social des-
erts; with only single motive in
it all-cheap production of food
Such a tendency Mr.. Taber declares
to be "un-American and destruc-
tive" adding:
I'VE must not forget that Ameri-
can agriculture is more than max
ing dividends upon an investment
1t is way of life, and when we de-
stroy our American type of rural
civilization we turn agriculture into
an inferior imitation of industrial
life. Rural craftsmanship should
not longer neglect the problems un-
derlying a sound land policy"
Taxation
Pointing to an icrease in farm
taxes of 2579o since the world war,
Mr.. Taber declares that if agricul-
ture is to survive at all, it must
have relief from its crushing tax
burden. Every year 100000 young
people go to the cities, whose
schooling within rural territory has
cost $100,0O0,000 every year-a gift
of the country towns to the cities.
These young people stay in the cit
les and the inheritances from their
parents come to the cities, millions
of dollars yearly-another gift to
the cities. 1t is readily apparent to
how great an extent American far
mers are constantly contributing to
the advance of city affairs, with no
return for it, either in taxation or
in the support of rural community
interests. Hence the tremendous
burden of unjust taxation resting
upon farmers shoulders.
Relief can come only % as the
result of widening the base of tax
alton; (2) reducing the cost of gov
ernment wherever possible; and
(3) compelling taX-spending agen-
cies to live within the income of
each given community. The old
Grange principle needs reviVing-
taxation must be based upon abil-
ity to pay and on benefits received.
Furthermore Income and luxury
must come to the support of prop
erty in bearing government costs"
The challenge to craftsmanship is
to find a way to send back to the
various communities a portion of the
taxable wealth they have helped to
build, in favored cOngested areas;
this to be accomplished through the
Grange plan for a redistribution of
a portion of the Federal inheritance
and income tax, on the basis of
school attendance or similar equit-
able plan.
Rural Finance
Constructive legislation and SYM
pathetic administration are needed
to make possible the fullest sue
cess. of the Federal Farm Loan Sys-
TEN. Organized agriculture is deter
mined that the farmer shall have all
needed credit facilities, and the
Grange pledges itself to back need
ed amendments to prevent wrecking
the administration of this important |
farm aid agency, as well as to eX-
tend it's usefulness to agriculture in |
all practical directions.
National Road Program
While always urging a construc-
tive national road building program,
the National Grange believes the
time is now at hand to energetically
insist that farm-to-market roads
and post roads be given more at
tentiOn.
Neither does the Grange overlook
The tremendous loss of life from
traffic accidents in the United
States. Consequently it has for sew
eral years united with the United
States Automobile Chamber of Com
merce in conducting a Highway
Safety Essay contest, which has
awakened interest among Oranges
n every section and has led scores
If young people to enter the COM
Other "High Spots" Mentioned
National Master Taber refers to
he frightful drought experience of
he past season and credits govern
nent assistance as having been of
,alue; but the greatest aid coming
through the voluntary reduction of
reight rates by the railroads, on
eed shipped into the drought area
md on live stock shipped out; with
he hope expressed that the rates
nay be continued until the emer-