Agri-Politics - Michigan State Universityarchive.lib.msu.edu/DMC/MFN/1967/1967-8.pdf · ton and out...

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Transcript of Agri-Politics - Michigan State Universityarchive.lib.msu.edu/DMC/MFN/1967/1967-8.pdf · ton and out...

Page 1: Agri-Politics - Michigan State Universityarchive.lib.msu.edu/DMC/MFN/1967/1967-8.pdf · ton and out of our sight. ... This is not a pie-in-the-sky aproach. Bills ... sing, are readied

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Page 2: Agri-Politics - Michigan State Universityarchive.lib.msu.edu/DMC/MFN/1967/1967-8.pdf · ton and out of our sight. ... This is not a pie-in-the-sky aproach. Bills ... sing, are readied

August 1, 1967

POSTMASTER: In using form 3579, moil to: Michigan Farm News, 4000 N.Grand River, Lonsing, Michigan.

Second daIS postage paid at Greenville, Michigan

. DIRECTORS: District I, FrancisFmch, Mattawan, R-1; District 2Nicholas Smith, Addison R-I' Dis:trict 3, ~rank. S!"ith, J~., Ca'rleton,1015 Indian fralls Rd.; District 4Elton R. Smith. Caledonia R-1' Dis:trict 5,. ~avid ~forris, Gr~ncl i,cd~e.R-3; DI~tn~t (~ Ja!,k Lauric, Cass City,R-3; D';St";ct " Kenneth Dull. Bailey,R-1: Dlstnct H.. H~rvey Lt,\lt'nht'rl(er.Sajtmaw, R-6. District 9, Eltl!l'lll' Rob.(.rts, Lake Cit}", R-I; I>iqrict 10R!chard Wieland, Elhwnrth. It-I; Dis:trlC't I I, Clayton Ford, Cllrn('lI.

I\l'W York Congresslllan Josepll H('sniekshould have known hetter than puhlicly insultnearly two million Farm Bureau memhers whovoluntarily join our organization and who electcounly, state and American officers, and setour policies through democratic processes.

Bllt Resnick, who at age 43 is seroing his scc-O1u1term in Congress as a Democml. from NewYork's 28th District, a1rcady has a IOllg historyof being at odds teitll farmers.

In the first and second sessions of the 89thCongress, Resnick voted in opposition to almostevery key issue which farmers supported, andvoted for nearly everything they opposed, in-cluding passage of the Omnibus Farm Bill C011-

taining nearly the same wheat certificate 171anwhicll farmers had voted down.

In speaking for the record in support of theOmnibus hill, Resnick made this startling state-ment: "\Ve are all understandably proud of theAmerican free enterprise economy. Our tradi-tion of depending on the law of supply and de-mand is a long one. Let us face it - it no longer{corks as far as the agricultural economy is COIl-cerned ... "

It is against the background of such a state-ment that other equally startling statementsmade by Mr. Resnick should be judged, Min-utes before Roger Fleming, Executive Secretaryof the American Farm Bureau, was scheduledto appear as a witness before the House Agri-sulture's suhcommittee on Rural Development(which Resnick heads), he stated that FannBureau "is actuaIly nothing more than a giantinsurance complex" and that he intended tolaunch a full-scale investigation.

Resnick said that American Farm BureauPresident, Charles Shuman, lives in Chicago(he does not - he lives on a farm in mid-stateIllinois), and that Farm Bureau membership inCook county is located was "clear evidence"that Farm Bureau is nothing more than a giantinSlI1'{fIlCecomplex.

The Congressman could hardly have beenmore wrong on every score. "Amazingly badresearch" is the way one vVashington observersaw it, implying that Resnick and his staff werecarried away by emotional thinking.

Sixteen million dollars worth of farm productsare sold each year from 100,000 acres of Cookcounty land, and Farm Bureau members there- as everywhere - make their own decisions.This is more than could be said of Mr. Resnick,who refused to permit members of his own Con-gressional subcommittee to question Flemingwhen he attempted to appear before them.

Such treatment of Farm Bureau was greatlyresented by Resnick's five fellow committee-men who wrote a statement disassociating them-selves from his actions, and scoring the Con-gressman's "personal attack launched upon theAmerican Farm Bureau Federation .. ."

.They wrote: "The Chairman has alreadystated in the hearing record that this attack ishis and his alone. \Ve concur that such is thecase ... " "We further recommend that the fullcommittee on Agriculture likewise disassociateitself from these strictly personal activities ofthe subcommittee Chairman by adopting thefollowing Committee Resolution:

"Resolved, that the Committee on Aaricul-b

lure of the United States House of Representa-tives does in no manner endorse, condone, 01'

support the personal attack launched by theChai,.man of the Subcommittee on Rural De-velopment upon the American Farm Bureau."

The Full Committee later adopted the resolu-tion by a vote of 27 to 1, a virtually unprece-dented action which Resnick said "is a formof a censure of me." Of course he is right.

The most charitable thing that could be saidabout all this is that Congressman Resnick hasa lot to learn about farmers and Farm Bureau.Since the five counties in New York state whichhe represents are quite rural, containing about1,000 good Farm Bureau families, he owes itto them and to himself to learn what Farm Bu-reauis all about, and why it is the largest FAR~f~1E"A1BER organization in the nation today.

Elton Smith

MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

President's ColumnRESNICK AFFAIR

MICHIGAN"-'FARM NEWSTHE ACTION PUBLICATION O~ THE MICHIGAN ~ARM BUREAU

The MICHIGAN FARM l'\EWS ispublished monthly, on the first day,by the Michiftan Farm Bureau, at itspublication office at 109 N. LafayetteStreet, Greenville, Michigan.

Editorial and general offices at 4000North Grand River Avenue, Lansin~,MichiA'an. Post Office Box 960. Tele-phone. Lansinjt 485-8121. Extension317. Subscription price, 50~ per year.

Established January 12. 1923. Sec-ond Class Postage paid at Grecnvil1£'.Michi~an.

EDITORIAL: Editor, Melvin L.Woell; Staff Photollrapher, Charles . DIRECTORS AT LARGE: WalterBailey; Associate Editor, Mrs. Donna f rahm. Frankcllmuth; Ikan PridJ.!eon,Wilber. fif_l~tgomcry, 1\-1; I\nhnt Zeeb, 8ath.

OFFICERS: Michigan Farm Bur-eau; President. Elton R. Smith, Calc- WO:\fEX OF FAIt't nUREAU' Mrsdonla. R-I; Vice President, Dean William Slrllllilin. lIoll\'; FARM 'Hl1R:Pridgeon, MontlZomery. R.l. Secretary. EAU YOl'XC: PEOPLE: Ray Lalln-Manas;ter. Dan E. Reed, Lansing. stein. Willimmton ..------

"Agri-Politics"The rebuke which the House Agriculture Committee

handed Congressman J. Resnick (D-New York) for hisrecent unfounded attack against Farm Bureau (see Presi-dent's Column, "Resnick Affair") - was done to protectfarmers from further harassment.

It was a wise action on the part of the House Committeeand underscored that the Congressman was acting aloneand was not above abusing his congressional position topush a personal vendetta against Farm Bureau.

Congressman Resnick' called for an investigation ofFarm Bureau which he said was a giant interlocking in-surance combine and which had more non-farmer mem-bers than actual farmers.

On many past occasions there have been wide areas ofdisagreement between Farm Bureau and individuals onthe House Agriculture Committee. Farm Bureau mem-bers do not approve of all federal farm policy and FarmBureau leaders have made these areas of disagreementquite clear to the House Agriculture Committee as a whole.

But never before has a member of that Committee usedhis committee status as a public forum to hJlrass, threatenand attempt to intimidate those with whom he disagrees,as Resnick has done.

This abuse has been widely recognized for what it is.In his column "Agri-politics" Prairie Farmer Magazineeditor Jim Thomson writes: "Some of Resnick's charges aretoo nutty to be responsible ...

''The 'gigantic, interlocking, nation-wide combine of in-surance companies' is ridiculous. State Farm Bureaus runtheir own shows separately and their only connection isthrough AFBF's re-insurance company which helps spreadthe risk. No net income is derived from this operation."

Michigan Farm Bureau Secretary-Manager Dan Reedin a state-wide television statement explained how FarmBureau members serve themselves with a number of eco-nomic services, including insurance protection. "They ownand control these affiliates and benefit from them. Forexample, the Michigan Farm Bureau Mutual company hasjust declared a policy premium refund of up to 15 percent for Farm Bureau member policyholders."

M.W.

Taxes are a highly personal affair, aboutwhich most people feel strongly. Yet through-out the years, we have somehow allowed muchof the power to tax - and to spend what isgained, to move out of our backyards - out ofour communities and counties - into Washing-ton and out of our sight.

That's why Farm Bureau's proposal for aFederal Tax Credit to be allowed fa,. all statetaxes paid, is so refreshing. Some call it "instantlocal tax reform" and almost everyone who ex-amines the idea becomes an enthusiastic sup-porter.

The tax-credit idea is so simple that those ac-quainted with complicated federal formulasfind it hard to believe. Under the proposal,much of the money now sent to Washington,about $600 million dollars of it at least, wouldstay here at home in Michigan.

Right now, ~1ichigan is desperately searchingfor new sources of income for state and localgovernment. After much struggle we have at-tempted to remain solvent by adopting our firststate-wide income tax. Even this will be lesshelp than at first hoped, in that the October Ideadline for the tax beginning is about fourmonths too late to assure income to match esti-mated expense.

Property tax relief was a prime stumblingblock to many attempts in the legislature togain tax reform. More money is needed forstate and local governments each year andeveryone has joined in the search to find moremoney in a hurry.

Even as farmers continue their plea for prop-erty tax relief, those measures which now givethem some 1Jrotection are under examinationand attack. The agricultural sales tax exemp-tion, the exemption of farm personal property,both are looked upon as potential quick sourcesof more state income.

It's high time farmers began pushing the tax-credit idea. Farm Bureau policy is brief andplain about it: "In order to increase local con-trol of tax resources, we recommend that tax-payers be given a federal credit for state taxespaid."

Under the program, each individual taxpayercould be given full credit, dollar-for-dollar, forall state taxes paid, at the time when he makesout his federal income tax form. If he owedthe federal government $350 and had paid $300during the year in state taxes, he would deductthe state taxes paid from the total amount andmail the government a check for only $50.

The tax-credit approach does not send moneyto 'Vashington for costly redistribution as theaU-wise government sees fit. It does not in-crease dependence on federal handouts. Rather,such handouts would be reduced, changed, oreliminated .

In fact, the greatest opposition to the tax-credit idea will probably come from professionalgovernment employees - many of whom wouldhave to find new, non-government jobs.

This is not a pie-in-the-sky aproach. Billshave been introduced in Congress to advancethe tax-credit plan. Nor would it mean a per-sonal windfall, for without doubt, new wayswould be found to remove the money left inlocal taxpayers' pockets - that's why some callit "instant LOCAL tax reform".

'Vhat's so bad about that? The money atleast stays where we can see it, and that's halfthe battle of local control.

It's fairly easy for a farmer to be a profes-sional pessimist at this time of year. Moneyhas been going out for months and there arefew immediate prospects of much coming in.

Harvest time is nervous time - especiaUywhen wheat prices open low and many beetand bean fields are too wet.

Ahead are those taxes to pay - among themnow, the new income tax.

A federal tax credit, dollar-for-dollar suresounds like a good idea, doesn't it?

TWOEditorial

A TAX CREDIT

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MICHIGAN FARM NEWS August 1, 1967 THREE

FUTURE FARMERS

POPULAR YOUNG FARMER PROGRAMS

PRIZE WINNERS - Belgian Draft Horses - on the dairy farm of J. C. Creyts and Son, near lan-sing, are readied for the show circuit. Dan Creyts and friend Dick Noble display herd sire "Samll

and his team.mate. Horses are a paying hobby on the modern Creyts farm.

HOME ECONOMICS winner is DianeBinns, lake Odessa. The annual dual$1,000 scholarships are designed to en-courage higher education in the fields ofagriculture and home economics.

