The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-10-03
FARM STRIKES
CAUSE RISE IN
REVOLT SPIRIT
Recognized by Business
Leaders of Midwest
as Menace.
BY RAY TUCKER
Times stan Writer

DIES MONIES. Oct. 3.-Although
the sporadic farm strikes staged in
this territory do not represent the
sentiment Of a majority Of the
farmers as to the means to be en-
ployed to raise commodity prices,
they are recognized by responsible
business and agricultural leaders as
evidence Of a dangerous state of
mind.
1T is a symptom of disease that
is fostering, and must be cured
soon" said Charles E. Hearst, vice
president Of the American Farm
Bureau Federation.
The federation, in contrast to the
Iowa Farmers Union, is regarded as
the conservative farm group, and it
does not approve of violent strikes
or picketing.
1T has been worthwhile because
it has focused the nations atten-
ton on the plight of agriculture,
said Milo Reno, aggressive head of
the Farmers National Holiday
movement.
Although his holiday crusade
apparently suggested the idea Of
strikes and plcketing, Reno pro-
fesses not to be in sympathy with
them as a permanent remedy.
Small Per Cent in Strike
1t is probable that less than !
per cent of the farmers in the
vicinity of Council Bluffs, Sioux
City and other centers have taken
part in holding up produce on its
way to market.
These demonstrations are com
parable to the bonus arm" inVa-
sion of the capital. TIL bonus
army was only Fraction the
veterans, but they were noisy, and
their invasion, as we'll as their
evacuation, was dramatic.
So it is with the farmers block
aiding highways with logs, spiked
trees and trucks, and living in
"jungles' alongside the roads.
The strikes have not had the de-
sired effect on prices, except per
haps locally, and with respect to
perishables.
Even those looking with diSfa-
vor on strikes and picketings, and
prospective Hoover demonstra-
tions when the President visits
here, concede that sentiment is
mounting.
Stir Mob Psychology
Unless some remedy is found
and they advance chiefly such
things as sterilization of the dollar
temporary forgiveness of debts and
currency inflation-lt is feared in
states like Iowa that the farmer will
get out of hand.
There is surprising number Of
references to the earlier and more
violent figures of the revolution,
and a comparison of their part at
Boston and Richmond to the role
strike leaders are playing here for
agriculture.
The strikes are stirring up a SEN
timent which would be tantamount
to the mob psychology of urban
crowds were it not for the geo.
graphical conditions under which
the farmers live.
Picketeers Mostly Young
In their own communities they
rarely talk about their troubles ex-
cept when they meet at church or
the village store. But each assem-
bling point where blockades are be-
ing enforced becomes a hotbed of
discussion and resentment.
For the most part, the actual
picketeers are young and tenant
farmers.
Into their midst, it is claimed
have poured hoboes and some of
the wild children who roam the
countrySides.
The migration and mingling ap-
parently is giving the patient farm
er ideas he might not indulge if
left to his loneliness in rural dis
trictS.
Reno, who has been a stormy
figure in all recent agricultural con-
troversieS, makes a distinction be-
tween farm strikes and his proposed
holiday"
Opposed BY Business Men
The latter, which he advocates
and is trying to make effective
through organizations in other
states, simply is peaceful and pas
sive-a refusal of the farmers to &c
TO market with his produce.
Business interests in the cities and
towns are opposing both the strike
and the holiday movement.
Newspapers have given great pub
lefty to the fact that Reno draws
$4,000 as president of two farmers
insurance companies connected with
the Farmers Union, and to his loan
of about $150,000 from the Recon-
struction Finance Corporation.