Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1936-02-20
THE FARM BUREAU
SditOr AskOy Americans.

1t is very kind of B. M. Hanson Of
Carlton, to call our attention to the
benefits of Farm Bureau. l have
perhaps had more experience with
Farm Bureau activities in Pine cOun-
ty than any other individual.
When, under the World war, calls
were sent out from our federal gov
eminent through the states and Agri-
cultural Extension Divisions to organ
ing in Pine City where speakers from
the University Farm urged us to or
ganize for the purpose of increasing
the farm crops to aid in winning the
war Under the discussion someone
suggested to hear from me.
said that | had for many years
hoped that we might organize a
Farmers Union. | had seen the bene-
fits from such organizations in Den
mark. where they had at least one
such organization in every county.
There these unions had started from
the soundness when they, as here pro-
posed, were started from the top.
There might be danger of being top
heavy. However, under the circum-
stances, under war conditions l would
not oppose such an organization.
The meeting resulted in that l was
delegated or ordered to organize the
Pine County Farm Bureau. I did so
and was the president for several
years. My fear that it might turn
out to be a bureaucratic organization,
l am sorry to admit, came true.
was fighting for home rule of that or
ganization to no avail. l was assured
in response to my complaints that we
had home rule We had no more
home rule in our Farm Bureau than
we have in our Federal Land Bank
We were permitted to elect our local
officers.
Finally a membership drive was in
stituted in every county in Minnesota.
Crews under the leadership of fore
man from headquarters canvassed
every nook and corner and those who
were not willing to sign up and sign a
check or note for S. were considered
traitors, very few resisted. l regret
to admit that was a member of such
a crew working in several counties.
Several members of these crews got
training in farming the farmers
that they later on made living from
selling life insurance. Shortly after
wards l resigned as president.
What has happened since? In gen
eral way l will say that the Farm Blu
reau has been a servant of the power
trust, the ship subsidy qgrabbers and
host of industrial tariff Hobbies.
1t was to- secure their support that
the administration called them to
Washington. They were afraid that
these men, unless coddled, would re-
turn to their old tricks and sell out
to the highest bidder and go roaring
about the country demanding cur
rency initiation, higher tariffs, export
subsidies, the McNary-Haugen bill, or
lures other traditional panaceas; in
other words, class politics" special
privileges and benefits to be paid by
the consumer l suppose some will
argue that as long as industry and
other classes enjoy special protection
and privileges, the farmers must have
their slice of the pork barrel. How
ever, one wrong can not liquidate
another wrong and make them both
good 1t is vicious circle which
to large extent has brought us into
the chaos and muddle which we call
depression.
l will suggest that we unite in an
effort to do away with monopolies, tar
ifs and special privileges and we will
find this good U. S. A. healthier
country for the common people. 1t is
not what we get for pound of butter
or pork that counts, but it is what we
can buy for the price we get for
butter and pork, was what a farmer
in Germany told me in 1884 when
| visited him. l had asked him the
reason why prosperity was not rush
ing into Germany with high tariffs
on agricultural products.
LUDWIG MOSBEK.
Il