The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-11-23
AN INrEeRATlNe PRINCIPLE FOR FARM CREDIT REVISION

| would not, nave you think that
there has been no progress or remod
cling in cooperative farm credit There
came a time when American agricul.
ture was clutched in the frantic en-
brace of the collapsing commercial
banks, and both were Keeling togeth-
er over the precipiee of receivership
and bankruptcy. 1t was then that pro
duction credit system and the banks
rescue. By that time the principles
had proved to be unexcelled building
material where structures were need
ed, and, as always, when the co-opera-
tive features of the system have been
applied, the system responded as when
the breath of life is supplied to a suf-
locating man. This stepping up of
cooperative practice plainly pointed
the way of progress and gave clear
indication as to how we should pro-
coed to fully develop the life germ of
our credit system.
Any review of the numerous at
tempts to amend the farm credit act
will confirm the above conclusion.
Every feature of such proposed amend
ment that has tended to weaken, de-
stroy or Illustrate the cooperative
workings of our system have been
protected with staunch vigor' by the
farmers, and every feature giving
scope and action to the cooperative
workings of our system have been pro-
tested with staunch vigor by the farm
ers, and every feature giving scope
and action to the cooperative concept
have been hailed with enthusiastic
favor. And any measure now pending,
or hereafter to be introduced that in
any way compromises, endangers,
thwarts or shackles the fullest exer-
else of the cooperative principle will
call forth the stubborn resistance of
the American farmer, and, if enacted,
will later hae to be ripped from the
law.
The logic of the foregoing facts
should convince any observer or stu
dent of the subject that the single
principle to be employed
in bringing this farm credit system
to it's greatest strength and fullest
capacity is to lay upon the
present system the complete and best
perfected pattern of cooperative enter
prise, and wherever any lack is found
in the present system, supply what is
lacking, and wherever anything in
with the true pattern is
found, reshape it into compatibility
with the true pattern.
In saying this I am not forgetting
that this system is an established
institution of our federal government
of which it is 'built-in' farm credit
facility, and whatever form it takes
must be adjusted to the governmental
in which it is created. The |
thing to be remembered here is that
it will best fulfil it's rdelations to the |
and to the investing pub
lie, and to the national welfare and
economy if it is given pattern that |
will enable it most fully to serve the
needs for which it was created. In |
other words it will best serve the |
farmer and the government if it in
corporates within itself every factor
Of strength derivable from the coop
erative plan of operation.
Sound reasons for following this
go far beyond bringing eff
cheney and completeness to the farm
credit system, for the broad interests |
Of American democracy at this sober
ing moment demand that any social
and economic fundamentally having
within itself the capacity possessed |
BY cooperative enterprise to correct
he economic distortions and malad-
iustments that beset our American
way of life should be fully promoted
and demonstrated and given the full
to make its rich contri-
buttons to our society No stronger
fortress can be erected against the
foreign ideologies of Socialism and
than strong, sound CO.
operative institutions functioning TO
he satisfaction of those they serve,
md contributing in peace and good
will to the social and national well
are. American democracy need not