davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-04-02
And EQUAL letter BRINGS vEY OF PROTEST FROM RURAL PEOPLE

socia1 I'm sure he would be the first
ia declare himself in favor of the lab
oring man and farmer but only as an
individual This is the point where
our reasoning is asked to go into the
Alice In wonderland theory of econom-
les and politics
IT is most unfortunate at this time,
nowerful officials of government are
Joining forces with economically pow
erfuI grouDs who object to even the
modest protection afforded by the Co
ops. The objection of those groups is
understandable and even excusable
under our competitive economy.
what in not excusabIe is the de
Iiberate attempt TO so obfuscate the
renI issues and facts, that the very
peouIe who should be natural niles
may become enemies and by defeat
Ing each other In efforts of advance
ment. assure the gain of those groups
that profit by their exploitation.
Mr.. Parkinsons arguments sound
plausible to the individual working
man or farmer who considers himself
a rugged individualist" and does not
belong to any farm or labor organiza-
tion A case may even be made out
for injury to this individual by the or
in question. However.
when the larger picture is seen and
the comparison changed from the indt-
vidual versus the organization, to the
group or class as whole compared to
other groups of our society, then we
discover that practically all advances
farmers and workers have achieved
through the years are the result of
organization and cooperative effort.
The history of past struggles proves
that only the social
minded, public spirited, industrious
and elf-sacrificing efforts of organi-
,ation are responsible for the com
,arative progress of the working class
md farmer
Since the laborious and painful pro-
gress of working people and farmers
las undeniably improved the economic
status of these people as class. there
$ no way to deny the advance of the
CONTINUED on Page Three)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-04-02
Reader Thinks Maybe He's
Been Missing Good Thing"
Dear Editor:

Dear Editor
AS 1 have gone about my chores
the past week a line from Mr.. Par
kinson's letter keeps running thru my
mind.
Quote: Especially when he almost
always has Cor can have) his house
rent, water, milk, butter. eggs, meat,
potatoes, and many other food items
without cash outlay good times or bad.
L should like to know Mr.. Parkln-
sons magic formula for doing this.
One question is foremost in my mind
at this time. How much more have the
farmers paid in taxes when operating
at parity than when operating cost?'
Who has the answer?
Would like to see more comment on
this matter. Perhaps 1 have been miss
ing a good thing along this line.
Sincerely,
A. C. JOHNSON, Townsend
2. S. Looks like fine fight on gas
rates. Keep up the good work on pub
licizing the facts.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-04-02
Free and Equal" Huh!

Editor, Peoples Voice:
In reply to letter in the People S
Voice entitled Free and Equal" on
March 10, l am taking this means of
expressing an opposite opinion. In
regards to statement that the farm
er gets his water for free. Did it ever
occur to Mr.. Parkinson that the cost
of drilling we'll, and pump installa-
ton in most cases, equals the cash out
lay of a city person for water in most
towns for 80 years, not to speak of the
upkeep and labor involved?
Then IN regards to the food com
modities such as milk, cream, butter
and eggs that the writer mentioned
so lightly, these are gained mainly by
over hours of work. mean before
six and after six. I know, I'm one of
the farmers he speaks of.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-04-02
REAs Have Proved To Be
Diamonds In the Rough

To Whom 1t May Concern:
According to Grolier Society Ency-
clopedia, Vol. III, page 461C, the def
milton of the word, Corporation, is
Word used for an association which is
Independent, so far as it's existence is
concerned, of those who compose it,"
According to a booklet, Basic Facts
About S. Steel, issued by us. Steel
in the year of their 50th anniversary,
pages 4G and Al, 1892 us. Steel oper-
ated with 71.2 million dollar deficit.
But in the same year paid the prefer
red stockholders 20.7 million dollars.
There are four such years in the his
tory of us. Steel. Are we to presume
there were no common stockholders
during those years? To build a back
log of monies like that the corporation
must have an income which is taxed,
as all incomes, according to the ability
to pay, 52% in this case.
A partnership or proprietorship are
not independent of those that compose
it, so do not pay income tax in the
name of the company.
A true coop is dependent on those
that compose it, and Uncle Sam keeps
an eagle eye on it to see that it stays
dependent. If the stockholders of
true coop voted to liquidate their $780,
900 coop, and we will say the direct
ors were fortunate enough to sell for
$50, 900, they would have $4,000 with
no stock issued to show ownership
Uncle Sam would take So per cent of
the $4,000 and tax the balance after
division, according to the ability to
pay
Many people, farmers included, wait
ed so years after the invention of the
light bulb for capital to come in and
their homes and farms. The
REA co-ops, thought by some to be
big joke, proved to be diamonds in the
rough" Now these same jokers are |
crying discrimination. Today, rs
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-04-02
Parkinson Hasn't Done Much
Farming, Says Reader