MFB PRESIDENT- Elton Smith, visits with Michigan FutureFarmer state officers Robert Gregory of Sebewaing and RussellCoffey of Hamilton. The young leaders were lansing guests ofthe Michigan Association of Farmer Cooperatives.

SUGAR INDUSTRY SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

AGRICULTURAL WINNER of the $1,000scholorship awarded by the Beet SugarIndustry of Michigan is Gerhard E.Pickelmann, Frankenmuth, who plans tobe an agricultural engineer.

BUZZ-SAW MONSTER

GIANT TREETRIMMER- invented by Wm. Adkin of Fennville, isdisplayed at an Orchard Machinery Show, in leisure, Mich. Thecostly mechanical monster is making a name for its inventor asan economical fruit tree trimmer. Efficient and economical re-sults from the huge machine have pleased local growers.

Citizenship Seminar heldvisit with guest lecturer Dr. Clifton Ganus. (L. to R.) Mrs.Joan Glover; Curtis Howell; Ganus; Helen Bendall; Mrs. EvaWiswell and Mrs. Nita Call.

ON TOUR - the FFA group visited the Dote Processing Centerof the form Bureau Insurance Group. The youthful officerswere much interested in automated record-keeping, explainedby Walter Landers of the F.B. Companies.

DATA CENTER

PICTORIAL REPORT-A8RICULTURE IN ACTION

QUESTIONS - asked speakers were an important part ofthis year's Citizenship Seminar, held at Camp Kett. Here,Dr. John Furbay, who appeared through the courtesy ofGeneral Motors, is questioned by youthful participants.

STATE OFFICERS - of Michigan's Future Farmer associationwere guests at Form Bureau Center where they heard fromCooperative leaders. Picture talking to the group is JackBarnes, general manager of Michigan Milk Producers.

MMPA LEADER

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Tour costs are also based ontwo people sharing twin beddedrooms, although single rooms arcavailable at a slightly higher rate.

The busy three weeks stillallow considerable free time, forexample after a leisurely drivethrough \Yest Germany, dinner inHamburg is provided, and the nextmorning is free for individualsight-seeing.

A stop is provided in Francefor a visit to the historical invasionbeaches of WorId-\Var II, Omahaand Utah.

For complete itinerary, write:Information Division, MichiganFarm Bureau, 4000 North GrandRiver, Lansing, Michigan.

U.P. WOMENTREAT CITY GUESTSThe Chippewa County Farm

Bureau Women were hostesses re-cently to Sault Ste. Marie andCedarville women representingseveral civic organizations.

The visitors were invited toobserve haying operations, pro-duction work at a cheese factory,a poulhy operation, and dairyfaml work in the Pickford area,followed by a picnic at theGrange Park.

1\lrs. Raymond Postma, Chip-pewa \Vomen's chairman, andMrs. Ed De\Vitt were in chargeof the activities.

The urban guests assembled atthe Postma farm in North Rud-yard to begin their farm tour.A visit to the cheese factory wasthe first stop with a view of pro-cessing, storing and shipping ar-rangements.

From there, the group observedhaymaking at the De Witt andPoshna farms, including an ex-planation of mowing, raking, un-loading and storage procedures.A ride on the haywagon was anadded feature.

Following a late afternoon cof-fee hour at the Postma farm, thegroup went to Pickford to watchthe gathering, cleaning, packingand shipping of eggs at the Huyckpoultry farm. Visits to Pickforddairy farms during milking timeconcluded the tour.

Husbands of the urban tourguests joined their wives, thewomen's committee and the FarmBureau board for an eveningpicnic.

MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

Experienced travelers reportthat such contact is the "only wayto travel" - if one really wishesto understand the land and thepeople.

Although the tour cost of $734per person is based on aNewYork boarding, a modest $47.50additional allows boarding atnearby Detroit for Michigan folks.

Included in the tour cost iseconomy jet air transportation us-ing Air-France ships, all sightsee-ing as listed in a day-by-day itin-erary (special buses will be used,and a boat trip is scheduledaround the harbor of Rotterdam)- and ALL MEALS except theluncheons on three dates.

August 1, 1967

EUROPEAN FARM STUDY TOUR

Picnics and Public Relations!

THREE WEEKS INVOLVED

One of the "Polders" (reclaimed areas) to be visited in Holland.

Through special arrangementswith the Hoosier Travel Service,the Michigan Farm Bureau hasarranged a guided tour of majorEuropean fanning areas.

Set for the dates of September11 through October 2, the tourincludes visits to France, TheNetherlands, West Germany, Den-mark and Belgium.

Based on the experiences ofmidwest fann people on manyprevious tours, special arrange-ments have been made to visit therural areas of these countries, tosee first-hand the farms and fam-ily life.

FARM BUREAU WOMEN are busy these summer days at an-nual county-wide picnics. Throughout the state, scenes suchas this one in Huron County are taking place - with womenmost times responsible for the good food enjoyed by countyFarm Bureau members. Here Huron Women's chairman, Mrs.Robert Thummel, _Sr., is shown with county board members.

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE members met recently at Farm Bu-reau Center to discuss plans for the Marge Karker Farm BureauScholarship. Shown are Mrs. Maxine Topliff, Mrs. Ardith Wie-land, Mrs. Margaret Kartes, and Mrs. Mary Edith Anderson.

MARGE KARKER

Farm Bureau Women, 4000 N.Grand River Avenue, Lansing,~f ichigan 48904.

So that the scholarship will beavailable in adequate amount forworthy young people, the commit-tee urges contributions by countyFarm Bureaus, CommunityGroups, or any organizations andindividuals who knew and ad-~ired Marge Karker, and are in-terested in helping young peopleattain higher education.

Anyone wishing to contributeto the fund may do so by send-ing checks (payable to the Mich-igan Farm Bureau) to: MargeKarker Farm Bureau Scholarship,4000 N. Grand River Avenue,Lansing, Michigan 48904.

Members of the committee in-clude: Mrs. Dorothy Baccus, chair-man, Lake Linden; Mrs. MaryEdith Anderson, Fowlerville; Mrs.Margaret Kartes, West Branch;Mrs. Maxine Topliff, Eaton Rap-ids; Mrs. Ardeth \Yieland, Charle-voix; Mrs. Maurine ScramIin, statewomen's ehairman, ex-officio, andElton R. Smith, President. Mich-igan Faro1 Bureau, representingthe board of directors.

Watch for the scholarship goal"thermometer" and listing ofcounty Farm Bureau contributorsin the next issue of M ich iganFarm News.

, .

KARKER SCHOLARSHIP

FOUR

At the state convention of the Michigan Farm Bureau in 1944,when the women asked for an official part of the program, theyalso asked that an employee be assigned for their activities. Givena preference, they asked for Marge Karker, who had been withthe organization for 17 year. She was a country girl whom theyfelt understood them and their needs.

When she took over director-ship of the women's program,there was no pattern to follow,since the Michigan women werepioneers _in participating in theFarm Bureau program. Marge ledthem in activities involving citi-zenship, health, education, legis-lation, Pllblic relations, safety andcommunity betterment projects tobecome one of the most highly re-spected groups in the state andnation.

In 1964, when the Farm Bu-reau Women celebrated their 20th"birthday," a special candle waslit on the huge cake for Margewith a tribute for her "untiringand dedicated efforts over theyears which were largely responsi-ble for the success of the Mich-igan Farm Bureau \Yomen's pro-gram."

To honor the former coordi-nator who directed the 'Vomen'sactivities from 1944-1964, Mich-igan Farm Bureau has set up a"Marge Karker Farm BureauScholarship." The scholarship willbe available to students, from aFarm Bureau family, enrolled atMichigan State University in thefield of agriculture or relatedfields, veterinary medicine ornursing. A "goaf' for county FarmBureaus of 25t per member hasbeen suggested by the ScholarshipCommittee.

The scholarship which is desig-nated as a gift - not a loan - isavailable to students, beginningtheir sophomore year at MichiganState University, who show finan-cial need. The amount of thescholarship is to be applied to-ward the tuition for one year; thiscan be renewed, but must be re-viewed each year by the commit-tee.

The committee explains that"related fields" of agriculture mayinclude food science, food market-ing, leadership training, agricul-tural journalism, food packagingor horticulture.

Young people meeting thesequalifications may request appli-cation by writing to Michigan

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MICHIGAN FARM NEWS August 1, 1967 FIVE

"Magna Carta" of Farm Finance!SECOND IN A SERIES:

KLINE-ON FREEDOMRecognized as "One of the ten Great Americans of his day" -

Allan Kline served as President of the American Fann BureauFederation for seven years. He believes that no society can begreater than the intellectual and moral levels of its people

BY: ALLAN B. KLINE

In the last article we were indicating that man did notachieve great intellectual discoveries and great art until hebecame free from the hampering interference of authority. Thisfirst occurred in Greece, four to five hundred years beforeChrist.

The city of Athens of that time was in sharp contrast withSparta. Both cities were in the same climate. The people hadthe same physical features. Both peoples had been precededby periods of extreme ignorance and superstition. Yet, Spartamade no contribution to the history of freedom - while Athensdid. The Spartans were a highly-disciplined people. They werenot allowed to think. They were trained to .win wars.

The Romans? \Vell, they made some contributions. Welearned administration in government from Rome. \Ve got thebasis of law. There was a fellow named Ulpian, a lawyer of222 B.C., who said that slavery was unnatural and that menwere born more or less equal under the law. \Ve get someideas of justice under the law from the Romans.

But the Roman republic disappeared before Christ. TheCaesars came. They were Emperors. They did not eliminatethe Roman Senate - they needed it. Like Hitler, the Emperorscould tell the Senate what to say and they said it. Hitler did itwith the Reichstag.

This was the kind of situation existing when Christ was born.Christ gave much to the idea of freedom. He was against specialprivilege of the rich or the powerful. He was for humanity, notcollectively, but as individuals - as persons. Each man had hisown worth in the sight of God. ~fan did not render his soulunto Caesar. It was the gift of God and was committed to God.It has proved a religion perfectly adapted to a republic offree men.

About 313 A.D., the Roman Emperor, Constantine, was con-verted to Christianity. He declared that everybody should beallowed to worship as he saw fit. This didn't mean very muchthen, and didn't last very long. Authority soon took over andpeople were being punished for heresy for a thousand years.Torture and murder were even done in the name of Christianity.In the Inquisition, a man was guilty until he proved himselfinnocent. The Church was the dominant power of the MiddleAges.

The priesthood made one contribution to human freedom-they kept alive an interest in ancient learning - in reading andwriting. The Tenth Century was the real bottom of the DarkAges. Soon after that there arose a ferment among men. 'Menbegan thinking and working. Some began to challenge author-ity. There was a revolt among many men against the central-ized authority of the Roman Church.

Calvin and Luther were not any more liberal than the Pope.Luther published his edicts. He dictated what men must believe.He was in favor of freedom for Luther. Calvin burned Servetus,a Spanish scholar, at the stake for "wrong" belief. Protestantleaders had a lot of hate, but they did split up the authorityof the Church.

Then, in the 15th and 16th cenhlries a money power arose-the Bourgeoisie. Bankers and financiers began taking some ofthe power that had been the King's, partly by lending money tothe King. Industries grew and furnished employment to a lotof former serfs. The serf had new freedom of movement. Hecould leave the land - desert his former Lord and still notstarve to death. It was more freedom than men had known inthe past.

In the feudal system, the King's power was split up all overthe place among small Barons. Each Baron with his little armysubtracted some power from the King. In 1215 came a docu-ment that was an early foundation of British liberties, and so, ofAmerican liberties.

British barons thou~ht that King John was intrudin~ on theirrh!hts as barons, and compelled him to sign the !\fa<!na Cartaat Runnymede. It limited what the king could do. The ~{agnaCarta decentralized some of the king's power. Liberty did notcome suddenly and entirely to men - it came by inches.

The 17th Century has been called the Century of Geniusand the 18th Century of Enlightenment. In 1698, John Lockedeclared in a treatise that common men have certain rights tolife, liberty and freedom in possessions.

