~- MHCHHG~N'aFAl, ~EWS THE ACTION ""PUBLICATION OF THE MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU Vol. 42, No. 10 Published Monthly by Farm Bureau October 1, 1964 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL IS THE BIG TOPIC in Farm Bureau Commu- - plus a new-member campaign. Assisting (left) is Tom Graham, nity Groups all over Michigan. The "Young Adults" of Ingham County County Roll-Call Manager, while hostess Mrs. Ramon Waltz sorts take Roll-Call time seriously as they lay plans for \\100%\renewal" material. With back to camera is group chairman, Larry Silsby. IMPRESSIVE ANNUAL ARRANGED I YOU Are Important By Clarence E. Prentice .1 Although the ~1ichigan Fann --","""Bureau moves one. step YOUNG PEOPLE'S Secretary-~fanager, ~fFB closer to the half-century ma.rk with the advent of its 45th ANNUAL In Farm Bureau, you are important. annual meeting November 10-11-12 - Farm Bureau As a member, YOll are "connected" in a nation-wide hook-up 'Vomen,- as befits ladies, will show only half that age in directly with every other of the more than 1,600,000 families celebrating their 20th anniversary of activity. now members of Farm Bureau in 49 states and Puerto Rico. Opening officially on Tuesday morning, November 10 Through county Farm Bureaus, state Farm Bureaus and the (one week after the national elections), the big three day Th' - d American Farm Bureau Federation with offiCes in Chicago meeting wi 11get un deJWay In . t he au d"Itonum 0 f 11.6' h' nIlC Igan IS'" November 7 \.\ t te o~a . n- ay, ed, and 'Vashington, you are linked in a gigantic network. - State University, with the president's address by 'Valter with ,a' fU~~Y::. ,~eni .~- How well you use this power-connection is up to you. The line is open and you are on it. 'Vhat will you do with your \Vightman. _ .' sion sChedu~~"~ . Et~? ~o~ty According to ]. Delbert Wells, Annual Meeting Staff F.B. center, m,l~ta.nd1~ opportunity and responsibility? Consider: agriculture now makes up about 8% of the popula- Chairman, the forenoon of the first day will again be de- According t ""?n ~WJlfi~m~, tion. The other 9.2C1cJare not much concerned about their voted to eneral sessions followed by adjournment at noon st~ Youn& People s Committee g ... f - "ctWrman, the featured speaker Country Cousins as long as food and shelter remain a bargain. for commodIty and spectal-mterest con erences. w. be Elton Smith, Caledonia Isn't this reason enough to get heard? Many important county The 20th anniversary meeting of Farm Bureau Women farmer and vice president of the out and support Farm Bureau, the policies will be decided at your will be held in the ballroom of the Union building on the ~lichigan Farm Bureau. organization to which three out of meeting. afternoon of the first day, highlighted by ceremonies hon- ~ide the regular b.usiness ses- every four farmers belong? Isn't Policies for the whole Farm oring all past Chairmen. si~ there will be a revamped this reason enough to take most Bureau organization will be dis- seriously you,. opportunity and .. cussed at you,. county meeting Spea k.109 on th elkWomen's pro- Stryker, president of Stryker Cpr- "Discussion Meet" and the annual gram will be Mrs. Frank Garrison, poration, wil spea at th e annua I "T a Ient F'In.d" Th e. D'~scusslon . your responsibility? and recommendations will be sent Every one of the 71 county on to the state Resolutions Com- Detr OJ,'t represen tie ng F arm and banquet. His topic "So You Want Meet feahnes the. tOpIC Keys to h " Farm Bureau units in Michigan mittee and to the Michigan Fann Garden Clubs of the state. Mrs. To Go Into Business" mixes u- our Farming Future, and each Leon Burgoyne of Berrien County mor with first-hand hard-headed COUl)tyis allowed two contestants will h~ve an annual meeting in Bureau annual meeting. early October. You are connected. How well will entertain the group. The business experience and advice. to Ibl Junior and Senior cate- Will you be there to speak will YOIl use that connection? business meeting will be con- Other highlights of the meeting gories. Juniors must be less than your mind on important policy On page 3 of this paper is dueted by Mrs. Maurine Scramlin, include: d eb ate on resoIutIe ons 17; Seniors between 17 and 30. matters? listed your annual meeting date. Chairman of the Farm Bureau and the election of directors to The talent contest will be also Will you lend your voice and \Vatch for local announcements of \Vomen's Committee. the MFB Board from the even- divided into the two classes with strength by being present and your meeting. A well-known Kalamazoo .doc- .....