Editor, Peoples Voice:
1 don't know this E. J. Parkinson
but my guess is he hasn't done much
farming. At least, not since "Dobbin
left the farm and farmers started buy
ing their power and fuel instead of
raising it. Few people realize how
much times have changed in the last
80 years, and that we now live in a
legislated economy.
But, I'm answering his letter be-
cause he brought up my pet subject:
Corporation VS.. Cooperative. 1t re-
minds me of the Senators in Helena
back in 1851 when they were discus
sing the anti coop bill Glib $3.50 on
the floor of the senate. They too were
opposed to co-oDs but didn't know
why. Unfortunately we have people
like that among the farmers too. We
can explain fully how a coop func-
tiOns and how it differs from cor
poratiOn, but it seems they are so busy
thinking of what they are going to say
next that they don't understand a word
we say. So they still don't know.
Anyway, why should owners of cor
porations worry about taxes when they
can and do pass them on to the con-
sumner? And if they envy the position
of the co-ops why don't they distribute
their earnings among the patrons Ct
said patrons. not just stockholders
like the co-ops do then they wouldn't
nave LnOSe profits TO Worry ABOUT
Maybe Z. J. Parkinson doesn't know
that ALL patrons of a true coop be-
come members or stockholders merely
by patronizing, whether they We're
created equal or not.
Corporations have been doing bust
ness in this world for quite a while
now. Still they say goo, 900, 900 people
in the world get an average income of
$4,000 per year, while some get more
than they can spend. No wonder we
have SURPRISES. CO-Ops distribute
wealth and help make people more
equal. Corporations concentrate wealth
into the hands of a few and cause
trouble like we are having now. Since
we don't want to be isolationists we
should think of the world as a unit
and not just the United States.
If corporations had never exploit
ed the public, there probably never
would have been any cO-Ops.
CO-Ops are people organized to
serve themseIyes.-ERLIN OSNESS, |
Pompeys Pillar, Montana.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-04-02
"Smears Invite Devastating
Answers"

Editor Peoples Voice:
A letter on the Free and Equal
theme appeared in THE VOICE OF
March 10. was very uncomplimentary
to labor unions, calling farmers ''prin-
ces of privilege" and going out of the
way to denounce the special privi-
leges'' of Rural Electric Co-operatives.
All those smears invite devastating
answers but / specialize in defending
our rural electric co-ops.
In beginning, i will state that no
one movement of the past fifty years
has brought greater, broader or
more general and lasting benefit to
American life and economy than the
eIectrifieation of rural America. Any
block hindrance to that program
is disservice to our country.
That hypothetical street served by
Commercial power on one side and our
Co-ops on the other does not exist in
America. There is no parallel between
our CO-opS and Commercial power.
They serve both sides of those streets
where there are hundreds of users to
the mile and from which our Co-ops
are excluded by law, while the Co-ops
serve the lean rural territory which
they Commercial DoWer) refused to
serve through years of neglected op-
portunity They said it could not be
done.
1t seemed a doubtful possibility even
for the Co-ops which, because of the
type and purpose Of their organization
were immune to the income tax and
enjoyed some other economies in their
operation. To improve this possibility
some states, including our own, granted
a property tax differential in our fav-
or. And to protect our continued sol
vency, and incidentally the security of
its own loans, the Federal Government
set up a power policy for the future
granting of certain preferences in
wholesale power
Each item of these differentials, i'm
munities and future projections was
carefully considered in establishing
the feasibility of our lines before our
long term loans were granted.
They were and vital to the cleo
trifica ton of rural America. To with
draw any one of them now or at any
time within the amortization period of
our loans, would constitute a breach |
of faith, if not of contract, and a low
and brazen piece of politico- economic |
trickery we do not like to associate |
with our proud America.
Were all three items bait to lure us
into this enterprise and to be with
drawn once we were committed to the
For all the widespread benefits
from our operation, to industry,
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-04-02
Parkinson Doesn't Know the
Score On Co-operatives