All this ferment caused people to become skeptical of the"divine rights" of kings and to wonder whether they didn'thave some rights, too.

Revolutions of the common man sprang up all over Europe- and in America. The concept of freedom that was to hurstinto bloom in our American Revolution had a long history. Ittook time for the nucleus to solidify from elements that weregathered here and there over the centuries.

Scores of farmers found them-selves faced with unexpected de-mands for mortgage pavments inthe years before the Federal LandBank System began its operations,and for many of them foreclosuremeant only disaster and heart-hreak.

President Wilson, soon aftersign in!! the new farm loan law,named memhers to the first Fed-('ral Farm Boord. The Farm Boardmemhers mode plans for establish-ing Federal' [.Jand Banks in 12ma;or geo{!.raphical regions of thecountry. By making each bankautonomolls in its own district,as provided 1m law, the new creditsystem tcolild he ahle to deal withspecial local problems of fanners,whether theu produced milk inNew Endmul, cattle in Texas orfmit in California.

Loans to individual farmerswere to be administered - as thevare today - through local associ-ations of member-borrowers. Evenas the 12 land banks were beingorganized, farmers began holdingmeetings to form local associa-tions. Schools, town hans, farmhomes and similar gatheringplaces were scenes of organiza-tion meetings of local "farm loanassociations," as they were knownat that time.

As 1917 came to a close, 2,100ossor;;f7tions lwd heen chartered.confirm in!!, the widespread andur!!ent demand for a!!,riculturalrredit on a Ton!!.-term basis. ByNove71lhcr 17 of that ,war, farm-('rs lwd ohtained 14,000 lonns foron agwe!!ate amoullt of $29.8 mil-lion -at five per cent interest.

111st a year later, there were3,365 operating fmm loan associ-ations and thev had made loansto aoplicflnts in the amount of8147.4 million. To date, 50 vearslater, well over two million loanshave been issued to fnrmers, total-ing in excess of S12.5 billion.

The first Land Bail~: loan in~rir'higan was made in lune of1917 in Cass County. The loanwas for 810.000; the securitv of-fered was 23.tj acres of land. Sincethat time, tll(' f,and Bank hasmade ovl'r 7.5.000 loans in Mich-;!!an for a total amount of $469,-937,900! As of the end of 1966,the Land Bank had 15.777 loanswith a total volume outstandingof 8162,226,200.

The Colckn Anniversarv of theFederal Land Banks is celebratedduring ]967 - an observancecledicatNl to America's farmers- providers of plenty. Success-ful agriculture as a modern busi-ness enterprise depends in largemeasure on the imaginative,sound, and continuing lIse of cre-dit as a production tool.

impeded - in many cases se-verely - by lack of adequatecapital.

As far as the average commer-cial lending institution of thosedays was concerned, the farmerwas ;1man apart. There were ade-quate funds available for thebutcher, the baker, the candle-stick maker - but what about thetillers of the land? Our creditsystem had been developed pri-marily to meet the needs of in-dustry and commerce. Agricul-ture was a "horse of a differentCOlOr."

There had heen earlier effortsto make some t'me. of credit avail-alJ7e for a!!riculture, hut prior to1916 credit in America was simplynot adapted to the needs of farm-ers, indudin!!, those. who had, hythe 19th ccnturu's end, pioneeredthe final front!!!rs of this countryand had hou!!ht the last of theI!overnment lands for a smallhandful of silver coins.

It was this disaooearance of al-most giveaway and the subsequentrise in land value which stimu-lated the need for arrriculturalcredit and led in its becominga significant economic issue.America's vigorous industrialgrowth during the opening de-cades of the present centurv help-ed shape a credit system fitted toindllstry's own peculiar needs-credit over short pcriods of time,ranging generallv from two tothree months. There was no sys-tem adapted to the longer-termneeds of arrriculture which so of-ten required years to achieve aretllrn on its investment.

\"hen they could obtain creditat all in the early years of thiscentury, farmers were charrred in-terest rates which ranged fromas high as five per cent a month,some!imes plus commissions onloans as well.

The failure to meet a!!riculture'sIleed was not a planned punitivedesi!!1l on the part of the lendinginstitlltions. Commercial hankshad to limit their fnrm mort!!,a!!,elendin!! hecause of the primarrlohli!!ations to keep depositors'funds invested in assets readilyconvrrt ible to cash.

Insurance companies tended tomake loans in areas primarilywhere loans were large and riskslow. ~Ioreover, most investorswere situated in cities, far re-moved then from the farmingareas - not by distance alone butalso hy habits and customs.

Because of the difficulties inohtaining loans from savingsbanks, many farmers turned toprivate individuals, sometimeswith catash'ophic results, throughno fault except that of capriciouschance.

t\ ~~GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY - of the Federal land Banks is cele-brated in 1967. Michigan joined the festivities when Lt. GovernorMilliken (left) presented a \\land Bank Month" proclamation toGlenn C. Livermore and Robert Hall of the Federal land Bankof St. Paul.

FEDERAL LAND BANKIt was July, 1916 - a humid

midsummer day in the nation'scapital. A group of people as-sembled expectantly in the \VhiteHouse around a desk piled highwith papers that fairly bristledwith importance.

President Woodrow Wilsonlooked thoughtfully at the docu-ment before him, then wrote partof his signature in his characteris-tically bold script. He handedthe gold pen as a gift to HerbertMyrick, of Springfield, Massa-chusetts, editor and publisher ofthe "New England Homestead"and a tireless leader in behalf ofa program to make adequatecredit available to farmers. ThePresident completed his signature,and presented the second pen toSenator Duncan Fletcher, of Flor-ida, also a staunch advocate ofsuch legislation.

The document he signed wasdesignated H. R. 15004 (5.2986),hetter known as the Rural Creditsor "Hollis Bill" (hecause of itssponsorship hy Senator HenryHollis of New Hampshire) andlater as the Federal Farm LoanAct.

By the swift, vet carefullv con-sidered, gesture' of signing thisdocument, the nation's \Vorld\Var I President lifted a millstonefrom the neck of American agri-culture, and simultaneously cre-ated a signpost for its remarkableprogress over the following halfcentury. Said Herbert Myrick inhis "Homestead": "It is the Mag-na Carta of American farm fi-nance."

That act, long and laborious inthe making, was to lead to theavailability of urgently-neededcredit for the nation's farmers,and on terms corresponding totheir requirements. It was, in fact,to open the gates to the agricul-tural revolution of the twentiethcentury which has seen the Ameri--can farmer oecome truly the pro-vider of plenty in a world largelyafflicted with want. And the legis-lation was to lead to the elimina-tion of the need for farmers toSl/pport what AI !Irick lwd termed,"a vast and exp('11sive system ofmiddlemen and intc>rmediaries he-tween an actl/al horrower and an"ltimate investor."

Those who had worked so longand tirelessly for the FederalFarm Loan Act were thinking ofa farmer in \Iassachusetts whohad bought a farm for $3,500,paying $1,000 down and givinga $2500 mortgage for the bal-ance, looking ahead to the frui-tion of his dream of living uponthe land which he loved. Thisfarmer's mortgage required nopayments on principal, and so hehad made none - but during thenext 24 years he had paid out$3,500 in interest alone and at theend of that time still owed the$2,.500 he had horrO\ved.

They were thinkin!!, too, of aformer in Iowa and thol/sands ofhis cOl/nterparts in Ohio, Ala-hama, '",[aryland, Michigan andother statrs - tenants 011 farmswith some hard-earned, hard-saved money of their own TJllt 1lOt('nol/!!.h with which to hl/Y thl'land thl'Y hoped for, hecawwcreel it was not availahle to thl'mon o1l!l terms.

Enactment into la\\' of the Fed-eral F;um Loan Act lwralded thebeginning of the Fedcral LandBanks and of thc Farm CreditSystem. Agricultural progress hadheen madc in this country be-tween the turn of the century and1916, but that progress had been

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SIX August 1, 1967 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

EARLYORDER

DISCOUNTSON ALL

PRODUCTS

It'sFALL BOOKING

Time!This is the time when you can save money on all your fall and

winter needs with early order discounts. Book now at low prices

and we'll deliver this fall when you need it. Here are iust a few

of the products you should order now!

CHECK YOUR NEEDS

* Farmers Petroleum provides specialproducts for your special farm needs'

• Anti-freeze

• Batteries

• Spark Plugs

• Tires

• Greases

• Oil Filters

• Air Filters

• Rust Inhibitors

• Motor Oils

• Gear Oils

• Hydraulic Oils

• Cleaners

• Transmission Fluid

• Brake Fluid

• Rust Preventives

• leak Stoppers

FARMERSPETROLEUM

4000 N. GRAND RIVER LANSING, MICHIGAN

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•MICHIGAN FARM NEWS August 1, 1967 SEVEN

..

• (apitolreport

The New Tax PackageHow it Affects YOU!

Tax reform debates began in February of this session of theLegislature and ended with a marathon session that lasted until5:30 a.m., July 1, 1967.

The events during the six-month period were, in many ways,too fantastic to believe and impossible to fully record. Tax re-form has been a major subject in Michigan for many years but,until now, neither party, nor any bipartisan effort, has been ableto accomplish a basic change in the tax structure .

This legislative session's tax effort began in early February,when Governor Romney offered his tax reform recommendations.His tax reform program included a three-cent per package in-crease on C'igarettes;income taxes of 5% on corporation, 8% onfinancial institutions and 21h% on individuals, with a $600 perperson exemption. He proposed that the Business Activities Tax BILLSIGNING DAY _ finds legislators and other interested people crowded outside the Gover-be repealed, a $10 sales tax credit per person, cutting the Intang- nor's office, waiting to be photographed with Romney as he signs bills which they have sup-ibles Tax by increasing the tax credit from $20 to $100per person, ported. On this particular day, several bills supported by Farm Bureau were signed .and a 10% cut in all property taxes. --------------------------------------

VOTERS MAY DECIDEOne of the results of the heavy bargaining and com-

promising that was required to get agreement on a taxprogram regarded the further agreement .that a constitu-tional amendment would be placed before the votersin 1968.

Both houses have already passed SJR ccG", which placesthe graduated income tax question on the ballot. Pres-ently, the Michigan Constitution prohibits a graduatedincome tax but pe~its a flat rate income tax. The voterswill decide which they prefer •

Another possible constitutional amendment has alreadypassed the Senate. This is SJR "C", which would placea 5% constitutional ceiling on the state income tax. Suchresolutions require two-thirds vote of each house. Thisproposal to put a ceiling on the income tax was beforethe House earlier this year, but was defeated at that time.

Newspapers have also reported that some citizen groupsin the Detroit area have started circulation of petitionsto place a constitutional amendment on the ballot pro-hibiting any income tax in Michigan.

So, it is possible that the voters, in 1968, may becomesomewhat bewildered by the decisions they may have tomake regarding the income tax.

"

NEW REVENUEIt was originally estimated that

this program would raise $235million of new revenue each year,however, the estimate was raisedto $307 million, based on new in-formation.

The Governor's program wasdefeated in the Senate on March30, by a coalition of Democratsand rebellious Republicans. Atthat time, some said that tax re-form was dead for this year. How-ever, the House then chan-ged theprogram somewhat by eliminatingthe sales tax rebate and providingfor a return of some of the incometax revenue on a per capita basisto local governments.

This would have amounted to$11 per capita and would havebeen split one-half to counties andone-half to cities, villages andtownships. This amounted to $86million, which is the equivalentof an average of three mills ormore on property tax. This par-ticular program also increased theproperty tax relief to 14% . Theproperty tax relief was based oncounty and school taxes. The es-timate of new revenue to the statefrom this program was $300 mil-lion.

A MATTER OF VOTESThere were enough votes to

pass this package had it not beenfor six outstate Legislators whoreftlsed to vote for any kind of in-come tax program. Modificationswere made in order to get enoughvotes, but this general plan wasdefeated in the House in June.In the meantime, the Senate ne-gotiated a bipartisan tax pro-gram and passed it, thereby put-ting the total responsibility on theHouse.

