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Show March 1971 Page 2 UTAH FARM BUREAU TTolllly umsDOims Time To Winter-- Legalizing Slavery With all the talk about so callecTcivil rights it is hard to conceive of the idea that legislators could be influenced to pass legislation requiring that a worker pay tribute against his will and for programs he has no desire to promote. Especially heinous is the proposal that a worker "contribute" to a union for so called "services rendered." Who is to say, what is service? Whether it be the union leadership that makes such decisions or the union membership it makes little difference. In either case the man making " contributions for services rendered" has no say as to how his money is spent, what programs will be promoted or if he should support a new program once it has been decided. The current proposal before the Utah Legislature called the agency shop would not require a worker to join the union but would require him to pay "dues" just the same. Payment but no voice. This proposal is so lacking in merit that even a child can understand the implications. Talk about a generation gapl Talking American free enterprise and doing opposite. Is it possible that parents can expect youth to continually fill the gas tank on the family car and never get to say where the car will be driven - - let alone drive it? Freedom and agency have been underlying fundamental principles that have been the source of enterprise and initiative that havecreated the great agricultural and industrial productivity of this nation that surpasses any other nation. This productive capacity could existin any nation where the level of education is maintained commerv cerate with individual responsibility required to make free enterprise work. These principles have been the means by which jobs became available in such an abundance to do away almost completely with a class society. Now in the absence of some program that would truly benefit the laborer and the national welfare a law is proposed that would guarantee income to the union to carry on any ill conceived program it desires. The old statement that if you "build a better mouse trap customers will beat a path to your doorstep" is still true. Isn't it about time the unions returned to the earlier philosophy that organization, leadership and direction could protect the laborer from unfair, harmful oppression by employers and to insure the safety of the employee. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since those early days but nothing has changed the fundamental principles relating to human freedom and basic rights. $ Any activities that workers can voluntarily support are far superior to anything to the contrary. Oh, you say, there are so many "free loaders" that a law is required togettheirfundstohelp with the program. It may never have occurred to any- one that maybe, just maybe, those who refuse to join really don't think the same or agree that increased wages or other proposals are benefits when associated with prolonged strikes and other unsavory tactics. Perhaps some would say the real program would be to achieve increases in wages through increased productivity thus eliminating pressures on an already overheated inflationary economy. There will always be difficulties when efforts are made forcing people to do things against their will as long as men can think for themselves. It matters not whether the force is applied by illegal methods or by "legal" legislative action. The result is the same. It is time that basic human rights, property rights, the right to join or not to join, be recognized for the value that is inherent to them. All the laws that may be passed for whatever purpose cannot change the fact that when one is in Prepare A Gone are the days when a farmer can work for four or five months It used to be that farmers during the summer and stay in the business. could almost hibernate" in the winter once the fall crops were harvested and placed in the grainary or the root cellar. Whenever the meat supply became low deer or other game animals could b e taken to keep the family through the winter. Though to many this seemed like a hard life as we look back, it was a common way of life and a to produce life's necessities was good life. Owning property, working in the Old Country. Over here a uncommon an experience that was and as far as his energy, ambition family could live and expand as fast a and skill would allow. The man with large family of boys obviously could handle more land than smaller families. Later on the land was improved and a farmer could produce more than was needed for his own and by hiring additional help more could be sold off the farm . As producton increased skills became useful in the production of machines that could plan and harvest large quantities of food. And as more equipment became available fewer and fewer were required to feed the nation. Through the years of inpeople inventiveness solved almost every problem that arose. Today only 5 of the nation's populations is left on the farm. Never has such an abundance of food been available. But alas, with such an abundance comes complacancy. Not only have the city cousins forgotten what has been done on the farm but many farm people have forgotten the past. Some