Editor. Peoples Voice:
I wish to correct the misunderstand-
ing of one E. J. Parkinson whose rant
ings appear in our cooperative Peo-
pies Voice quite frequently.
In the March 10 issue paragraph 2
and s, he tells about how coop MEM
berS get tax faVors. If he knew any
thing al all about cooperative law he
would know that coop cannot do
more than 1879 per cent of its BUSH
ness with non-members instead of rs %
as he intimates. The savings of each
member or non-member are credited
to the one leaving it there. Now if
the people his side of the street
would turn back the savings that the
patrons left there, neither would they
have to pa V income tax. It's as simple
as that.
As to REA cO-ops hogging the
federaIIy produced power. that is in
accordance with long established
federal law. Law which was passed
long before REA ever dreamed
of. If his crowd would organize
co-ops in cities and distribute
their own power, the people would
not be fIeeced now. Why don't
MIR. Parkinson his talents for
constructive purposes instead of
tearing things to pieces.
The ''princely farmer" also comes in
for his share of abuse. Would Parkin-
son IKE 10 see the 1901 > again, Wn0n
the farmer could buy nothing and had
to live on a dole? l raised 5000 BUSH
els of wheat in 1882 but could not pay
my taxes. Wheat price was 20 cents. |
He says nothing of what it costs to |
farm nowadays. He ought to visit a |
farm some time and inquire what the |
machinery costs Does he know that |
when wheat was $3.50 a bushel, bread |
was cheaper than now. Does he know |
that there is only cents worth of
wheat in a loaf of bread?
SHOULD SHOW SOME
There is no surplus of food even in
this country. If our Congress was as
as it ought to be it would
find ways and means of distributing
this socalled excess food to the mill
lions of underfed in our land How
ever, the only thing the Congress can
do, and make the people like it, is
1t appears to me that Secretary of
A agriculture Benson was put in by the
powers that be to destroy the small
family farmer. and he seems to get
plenty of help from people who should
know better. When the time comes
hat the farming is done by large cor
lorations then there is going to be a
price tag on food just like on our power
md fuel, and the people will pay.
Is il not queer to you Mr.. Editor that
III these people who rant and rave
about the farmer never suggest that
prices the people and farmers pay
should come down Mr.. Parkinson
ays nothing about high utility rates.
lie says nothing about the billions in !
asst tax writeoffs, or shipping and air
nail subsidies, subsidies to the slick !
magazines and many others But let J
he farm program cost a grand total
# little over Il billion dollars over ,
period of 20 years, and it becomes
N unbearabIe burden on the taxpayer. !
JULIUS CESS, Wolf Point.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-04-02
Parkinson's Criticism Comes
AT Unfortunate Time

Editor, Peoples Voice:
Mr.. Parkinson's rather severe criti-
cism of farmers and working peoples
organizations, coupled with his OBJ
jections to government policies regard
ing price support and income tax treat
ment of co-ops, comes al an unfortun-
ate time. Stated plainly, Mr.. Parkin-
son considers the organized efforts of
farmers and working people as anti
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-04-02

In regards to the co-operatives vs.
corporations, 1 may be wrong, but I've
never heard of a coop that had the
financial standing of General MOTORS
or General Electric to mention only
couple. Have you?-C. e. SHELDON,
Kalispell
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-03-04
The Sooner The Better

1t will be a good thing for Button when final action
is finally taken on the municipal power question once and
for all. 1t is now going on eight months since the issue was
raised by a Board of Public Affairs recommendation to get
out of the power production business and buy power whole
sale at a savings. Immediately the question was raised as to
whether it might be advisable to get out of the power bust
ness entirely and permit a private utility to serve Buttons
electric power needs. The town has been divided into two
camps ever since,
Practically every problem which has arisen since has
been weighed in its relationship to the power question. 1t is
surprising how it can be related to most anything of
COMMUNICATIVE interest.
For example, the long-discussed swim pool project is at
a standstill admittedly until the light plant question is set
tied. The swim pool location may be affected by the outcome
of the light plant dispute. .
The levying of special assessments to meet sewage dis
posal plant bonds has become involved in a complicated man
ner with the light plant sduabble. There are those who feel
that the assessments. may affect the public reaction to a move
to sell the light plant if the proceeds are earmarked to pay
off the sewer treatment plant debt. Even the means used in
setting up the individual assessments are questioned in
respect to how it viii affect public opinion on the light plant
question.
Even unofficial discussion of the probable future needs
of a new elementary school building has been related in one
way or another to the sewer assessments and the power argu-
ment. Everything seems to be tied in one way or another to
the communitys major question of the moment.
Thus far no one seems to have blamed the Button high
school basketball tournament loss to Delphos st. John on to
advocates of the power plant selLout or to the proponents of
the purchased power plan, but it will come sooner or later.
Someone undoubtedly will see some insidious partisan
purpose to this editorial. Actually it's only point is to COM
ment that most people are beginning to become a little fed up
with the argument and that the sooner a decision is reached,
the better for Bluffton.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-03-04