Bipartisan bargaining negotia-tions began in earnest in theHouse and proved, for some time,tu be in complete deadlock. Gov-ernor Romney's uffice was thescene of the bargaining - tem-pers flared and tensions reigned.The meetings lasted almost con-tinuously over a period of days.

Finally, a program was reached

which was quite similar to thealready-passed Senate packageand enough votes were roundedup to pass the compromise pack-age.

The final tax program includes:income taxes of 5.6 % on corpora-tions, 7 % on financial institutionsand 2.6% on individuals, with anexemption of $1,200 per person.The program repeals the BusinessActivities Tax, increases the In-tangib~es Tax credit from $20 to$100, permits a credit to thosewho pay city income taxes, givesproperty tax relief on a slidingscale basis, and returns approxi-mately $38 million (about $2.40per capita) to local government.Half of this is to go to countiesand the other half to cities, vil-lages and townships.

The sliding scale on propertytaxes is 20% of the first $100 oftax, 15% of the next $50, 10%of the next $50, 5% of that over$200 but under $10,000, and 4%of any tax over $10,000, with aceiling of taxes eligible for reliefof $1,000,000.

For example, the tax credit ona $200 tax bill would be $32.50.The income tax credit on paymentof city income taxes is based onthis s~me sliding scale. Also, thosewho rent a home will be given thesame sliding scale credit as thosewho own their property. Of thetotal rent paid, 20% is estimatedto be for property taxes and thesliding scale will apply to thisamount. The income tax portionof the program takes effect Octo-ber 1, but the other parts of theprogram do not take effect untilJanuary 1, 1968.

ONE QUESTION:

The big question is: "Howwould these plans have affectedfarmers?" For the sake of a sim-ple example, assume that a farmerhas a taxable net income of $4,-000, with four exemptions and aproperty tax of $1,000. Under theGovernor's plan, his income taxwould have been $40, but his salestax credit would have also bee~

$40 and the actual cut in hisproperty tax would have been$100. Therefore, he would havebeen ahead a total of $100.

Under the second plan mention-ed, which failed to pass in theHouse, the same farmer wouldhave had a $40 income tax, buthis property tax would have beencut $140 (this assumes that hispro1?erty tax was all for countyand school). He would also havehad a $600 per person exemption.Therefore, he, too, would havebeen ahead $100 in cash and, inaddition to this, the $11 per per-son coming back to local govern-ments would have been an addedrelief on the property tax burden.

Under the plan that finallypassed, the exemption will be$1,200 per person and, with fourmembers in the family, his exemp-tion.'iwill be more than his incomeand, therefore, he will h,.,ve noincome tax to pay, but neither willhe receive any property tax reliefexcevt indirectly, throueh the$4.80 per capita coming back tolocnl governments.

As another example, assumethat a farmer with the same prop-erty tax and same exemptions asshown has a $10,000 income.Under the Governor's plan, hisincome tax would have been $190.but his tax cuts of $140 wouldleave $50 to pay. Under theHouse plan, his pavrnent wouldend up the same $50, however,the $11 per capita returned tolocal governments would havebeen an added indirect relief onproperty. Under the plan thatpassed, his tax would be $62.50,with $4.80 per capita returned tolocal governments.

It is estimated that the taxpacka{!.e that pnssed will bring inabout $236 million of new reve-nue during a full years operation.But because it has taken so longto reach an aereement, the bud-gets for 1967-68 fiscal year willbe very tight. Had the tax pack-age gone into effect on July 1,there might have been enoughrevenue to meet all necessarycosts. It is hoped that there mightbe a 5% increase in school aid;

however, a ceiling has been placedon school transportation and spe-cial education. Each month ofdelay has meant a cost of at least$25 million in revenue.

NOT ALL HAPPYThe tax package does not com-

pletely satisfy a~yone; however,everyone within both partiesagrees that it was the best itwas possible to get under thecircumstances .

Farm Bureau aggressively pro-moted the tax policies approvedby the delegates at the annualmeeting last November. In real-ity, this is only a part of a totaltax reform pro~am. It must notbe for{!.oHen that much of FarmBureau's tax reform program hasalreadr, been accomplished in pre-vious le~islative sessions, such asthe total elimination of farm per-sonal properly taxes and elimina-tion of assessments on fruit trees,bushes, vines and other crops.While some counties had not yet

taxed these crops, it was only amatter of time before they wouldhave been taxed at the fuU prop-erly levies.

During this session, some Leg-islators who opposed tax reformadvocated the repeal of the in-dustrial and agricultural sales taxexemptions as a means of raisingmore revenue. S.B. 792, whichwould accomplish this, is stillalive. Had not a tax packagepassed, it is very possible thatthese exemptions would have beenlost. Such an action would meanthat farmers would have to pay4% sales tax on every item theybuy for production purposes, suchas machinery, feed, seed, fertilizerand other supplies.

Hardly a year goes by withoutsome challenge to this importanttax exemption. Last year, the bat-tle was in Washington, when Con-gress considered requiring everystate to have a uniform sales taxlaw which limited any exemptionto feed, seed and fertilizer.

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employees with unemploymentinsurance. Other legislation is be-ing promoted to make it easierfor farm workers to join laborIInions and at the same time re-strict the fanner-employer. Theseand other proposals are extensionsof so-called "sodal progrcss" andare often pushed with little re-gard to the economic impact oneither the farmer or the worker.

Farm Bureau policy in thisbroad area of ]egislation must berealistic and yet aggressive. \Vhi]eworking for perhaps further mod-ification of present laws, it willbe necessary to prevent, insofaras possible, further economic bur-dens resulting from unrealisticbroadening of such legis]ation.

MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

CAPITOL ROTUNDA is the scene of a conversation between Sen-ator James Gray (D- representing Macomb and St. Clair coun-ties) and Michigan Farm Bureau legislative Counsel Robert Smith.

portation regulations, etc. are nowfads of life to the farm employer.In even' session there will con-tinue tc; be a multitude of billsto hroaden and expand such cov-erage. For instance, any amend-ment to any portion of the \Vork-men's Compensation law will alsoinvariabl" affect farmers.

Conti.{ued legislative effortswill be made to increase the min-imum wage and tighten its re-quirements. Various departmentswill undoubtedly seek to broadenthe mu]tiude of regulations.

In addition, new problems willarise. For instance, there is al-ready considerable pressure, onboth state and federal levels, t<)require farmer-employers to cover

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE - Robert Waldron (R), Grosse Pointe,on left, and former legislator Wolter Nakkula (presently assistantto Congressman Cederberg), admire a bean coke shown by Mrs.

,.Hermafl Rpslund, Gf;atiot County Women's Committee member,at the annual \\Bean Day' at the Capitol.Y

local school, thereby creating se-rious financial problems. Itwould be possible to specificallytax such properties the first yearfor school purposes only.

6. County Income Tax - Pres-ently, cities are permitted the useof the income tax and it has beenadopted in at least eight ~Iich-igan cities. It would be morelogical to permit counties to adoptsllch a tax rather than permit thecities to pre-empt this source ofrevenue. A county income taxcould "piggy-back" the state in-come tax and be collected at lit-tle or no extra cost. Such revenuefrom this source could be usedfor county purposes, thereby les-sening the property tax pressureby either lowering it or releasingmillage to the school districts.

7. Every session there are taxissues that Farm Bureau opposes.For instance, S. 792 is still aliveand would eliminate the sales tax~xemption on farm machinery,equipment and many other sup-plies. This would mean millionsof dollars of added taxes to farm-ers. S. 453 is another example. Itis still alive and would repeal again won by Farm Bureau someyears ago. Stored grain wouldagain be subject to the full prop-erty tax instead of the presentlow specific tax.

8. Tax Amendments to the Con-stitution - The voters wiII de-cide at least one tax issue, andpossibly three, at the 19()8 elec-tion. One wou]d amend the Con-stitutioll to permit a "graduated"income tax. anI" a "fIat rate" in-come tax is pre~ently permitted.Another possible amendment iswhether a 5 c; - ceiling should beput on the income tax. A thirdpossibility -might be an amend-ment to outlaw the income taxin ~lichigan.

9. Farm Labor Housing-Pres-ently, Farm Bureau policy slip-ports legislation to exempt suchhousing from the property taxdue to the cost of meeting hous-ing requirements and the limitedtime they 'are in lIse.Farm Labor - \Vorkmen's Com-pensation, state and federal min-imum wages, housing and trans-

MANY ISSUES ARE TAX CENTERED

GRAPE PRICE INCREASE - from $85 to $100 per ton - resulted from the signing of H. B. 2914,initiated and guided through the legislature by the Public Affairs Division of Michigan Form Bu-reau. Present at the signing were: Max Hood, MACMA Processing Grope Marketing Committeevice chairman; Dole Sherwin, MFB legislative Counsel; Thomas Adent, Grape Committee chair-man}L~ep.""lionel Stocey:,d~e.p ..rEdscup R~ot/.,~d9or .. AustiJ;\,.('(an Burel1 ):;:'c;>ynty Form Bureau presi-dent, and Robert Smith, MFB legislative Counsel.

Tax Reform - '''hile major tax legislation was p:.\ssed dur-in{T this session of the LccTislature which sets a pattern of a~ ~more balanced tax structure, it is essential to remember thatthere are many other areas in the Michigan tax structure thatneed attention, especially from farmers' point of view.

Farm Bureau policies for the past several years have sup-ported major tax changes and, for the past four years, have sup-ported a complete reform program, including the adoption ofan income tax.

The tax issue will continue, but pose. This is a complex issueto know where we are going, it with constitutional involvement;is important to take stock of Farm however, ten or more other statesBureau's accomplishments toward have taken positive action on thistotal tax reform. issue, even to the extent of chang-

Many Farm Bureau recom- ing their Constitutions. Far-mendations were included in the sighted people recognize thatnew Constitution, such as main- good farm land is rapidly disap-.taining the 15-mill property tax pearing and that future foodlimitation; prohibiting assessed needs mav be such that the Unit-\:aluations from rising above 500/0 ed States 'will face a serious ShOlt-

-~f true cash value and further re- age.strictions to prevent non-property- 2. Special tax assessments onowners from voting on millage in- farm property, resulting from sew-creases. age, water and drainage, etc. lines

~Iuch progress has also been crossing the property are becom-made in the Legislature toward ing a serious problem in manycarrying out Farm Bureau tax pol- areas. Very often, such instaIIa-ides. These include complete tions are of no use or value toelimination of the farm personal the property. The Ohio Farmproperty tax; exemption from as- Bureau was successful in passingsessment of fruit and Christmas legislation in that state to set up atrees, shrubs, plants, crops, etc. revolving fund to p~y such costs.(this becomes effective in 1968); \Vhen the propert.y IS fur~her de-Homestead Tax exemption for. vel oped and the mstallatIons arethose over 65, and increased pay- used. the fund is r~p~id by thements to local governments from developers. The ~hchl~a~ Farmthe Swamp Tax. Bureau has developed slml]ar ]eg-

A]so included is a new source is]ation for introduction in 1968.of county revenue permitting use 3 .. Taxation of mo~i]e homesof the Transfer Tax when the contlIlues to be an Is~ue evenFederal tax expires in 1968; the though many bills have been in-"Truth in Tax" Law, requiring troduced to try to adjust the pres-printing the equalized valuation en~ fees to more realistic levels.on the tax statement; repeal of the 4. Taxation of Forest ReservesBusiness Activities Tax; new - \Vhile progress has been madeequalization p roced u res, adjust- on this issue and legislation to in-ment of the Intangib]es Tax; prop- crease the "in-lieu-of" tax incomeertv tax relief both direct and in- to local governments passed one(lir~<:t; and ~doption of an in- house in 196.5 and has been re-come tax. introduced since then, it has yet

Many other important legis]at- to pass both houses.ive tax changes have been adopt- 5. Assessment and taxation ofed. \Vhile many are of an admin- new property the first year it isistrative nature, they nevertheless built - Such legislation could beaffect all taxpayers. useful in areas where whole sub-

Under present Farm Bureau divisions may be built after thepolicies, further tax reform is December 31 tax assessment dateneeded, including: and fully occupied by mid-sum-

1. Assessment of farm land as mer, resulting in an unplanned-forlong as it is used for that pur- increase in children attending the

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MICHIGAN FARM NEWS • • • • NINE<,

HOW WILL YOU DE,CIDE?, .

