Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-05-15
Call For Reforms
Continued from Page Il

this lost time, 10 thousand men would
have to work for eight years.
"To such a condition and its fear
full implications, we call the atten-
ton of the people of this nation. With
that, it would appear that our ills
are not to end. We are now faced
with the prospect of Federal COM
modify price policy designed to pre-
vent the prices of farm products
from materially rising, designed to
preserve this evil inequity as between
respective classes of society, designed
to keep the American farmer the
under dog.
Against such a policy and against
such prospective legislation we pro-
test with all the vigor of our hearts.
Against such a policy we appeal for
the considerate help of the fairminded
people of this nation. We oppose and
resent price-pinning for commodities
with no comparable fixation of wage
rates.
Resent Price Pinning.
eve oppose and resent price-pin-
ming on commodities when manufac-
turers of d eff ense materials are
granted adequate compensation for
capital outlay plus profit guarantees
arising out of privately negotiated
contracts. We cannot see the justice
of holding down farm commodity
prices under such conditions. We can
see little difference between produc-
ton problems of manufacturer and
the production problems of many
types of farming enterprises.
"In the last world war the organ
lied farmers of this nation united and
demanded an equal economic position
and an equal share in the conduct
of the war. In our present defense
effort, we again demand such rights.
Instead of this recognition, agricul-
ture and agriculture's cause are liter
ally being pushed around" in the
nations Capitol. In the administra-
ton of the defense agencies, little or
no regard has been given to agricul-
tural representation.
Request Changes.
specifically and urgently we make
the following requests for change!
81. We call for a total cessation of
strikes and lock-outs in defense in
dustries. Such disturbances. are I'M
fair to others who are making sacri-
fees in the interest of national de-
tense.
"2. We ask that agriculture be given
equal representation with industry
and labor, satisfactory to agriculture,
on all Federal agencies having to do
with the national defense.
"3. We urge the. President and the
Congress to eliminate from the United
States Department of Agriculture all
component parts whose functions and
activities are not directly conducive
to the welfare of farmers, and that
all individuals whose activities are
discovered to be antagonistic to farm
interests be also removed.
81. We urge a Federal policy to
restore economic equality as between
agriculture, industry and labor.
"5. We oppose any Federal policy
by the Executive, or by Congression-
al enactment, which is designed to
place maximum prices upon COM
modities, particularly those of agri-
culture, until such time as agriculture
is on an equal footing with industry
and labor, and we further oppose
rigid price fixing under even these
conditions, but suggest policy of
sterilization rather than price-peg-
ging.
Ask Cost Plus for Farmers.
IS. Since industry has received a
cost plus guarantee in its production
for national defense and the farm
groups now being called upon to in
crease production have received no
such guarantee, we insist that such
farmers should Immediately have
prices which will compensate both
for current production and increased
capital outlay.
''7. We urge reformation in adj
ministration of the National Draft
Act with a view to protecting agri-
cultural production in all matters
involving legitimate deferment for
the draftees. If the present Act does
not confer adequate authority for
restoration of the fundamental prin-
ciples of essentially of occupation
and dependency, we urge the Con-
gress to pass amendatory legislation
to that end
IS. We ask for discontinuance of
Federal government propaganda de-
signed to mislead the public into be-
lieving that farm prices are satisfac-
tory and remunerative to producers.
80. We urge the farm leaders gath
cred together in this conference i'm
mediately to acquaint the farmers in
their respective communities with the
urgency of this problem and to bring
about widespread discussion of it.
Calls for Second Meeting.
40. We request the National
Grange Patrons of Husbandry. the
American Farm Bureau Federation
and the National Council of Farmer
Cooperatives Immediately to call a
nationwide conference of farm lead
ers selected through regular channels