The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1933-01-20
Friday, January 20, 1888
The Struggle for Relief

WO years ago the news flashed across the wires
that the farmers around Eng land Arkansas 500 strong
had demonstrated in the streets of the for relief
1--WE publish under the first nstalnent of the story
CAN YOU HEAR THEIR VOICES2" in this issue,
the press report of this demonstration given in
the New York Times of Jan. 4, 1919
Since that time the misery of Arkansas has spread
to the far reaches of the forty eight states The
of the delegates the Farmers National Relief Confer
showed that the crisis for the farmers not
only inability pay interest and taxes but inability to
buy the most necessary groceries, flour etc. and cloth
ing.
The existence standards which the lot of the
impoverished only present privation but
mean also the undermining of the health and physique of
the youthful generations that coming into
hood and womanhood. The flu and pneumonia are
reaping horrible toll of the farm population Rotten
teeth resulting from hunger diet and furthered by alb
ence of dental care mean for the generations now grow
ing up chronic disease and illness in their adult life.
The farmer-deegates to the Farmers National Re-
lief Conference demanded of Congress the appropriation
Of 600 for the relief of that section of the dis
ressed farm population in need of immediate relief
CARELESS of creed color This the first de-
nand in the statement to Congress because the delegates
recognized the immediate need the raising of all
rural families minimum health and decent standard
of living. Congress has refused to make step in
meeting this need of the impoverished farm In
stead it seeks deceive them into supporting the famine
allotment plan.
By militant action and demonstrations the farmers
of Sheridan county, Montana have won substantial re-
lief of the funds of the Reconstruction Finance Cor
poration loaned to the state of Montana The appro
prations that have already been made and distributed
have revealed the need for much greater amounts the
farmers exist above starvation and disease levels
The farmers of the county making these demands
backed by the pressure of many farmers than
backed the first demands when the possibility of getting
relief was not as well recognized as it is now
The example of the farmers of Sheridan county has
inspired those of Williams and Mountra counties North
Dakota to organize for struggle for relief
The struggle in Sheridan county has forced the Rec
Cross to ship in additional amounts of clothing showing
the England, Arkansas demonstration of two years
ago did, that the Red Cross will with as little
relief it and with much as the mass pressure OF
the farmers forces it to.
The struggle for immediate relief of the farm popu
aton has only begun The development of the struggle
forreef for the farm population will show as the strug
giles for relief of the unemployed have shown that the
capitalist press has managed keep the misery of the
farmers hidden
In Sheridan, Williams and Mountrail counties the
struggle for relief has been initiated by the United Farm
ers League is the immediate task of the United Farm
League and of the readers of the Producers News
initiate this struggle in every farm community in
the land.
Two measures are being used by the county and the
state officials to prevent the development of the demand
Tor relief The politicians state that thew cannot obtain
aid from the Reconstruction Finance CORPORATION because
they up to their necks in debt THIS is ONLY A
MISERABLE EXCUSE. Funds can be- and have been
obtained from the Corporation, without the pedging OF
security by the counties.
When the politicians backed away from this ex
cuse their next move is to survey the misery of the
farm masses means of postponing relief to them
he need OF the farm is undeniable SURVEYS
will not cothe our kids, supply with groceries,
The organization of the masses for relief must be
developed immediately This does not and cannot NEAR
the rl0cktA, Il
security of the farm family in its home and in the pos
session OF its means for making a livelihood
he struggle of the farm masses against evict;ons
forced sales and seizures be widened to include The
demands for relief On the demands for relief The ma
iority of impoverished farm families can be rallied
he Producers News is our most effective weapor
IN THIS as IN any other struggle. Make use of this
weapon by ordering bundles and getting subs for on
fighting organ.
Finally the most intense efforts must be made tc
build the United Farmers League in these struggles be
cause only by these can the initiative for mas
UNITED FRONT actions be deveIoned moss