'. 0 /

MEMBERS URGED TO "SPEAK OUT"By: Robert Smith

Legislative Counsel

Marketing - The increasingcomplexity of modern agriculturalmarketing makes it necessary forfarmers to use more group actionthrough cooperatives and market-in~ associations.

Farm Bureau is in the forefrontwith new and realistic marketingprograms; however, major legis-lative issues must be solved tohelp increase farmers' bargainin~strength. Such legislation is mostdifficult to win. There are manyreasons for this. \Vhile it is com-plex and confusill~ to many peo-ple, the most probable reasonsare the "all-out" opposition of pro-cessors and allied groups, and thepossible concern on the part ofsome that the price of food mightrise. Such opposition is ~oodproof that farmers need these toolsto ~ive them marketing power.

A few specific marketing issuesinclude:

"'Anti-Discrimination Law"-This is needed to prevent proces-sors from discriminating a~ainstgrower members of a marketingassociation. Such discriminationtakes many forms, direct and in-dired. National legislation (S.109), promoted by Farm Bureau,is pending in Congress.

Farm Bureau promoted H. 2703in the Michigan Legislature, andit is still alive and will receiveattention next year.

"Price Announcement" - Re-sponsible fruit and ve~etahleprocessors presently announce andpost their prices at the he~innin~of the season, with adjustmentsas marketing pro~resses, also inadvance of the delivery of thcproduct. Re~rettahly so~e do notannounce prices, and Pfqdl\<.;e~,js

r-I

FARMERS DECIDEFARM BUREAU POLICYSeldom are Farm BlIr('.11I policies dccid('d in a IlIlrry.

This very slowness SOllldillH" ('llllses others to 1)('(111I1l'

impati('nt with Farm Bur('all. hilt lon~ experi('IK(' liasshowll the importance to fan'H'rs of a sOllnd, \\'ell tholl'-!ht-Ollt position on complex is","('s .

"Is it sound? Is it fair: .... it right'? "'ill it stand thetests of time?" S\I(:h qJl( ....t iOlls - asked in a varid~ offashions, are posed hy lho,(' ('IH!;a~ed in Farm BlIr(':!,,'sexhaustive procedures of poli('~' "development.

Often great pains are taken to prt1Vide a proper \\'orkin~hack~round for local Fanll Burcelll policy d('cision IIlak-ing. Visits to local officiab. attendance at Pllhlic lle:\rill'2;s,invitations for /lwmhers and others to make stall'lIH'lltshefore county resolutiol\s ('01 II ittees. cOllnty hoards. orat annual meetings, all are part of the policy d('\'clopllI('ntprocess.

Local committee memhers and county Farm Bureauofficers have special opportunities to becOlnc "issue ori-ented" and better informed. :\ .~ood example is the specialinformation meeting set for Thursday, August 24 in Lan-sing. At that time, Roger Flcming, Secretary- Trea,urerof the American Farm Bure:lll Federation will speak andgive answers to state and nat ional questions hased 011 hisbroad \Vashington experience.

The meeting will he h('ld at the Lansin~ Y\\'CA - he-ginning at 10:00 a.m. and is open to chairmen of co"ntyFarm Bureau Policy Devclopment committ('es, COllntyFarm Bureau Presidents, and Chairmen of county \ \'oman'sCommittees.

Earlier - August 10, thc first meeting of the state FarmBureau Resolutions Committ('e. und('r the direction of~frs. Andrew Jackson as Chairman and Edwin Estelle asVice Chairman, will he held in Lansing. At this first ses-sion of the 20 memhers group. suh-committee assi~nmcntswill he made, and the first of a numher of "hearin~s" willhe held.

~Iany county Farm Bureaus make it easy for thcir llwm-hers to help decide county Farm Bureau policy hy follo\\"-ing much the same procedure of hearings and visits andspecial sessions of their CCllllty resolutions (.'ol1l1nittee priorto their formal annual meetin~ in October.

"Farm Bureau gains its strcn~th by accurately reflectingthe thinking and wishes of its members" according to EltonSmith, president of the\tichigan Farm Bureau. "~Iembersmust make all major policy decisions, and they must con-tain the best thinking of our total membership. This de-cision-making responsibility is theirs alone, it cannot prop-erly be passed on to others ... "

"CROP CONTROLS"

Perishability of many products isslH.h that a few days, or evenhours, can mean the diffc>reIH:ehetween success and fiuancialfaillire.

Fanners differ from others he-calise they are a combination ofIllalla~einent, Iahor and capital. . . each is eqnally important.Fanners doin~ their OWIlmarket-ill~ and har~ainin~ is not new.It's been done for years with oul-standin~ success in many cases.

Farm Hure(lll 11I('7II1)('fs hav('fi1Ul7I('('d mu! bllilt Humu coo!wr-ative 71Iarkdiug Jacilith's ami /WV('dev('loped TWW mllrkds ovr'fS('(lSthrough Farm Bllreau's FordgllTrade Program. MACMA is (111

m!itimwlmarketillg program usingI/('W t('c/l1Iiqrws alld, as Sitch,

'I/('eds lWW tools to {cork with,11W1l1lof which will require ll'gis-lat iOI/.

Under this headin~, Fann Bu-reau votin~ dele~ates said:

"It is ollr d('sire to 71IOV(' in thediN'c!ion of eliminlltillg gOV('f1I-11/('111.reglliation of the right toprod lice llgricllit IIrllI CO711 mod i-tir'S."

This 1967 national policy, asdetermined hy the policy develop-ment process, refle<:ted the think-in~ of farmers throu~hollt thenation. Indepcndent surveys hynational ma~azines, cOllgressmcll,newspapers and others, show thatfarmers overwhelmingly believcthat controls have not worked.It hlls I)('('n prov('d llnd ad71litt('dthat dllmping of slIrpllls {.!.rainstocks hllS lwen II.'wd to k(,('pprices low.

In carrying out this 1967 policy,Farm Bureau is supportin~ the\Vheat and Feed Grains Act of1967 now before l.on~ress. Ac-tion on this issue will prohablycome during the 1968 session. Itwas introduced hy 20 Democratsand Hepublicans. The proposalwould:

Provide government-insllred re-cOllrse loans through commen:iallending institutions to producersof wheat and feed grains.

Stop the movement of wh(,lltand feed grains into CCC andprevent the disposal of currentCCl. stocks (including stocksacquired from 1967 crops) in amanner which weakens marketprices.

Rr'p('al lluthority for wheat al-lotments, marketing quotas, mar-kc>ting certificates. diversion pay-Jllents and price support paymentson wheat. and for feed ~rainhases, diversion paymcnts, andprice support payments.

Allow each fllrmrr to producethe ~rain or grains for which hisland is best suited nnd for whiehmarket demand outlook is strong-est.

The difference betw('cn "non-N'CmtrSC" loans and "recollrs('''mllst he IInderstood. "Non-re-course" loans are used underprc>sent programs. If the fanner

. does not repay the loan, the gov-ernment takes possession of the~rain. The "non-recourse" loansystem has heen the principal LEGISLATORS VISIT - as they await outside the Governor'sl'anse of the huildnp of hurdcll- office for the signing of their particular bills. Shown are: (leftsome sto(oks of ~rains owned and to right) Representatives Wm. Weber (R), Kalamazoo; Robert W.controlled by the governnlent. 'L{)aV'rs(R~ St. tlgiiace,0and DominiC- J.orobetti (D), .N~nee.

t •• I ,''''' I 2,.' ~ ~ h

YOU - as a Farm Bllreall meml}(:r, are II key person in makingmany of the ])()!icy decisiol1s which feW gllide YOllr organizationin the near fllture. The 19GB legislatir;e se.')'sicms i11Lansing andin \Vashington will demand close af/entio" by farmers if thesuccesses we have had arc to he continued.

Farm Bureau policy development procedllres are now under-way. Farm Bureau is unique in that thes(' procedures centeron individual memhers and provide that member (you) withmany opportunities to make major policy decisons.

YOUR ideas can be offered -----through your Community Farm delivered without knowin~ whatBureau Croup, or to any member pricc to eXlwct. Such a situatiollof any County Farm Burcau com- can demoralizc the cntire markelmittee. They may he made he- - not only to the producer butfore the County Farm Bureau to the entire industry.Board of Directors, or to the II. 2702 is under studv bv theCounty Hesolutions committtee. Bouse COllllllittee on Ag;icuitme.They may be presented hefore "Timc-oJ-Product Paument"-the membership at the county an- Fruit and vq~etable producers arcnual meeting where final policy probahly the only se~ment of omdecisions are made. economy that is not prote<:ted by

Followin~ that important meet- a law to require payment for theirin~, YOU cau again he heard produ<:ts within a reasonable pe-effectively hy working throll~h riod of timc.your county Votin~ J)ele~ates who Labor and business are pro-take part in the annual meeting tectcd by many laws rcquirin~of the i\lichigan Farm Bureau - payment for ~oods and services.to be held in East Lansing, No- Fanners producing potatoes, Iive-vember 7-8-9, on the campus of sto<:k, ~rain and milk also arc~'lichigan State University. protected hy various laws, indud-

Listed are only a few of many in~ requirements to pay the pro-issues facing farmers in Michi~an. duccr within a specified period ofThey are intended mostly to stim- time.lllate thinking so that you can be Farm Bureau, through till'better informed and more active years, has ]Jmmoted and supporll,dill discussing problems of impor- such legislation as the need hastan<:e to you. arisell. /J. 2.581 was introdllc('d

SPEAK OUT - you have a this year to giv(' similar protectionri~ht and an ohligafion to he to f1'1lit am! vegetahh' produc('rs.heard. Help slj(Jp(~ your farming There arc many examples infuture through Farm Bureau. ~li<:higan of the need for le~isla-

tion to help solve the issues listed.For instance, it is serious when afruit or vegetable fanner deliversa perishahle product without ananlloun<:ed price and, in addition,waits for as lon~ .L'i a year forpayment.

"Marketing Dues and Deduc-tions" - Farm Bureau, throu~hthe Michi~an Agricultural Coop-erative Marketing Association(~IAC~fA) and other affiliates,is now active in special marketingpro~rams for ten or more farmproducts. New pro~rams are alsounder study for other farm com-modities. These are based onsound economics and have gainedthe respect and support of thegrower-mem hers.

Practical,Jrohl('ms arise as farm-('rs market 11/ore and more of theirwoduce through hargaining asso-ciatinm. For instance, most proC('S-sors af(' tcilling to dedllct hargaill-il/g association dues and !wrvic('f('r's from grow('r-mr'mlwr lW!/-71WlltSwhl'l/ voluntarily authori::,{'c/hy tlU' 11/('11I1)('r.A small minority,hotc('vcr, rr,/llses to make the de-duction as a means of retardill{!.flU' dev('lopment of progr('ssivemarkding programs.

Some states have legislation re-quiring processors to make su<:hdeductions when authorized vol-untarily by the ~rower-member.~[jehigan processors are presentlyrequired hy law to make variousvther deductions, hoth for grow-crs and their employees. It doesIlot entail ;III extensive bookkeep:ill~ operation.

A~ricultllfal marketing and har-~aining is probahly more complexthan for anv other se~ment ofthe econom~ hecause there are/l1;ulY .other' ''factors'' to ...c!onsider.

" .

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WORK-COMP FURTHER AMENDED

PercentMax.9.0

34.0

FARMERS:Check the value you get in

Gelatin Bone Perfect Balancerthe mineral feed of champions;

Reply in writing to Box 960,Lansing, Michigan 48904

S~.LES

REPRESENTATIVE

Progressive seed corn com-pany requires sales repre-sentative for state of Michi-gan. Must be at least 23years of age and possess anagricultural degree or farmbackground with sales ex-perience. Salary dependingon qualifications.