Mr.. and Mrs. Charles KINNEY, Sr.,
Beaverdam, Mr.. and Mrs. Charles
KINNEY, Jr., Lima, spent the week
end with relatives in Mishawaka, Ind.
Mr.. and Mrs. Olan LaRue, Mans
field, were week end house guests of
Nh. and Mrs. Ira LaRue.
Mr.. and Mrs. Paul Spyker and
daughter, Ottawa, Mr.. and Mrs. I. j.
Amstutz were Sunday dinner guests
of Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Spyker at
W~aynesield.
Mrs. Pearl Condor is a medical pa
tient in Memorial hospital in Lima.
The w. S. c. s.. of the Methodist
church will have the regular month
ly meeting on Friday of this week in
stead of ThursdayIin order to observe
World Day of Prayer. A dinner will
be served at the noon hour by the
committee.
Mr.. and Mrs. Roll Watt want to
thank their many friends and callers
for the favors extended them during
their recent illness.
A birthday dinner was held at
Salsbury's restaurant in Findlay on
Sunday in honor of the anniversary
of Clayton Rupright In addition to
MI. and Mrs. Rupright a number of
friends were present. Mr.. Rupright
wishes to thank all those who contri-
buted with cards and gifts.
The ladies of the Methodist church
will hold a rummage sale in Lima on
Tuesday.
A large number of Lion members
and their wives were present at the
meeting last Thursday night. Mr..
Hendricks, Defiance, screened some
very nice sporting movies that he had
taken in Canada. The next meeting
will be Zone meeting and all mem
bers<are urged to attend.
Mrs. j. w. CLARK and daughter, FL
len, had Sunday dinner with Mr.. and
Mrs. Glen Wagner of Lima, to cele-
brate Mrs. j. W. Clark's birthday.
The Beaverdam Lions Club is
sponsoring the sale of brand new
chrome auto tag frames at the pres
ent time. This should prove very
popular with the auto owners of the
community who are purchasing their
new 1854 auto tags at present. The
name of Beaverdam is cast in the
frame holder and may be plainly
read. The proceeds from the sale
will be used on worth while projects
in this community. They may be
purchased from Leo Nelson, Nelson's
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-03-04

BASSINETTE LINERS
Plastic liner with Ssl.99
lacey ruffle. ........ Z
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-03-04

Tile Co., B & B Shell Gas Station
and Rupright Store.
Callers III the home of Mr.. and
Mrs. G. r. Watt last week during Mr..
Watts illness we're: MI. and Mrs.
Carl Lansdown, Mrs. Sandy, Mrs.
Mae Ward, Mrs Eve sherrick of Lii
ma, Mr.. Paul Hafner, Mr.. and Mrs.
Russell Watt, MIS-. Daisy Arnold, all
of Lafayette, NJ. and Mrs. Russell
Everett, Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. KINNEY,
Mr.. and Mrs. Ehas. Eversole, Mr..
Paul Stemen, Nf. Earl Crawfs, Mr..
Shrider, Mr.. Stark, Mr.. Winkleman,
Mr.. Oren Grant, Mrs. Clayton Rup-
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-03-04
Mainly Personal

