The Wisconsin Enterprise Blade

Thoughts
By J. M SEVENICH

Up and down go the prices. The farmers expect two things; a poor crop and very unsatisfactory prices If the crop reports are reasonably correct. and if experiences of past years repeat themselves, record prices will be paid for wheat next winter But then the farmers will have parted with their wheat

It is claimed that farmers are not in a position to withhold their products until better prices are paid This is true, and it is not true.

Farmers must have money. and most of them are compelled to sell their products. Business men have credit, or can obtain such. The farmer, at best. can plaster his farm with a mortgage That is the limit of his credit.

We have the warehouse act by which farmers can help themselves but if the act is to be of any benefit to the farmers, farmers must become organized. But here is where they draw the line.

Among the six million farmers of the United States not one million can be found who are not convinced that organization is the only salvation for the farmers.

Farmers in the country are waiting since a half century that a Farmers' Organization be perfected. And they are still waiting in vain.

If a Farmer Organization is to become a fact and a reality, it must be brought into existence by the farmers themselves. It is ridiculous to expect that men. who have been profiting all this while by the discord among farmers, should go out into the broad country to organize the farmers. That would be like sawing off the limb, upon which the fellows are sitting who have been thriving. by the sweat of the farmers.

But how is an organization to be started?

It is very simple. Someone must start (and burn his fingers. as some may suggest.) Invite a few neighbors. elect a president and secretary treasurer; determine where and when the next meeting is to be held. and then go out and invite all farmers in the community to attend the meeting. If no other and more suitable place is to be had, hold the meeting in the open, or in a barn.

See to it that farmers in other localities follow the example. Organize the township and then perfect a county organization.

There is no need for speeches. Every farmer knows how and where the shoe pinches. and also knows the necessity of organization. First lay the foundation. and then build the superstructure. This applies to organization. An organization must be developed from ground up.

The pioneer work has been performed.

In many states, and none the least, in Wisconsin, many unions were organized before the world war, but farmers believed that the victory had been won when they were paid war prices, they regarded the unions as superfluous and permitted them to die

Is there anything simpler than to resurrect these unions?

The American Society of Equity still exists. The society has paid the old indebtedness. and is free of incumberances, It is an organization of farmers. The society has disposed of the political trash and has paid a heavy penalty, but it is on the right road to-day and in a position to accomplish a great deal of good for the farmers, if the farmers will but avail themselves of the opportunity.

Write to The American Society of Equity, Madison. Wis, for information concerning the re establishment of the old Local

Farmers! If you will not take the matter into your own hands. you cannot expect to become organized. nor can you hope for improved conditions Those who will do nothing to extricate themselves and get out of the old rut have, in the first analysis, no right and no reason to complain.

(The above article was printed in Der Landmann, Milwaukee, and translated for The Equity News. Sevenich. the editor of Der Landmann. has been preaching organization for more than 20 years through the columns of Der Landmann.)