~. I' 'bl active? Plan to be there. t h h d h' d' I numbered districts, 2-4-6-8-10 - (,OUrNI~S e Igl e to enter two acts or w ~ ea. s IS own me Ica L in eACh divi6ion. Wit] .,., ... out and be. ~ to be heard. productIOn f~, Dr. Homer H. pIns two Directors at arge. TWO October 1, 1964 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Is He Scaring or Calling Them? President's Goumn lB111I11 STIllS ~ ~ People- Problems. POlITICAl SIOll ~ Problem People As we've said before, it pays to keep an eye Walter W. Wightman, President on fast-talking, fast-moving Orville - Freeman. Michigan Farm Bureau Eager Orville, Secretary of Agriculture extra- ordinary and chief pitchman for a long list of Sometimes it seems as though we have not socialistic "supply-management" farm control progressed very far in the 2,000 years since schemes, brought his road show back to AI ich- Christ tried to teach us a better way. igan. Over the span of these centuries, the struggle has gone on to lift men to the level of Christ's Word had gone out that farmers here weren't challenge to love and respect one another,- exactly lining up to buy what he had to sell, to abolish hatred from our hearts. This chal- and always-game Orville came back to see why. lenge was given us directly, for Christ said nus makes the third trip in two years in part ''This shall all men know, that ye are My at least at taxpayer's expense, and it is hardly disciples, if ye have love one to another." Men news that much of the time was spent in direct have come near, but then have drifted far from attacks on the integrity of the Michigan Farm this great principle. It is so easy to return to Bureau. the pagan barbaric violences. To repeat what we wrote after the last visit: / ~ People stia covet, stio, hate afl!l refuse to live "It is an unbelievable sight to watch a member I ~- with one another in peace and quiet. of the President's Cabinet use his office to con- demn Farm Bureau - a free farm organization." Quoting from this column of a year ago, \ ;1'/ Ii! ...! .'. /. ,,' . Across the seas we see violent unrest, blood- shed and inhuman atrocities. We are tempted to think "they don't know "When Secretary Orville Freeman used a any better, they haven't been trained in the speech in Michigan as a political platform in an Judeo-Christian atmosphere as have we of this attempt to publicly shame Michigan farmers country." who oppose his control programs, HE IS US- ING FARMER'S OWN MONEY AGAINST But what of those of us who have? What THEM:." about us? Are we better? But that's our OrviUel In Michigan, of the year 1~, in this en- ,- The only real difference this time about so many words, he also called farm lead- is that in "UNDERWHElMING" Iightene~ state of well-educated people, we s.ee farm neighbor threatened by farm neighbor. \Ve hear of violence and gunplay, of threats ers liars as he tried to shift the blame for near- ~In his third "non-political" appearance in Michigan and destnlCtion of personal property because disaster results of his Wheat Certificate scheme in less than two years, Agricultural Secretary Orville one person has a different idea than the other onto Farm Bureau, the one organization that Freeman used several million words to cut down con- on how best to increase farm income! opposed it most violently. siderable political hay. II ow incredible that we have advanced so In trying to direct attention elsewh~re, he The value of the verbal crop, if any, remains to be liHle in the art of human rewtions that pennies- nimbly sldrted aro»nd his dumping of surplus seen. per-pound-of-pig can strip off the veneer of wheat to wreck tbe free wheat market, and Among other things, in his appeaun~ at Michigan "civilization." How incrediblo thilt force is said instead that the free market price was low State University, -September 11, Freeman said: used, or its use" threatened by those who would because, somehow - in some mysterious fash- The present price of wheat is low. whip everyone into line with their own way of ion - Farm Bureau caused it. The present Wheat Certificate law now on the thinking! His statement contained the same kind of books is the Crange program. Nor is Farm Bureau immune. twisted truth as his utterances here just before We had.a fann program last year but Fann Bureau the crucial May 21st Wheat Referendum- Even in our own organization we have had voted it down. honest people called "liars" and those of one such as the flat prediction then that "if Mich- Recent livestock prices have increased because he religious faith attacked by those of another. igan farmers really understood what is at issue ordered the USDA to' make beef purchases for the in the wheat referendum, 90% of them will Fanners and rural people of these United vote ~yes:" school lunch program. States need a united, closely-knit organization ••• to fight for them and to protect them from such As usual, Orville underestimated farmers' It was obvious from the start that Freeman was things as government intervention in their ability to understand. nettled by the attitude of Michigan fanners, first be- affairs. They clearly understood then (as now) his cause of their turn-down of his wheat program a year threats of one-dollar wheat if farmers didn't fall They need