Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1933-10-12
ROCK CREEK HAS
HOLIDAY MEET
Harold Peterson was Prime In
Speaker Before 200 People at
Rock Greek.

dHOIItT TALK LII zine county on the
Farmers Holiday movement last Fri
day, appearing before a gathering of
some 200 people in the Rock Creek
hall. 1t was a stirring message that
Mr.. Peterson, who is secretary to
President John Bosch of the Farmers
Holiday Association in Minnesota.
brought to his listeners.
He traced briefly the Holiday move
ment and stated that it was merely
an attempt on the part of farmers to
work together so that society might
be put on a cooperative basis. The
farmers are rebelling against condi-
tions which threaten their economic
welfare just as our forefathers re-
belled against government from
England. Il am here to talk eco
nomic democracy" said the speaker,
for if we do not have an economic
democracy, then political democracy
will crash"
The system of eXacting interest
was held up as a cause for much of
the woe of the present depression.
Through the system of high interest
rates, said Mr.. Peterson, the rich are
taking that which they do not earn,
from the poor.
The farmer is asking for production
costs, he stated, and since the NRA
appears to be endeavoring to give
costs of production to all classes, it
is the duty of the farmer to ask for it..
Criticism was directed at Secretary
of Agriculture Wallace and Mr.. Peter
son stated that Wallace was more re-
sponsible than any other man in
America for the delay in getting JUS
tice for the farmer.
Citing figures, Mr.. Peterson said
there were thirty million acres of
farm land in Minnesota and the aver
age farm for the state consisted of
166 acres, valued at S66 per acre. On
this average farm, 1881 should be al
lowed as an equipment value, 1928 for
horses and mules, $656 for COWS, and
S476 for other livestock. The aver
age farmer should get return on
this investment, also enough to cover
depreciation, and other fixed charges,
and living wage whereby to pro-
vide for himself in his old age.
Wrong System.
Speaking of the surplus of farm
products, the speaker said I'VE have
too much, that's why we don't have
enough. We need a sound monetary
system so that men may exchange
goods. The American people are pay
ing nine billion dollars in interest
annually, and it appears that where
we once had pirates on the high seas
we now have pirates in high build
ings."
Speaking of the plan of the Farm
ers Holiday movement, Mr.. Peterson
stated that farmers needed some plan
whereby they could handle their sur
pluses themselves. The holding OF
SURPRISES on the farms or from the
market in some way would be an eco
nomic weapon with which the farmer
might better himself. Formerly, the
problem was to grow two blades of
grass where only one grew before,
but now we must figure out how to
sell the two blades for the price of
one-half blade.
The farmers code under the MIRA
as advocated by leaders Of farm or
CARNATIONS included the following
three things said Mr.. Peterson: 1.
Cost of production. 2. Lower interest
rates under the Frazier bill 3. Con-
trolled initiation of the currency to
get money back into circulation.
In closing his address, Mr.. Peter
son stated that modern transporta-
tion had made the farmers neigh
borhood and that now we must pro-
coed to make the neighborhood a
brotherhood.
Holiday Secretary Speaks.
Hjalmar Sandell of Hinckley, was
present and stated that he was pleased
to see so many present. He outlined
briefly the condition of the move
ment in Pine county and said that
the officers of the Holiday movement
i'm this county did not wish to be
considered leaders, but servants. A
little group, well organized, said Mr..
Sandell can accomplish far more than
large group, unorganized. Don't
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