The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1932-02-12
tBy a Dagmar Farmerl

Wy gAEHlhE fhImtfJ
AS winter days disappear and
spring draws near, the farmers
mind doesn't turn to love, as the
poet says, but to worry. We wor-
ny when we think Of what will
happen to some Of US II the next
federal loan will be handled by
the same class Of men that handl-
ed the last.
The loss and hardship, which
some needlessly had to endure, on
account Of the unfair treatment
handed out by the county board
and agent. Hard as this was on
many Of US, 1t was nothing COM
pared to what II will be next
spring, If we still are at the
mercy Of this class Of men.
Last fall the price Of feed adj
vanced so those whose loans were
delayed, were compelled 10 pay
much larger price for everything.
Some badly needed stock had to
be sold on account Of this delay;
some died and all Of 1t became
poorer before feed could be
bought. OF the ones tina. received
their loans very few received the
full amount which they were en-
titled to. One of my neighbors
asked the Grand Forks office why
we did not receive the amount
promised US by the government.
The reply he received was that
we got all the county board had
recommended.
This county board which in
eludes the agent should be forced
to pay for the stock that has died,
and that will die before summer
on account Of their bullheadedness
and dictatorship-not only for the
stock that died and will die, but
also for the greater price that
had to be paid for feed caused by
the delay where they tried un-
successfully TO block the loan.
They should also pay for the loss
in weight Of stock caused by too
little feed, where II Is a direct re-
suit of refused loans, delayed
loans and cut loans, How would
1t be TO use the county agents
salary 30 cover as much as pos,
sible of his share Of the losses.
am not referring to refused
loans that were justified, nor de-
lays caused by technical errors
most Of these errors were soon
eorreeted-but ! am referring to
the kind Of loans that were de-
layed by the prejudiced report Of
this board, the kind Of reports
which they were ashamed of and
afraid that the public would find
out about; the kind Of report that
caused their boss, the county ag-
ent TO write a very long letter TO
Grand Forks criticizing them
sharply for giving the senator's
some information on this dirty
work, which information the poll
ticians then again gave the farm
ers. Here was a small leak In
the dixie which must be stopped
at ali costs, and he told the
Grand Forks office In his strong
est language never to do this
again. It's a pity to be so
ashamed Of ones work and so
afraid that 1t will be found out,
as his letter showed they were.
will advise You gentlemen If the
board, that one way 20 overcome
this fear, Is 10 rot 10 such dirty
. work again, not 10 have so many
, skeletons in your closet.
Last summer at the drought re-
lief meeting in Williston, the gov
eminent man there was very sur
prised when he found out, by ask
ing our beloved county agent, what
! a large per cent of the applications
for seed loans last spring was
: turned down, and when further
! questioned as TO the cause of this
= 1t was impossible for our agent u
think Of any reason or cause foi
this. If he still is unable to think
of any reason for this and If he
is very anxious 10 find out tbs
) cause, then | think | might en-
= Tighten him.
7 Our very existence depends or
] that we get our seed loan mex
spring and that 1t Is not delayed
!. nor cut. We are deeply Worried
Y 10 think what might happen i
we then still are in the clutches
Of this class of men.
Every man on trial In the Unit
ed States is supposed 10 be en-
titled TO a hearing before con
victed, and the Judge Is SUPPOSED
0 to tell the jury 10 give the &C
eused person the benefit Of th
|, doubt, but our Judge, the Count
Agent, and his jury, our Count
Board, thinks the drought striek
O en- farmer isn't entitled TO eve
that much consideration. The
convict and sentence the farme
, without a hearing and they eei
n tainly don't give him the benefl
q Of the doubt. They even went I
a the trouble of looking over the a.
sessment lists TO see If they coul
get something against the farmer