a united, strong organization to ago, and next because of their attitude toward the represent them in the marketplace, to protect into step with government control programs. $1.25 per bushel price of wheat since the same pro- them there from ruthless buying tactics ex- Michigan fanners reacted accordingly. They handed 'Freeman his predicted vote - almost gram was adopted by Congress over their objections. hibited by the very few buyers who now control exactly i!'J reverse - a shocking 80% "NOr His accepting responsibility for recently improved commodity prices at the retail end. meat prices, which while possibly true, could only Farmers do not need their voice weakened Not able to get farmers to fall for something enrage NFO members. so obviously contrary to their own interests, or their important issues clouded by their own As for the statement that Farm Bureau voted down voices in discord. Freeman went to work on Congress. With the last year~s fann program - if he was referring to the strong backing of the Johnson Administration, We have about three choices: We can run Wheat referendum, it was the first time Freeman has our own business, we can turn the job over he and his dozens of paid employees worked publicly admitted that Farm .Bureau is a nation-wide ,- to labor unions or the government. Any time full time against farmers in selling Congress on organization reflecting the thinting of the majority of we weaken ourselves through a lack of unity, the very program f~mers turned down. all fanners. we signal others to step in. -. Michigan fanners clearly remember Free- To sum up reactions 0.£ those attending: The issues of agriculture are far too great man's battle cry of this super sales campaign underwhehn~g. . to let personalities stand in the way of. progress . that without the program, wheat income would drop. He said that with the new law, wheat in~ Within Farm Bureau we have a sound, sen- come would rise and the price of bread would sible, practical type of leadership. There is not. MICHIGAN""FARM NEWS no radicalism or lawlessness there. THI! ACTION ~LICATION Of' THI! MICHIGAN "ARM .UREAU Farm Bureau reached an all-time high in Incredibly, Congress by a narrow margin, The MICHIGAN FARM NEWS is DmECToRS: District 1, Max K. membership last year, arul is headed for a sec- bought what farmers had rejected and the new puhlisbed monthly. on the first day, Hood, Paw Paw, R-l; District 2. Wil- by the Michil1:an Fann Bureau. at its bur H. Smith, BurlinJrton. R-l; District ond all-time record with 29,000 more members program became law. A law that has brought publication office at 109 N. L.-uayette 3. Donald L. Ruhlil1:, Dexter; Dis- than at this time last year! Street. Greenville. Michil1:an. trict 4. E It 0 n R. Smith. Caledonia. Michigan farmers one of the lowest wheat in- Editorial and Jreneral offices at 4000 R-l; District .'5, David Morris. Grand North Grand River Avenue. Lansinl1:. Ledl1:e. R-3; District 6. Ward G. Hodl.!e, In Farm Bureau there is more than three comes in years - a law that is raising the price Michil1:an. Post Office Box 960. Tele- Snover. R-l; District 7, Guy C. Free- phone. Lansing, 48.'5-8121, Extension born. Hart. R-l; District 8. Lloyd Shan- times as manv members as in the other two of bread and baked goods over the nation. A 317. Ice!. Wheeler. R-l; District 9. EUl1:ene Established January 12. 1923. Sec- Roberts. Lake City. R-l; District 10. general fann' organizations combined. Farm law Freeman is finding more embarrassing ond Class Postage paid at Greenville, EdJrar Diamond. Alpena. R-2; District MichiJran. 11. Edmund SaJrer, Stephenson. Bureau operates in 49 states and Puerto Rico, daily. EDITORIAL: Editor. Melvin L. DmECTORS AT LARGE: Walter and no other farm organization comes near hav- Woell. Advertisinlt and Layout, Paul Frahm •. Frankenmuth: Dean Pridlteon. Farm Bureau leaders have called on Pres- A. Rivas. Staff Artist. Women's Material. Mrs. Donna 'Vilber. Sam Bass. "'f "ontgomery, 1 R- ; Wa ter I W. h Ig tman, ing a state organization in every state. OFFICERS: Michismn Farm Bu- FennviUe. R-l. - ident Johnson to repeal it, suggesting that if reau; President, Walter Wilthhnan. WOMEN OF FARM BUREAU: Mrs. We have much to gain by working together this is not done, the program will become a Fennville, R-2; Vice President. Elton William Scramlin. Holly; FARM BU- R. Smith. Caledonia. R-l; Secretary- R~A.U YOUNG P~OPLE: Donald in the largest, fastest-growing farm organization miUstone in thE}fall campaign around the neck Manalter. Clarence E. Prentice. Okemos. Williams, Webberville. in the world. of every candidate who voted for it. POSTMASTER: In using form 3579, moil to: Michigon Farm News, .woo N. Grand Rinr, lansing, Michigan. ' We have equally much to lose if we don't. M.W. SeconcI clan postag. poW at Greenville, Mich~. W.W. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS October 1, 1964 THREE MANISTEE - Oct. 14. 8: 00 p.m .