The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-05-17
M.E.TracySays:

EEASURED by what farmers have SUI
lVA fered, their strike can be justified. That,
however, is dabbling in water gone by the MILL
What farmers and all the rest OF us have
suffered demands looking ahead not back
ward.
We can not square accounts with the past.
The best we can do is make things ACt4e
better in the future.
Anv farmer strike of this kind has no
chance of success, except as it ties up business
and threatens innocent people with loss
Haven't we had enough of that to realize the
folly of it?
A country trying to climb out of depres-
sion must pull together. 1t can not do that
effectively as long as any group holds others
back.
Being somewhat new to farmers, the strike
idea undoubtedly intrigues them, but they
would do we'll to talk it over with expert
enced labor leaders before going in too deep.
Experienced labor leaders have shown
marked and commendable inclination to
avoid strikes during this slump. From
practical standpoint, they have yielded to the
slim chances of success which unemployment
created.
From the standpoint of social need, they
have chosen to cooperate in behalf Of the
common good, regardless of the sacrifices it
involved
IF farmers lacked sympathy or were being
l. treated with indifference, strike might be
warranted to develop the right kind of public
opinion and a more equitable policy on the
part of the government. 1hey lace no Such
necessity, however.
The administration is doing all it can to
help them, and its course in this respect meets
with widespread approval Like all classes OF
people. the farmers have been victimized by
an unexpected and unforeseen situation.
Workers in many a trade have been hit
quite as hard and have just as good reason
to complain. City mortgages have been fore
closed and city home owners sold out. Old
and reliable employees have lost their jobs;
energetic, capable business men have lost their
property; incomes and wages have been re-
duced all along the line.
The fact that other people have suffered
does not make the farmers lot any easier, but
it does have definite bearing on the wisdom
of calling a farmers strike.
Who will bear the loss? Who will be in
Inundated? Who will get mad?
If it should come to a case of real hunger,
would city people be more likely to flood con-
greSS with petitions to give the farmer what
he wanted, or would they inaugurate forag-
ing expeditions?
lust use your imagination. People never
u have been and never can be starved into SYM
pathetic cooperation. Recovery does not lie
in the erection of more trouble and less work.
The farmer ought to be getting better
prices, as every intelligent person admits but
how can he until or unless other people get
better wages? Does a farmer strike help them
to DO that?
Improved conditions for each trade, pro-
fesson and industry lie in pulling together.
That is what President Roosevelt has been
saying ever since he took Office, and that is
what forms the basis of his program.
Every interruption of traffic, every inter
ference with business every tie-up of supplies,
every lay-off Of workers, means only so much
ground TO be regained.
This is no time to think in terms Of fac
tional or sectional interest, or attempt to set
tie old scores This is a time for disciplined
action.