PercentMin.

Phosphorous 8.0Calcium 29.0Mag. Sulfate .24Iodine (pure) .015 .018Cobalt Sulfate .01 .03~It QOO QOO

Get Perfect Balancer at yourelevator. Distributed in Mich-igan by:

FARM BUREAUSERVICES, INC.

The GELATIN BONE CO.Box 125, Emme", Michigan

MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

WORKMEN'S CaMP - is the topic between Farm Bureau legis-~ative Counsel Bob Smith and Senator Oscar Bouwsma (R), Mus-kegon, chairman of the Senate labor Committee, and a formerHouse member. Bouwsma's experience as a workmen's compreferee makes him an expert on this major issue.

An increase in dividend interest for life policyholders has beenannounced by the Farm Bureau Insurance Group Board of Di-rectors. The one-quarter percent increase was prompted by theCompanies' favorable underwriting and investment experience.

According to Nile L. Vermillion, Executive Vice President,the Companies began paying higher interest rates on all partici-pating life dividend deposits, July 1.

Now 4% percent, the increased interest rate boosts theamount of funds available to policyholders for retirement incomeor other purposes.

"Previously, a $10,000 participating life policy issued at age25 would have earned estimated dividends of $5,423 at age 65,"Vermillion stated. "Now, with the higher interest rate, thesedividends based on present scales would increase to an estimated$5,665. This figure, when added to cash values, detenninesthe dollar worth of the policy."

A multiple line firm, Farm Bureau Insurance Group operatesthrough 46 sales and claims offices around the state. Policy-holders number approximately 15?,OOO.

life Interest Increase!

attempts were made. Because ofthis, the amendments will not takeeffect until early November.

Those opposing the bill offereda substitute bill that would haveprovided for some premium-shar-ing during the first two years, tobe paid out of the Silicosis Fund.

Had this proposal been offeredas an' amendment to H. 2623,rather than as a substitute, itwould have received considerablymore support. However, passageof this substitute would haveeliminated the amendments in H.2623. In the long run, the amend-ments that passed are of greaterimportance and will be moremeaningful toward holding thecost of W IC down.

Rep. Swallow (R-Alpena),Chainnan of the House LaborCommittee, has stated that it ishis committee's intention to studythe economic effects of W IC onboth the fanner and the employee.He points out that any reimburse-ment or premium-sharing couldnot be made until the end of theinsurance year, July 1, 1968. Thiswould give ample time to deter-mine the economic burden on thefarmer-employer and also theamount that would be required toassist in such a phasing-in pro-gram. There will be ample timeto attempt to pass some type ofphase-in program during the 1968session of the Legislature.

The amendments made to tlWlaw this year result from monthsof activity, including conferencesand writing and rewriting of sug-gested versions in an effort tomodify the law as much as pos-sible and still find enough sup-port to pass the bill. As indicated,these changes were by a very nar-row margin.

are returned to the farmer. Thisis extremely important becausethese were eliminated in the orig-inal bill in 1965 and experts pre-dicted that without the return ofthese defenses, the rates on medi-cal and hospital coverage wouldrise very rapidly. \Vith them, itis possible, after some experience,that the medical premium can becontrolled or possibly lowered.

2. Full W IC coverage will ap-ply only to those working 13 "con-secutive" rather than 13 weeks"during the previous 52 weeks."Only such employees (three ormore) will be covered by the full\VIC. The addition of the word"consecutive" removes full W/Ccoverage from some seasonalworkers, however, they will con-tinue to be covered by full medi-cal and hospital insurance. In-cluded in this amendment is ~provision making it a misdemeanorfor an employer to consistentlydischarge employees in an attemptto avoid covering an employeewith coverage when he becomesqualified.

3. A change was made i~ - de-termining the average weeklywage of an employee, which inthe event of an injury becomes thebasis for determining the benefits.

4. Provision was made for de-fining members of the fanner-em-ployer's family.

5. Important, but technicalamendments were made to the"assumption of risk" section of thelaw.

Many of these amendments raninto heavy opposition. The billoriginally passed the House by61-40. The Senate reworded someportions of the bill and thenpassed it by a vote of 21-13, onemore than is required. With thebill returned to the House, it wasdefeated on the first try, but on asecond vote narrowly passed bya vote of 57-32, one more tMnneeded.

The Senate gave the measure"immediate effect." The .Houserefused to vote "immediate ef-fect," even though at least three

the idea of cutting worker bene-fits for obvious reasons, plus thefact that it was only for a two-!lrar period and any premium re-duction would have been negligi-ble; also, there would not h(lvebeen any relief on medical andhospital premiums.

Over in the House, it was nec-essary to use S. 432 as a vehicleto extend the May 1 deadline onthe W IC Law to July 1, 1967. Inorder to do this, all Senate amend-ments were removed from S. 432.A strong effort was made to ex-tend the deadline until NovemberI, but it failed.

H.B. 2623 then became the ve-hicle to attempt amendment ofthe WIC Law and was sent to theHouse Appropriations Committeein order to keep it alive. Duringthis entire period of time, fromJanuary to July, negotiations wereconstantly carried on in an effortto amend the law as much as pos-sible and still have a possibility ofpassing both houses.

Farm Bureau supported severalamendments to modify the lawand also amendments to phase inthe program by a premium-shar-ing, or reimbursement, to thefarmer from either the SilicosisFund or the General Fund.

At one point, there was a bi-partisan program to reimburse thefanner-employer; however, the se-rious state financial situation madeit impossible to expect reimburse-ment from the General Fund andthe use of the Silicosis Fund raninto strong opposition. Fann Bu-reau maintained that any pre-mium-sharing should be on allpremiums equally, and not re-stricted to only the premium onfull W IC coverage.

H.B. 2623 was finally passedand amends the WIC Law as it af-fects farmers as follows:

1. The common law defenses

TEN

Few people understand the full workings of a lawmakingbody such as our jHichigan Legislature. Party politks, strategicmaneuvering, time deadlines, special interest pressures and thepersonalities of those involved, all combine to assure that eachsession will be filled with its dramatic highlights, and plainhard work.

For nearly three years, Work-men's Compensation as it affectsfarmers, has been a major issue inthe Michigan Legislature. Againthis year, Fann Bureau has hadsome success in amending the lawto modify and clarify it. A reportof this action as the bills carryingthe amendments moved throughHouse and Senate, is in itself, astudy in legislative workings.

To begin: early in the sessionit became clear to farmers that itwas not possible to repeal thatportion of the law which bringsfarmers under Workmen's Com-pensation coverage. There were avariety of reasons, but primeamong them, this is "sociaf' legis-lation, coming at a time when allmanner of social "rights" are inthe public eye and strongly sup-ported by such social-action groupsas churches and unions.

Still, shortly after the Farm Bu-reau annual meeting last Fall,where delegates adopted a seriesof recommendations on Work-men's Compensation, Fann Bu-reau legislative staff began to de-velop legislation to carry out thatpolicy.

A bill, S. 17, was introducedby a partisan group of Senatorsand would have delayed the ef-fect of full W IC coverage, butwould have required coverage offann workers with medical andliability policies. This bill re-ceived a great deal of attentionand was even the object of picket-ing around the Capitol. It wasamended to such an extent that itwas necessary to have it re-referred to committee.

Another bill, S. 432, finallypassed the Senate with amend-ments designed to phase in thefull W IC part of the law by cut-ting the worker benefits, therebypossibly cutting the premium cost.

Farm Bureau did not support

ANHYDROUS AMMONIA Nurse Tank bill was of vital importance dollar-wise to farmers. Intro-ducer of the bill, Rep. Stanley Powell (right), (R), Ionia, watches as Gov. Romney signs the bill,along with co-sp'onsor Rep. Harry Rohlfs (R), Akron; o. L. LeCureux, plant food industry repre-sentative; co-sponsor Rep. Rosetta Ferguson (0), Detroit; Paul Cowan, Farm Bureau Services, andRobert Smith, MFB Legislative Counsel.

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help in holding down the rate oftraffic accidents," he stated. U\Vithmembers' continuing support, tcr'can provide the best possible pro-tection at the lowest possible cost."

Vermillion continued by observ-ing that few companies within theanto insurance industry have beenable to justify a dividend or pre-mium reduction in recent years.Hising costs and accident rateshave caused a general upwardtrend in insurance premiums.

PLACE

INSURANCE TO COST LESS - If your cors and farm trucks are insured wit"Farm Bureau Mutual, you'll be receiving a refund. Individual dividend pay.ments will be as high as 15 percent .of premium per family. One horsepowerunits (see above left) will not be affected.

ELEVEN

Farm Bureau organizations. Therefunds will be mailed to autopolicyholders along with member-ship renewal notices.

Member cooperation was citedat the prime reason for the divi-dend declaration, according toN. L. Vermillion, Executive VicePresident. "This refund has becnm!lde possible by an IInderwritingprogram placing emphasis on safedriving and proper classification- and the individual member's

MARKET

ai'll\.\' 2.U1UlUlt'".. u,.,,.. ""'N"lt

~ .. ~

EXECUTIVE VICE PRE$IDENT

County Farm Bureau or-ganizations for use of officefacilities.

2. Provided Accidental Deathand Dismemberment pro-tection for all members-at minimum cost.

3. Increased special dividendson Charter Life Insurancepolicies to 25 percent.

4. Advanced the interest rateon all participating life in-surance dividend deposits.

Dividend checks are now beingreadied for distribution to County

LANSING. MICHIGAN

BUREAU

annual premium for each family.Payments expected to total $:3 15,-000 will he made to all memberswho in:mre their autos with FarmBureau Mutual.

Rcfunds will range lip to $40nfor some large com mercial farmopcrations.

The auto dividend is the mostrecent in a series of new member-ship benefits which have beenprovided by the Farm Bureau IIl-surance Croup. In past months,for example, the Companies have:

1. 'ncreased compensation to

FARM BUREAU MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

OF MICHIGAN

Mr. Farm Bureau MemberRural Route n 2Everywhere, Michigan

TOTHEORDER

OF

FARM

MAILED WITH NOTICES - Auto dividend checks will be mailed to F.B. Mutual policyholders alongwith membership renewal notices this Fall. The refunds are expected to total $315,000.

Farm Burea\l memhers will bereceiving a dividend refund ontheir auto insurance this Fall.

The Board of Directors ofFarm Bureau ~lutual has ••n-Ilo\lnced the Company will makepayments to more than .55,000auto policyholders t h roughou tMichigan, effective this month.

Farm Bureau ~l\ltual, the state'slargest farm firm insurer, is af-filiated with the Farm BureauLife and Community ServiceCompanies.

The insurance refunds will beas high as 15 percent of a semi-

MICHIGAN FARM NEWS August 1, 1967

F. B. MUTUAL DECLARES AUTO REFUND

SPECIAL RATE TO FARM BUREAU MEMBERS: 25 words for $2.00 each edition. Additional words, 10 cents each. Figures such as 12 or $12.50 count asone word. NON-MEMBER advertisers: 15 cents per word one edition, two or more editions, 10 cents per word. Copy deadline: 20th of the month.

What's your best time fromthe basement to the phone?

ILLUSTRATED WHOLESALE CATA-LOG. Imported Items 25~. MerchandiseSample Includedl Imports, 2506 WestLloyd. Pensacola, Florida 32505.

(3-3t-16p) 36

"ZIPCODE DIRECTORY" - (All 35,000Postoffices): $1.00 MAILMART, Carroll-ton 72, Kentucky 41008. (3-tf-ll b) 14

FOR RENT ON LAKE: Cabin in Munisingarea. Electric cooking, pump inside. Withboat. $30 per week. Write Ted Lehnen,Route #1, Munising, Michigan 49862.