• T\Nenty County Annual Meeting Schedule Farr Center, Onekama. MARQUETTE-ALG~R - 0ct. 12. 7 :45 p.m .• Skandia School. Reach Goal In the words of Clarence BRANCH - Oct. 12, 8:00 p.m., 4-H INGHAM - Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m., MASON - Oct. 21, 8:00 p.m., Am- Twenty county Farm Bureaus Prentice, Secretary-Manager of Cabin, Coldwater Fair~ounds. potluck supper, American Le- ber Town Hall. have made their 1964 member- the Michigan Fann Bureau - in CALHOUN - Oct. 20, 8:00 p.m., gion Bldg., Mason. MECOSTA-Oct. 13, 8:30 p.m.,' ship goal and h"'avereceived the this organization YOU are im- Morley-Stanwood High School. honorary title of "lELLST ARS." B. E. Henry Community Hall, IONIA-Oct. 12,8:15 p.m., Youth portant! But making most of your Marshall. Bldg., Ionia Fairgrounds. MENOMINEE -Oct. 13, 7:30 according to Glenn Sommerfeldt, p.m., Sportsmen's Club Rooms, manager of the Field Services Di- opportunity to speak up in Fann CASS - Oct. 17, 8:00 p.m .• County IOSCO - Oct. 13, 8:30 p.m., Tawas Stephenson. vision. Bureau is your responsibility. ~ Center Bldg .• Cassopolis Fair- Township Hall. grounds. MIDLAND - Oct. 19, 8:00 p.m., Leading this galaxy of TELL- Each of the 71 County Farm IRON - Oct. 10. 8:00 p.m .• Bates Township Hall. Hope Community Hall. STARS with the highest percent- Bureau organizations in Michigan CHARLEVOIX - Oct. 7, 8:00 p.m., age of goal is Marquette-Alger Elementary Gym. Boyne City. MISSAUKEE - Oct. 8. 8:00 p.m., hold an annual meeting in Octo- ISABELLA - Oct. 20,. 7 :30 p.m .• with 113, followed by Iron with McBain Public School. ber. Most of the dates and details CHEBOYGAN - Watch for local supper. United Brethren Church, 107%; Baraga, 104% and Mack- are ...listed here. S.E., Mt. Pleasant. MONROE - Oct. 8, 8:00 p.m., Ida announcement. inac-Luce, 103%. Elementary School. If f~r some reason your county CHI~PEWA - Oct. 6, 8:00 p.m., JACKSON - Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m .• In the 102% category are Otse- supper, Michigan Center High MONTCALM - Oct. 14. 8:00 p.m., is not among them, watch for 4-H Bldg., Kinross. Central Montcalm High SchooL go. Kalkaska, Midland, Gladwin School local announcements. CLARE - Oct. 2, 8:15 p.m., pot- Stanton. and Montcalm counties. Chip- luck lunch, .Grant Township KALAMAZOO - Oct. 8, Special pewa, Iosco, Charlevoix, Alpena, Plan to be there. Plan to be I-day Farm Bureau 10:00 a.m. MONTMORENCY -Oct. 15. 7:00 heard! Hall. - p.m., potluck supper. Hillman Mecosta and Wayne each -reached -4:00 p.m .• noon dinner, CJ..,INTON - Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m., High School. . the 101% mark. Those counties County Center Bldg., Kalama-' ALCONA - Oct. 5, 8: 00 p.m., Har- potluck supper, 4-H Bldg., St. MUSKEGON - Oct. 8. 7 :30 p.m., \\.ith 100% of goal were Wash- zoo ( County FB, Kalamazoo risville High School. Johns City Park. potluck dinner, 4-H Center, tenaw, Genesee. Clinton, Arenac FBS. Climax FBS, FB Insurance ALLEGAN - Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m. DELTA - Oct. 3, 8:00 p.m., pot- and Farmers Petroleum). Wolf Lake. and Mason. Potluck supper, Allegan Gris- luck lunch, Bay de Noc Ele- NEWAYGO-Oct. 20, 8:00 p.m., Michigan Farm Bureau's mem- KALKASKA - Oct. 10, 8:00 p.m., wold Auditorium. mentary School, Rapid River. Fremont Foundation Bldg. bership for the fiscal year ending . Kalkaska High School. ALPENA - Oct. 13, 8:00 p.m., EA1'ON -Oct. 8, 7:00 p.m., NORTH\VEST MICHIGAN - Oct. August 31 !pas 67,961 family KENT - Oct. 5, 8:00 p.m., Cafe- Wilson Community School. furnished dinner, 4-H Bldg., 20. 6:45 p.m. supper, Twin members - 97% of quota, 96% teria line "at will," Schensul's ANTRIM - Oct. 14, 8:00 p.m., Charlotte Fairgrounds. Restaurant, Grand Rapids. Lakes 4-H Camp. Traverse City. of goal. There were 63,676 re- Lakeland School, Elk Rapids. EMMET - Oct. 12, 8:00 p.m., Ac- OAKLAND-OCT. 14. 7:30 p.m. newed memberships, 4147 new LAPEER-Oct. 8, 7:30 p.m. sup- members and 138 Life members. tivity Room, Harbor Springs dinner, C.I.A. Bldg .• Waterford. ARENAC-Oct. 8, 8:00 p.m., per, County Center Bldg., Twining Community Hall. grade school. Lapeer. OCEANA - Oct. 7, 7:00 p.m. pot- BARAGA-Oct. 7, 8:00 p.m., Cov- GENESEE - Oct. 1. GLADWI~ - Oct. 6. 8:00 p.m., LENAWEE-Oct. 7, 7:00 p.m. dinner, 4-H Bldg., Adrian Fair- luck supper, Shelby Congrega- tional Church. $500 "Fine" ington Town Hall. BARRY - Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m., pot- Grout Town Hall. grounds. OGEMAW -Oct. 12. 8:30 p.m .• West Branch Community Bldg. For Speeding GRATIOT-Oct. 13, 8:00 p.m., LIVINGSTON -Oct. 6,7:30 p.m., luck supper, Community Bldg., Fairgrounds, Hastings. Ithaca. HILLSDALE-Oct. 14.7:00 p.m., Supper,-Fowlerville High School Gym. OSCEOLA - OTSEGO-Oct. Oct. 15. 