Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 54, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1920 — FARMERS' ORGANIZATION IS VERY BUSY [ARTICLE]

FARMERS' ORGANIZATION IS VERY BUSY

Indianapolis, Ind., March 1-— (Special)—Numerous activities of special interest to the agriculturists of the state centered in • series of meetings held nt the headquarters of the Indiana Federation of Fanners’ Associations in this city during the past week. In addition to a meeting of the board off directors and a meeting of the executive committee, the legislative committee formally organized and mapped out a program. John J. Brown, of Rockport, was selected as the chairman of the legislative committee: J. W. Raub, of Ellettsville, vice- chairman, and, H. E. Lochry, of Franklin, secretary. The other two members of the committee are C. W. Hickman, of Lafayette, and William Bosson, of Indianapolis. < The committee was sub-divided to look after certain bills wirieh wifi be presented, at the next session of the State Legislature, and these subcommittees were ordered to examine the laws of other states and to consult with men skilled in the various subjects. Drafts of bills are to be presented along with the reports ait another meeting of the general committee called for March 8. The consensus of opinion was that the time had come when the farmer was entitled to a fair proportion of the time of the Legislature and that some laws of a practical benefit to the farmers off Indiana should be passed. It was unanimously agreed that if the State Tax Board is retained there should be placed on this board at least one man familiar with the values of farm, lands and the personal property of the farmer. The board of directors had many propositions to " consider at their meeting which were outlined by Lewis Taylor, general seftetary of the Federation, as follows: consideration of the- American Farm Bureau Federation; state-wide membership campaign; live stock committee reports and recommendations concerning representation at the Indianapolis stock yards, cooperative live stock Shipping associations, harmonizing and unifying the various veterinarian departments and hauling freight over interurban lines; tomato growers’ committee report; fertilizer and twine situation; road construction; limestone market and consideration off the Gronna bill «ow pending in Congress. John G. Brown presided at the meeting of the board.

The Gronna Bill which would terminate the United States Grain Corporation was . recently indorsed by officers of the Federation, and in this connection Mr. Taylor has received a letter from J. R. Howard, President of the _ American Farm Bureau Federation, giving some sound advise on the subject to the an interesting time attending some hearing on the Gronna Bill,” the letter from Mr. Howard said* “It has been stated that the bill cancels the guarantee price on wheat, which it does not, but continues the protection of the farmer. “It seems that Wheat Director Barnes has stretched his authority and has guaranteed protection to every wheat dealer, mwer and baker for six weeks following the expiration of the farmers’ guarantee. It is the expectation of these men that the price of wheat on June 1, at which time the new crop from the South will begin to be marketed, will break. Of course they will be ready to take advantage off these breaks, and expect to be fully pro--under their contracts with Mr. Barnes against loss on their holdings on the 1919 crop, thus the dealers and not the farmers are going to get the benefit of the billion dollar guarantee which congress made. “I think the situation should be put plainly to ail farmers of the country that this thing is in the air and that the farmers should be advised, in view of the certainty of the light crop for 1920, to hold the 1920 crop until the 1919 surplus is disposed of. I think this is the only way a serious break on June 1 can be forestalled.”