(Alger County) (8-lt-25p) 13

34 WANTED

36 MISCELLANEOUS

22 NURSERY STOCKSTARK BRO'S ALL NEW 1968 CATA-LOG FREEl Spectacular full~color displayof Giant-size Apples, Peaches, l"eChuines(Fuzzless Peaches), Pears, Cherril;s. Apri-cots, Plums and D\V ARF. Seml-Dwarf,Standard Size Trees. Ornamentals, Roses.etc. GUARANTEED. Stark, Deparhmnl30558, Louisiana, Missouri 63353.

(7 -3t-39b) 22

HEREFORD BULLS-pu re bred herdsires. Ready for service. Also, registeredheifers and calfs. Egypt Valley Herc;fordFann. 6611 Knapp St., Ada, Michigan.Phone OR 6-1090. (Kent County)

(1l-tf-25b) 20

S.P.F. BOARS-GILTS OPEN AND BRED.Hamp, Duroc and York boars. Purebredand crossbred gilts; free of Rhinitis andVirus Pneumonia. feed conversion andccrtification records. Priced to sell. J. R.Rinehart, Flora, Indiana. Phone: Office,Flora - 967-3911. Res., Burlin!{ton-566-3318. (3-t£-41b) 20

26 POULTRY

\\' A~.nED: Allis Chalmers Round n.,:Price & Description. Alfrl'tl Rocder. " .l>ca, Kansas 66538. (7 -4t-ll p) ,

WANTED: OLD U. S. DEPART~fE~TOF AGRICULTURE YEARBOOK tit In!"\\'EEDS" - of about twent). years .•c.) .State price in your reply to: Charle< T.Prindeville, Route #2, Three Oaks, }'l,('h-igan 49128 .

(Berrien County) (8-lt-25p) 34

DAY OLD OR STARTED PULLETS-The DeKalk profit pullet. Accepted bythe smart poultryman for high egg pro-duction, superior egg quality, greater feedefficiency. If you keep records, you'llkeep DeKalbs. \Vrite for prices anrlcatalog. KLAGER HATCHERIES, Bridge-water, Michigan. Telephones: Saline HAzel9-7087, Manchester GArden 8-301\( Washtenaw County) (tf-46b) 26

KLAGER'S DEKALB PROFIT PULLETS- Order your started pullets that h\\"I'heen raised on a proven J:rowing proCr,l'n.The jtrowing birds are inspected weeklyhv trained staff. vaccinated, debeakt'd anI!delivered by us in clean l'rates. If 'Oilkeep records, you will kcep KLAGER DEKALRS. KLAGER HATCHERIES. HI;(l ....water, },fichijtan. Telephones: 313 l~')7087 and 313 428-303 I.

( \\' ashtenaw County) (9-tf-50b) 2fl

FA~IOUS SHAVER STARCROSS ST.\RT-En PULLETS. Top rall'd layer byV.S.D.A. -1964 throllgh 1966. DelinIl.tlto ,"our fann in clean l>quipment. \\'e h3\'(>pllfIets available every month. May h.Sl>('n by appointment. ~lal'Pherson I1.•trh-ery, Route ::3, Ionia, Michiltan 488H>.Phone 527-0860. (6-lt-36b) 2/1

REGISTERED HEREFORDS - 40 head~'earlillg heifers. \Vill sell all or part. Sky-line Ranch, Allen & Marvin Rush. 65040DelJuindre Road. Lake Orion, }'fichigan480.53. Phone 7.52-2300.

(Macomh County) (7-2t-2.5h) 20

FOR SALE: 25 LARGE HOLSTEINHEIFERS, due base months; vaccinated.from good herd. Will trade for open

.heifers. Telephone MO 9-9226. Ed Tanis,R#I, Jenison, Michigan 49428.

(Ottawa County) (5-2t-25b) .20

Princess~ phone• $1.70-monthly charge foreach Princess extension• $4.00-one-time charge.Covers any number ofphones installed on the sameorder.A nominal service-connection or changecharge may be aPPlicable.Charges quotedfor residenceextensions do not include tax.Your choice of decoratorcolors.

MONEY ~fAKER - GRAIN ELEVATOR:~Iikado, ~Iil"hil!;m. ~Iodern building andl1lal"him'rv. Owner's death reason for seil-ing. Ten;ls to responsible people. Call ~frs .Frl'd Snider, Route #1, Lachine, Mich-igan 497.'53. Phone 379-2653.

(Akona County) (8-lt-27p) 14

20 LIVESTOCKFOR SALE: Fully Registered Angus Dull3 years old. Mark 'L' Downs Farms, 8261South Jackson Road, Clark Lake, Michi-gan 49234. (8-lt-2Ip) 20

Trimline~ Deskand Wall phones• $l.95-monthly charge foreach Trimline extension• $5.00-one-time charge foreach phone.A nominal seTtJice-connection or changecharge may be applicable.Charges quoted for residenceextensions do not include tax.Your choice of decoratorcolors.

FOR SALE120 ACRE FRUIT FARM: 6600 SWCl'tS.sours. prunes, apricots - age 3-12 years.40 acres of strawberry rotation, irrigation.Completl'1y equipped, labor housing. Ncwranl"h style hOllle (optional) .. ~fanistl'eCounty, ~fi('higan. Phone: Elwon Hoff-lIlan - Onekama 889-.'5732 .

(~fanistt'e County) (7 -3t-3.5b) 10

OeskandWall phones• 95c-monthly charge foreach extension• $4.00-one-time charge.Covers any number ofphones in color installed onthe same order. No chargefor black.A nominal service-connection or changecharge may be aPPlicable.Charges quoted for residenceextensions do not include tax.Your choice of decoratorcolors.

Whatever it is, cut it down to near-nothing with the breath-saving con-venience of an extension phone.

For as little as 95-cents a month youcan have an extension phone whereyou need it. Different type phones anddecorator colors are available.

Isn't this a good day to stop yourrunning around? Or up and down?

Make your choice ... then callMichigan Bell and place your order.

@Michigan Bell----r- Part of the Nationwide Bell System

8 FARM EQUIPMENTComplt'tc line of parts and sCr\'ice forCo-op, Cockshutt and Hlack Hawk fannequipment. Also some used parts and at-tachments for Co-op E-3 and E-4 tractors.Heindl Implement Sales. Phone VO8-9808. 1140 }'f-l.'l, Reese, Michiltan.18757. Across from Hlumfield Town Hall.

(Sajtinaw County) (2-4t-38b) 8

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••

ALBERT ALMY

A graduate of Western Mich-igan University with a degree inagriculture, Albert "AI" Alroy hasserved for the past two years asRegional Representative for the;\1ichigan Farm Bureau in the\Vestern part of the state.

Alroy, who has considerabledairy-farm experience, has strongfeelings about the need for effec-tive farm marketing programs.His addition to the Marketing Di-vision staff will help strengthena sector of Farm Bureau workwhich members have consistentlyunderscored as being of most im-portance to them.

DONALD MOORE

Donald Moore, who for thepast 7 years has worked withinthe Market Development Divisionhas announced his resignation,effective September 1. He cameto Farm Bureau from work withCapital Business Service, a Lan-sing-based, nation-wide electr~nicbusiness accounting and manage-ment concern.

He served Farm Bureau as a~tarket Research specialist. Priorto announcing further employ-ment, ~loore will spend sever<l)months developing portions of hisnear-Lansing farm property, a sec-tion of which is currently beingcleveloped into a residential area.

full committee "does in no manner endorse,condone or support the personal attack launchedby Resnick upon the American Farm BureauFederation."

Resnick claims the Farm Bureau is not reallythe biggest farm organization in the nation buta "gigantic) interlocking, nationwide combine ofinsurance companies ... "

Resnick said the resolution "is a form of cen-sure of me."

"By considering this resolution in executivesession, this committee is joining with the Amer-ican Farm Bureau Federation in a blatant at-tempt to silence me," he said .

But he added: "I will not be silenced ... IwiJI take my position to the floor of Congressand to the American people and let them hethe judge."

MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

Coss J. Wasung, Acting General Manager

August 1, 1967

Several changes have been announced within the Market De-velopment Division of the Michigan Farm Bureau, according toNoel Stuckman, Division Manager.

Included is the September 1 resignation of Donald Moore)and the naming of Albert Almy, fonner Regional Representativeof the Michigan Farm Bureau) to the marketing staff.

From the Detroit Free Press:July 13) 1967

\VASHINGTON-( UPI) - The House Agri-culture Committee \Vednesdav voted a sharprebuke to Rep. Joseph Y. Res~ick) D-N.Y., forhis recent attacks on the American Farm Bu-reau Federation.

The committee adopted, 27 to 1, a resolutioncondemning Resnick two hours after he walkedout of the closed session accusing his colleagues.of trying to censure him in secret.

The resolution accused Resnick of making a"personal attack" on the Farm Bureau. Resnickis chairman of an agriculture subcommittee onrural poverty.

The resolution, drawn up by the other fivemembers of Resnick's subcommittee, said the

STAFF CHANGES ANNOUNCED.

AUG. 25-SEPT. 4

consumer meets producerMICHIGAN

elmont L. Chapman Authorit Chairman

TWELVE

MICHIGAN IS "NO. 1"

Bean-Pickle Days SetBeans and pickling cucumbers, both number-vne crops in

~l ichigan, are the subject of two special field-day events. hi ich-igan Pickle Day will be held hlollday, August 7 at the DaleFisher farm, Shepherd. The first state bean field day will becOlUlucted August 16 on the Joe Eigner farm near Bay City.

The Eigner farm is located a -------------mile east and three miles north zation, etc. A salute to M.S.U. isof ~lunger on Cass Avenue Road. planned for outstanding research

Variety plots include the new in these areas which have been ofSeafarer navy bean developed by considerable value to the Mich-~ISU crop scientists to succeed igan pickle industry.the Seaway variety. The Seafarer A tour of plots and demonstra-is similar to the Seaway in matur- tions of herbicides, methods ofity, yield and other characteristics fertilizer and herbicide applica-.Illd also has anthracnose resist- lion, planting and development.\!lee, which is lacking in the cucumber varieties is on the af-Seaway. t{'rnoon agenda.

The Pickle Day schedule begins Sponsors of the Pickle Day arclit 10:00 a.m. with demonstrations the Grower-Processor Conferenceof mechanical pickling cucumber Committee, in cooperation withharvesters, and later mechanical the Pickle Packers International,pickers will vie for prizes with Co-operative Extension Service,human pickers tlsing the "old- pickle processors and growers.fashioned" method. The conference committee is

Following a noon luncheon, jointly sponsored by the Michigan~lichigan State University special- Canners and Freezers Associationists will report ..on new develop- and the Michigan Farm Bureau.ments in pickling cucumber Growers, processors and anyoneharvesting, varieties, cultural prac- interested in the industry are in-tices, herbicides, irrigation, fertili- "ited to attend.

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MICHIGAN FARM NEWS August 1, 1967 THIRTEEN

GETTING READY FOR THE FAIR?

Farm Bureau Will Help You!

4-H LEADER'S SIGNATUR_F _

PARENT'S SIGNATURE _

NAM_E ADDRESS ~ _

or

FARM BUREAU SERVICES$2.00

FREE FARM BUREAU FEED CERTIFICATE FOR F. F. A.& 4.H CLUB MEMBERS

This certificate is worth $2.00 to any f. f. A. or 4-H clubmember conducting a feeding Rroject under supervision of agoinstructor or ~H) club leader when applied toward the pur-chase of-1'eO# or more..of~t:a~ BOreau Feecl for use inthe project. Good fOf~iioo of August 1, 1967 throughJune 15, 1968.

TYPE OF lIVESTOCK _

AG. TEACHER

$2.00

CLIP THIS COUPON AND SAVE $2.00

Farm Bureau Services wants to help you with your feedingproiect, so they're offering you the best feed you can buywith a generous discount from the regular price. You canapply one of these $2.00 coupons toward any purchaseof 100 pounds of Farm Bureau feed for use in a supervisedproiect. Fill out the coupon completely, take it to yourparticipating Farm Bureau dealer and get started on thatproiect today!