20, 8:00 p.m., Corn Pickers BAY - oCt. 15, 8:00 p.m., Monitor potluck supper, 4-H Bldg., Livingston Township Hall. Farmers are being sub;ected to MACKINAC-LUCE - Oct. 5, 8:00 Township Hall, Bay City. Hillsdale Fairgrounds. OTfAWA-Oct. 15, 8:00 p.m., a $500 "fine" every time they go p.m., En gad i n e High School BENZIE - Oct. 22,8:00 p.m., Mills Gym. Allendale Township Hall two miles an hour over the speed HOUGHTON - Oct. 8. 8:00 p.m .• Community House, Benzonia. Superior Nat'l. Bank. Hancock. MACOMB-Oct. PRESQUE ISLE-Oct 14, 8:00 limit. 14, 7:00 p.m. banquet, Immanuel Lutheran p.m .• Belknap Township Hall. It happens every fall in Mich- BERRIEN - Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m .• HURON - Oct. 15. 7:00 p.m .• fur- supper. Youth Memorial Bldg., nished dinner. Farm Bureau School (Waldenburg), Mt. SAGINAW - Oct. 20. igan com fields. Berrien Springs. Cellter. Bad Axe. Clemens . SANILAC - Oct. 12. 6:30 p.m. pan- ..tosses can run that high when cake supper. Farm Bureau the speed of a com picker is just Bldg., Sandusky. two miles an hour over the rec- FARM INTERPH.ON.E: SHIAWASEK- nouncement. Watch for local an- ommended rate," reports Richard Pfister, Michigan State University farm safety engineer. The normal ST. CLAIR - Oct. 13. com picking speed is two-and- ................... ................... ST. JOSEPH-Oct.' 12, 7:30 p.m . one-haH miles per hour . ................•.. ................... potluck supper, Farm Bureau ................... ........•....••...• Bldg., Centreville . Here's how pfister figures the -- CD ........•.....•.... ......•••.•........ $500 "fine." Losses amount to ................... TUSCOLA-Oct. 20, 7:00 p.m . H .......•........... ..•••..•......•..•. banquet, Caro High School about seven bushels an acre at Cafeteria. the higher speed. This means 560 -- VAN BUREN -Oct. 24,6:30 p.m. bushels per 80-acre field, or a dinner. Farm Bureau Bldg., Paw $504 loss with com prices at 90 A -- o Paw. W ASHTENAW - Oct. 7, 7 :30 p.m. cents a bushel. Americans are drinking more B potluck supper. Farm Council Bldg., Ann Arbor. milk. For the first time since \VAYNE - Oct. 9; 8:00 p.m., 4-H 1956, per capita sales of fluid Bldg .• Belleville. whole milk have increased. Sales \VEXFO_RD - Oct. 12. 8:00 p.m., rose to 126 quarts per person in Cadillac High School Cafeteria. 1963, up from 125 quarts in 1962. Basic equipment for Farm Interphone RIGHT FOR YOUR FARM? Yes-if your time is worth money. With D, of course, is your house phone, and Farm Interphone you no longer spend time E is your farm building extension. Addi- running back to the house for phone calls, tional phones and speakers can be installed, or around the farm .getting instructions to as needed. your hired men. To understand how Farm But the real beauty of Farm Interphone Interphone solves these problems, take a is not the separate parts. It's the way they look at the equipment you get in a basic work together, to provide a really com- installation, and what each piece does plete communications system for the farm. for you. Regular telephone service is combined Item A, for example. That's a two-way with a special on-farm communications speaker-amplifier for a farm building lo- hookup. You can reach people on the farm DON/T MISS cation. Lets you talk and listen without or off, quickly, with Farm Interphone. even picking up the phone. Item B? A Like more information? Equipment "FOOTBALL FLASHES" with Paul Carey demonstration? Stop by or call our Busi- on WJR Radio more compact version of the same thing, for a location in the house. C is a power- ness Office-we'll be glad to talk it over Immediately Following All M.S.U. Football Games ful two-way loudspeaker for outdoor use. with you. @J MICHIGAN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY american dairy assoclation FOUR October 1, 1964 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Farm Issue Jockeying CI Mark of New Co~gress Will there be new farm legislatioQ. next year? Since both the present "emergency" feed grain program and the disastrous wheat-cotton program apply only to the 1964-1965 crops, it is obvious that new legislation will be on the docket during the session of Congress beginning in January, 1965. Present programs were. adopted as stopgap pJans and have failed to accomplish their purposes. The wheat program was put into effect without regard for the results of the 1963 "'wheat referendum, and without a refer- endum scheduled to determine whether producers want such a program for the 1965 crop .... Property Tilxes Top Concern The 1965 program puts additional pressure on wheat growers to sign up since the support level has been lowered and the value of the certjficate has been increased. lVith the announced policy of the Secretary of Agriculture to . ~~Keepfarm property taxes from going any higher." (AIon- villages now have income taxes. keep the market at approximately the support level, wheat roe County) In - Pennsylvania nearly 1,200 growers find little that is "voluntary" about the program. cities, boroughs, townships, and ~~Schooltaxes should be collected from everyone. Per- school