The midland journal., 1946-03-22
LOOKING
AHEAD
" GEORGE S. BENSON
h PfesideAf--Hardikg college
Sfarry. ArkaHsas
A Sermon

America has three big F's. They
stand for farm, factory and finance.
They cover the nation and make it
what it is. You may be neither
farmer, a factory worker nor
financier but, if not, you are prob
ably so dependent on one OF the
three groups that you are one with
it, in thought and aim. There are
exceptions, but the big F's tie in
all of us but a small minority.
In the matter of stability, the
three F's are as dependent on each
other as the legs of stool. II one
goes down, they all topple. Neither
of these big groups of people can
enjoy prosperity long unless the 9TH
ers likewise prosper. And here is
a wonder of all time: Why are
these three classes suspicious OF
each other? Why do they so con-
sistently work against each other?
Farmers Markets
When is the agricultural industry
prosperous? The answer is plain
to any observing farmer: Farmers
have a quick market for all they
produce, at good prices, only when
factory workers are very largely
employed at good wages. Labor
ers constitute a big class and they
work hard. When they have good
Jobs they eat well, cover their
tables with the best of what farmers
sell.
Here is where the preaching
starts: Since farm prosperity de-
pends on good wages at facto-
ries, it is in every farmers interest
to work for the healthy welfare of
labor. Why then does the political
Farm Bloc concern itself so avidly
j. with class legislation instead OF
working for the thing that always
helps the farmer-namely, labor's
sound advancement?
The Workman's Pay
This is definitely a Christian
teaching. The illustrious Paul, who
wrote most of the New Testament,
said, "Do not take account of your
own interests, but the interests of
others as we'll" Moreover the rule
is not confined to the farm for its
application. It is just as righteous
and Just as practical for the use
of working men who want to I'M
prove their living standards. Thus:
When do laborers enjoy steady
work at high wages? Every think
ing worker knows the answer. La
Dor prospers when men OF wealth
put out their money, expanding old
businesses and building new ones.
Of course 1t is for their own gain
but it pays the workers. Mystery:
Why don't labor's leaders do their
best to make investments attrac-
tive? Such strategy would pay rich
and direct returns. It is the only
way to higher and higher wages.
And Profits Too.
Returns to employers respond to
the same rule. Factory owners sell
800 of all they make to laborers
and farmers. These men wear
good clothes, drive good cars and
modernize their homes when they
can afford it. Any financier, able
to see which side Of his bread Is
buttered, knows where profits come
from. They come from prosperous,
buying farmers and happy. well.
paid workers.
If the three big F's would look
out for one another; if employers
never oppressed labor; if farmers
did not envy capitalists; If workers
never used intimidation, prosperity
would certainly follow. It would be
| for us all. The code that Jesus
upheld in the Sermon on the Mount
| 1000 years ago is still good. Com.
munism, envy, greed and violencs
can't live in the climate with ap
piled Christianity.