.Ij!II1II,II1JJIJJI]]IIIIIIJ

I ]I $2.00 $2.001I~-----------------------------------------~

~----------------------------------~------~I$2.00 I

i

HERE'S GOOD NEWS FOR ALL

F. F.A. AND 4-H CLUB MEMBERS

ON A FEEDING PROJECT

*FARM BUREAU SERVICES CAN HELP YOU WITHQUALITY PRODUCTS AT ECONOMICAL PRICES 4000 N. GRAND RIVER AVE., LANSING, MICHIGAN

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FOURTEEN August 1, 1967

PREPAREDBY THEDEPARTMENTOF EDUCATIONAND RESEARCH

MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

PRODUCT PROMOTION- PossihilitiQs and Prohlems!WHAT IS A DOllAR WORTH?

should be concerned that its mem-hers have as fair and accurate ananswer as possible whether it wiIIpay to advertise an\' farm product.This approach leads into a varietyof possibilities.

On the positive side of thequestion, there is room for a strongprogram to persuade the publicto adopt better eating habits. Pres-ent diets tend to be horrible! Canadvertising mend the consumers'habit of breakfasting on a cigar-ette and a cup of coffee? Canpeople be persuaded to eat whole-some foods rather than dining oncola and candy or beer and pret-zels?

\Ve must remember that theprocessors of cigarettes, beer, li-quors and colas are among theheaviest spenders in the advertis-ing world. There are those whosay that farmers MUST offset theinfluence of this advertising infavor of healthful farm products.The question remains, however,"Can thev do it?" It isn't merelva matter 'of money - it's a que~-tion of getting the desired results.

Another point. The sheer eco-nomics of the matter would dic-tate that the advertising donemust expand the market to payhack the costs TO THOSE \VHOPAY FOR THE CA~\'IPAIGN andNOT to their competitors. "Com-petitors" here may come to meancertain other farmers. There aremany views to consider on thispoint.

A strong advertising campaignpaid for by Michigan dairymencould bring a number of side ef-fects. For example, a considerableamount of out-of-state fluid milkis now shipped into Michigan -the state is not a surplus produc-ing state. If a very favorable pricedifferential were created for milkbetween Michigan and surround-ing states, it would constitute astronger invitation to out-of-stateproducers to ship more milk into"ichigan.

The price of ~Iichigan milkcannot be boosted higher than thebasic price of out-of state milkplus the freight differential with-Ollt doing harm to ~Iichigan dair~'-men. They can lose their share ofthe market.

Naturally, ~Iichigan dairymenseek better milk prices throughpromotion. But ~lichigan milkprices must remain competitivewith out-of-state milk prices orthe non-Michigan producers willtake advantage of the price. TheywiII find it more profitable to shipmilk into Michigan, even to ex-panding output. If out-of-state

\\FREE AND FAIR DISCUSSION WILL EVER BE FOUND THEFIRMEST FRIEND TO TRUTH./I Geo. Campbell

There is a trend to bring moreand more commodities undermandatory state or federal check-off programs. Some fanners areasking, "\Vhere does it all stop?"Each additional program adds tothe financial burden carried hyfarmers.

By the very nature of the issue,the burden of proof lies with thosewho believe that promotion of rawfarm products does pay and whowant all prodncers to contribute.Up to now, the research expertshave said. "\Ve still don't knowwhether it pays or not!" Yes, itmay pay. Nothing against tryingit - except the high cost of ad-vertising.

\Ve, in Farm Bureau. are ap-proaching policy developmenttime. The heart of the Farm Bu-reau position for 1967 regardingthis issue is contained in the pol-icy statement of the AmericanFarm Bureau Federation.

"\Ve believe it is important thatfarmers promote the increased saleand consumption of farm productswithout duplication of effort. \Vewill continue to support and im-prove sound, well-coordinated,voluntary promotion programs, in-cluding those on an industry-widebasis, having adequate producerrepresentation.

"\Ve oppose any and all check-off programs for the promotion ofagricultural com mod ities whenthe power of the state or federalgovernment is used to collectfunds or when government admin-isters the program. A voluntarycheck-off leaves producers free torefuse to contribute or enablesthem to readily obtain the refundof any assessments collected bythe voluntary action of marketingagencies. \Vhen the power of gov-ernment is used to force the col-lection of funds for promotion, theprogram ceases to be voluntaryand becomes compulsory.

"We believe that any fundsraised for the purpose of promot-ing the sale of farm commoditiesshould be collected on a truly vol-untary basis, without the use ofthe powers of government. Theprogram should be administeredby a non-governmental organiza-tion of producers, with handlersand processors included when itis mutuaJIy agreed that theyshould be included. The fundsshould be used solely for the spe-cific purposes for which collectedand not for legislative or politicalactivities.

"Producers should recognizethat funds 'checked-off for pro-motion programs are deductionsfrom their incomes. Therefore,they should periodically reviewthese programs to determine theireffectiveness. Participating pro-ducers and their organizationsshould be encouraged to seek anevaluation of these programs andto recommend improvements ordiscontinuance."

That is the policy for 1967.\Vhat should the policy on thisissue be for 1968?

advantage of an improved dairymarket crea ted by promotionalInoney paid for by i\lichiganfarmers, the out-of-state farmersjoin what the contributing dairy-men eall the "free-riders." Theyoften protest against these pro-ducers within the state. But theissue has its angles.

Free riders are those who areaccused of taking advantage ofbenefits gained by promotion pro-grams paid for by others withoutmaking any contribution to them.If the benefits are real and actual,this seems unfair.

About 80% of the Miehigandairymen contribute to the promo-tional program on a voluntarybasis and at a rate of 2~ per hun-<.lredweight. Over the years, aconsiderable majority of the eher-ry growers of Michigan have con-trihuted to the ~li<:higan cherrypromotion fund. Many have felt

that all producers should beforced to pay their share.

This raises a question. Doesany group of producers, eventhough in a majority, have a moralright to compel other producersto pay for a program which, intheir judgment, may not returnthe money invested? Is it an in-vasion of the right to hold a per-sonal opinion and to spend one'searnings according to his own de-cisions?

The non-contributors have aright to a fair answer to thesequestions. There is, as yet, nopositive proof that an advertisingcampaign for a raw farm productwill return a gain for the dollarinvested. The same dollar mav domore for the farmer when ~Isedin other ways.

milk becomes a tide flowing to-ward ~lichigan, the supply offluid milk will increase. Thiswould undermine the price ad-vantage gained by the advertis-ing. ~lichigan consumers cannottell whether they are drinking~\'Ii chi g an, 0h i0 0 r \ Vis con sinmilk. and couldn't care less. Thevwill buy under the more competi-tive price.

High dairy price levels can alsoencourage dairy substitutes, andthese can make heavy inroads ona dairyman's market.' "Substitutemilk" is now on the market to joinoleo, non-dairy coffee creams orcream substitutes and ice creamsusing vegetable fats.

In California, the state lawsfixed high milk prices beyond thecompetitive level. Dairy farmershave been seriously hurt by thisaction. Substitutes have taken ov-er 250/0 of the market. Such a con-

dition should not be encouragedin Michigan through the use ofany state program that would put~Iichigan dairy prices at a non-competitive level.

A question always exists wheth-er a program of financing a pro-motional program can be done ef-fectively on a state-limited hasis.Some say that too little moneycan be collected to do the johneeded - unless the rate of con-tribution by farmers is madeheavy enough to become blll'den-some. \Vith heavy rates of pay-ment there is less chance that theindividual farmer will realize again for his promotional dollar in-vestment. \Vithout that gain forthe individual farmer, the pro-gram cannot justify itself.

If out-of-state producers take

A brief lesson in economics would teach that it makes little:-cnse to spend a dollar to get a dollar back. It makes sense to:-pend a dollar if that dollar will return $1.10. It spells troubleif the dollar returns only 90~ or less.

Just how much will be returned by the dollar that farmers,pend on the advertising of raw farm products? It may be ahit dishli'hin~ to find that, really, nobody knows the answer tothat question for sure - not even the experts.

~UmerllllS r('searches ha\'(' h(,(,Tl

t .Irried Ollt that show some' pos-t in' result -;. From stud ie'S made.

the "res('an .hers" can sa" that: A.For this product - B. In the mar-kd or markets that were t('sted -and C. 'Vithin the time limits forwhich the tests were run - theadveliising promotion campaignshowed increased consumer pur-chases of the product, or the pro-gram rehIrned a certain percent-age of financial gain above thedollars spent.

But genera]]y, research expertsfence their conclusions in withmany "ifs", "buts", and "how-evers:' They caution against theuncertainties which intrude intomost research tests of promotionalcampaigns. There are so manyfactors at work which are hard tocontrol or to balance out to avoidan influence on the results.

Sometimes one research analvstgets too enthusiastic over his ~e-suIts to suit others-and they pullhis conclusions apart. Of course,the conclusions one draws from astudy CAN be affected by a per-sonal interest in the results. If itis important to me that promotionshould be profitable, I am goingto be looking for results that willmake it look profitable, if I canfind them. I might do so quiteunconsciously. So research find-ings must be judged very criticallyto erase any possible sources oferror that bias the conclusions.

This critical approach is veryimportant to the question whetherthe advertising of any raw farmproduct wiII pay for the dollars in-vested in it. Farmers are going tobe paying those dollars. And tell-ing your story to the public is acostly affair. One issue of theLIFE magazine contains morethan $2 million in advertisingspace. Some of the best advert is- .ing time on television mav costadvertisers as much as 81:000 aminute or more. Farmers wouldlike reliable information, if pos-sible, on whether thev should in-'-est in advertising ..

A general farm organization,like Farm Bureau, gets into a pe-culiar spot on this question as towhether to advertise this or thatfarm product. Farm commoditiescompete with one another for ashare of the public's capacity toconsume food. To favor one fannproduct over another can get <:on-h'oversial. Advertising can neverincrease the total sales of all farmproducts. There is a definite limitto the total amount of food thatthe public will consume.

But a general farm organization

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MICHIGAN FARM NEWS August 1, 1967 FIFTEEN

"If You Want the BestYields in Your AreaUse Special WheatStarter Fertilizer!"

says: Melvin RobinsonR.R. # 1, Sparta

\\On last Sept. 20th, I planted 11 acres of Avon Certified Seed Wheat

using Farm Bureau Special Wheat Starter Fertilizer according to the

directions. This spring I added 114 Ibs. of 33V2 % nitrogen. My yields

are going to be better than anyone else in the area, except for my

neighbors who also used Special Wheat Starter Fertilizer."

The perfect profit partner f~r Farm Bureau Special Wheat Starter Fer-

tilizer is Michigan Certified Seed Wheat. Plant the best, fertilize with

the best and you'll harvest the best.

YOU CAN GET THE SAME RESULTS!

*FARM BUREAU SERVICES CAN HELP YOU WITHQUALITY PRODUCTS AT ECONOMICAL PRICES

4000 N. GRAND RIVER AVE., LANSING, MICHIGAN

As appearing in August, Michigan Farm News and August 9th issue o' Michigan Farmer

Page 16: Agri-Politics - Michigan State Universityarchive.lib.msu.edu/DMC/MFN/1967/1967-8.pdf · ton and out of our sight. ... This is not a pie-in-the-sky aproach. Bills ... sing, are readied

SIXTEEN August 1, 1967 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

\

"

•FARBUREAU!

Policyholders will save money on their auto insurance this year.

How much? Up to a healthy 150/0 of the premium payment. On July 7, the

Company authorized a dividend to be paid on each car and truck insured with Farm

Bureau Mutual. Policyholders who are eligible will receive a refund check early this

Fall.

Approximately $315,000 in dividends will be paid to auto policyholders

throughout Michigan. This refund has been made possible by an underwriting pro-

gram placing emphasis on proper driver classification - and your help in holding

down the rate of traffic accidents.

So, fatten-up your piggy-bank (or sugar bowl) with our compliments. If you

don't insure all your cars and trucks with Farm Bureau Mutual- why not call your

local agent? Ask him about the auto dividend. Ask him to explain why it pays to

insure with Farm Bureau.

FARM BUREAU---INSURANCE

GROUPFarm Burl!au Mutual- Farm Bureau Life. Community Service, LANSING

"