districts have a hodge- It should also he noted that the present international wheat haps ... more sales tax could be allocated .. ." (Lenawee) podge of income taxes. agreement runs out July 31, 1965. Sugar and wool legislation School "districts be set up according to pupils and valu- Kansas Farm Bureau is work- expires early in 1966, which means that these programs will be ation over a larger enough area to balance high and low ing for a county income tax for up for review during 1965. points." (Ogemaw) schools. \Visconsin was success- Yes, the next session of Congress will no doubt see a great ful in getting property tax relief deal of jockeying on farm issues. ~'Isit advisable and economical to make fewer and larger through enactment of a sales tax high school districts ... ?" (Montcalm) which also made it one of the 24 reau, have, year in and year out, However, unlike the situation a "State income tax solely for school operating needs." or more states having both a sales helped shift many tax burdens century ago the mere ownership (Ingham) / and income tax. (elimination of state property tax, of property does not accurately "A payroll tax should be considered." (Manistee) Other pOJSible local non-prop- 15 mill limitation, elimination of measure wealth nor does it reflect "Flat rate income tax of 2 % ... earmarked for schools erty taxes fall into the category road tax on property, 50% limita- "ability to r-Y." of "nuisance taxes" and, generally tion on valuations, earmarking of Today, fanners especially can with a reduction of 20% on property taxes ... " (Alpena) speaking, will not raise significant other revenues for schools etc.). rightfully ask: Does the tax on The above are typical recommendations of community -revenues except in specific cases. Michigan is a growing state, propeJlty have to carry nearly groups resulting from the discussion topic on school finance. For instance, a tax on "admis- and also a wealthy state. Michi- 100% of the local tax burden? As reported in previous issues sions" might be worthwhile rev- gan workers are among the high- Can not the local costs of the of the Farm News much progress erty taxes are likely to continue enue - wise in Wayne county but est paid in the nation. Increased county, the schools, and the town- has been made ~ Farm Bureau's upward unless other sources of local revenue are found. not in most other counties. It population and increased wealth ship be spread more fairly? tax reform program in spite of the should not be forgotten that any means more and more new serv- fact that the November special Due to reapportionment, four Should not the entire tax struc- basic change or modernization of ices and programs which in turn session of the Legislature, through counties are now able to control ture be fairly balanced? Must county taxing powers will require mean continually higher budgets. the legislature making the job of Michigan's modern demands be bipartisan inaction, gave little legislation and this ii not easily There is no question that prop- lessening the burden a difficult met to a large degree by the out- consideration to Governor Rom- done. erty wiI! ~ntinue to be a strong, ney's tax reform program. one. In fa~ a constant effort will Neether should it be forgotten stable, base for the 4Vhole tax moded "horse ~nd buggy" prop- be required to maintain previous However, progress made dur- that farmers, through Farm Bu- structure. erty tax? gains and prevent the shifting of ing the regular Legislative session further burdens to property. included a somewhat better school aid formula. Studies are continu- ing toward a formula that will consider factors other than just Serious consideration must be given to this problem as more than 12% of the Michigan farm- "Thinking Voter's Ballot" property valuation per pupil. While a more equitable for- mula may help pcevent property er's income now goes for property taxes alone! Some possible sources of local November Election Issue tax increases, it is far from a total non-property tax revenue are: There will be no change in the ballot form used in the Novem- voting machine through planned Sales tax: Michigan now de- ber 3 election. This decision was reached when the State Board efforts to delay and obstruct other answer. rives a larger portion of its rev- electors who may be waiting. Total school costs will continue of Canvassers gave its stamp of approval to the petitions filed enue from this source than any The law spec{fically provides to rise because of: increased num- by the CIO and others, calling for a referendum on the so-called other state. Because 21hst of the that "the inspectors may grant bers of pupils; more "special edu- Massachusetts Bg4lot which was adopted by the. legislature in 4st now goes to schools and local further time in their discretion." cation" programs for the retard- the 1964 session. government, it can be said that it There is no time limit in