city folks have been heard to say, Why worry about the farmer any more, we don't need cows and the like, we can get milk at the store. Some professors have said similarly that in a year or two or so most foods consumed will be produced artificially. As the consuming public search for less expensive ways to feed themselves, not realizing what makes up food prices, less interest will be shown supporting agriculture as such. Farmers in the meantime must keep organized and tell the story of agriculture. They must work hard with the state legislatures, Congress and all agencies having anything to do with the land, water and other resorces necessary for food production. It will be ever more necessary that time be taken to plan, not only the next years croppings but plans must be laid for cooperative efforts to market and process farm produce in an ever increasing competitive world. The American Farmer is faced with controlling production to maximize profits. Using the natural resources available to him in a way to preserve them for future generations in as good a condition as they were received. In recent years the resources of agriculture have been improved and much more production is possible. Unwittingly outside forces will be brought to bear on agriculture that may cause economic collapse because of Ignorance to the problems inherent in the If the farmer is to remain master ofhis land and resources even though his only aim is to produce for others, preparations must be made. Farm Bureau suggests that winter is the time for such activities. Each year efforts are made to develop to a state of readiness the In the fall after the harvest is about organizations of Farm Bureau." over meetings are held to discuss the years activities and make decisions regarding the future. . As winter comes, other meetings are held to condition the organization for implementation of thefall plans. Currently meetings are being held throughout the state to sensitize county leaders and members to the work ahead. Training in the art; of communications and leadership is part of an overall plan to keep farmers on the farm and prosperous. Most people whether farmers or otherwise realize it is Impossible to operate successfully without taking advantage of other ideas for self improvement. Farm Bureau believes that every member must help himself, working together cooperatively to keep alive the idea that farming is a good way of life and can also have economic rewards commensor-at- e with the work and Investment involved. It is to this end that the multi -- county meetings are being held. It is hoped that many will take part and contribute their best judgement to the solutions required dustrialization man's 1971 agri-busine- ss. - co-work- ers' for the coming years. There have always been problems on the farm but in the life of this writer the current Issues outweigh those of the past. What will be decided in the next few years will set the mold for years to come whether set good or bad. As examples consider the Impact of laws that will be established to regulate the use of public lands that many ranchers depend upon and what the economics of rural communities will be should adverse decisions come about. Consider also the matter of labor on the farm. What will be the value of owning land for production of food if others through adverse labor rulings have control of such land and and labor leaders determine policy, however unreasonable or uneconomical such policies may be. Suppose machines are purchased to replace 50 laborers who previously did the work only out that the employer still has to pay the 50 d laborers as a condition for selling his produce? Seem incredible? Similar things have happened and more will likely until a strong voice and reason can prevail in the legislatures and the Congress. What happens to livestock feeding operations when they are condemned for polluting the environment, or the variety of chemicals required to control weeds, insects and fertilizer are likewise condemned because of ignorance and misunderstanding. Consider again the challenge to agriculture to find solutions, knowing the character of farm people, their dedication and resolve, their faith in the future, knowing the past and the excellence shown in the level of past achievement, only a loss deof faith and compacancy can cause agriculture to fail. So many pend on the farm they wont be disappointed. to-fin- bondage to another against his will it is slavery. UTAH FARM BUREAU (HI 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 City, Utah, 84102. Subscription price of twenty-fiv- e cents per year to members is included in membership fee, Entered as second class matter March 24, 1948 at the Post Office at Salt Lake City, Utah under the act of March 3, 1879. UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION OFFICIALS Elmo W. Hamilton, Riverton S. Jay Child, Clearfield V. Allen Olsen Neil D. Sumsinn DIRECTORS: A. Alton President Vice President Executive Secretary Editor Hoffman, Smithfield; William Holmes, Ogden; Jack Brown, Grantsville; Edward Boyer, Spring ville, Kenneth Brasher, Huntington; Jerold Johnson, Aurora; Arlond Hawkins, Hurricane; Mrs. Willis Whitbeck, Bennion, Stuart Johnson, Aurora. ...just 'til the government raises the to $10,000. poverty level |