BLUFFTON AUTO OWNERS
were keeping a closer eye on the
family bus this week and remember
ing to remove the keys when parting
company with it at the curb or even
at the backyard garage three
local GAYS disappeared from their
mooringS fright in the garages of
their owners . all were recovered
within a few miles of home as though
someone may have simply borrowed
them for a joy ride.
Doh Edie of the Button
Body Shop, the latest to lose his
auto Wednesday night of last
week, recovered it the next day
in Findlay under unusual circum-
stances. He and Barber fluffy
Swank had been in Findlay on
business early that morning after
the car was stolen. Hearing of
the loss, fluffy had volunteered
to chauffer Don. Returning home
they passed right by the stolen
car without realizing it until
later.
On their way south on the Dixie
the pair stopped at the home of Will
liam Morrison. The latter, who hadn't
been aware of 0on's loss, remarked
he had seen his car on the street in
Findlay earlier in the morning. Don
retraced his steps, and sur enough,
there it sat.
y = x
LOCAL MERCHANTS did not
realize it, but during the recent dol
lar days, they were being shopped by
trained observers to see how their
sales methods, advertising and Gus
toner approach measured up to text
book standards. DR.. Howard Raids
economics and business students were
the obse vers, and last Wednesday
evening the merchants heard some
eye-opening observations. All agreed
the survey was e~nlightening and
worthwhile.
Incidentally, businessmen were
reminded that the college kids"
are not to be overlooked as pros
pective customers. DIR. Raid
estimates that each Bluffton Col
lege student will leave something
like $3.50 to $500 of the long
green" with local merchants dur
ing the year. Figure with your
W pencil. $4,000 to $4,000
worth of business is not worth
sneezing at.
= = =
WHILE ON THE SUBJECT of
coaxing dollars to Bluffton, the Mer-
chants Association is again consider
ing methods of putting Button on
the new super-highway' when the
bypass takes travellers around the
edge of town. Forrest Steinman re-
lated seeing billboard invitations at
the edge of one town recently simply
stating YOU'LL LIKE BLANK
TOWN.. A series of signs starting
several miles on either side of town
might tell about Buttons many
points of interest, he suggests.
A. c. BURCKY, Bluffton's thin
matched Bernard MacFadden, is
now popularizing weight lifting
as the finest way to keep healthy
and happy. The Beaver athletic
director presented his youngest
prOtege, Freshman Bill Moser,
who demonstrated three lifts
the Press, the Snatch and Clean
and Jerk. Mr.. Burcky, himself,
was unable to demonstrate with
the bell bar not being dressed for
the occasion. Friends noted that
when the weights were restored
to storage under the stage, the
athletic director arrived too late
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-03-04
TO pick up the larger pieces.

The bard of Founders Hall, how
ever, was early enough to white out
a little iambic pentameter to close
out his program notes. For those I'M
able to get out to the game last Fri
day we repeat what A. C. is prone to
call his "poetic punishment:
Oh, what a strange uncertain thing
This pesky weather is
1t rained, and blew and snew and
thew
And now methinks-it's friz! ~
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-03-04
Important Work

For the last three years the job of organizing the annual
Red Cross membership campaign in Bluffton has fallen to the
broad shoulders of Ed Rice. Ed is the Bluffton area chairman
for the Allen county chapter of this important organization
and has been willing to give the job a great deal of his person
al time because he believes the work the Red Cross does is
important to the community and to the nation.
Each year the Bluffton American Legion Auxiliary
ladies volunteer, like Mr.. Rice, to make the membership soil
citation because they feel this is important work. AS a mat
ter of fact 100 out of every 1O1 persons who work for the
American Red Cross are volunteers.
Theirs is an important job to do. 1t is through the Red
Cross that each of us may do a mite to answer the call of
distress of our fellow citizens. BY joining the Red Cross we
are there to restore the shattered home of a disaster victim.
to give emergency help to the family of a serviceman; to
provide lifesaving and health restoring blood for the i'll and
and injured; to brighten the weary hours of a hospital
patient.
Only the participation of all of us makes the ~neghborly
service of the Red Cross possible. Answer the call of your
Red Cross-join and serve your fellow men.
ALI TOO MANY of the American people, temporarily
it is fervently hoped, have been dazed by the speIbinding
proponents of the Governmental Owns You-System. It is high
time for these citizens to sit down and calmly ask them
selves if they really wish to give up the liberties which they
now enjoy -. and to subject themselves to the tyranny of a
bureaucratic system - Neigh, Nebraska, Leader.
"The discovery of oil in Australia should remind Amer
leans of the untapped wealth stored in many of the worlds
undeveloped countries. 1t is also a reminder that this country
has no monopoly on natural resources" Beaver Falls, Pa,
News-Trbune.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-03-04

right, Mrs. McClain, Miss Addie
Yoakum and Miss Shirley Beemer.