regard to ed, disabled, homebound, emo- A referendum vote in the November 3 election will decide is now a combination local and voters using paper ballots. tionally disturbed, etc.; greater state tax. whether or not Michigan will use this ballot form in succeeding In looking at the "thinking school emphasis on yocational ed- There may be ~ problem in elections. voter's ballot" through the eyes ucation or "job training" for drop- maintaining the Ihst now going to \Vhile it has been popularly called the Massachusetts Baliot, of Democratic or Republican outs etc.; more community col- leges; and many more. local units of government. There the Michigan law provides a ballot nearly identical with that party leaders, it is hard to assess are those who argue that it is not used in Ohio. Twenty-five other states also used the so-called any advantage to either party. These and others also mean needed in many areas. "Office Block" type of ballot. In some precincts an advantage contin~ed and increased building Income tax: The legislature The voting procedure would be similar to that followed in might run to one party; in other programs. passed a uniform income tax law precincts the other party would Special programs are very ex- a primary election or in a nonpartisan election (for judicial allowing Michigan cities to levy probably benefit. pensive, often costing double that income taxes. The question of officers, city or vilIa~e officials and school officers). of the ordinary classroom. Most Under this form, the candidates for each office are listed in In any given election, a strong taxation of non-residents was people believe, however, that bet- a block and the party designation is listed after the candidate's candidate at the head of the compromised to 1h of the rate ter education and job training will name. ticket might result in some ad- for residents. result in less welfare and delin- In voting a straight ticket, the elector would place an "X" vantage to candidates down the Several cities have or expect quency later. line. During past years both par- to have an income tax. Nearly in front of the name of each candidate of his party. Other pressures on property ties have at different times been 200 cities could qualify and Mich- Adoption of the Office Block will also increase. For example, interested in such an approach. igan could be practically blanket- Ballot should not come as a sur- given, thought to those best quali- the new state highway commis- ed by income taxes with no prise to Michigan voters. It was fied is given some assurance that Michigan voters are forhmate sion taking office January 1, chance for relief on property first proposed in the Legislature his vote will not be offset by the in that in 1964 the issue appears 1965, will face a grim financial taxes. in 1951 by Senator Don Vander- non-thinkin~ elector who simply on the ballot for referendum vote picture. Farm Bureau's present tax pol- Werp, of Fremont, as a means of puts an "X" at the head of a without political significance in Michigan can be proud of its icy proposes that the income tax improving voter responsibility in column and thus casts a vote for the present election. If approved roads but they must be paid for. should lJe available for county state and local elections. every candidate, qualified or un- by the people, the new ballot It has already been proposed to use and the revenue produced It has often been discussed qualified, on the party's slate. form will become effective in the shift more of the cost of local used to lower taxes on property. since that time and has at varying It also will tend to eliminate next General Election. roads back to the county and If a city can administer an in- times been supported by mem- the "coattail" e.ffect of a strong It has been pointed out by Sen- hence to the property tax! come tax, the county, as a larger bers of both political parties. In state or national candidate who ator Garry Brown, of Schoolcraft, Farmers living in potential unit, can do it more efficiently 1964 it was introduced in the thus may sweep into office an that in adopting the "thinking "home rule" co u n tie s face the and the revenues could be used House by Reps. Russell H. entire party ticket without regard voter's ballot" the legislahlre is prospect of increased property county-wide - city, suburbs and Strange, of Clare, and ( former to the qualifications of the indi- earrying out the mandate of the taxes. In the 1964 legislative ses- farming areas. 