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Show tfp veFFDmeirali' C? isn't often that a few people literally take on the Federal Government with the view to stopping its operation. Many have taken on a verbal battle and found how ineffective one or a few voices are. Other citizens have taken on the government through lobby groups or through communications to elected officers. The latter action that will change the law or has been the most effective way of influencing regulations to conform more nearly to the wishes of the public. Allen Olsen, Executive Secretary of the Utah Farm Burec Federation, made the following observation on the recent efforts to stop operations of government in Washington D. C.: "Many are appalled at the gross effrontery of those people in assuming they could stop the performance of the constitutional duties of the elected representatives and duly appointed servants of 200,000,000 Americans. The seriousness of such an affront, or even the threat of it, should be so clearly discerned by the It 1 June 1971 UTAH FARM BUREAU Page 2 Congress and the American people that if we do not now have laws to absolutely proscribe this kind of activity, such laws should be promptly enacted by Congress with punishment severe enough to match the seriousness of the crime. "Let every man have the right to disagree with the actions of the elected representatives of the people or employees of Government and to demonstrate that disagreement in lawful ways, but when people undertake to interrupt the Government of the United States, or any other unit of Government in this country, they should be dealt with so forcefully they would notfail to understand that such action, or the threat of it, will not be tolerated by the American people. We cannot permit any organized group or any individuals to carry on activities that will tend to undermine the faith of the American people in the stability and safety of our central government. "The police of Washington, D.C., and other agencies of Government, that assisted in dealing with the situation during the week of May 3, should receive the gratitude and praise of the whole country for their effective control of the situation that existed then." Other people have expressed their views about the action taken. Expressions from Utah's Congressioal Delegation are as follows: Sherman P. Lloyd reports a personal tour he made of the area. "Saturday morning I took a five mile hike in the area where the demonstrators were camped. Along the Potomac River and in the park the wood of dozens of benches had been erked off the concrete foundations and used for firewood on the lawns. The concrete had also been ripped out in many cases. The whole beautiful area had been despoiled at least temporarily and we have .been told that it will cost the Federal Government at least $3 million to repair the damage done by the demonstrators. Senator Bennett observes, "There can be no disagreement that the police and military conducted themselves in a exemplary manner." He continued, "Every American must be concerned at attempts to disruptthe necessary and vital processes of the United States Government. We are proud to say that the maintenance of order with the use of minimum forces serves as a tribute to the constitutional sanctify of those processes." Utah Hosts Staff Conference There are many opportunities to find employment that would allow a person to find self expression, receive satisfaction and fulfilment. Across the country the men who work in Farm Bureau are dedicated, hardworking, religious men and they make work enjoyable. It is easy to work for a cause that has so many high quality men and women who give of their time and energy unselfishly. Although staff men of Farm Bureau have a slightly different Interest in the Farm Bureau cause, they are nevertheless devoted, capable men of high caliber. Utah Farm Bureau Staff workers recently hosted the Western Region Farm Bureau field staff and related workers at Park City. During this conference concepts and problems were shared, along with leadership training ideas that will certainly add to the effectivness of the various state organizations as they are confronted with ever new and challenging problems. Bridges, Executive Secretary, Arizona Farm American Farm Bureau Federof National Resources, Leonard Director Assistant Johnson, ation; American Farm Bureau Federation; and Ray Wyatt, Director Field Services, Arizona Farm Bureau, share ideas'atconference at Park City. Left Le Roy Roger Fleming, Secretary-Treasure- r, Mr. Bill Bergeson of Pocatello, Idaho delivered a motivational talk that was helpful and enjoyable to all attending. Mr. Bergeson had a former acquaintance with the late Frank Shelley in connection with his work with Utah-IdaSugar Company. Mr. Bergeson has since taken on other challenging assignments and may yet take a more active role In Idaho politics. He has had a close working knowledge of Farm Bureau and was able to relate favorably with the staff workers. Departments were held discussing communications, marketing administration, motivation legislation and other pertinent subjects. of the AFBF enllghted the Roger Fleming, Secretary-Treasur- er 4 on about hours the for gathering concluding day on national issues dealing with the minimum wages, marketing and bargaining, migrant labor Issues and the general change that is taking place in relation to the political attitude toward agriculture and Farm Bureau principles. After the sessions were over and between airplane flights out of Salt Lake City several of the participants had opportunities to see some of the highlights of Salt Lake, the Tabernacle, Temple the Place Monument and other sights that drew is Ground, this comments of note. It is good to have the reassurance from guest to our area that so many things and conditions exist here that possibly, dont enhance other areas, it Is good also to know of the caliber of men that work In Farm Bureau throughout the country. ho "... the demonstration failed in achieving these goals. Senator Moss stated It appears that the D. C. police, for the most part, handled the situation in an exemplary manner." ... while the right to disagree and even Gunn McKay says it this way, the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental right all Americans enjoy, no individual nor group has the right to close down the functions of government, nor to interfere with the peaceful processes of any other citizen's daily activities . . . the Capitol police handled the protesters firmly, yet cautiously and allowed government and city business to continue as usual. The May 24th issue of U.S. News and World Report reported cost estimate in excess of $4 million. Included in thecost figures are such expenses of overtime pay for police, firemen, park policemen, damages, cleanup, towing away cars deliberately stalled to prevent traffic flow in the city, National Guardsmen from D.C. and 10,000 soldiers and Marines to assist. It is time to putan end to such activities. While the damage to property is high, the cost of going to court for disorderly conduct, which seems to be the offense for such action, is also high. There should be a penalty affixed by law and enforced so as , to leave no doubt in the minds of the citizenry and the seriousness of such conduct. A loss of $4 million is no small item and speedy trials, impossing penalties commensurate with the act to satisfy justice must be the incorporated. Law and order must be the order of the day. The Constitution of the United States is a document that no citizen' should trifle with unless he is ready to accept the K. rabble-rousers- ' Olsen, Bcecutive Secretary, Utah Farm Bureau Federation, converses with Bill Bergeson of Idaho, during luncheon at staff conference in Park City. Left V. Allen UTAH FARM BUREAU fHl NEWS Published each month by the Utah Farm Bureau Federation at Salt Lake .City, Utah. Editorial and Business Office, 629 East Fourth South, Salt Lake cents per year to memCity, Utah, 84102. Subscription price of twenty-fiv-e bers is included in membership fee. Second Class postage paid at Salt Lake City, Utah UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION Elmo W. Hamilton, Rivarton S. Joy Child, Clearfield OFFICIALS Vice President President V. Allen Olsen Executive Secretary Neil D. Sumsion Editor DIRECTORS: A. Alton Hoffman, Smithfield; William Holmes, Ogden; Jock Brown, Grantsville; Edward Boyer, Spring ville, Kenneth Brasher, Huntington; Jerold Johnson, Aurora; Arlond Hawkins, Hurricane; Mrs. Willis Whilbeck, Bennion, Stuart Johnson, Aurora. |