Imperial Valley press., 1935-11-20
THE FARMER is COMING
INTO HIS OWN

Most recent developments in agricul-
tural communities of the United States
demonstrate that the admonition of Don
aid kirkpatrick, general counsel for the
American Farm Bureau federation, Civ
en- before the annual convention of the
California farm bureau, is somewhat
belated. Mr.. Kirkpatrick urged unfit
cation of the nations agricultural inter-
ests to give the farmers a lever in the
nations economic life equal to that of
organized industry and labor.
Lack of such unity of purpose among
California's farmers, as we'll as the farm
ers of the nation, had delayed material
~ their progress toward economic indie
pendence. While organized labor and
organized industry have been doing bat
tie for what they consider their rights,
furthering in every way possible their
special interest, the farmers of the ma
tion have maintained an attitude of rug
ged independence 1t would have been
little to hinder agriculture if the inde-
pendence had been largely independence
from the domination of business and
labor, but this had not been the fact
The farmers have maintained stoutly
their independence one from the other
Through such organizations as the
California farm bureau federation and
the national federation, however, the
farmers lately have demonstrated
united interest in the matters confront
ing them as a group, giving united sup
port or opposition to proposals they
consider beneficial or harmful. Already
the results have demonstrated conclus-
lively that there is strength in unity.
II +La 10 c+
more than at any other time in the past,
American farmers have obtained the
recognition which is their due. Organi-
Zation brought this recognition to them.
Basically, there is one difficulty in
welding farmers into coordlnated
group The very spirit which makes
farmers of them makes them also men
of independent natures, turning to ma
ture rather than to other men for the
things they want Economic necessity
has made this bad policy. The farmer,
just as truly as the store keeper or the
financier, must depend upon his fellows
if he wishes to win any measure OF COM
fort and stability for himself and his
family. The world of today is cooper
ative world, not one made up of self re-
liant individuals.
First steps have been taken to give ag-
riculture the same forceful representa-
tion enjoyed by other groups in the coun-
ell halls of the nation. In past decades
the farmers have been handicapped by
lack of adequate representation at Wash
ington and in state capitals when legis-
lation of importance to farm groups was
under consideration. The handicap, for
tunately, is rapidly being overcome.
1t is becoming more true daily that the
farmers of America are the most polite
all yconscious class in the nation. They
understand more fully the workings of
their lawmakers, and see more fully the
reasons behind various maneuvers. With
this understanding, farm representatives
are beginning to protect their own inter-
ests more carefully.
Farmers have recognized the need for
organization. Only a recalcitrant few
hold out for the old system of individual
action, which seldom gains headway.
More rapidly than ever before, the
farmers of America are coming into
their right through concerted action.
-O
Herbert Hoover, pressed for direct
comment on various political points,
speaks at some length about the weather.
Serves the interviewer right for not read