'Iaxes could then Senator) Don Vander\Verp. In viduals for the various offices. Michigan Constitution directing sion all "county home rule" pro- be shifted from property. tribute to Vander\Verp's dedica- One criticism which has been the legislature to enact laws "to posals provided for increased mil- Many State Farm Bureaus in tion to good election procedures, raised is that the new law provides guard againsf abuses of elective lage (5 to 10 mills). Farm Bu- the states not now having an in- the measure has often been called a three-minute time limit for vot- franchise... reau strongly. fought this kind of come tax are supporting its enact- "the VanderWerp Act:' ers balloting on machines. Michigan voters should study financing. ment to be used to lower property The new baUat has also been This is not designed to unduly the values of the "Office Block" Other examples, such as new taxes. Ohio Fann Bureau is one called "the thinking voter'.v bal- nIsh a voter in the marking of hallot ami be prepared to vote county mental health programs, of these, but faces an uphill fight lot." The voter who has studied his baJlot, but is a precaution YES or NO in the referendum on can be cited to show that prop- becanse about 80 Ohio cities and the records of the candidates and against the "filibustering" of a November 3. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS October 1, 1964 FIVE SAGINAW WOMEN SERVE OPEN HOUSE CROWD FBS, M~AFC Annual Meetings Scheduled for October 5-6 - Kellogg Center, on the campus of Michigan-State University, Inter-cooperative coordination East Lansing, will be the scene of Farm Bureau Services, Inc.'s as it ~.ffects Michigan agriculture 35th annual meeting, October 5. will be the topic of Linley Juers, AU stockholder members and boards of directors of member Associate professor of the Dept. cooperatives are urged to attend this important meeting, which of Agricultural Economics, M.S.U. on the afternoon program. will begin with registration at 9:00 a.m. in the north lobby. An address'by Noel P. Ralston, Milk, coffee and doughnuts will be served in the Centennial Ass't. Dean, College of Agricul- Room of Kellogg Center following registration. Farm Bureau ture, M.S.U., and Director of the Services' president, Elton Smith, will call the meeting to order Cooperative Extension Service, on at 10:00 a.m. in the Auditorium. "M.S.V. and Michigan Coopera- Resolutions and the election of directors will be among the tives Working Together for a Bet- important items on the morning agenda. The noon luncheon ter Agriculture" will close the speaker is ]. \V. Stiles, Director of Research and Development day's sessions. for Agway, Inc., a large regional cooperative in Syracuse, New READY FOR ACTION - and action is what the Saginaw County Farm Bureau- York. Women got, as hundreds of hungry people in a seemingly endless line stopped for The new Agway was formed times called a second Will Rogers, fried fish, barbecued chicken, baked beans, rolls, etc. during their visit to the new by consolidating the fonner co- Schriver brings to his audiences grain and bean terminal. The women worked from early morning to late afternoon to serve the large open house crowd on September -6. operative G.L.F. Exchange and a down-ta-earth philosophy of the Eastern States Cooperative. Stiles' businessman in overalls, in a hu- AND VISIT THE RETAIL GARDEN-STORE address bears the inmguing title, morous and homespun style. "Obsolescence." MAFC's annual meeting will be Highlight of the afternoon por- gin Tuesday morning, October 6, gram will be a report of business 9:00 at KeUogg Center, with re- activities by Maynard Brownlee, ports and election of officers. A general manager of Farm Bureau ~panel discussion on "Market De- Servic~, Inc. Immediately foUow- velopment Programs for Agricul- ing adjournment, registration will tural Groups" with Anita Mc- begin for the anfJluol meeting of Millan and George Dike of the the Michigan Association of Farm- Ag Econ Dept., Michigan State er Cooperatives. University, is on the morning A joint banquet of MAFC, agenda. FBS, St. Paul Bank for Coopera- The noon luncheon speaker will tives, and Michigan PCA, is be Robert Kramer of the Cooper- scheduled for 6:00 p.m. The ative Extension Service, M.S.U., speaker will be the well-known discussing product development HENRY SCHRIVEROhio's famous farm- farmer-philo6opher-rhymster Hen- programs of the USDA and their er-philosopher, will speak on "Cows, Kids and,Co-ops" at the joint banquet SAGINAW COUNTY'S EVER-ACTIVEFarm Bureau Women mode a tour of Form ry Schriver, who will talk on application to Michigan coopera- at Kellogg Center, Monday evening, Bureau Center facilities in Lansing recently in lieu of their regular monthly meeting. "Cows, Kids and Co-ops." Some- tives. October 5. They are shown inspecting shrubs and evergreens in FB Services' retail garden store. Tomatoes Move to Market Which size Savings Bond you should buy ... and why 1. Starter size for steady savers. Worth $25 at maturity; sells for only $18.75. 2. Increasingly popular size and very big with Payroll Savers. Only $9 weekly buys one a month comfortably. Sells for only $37.50. 3. B'rand-new size. For people who want to buy more than a $50 Bond "but not quite a $100 one. It's worth. $75 when it matures in 734 years. Sells for just $56.25. 4. If you're in a hurry to build up savings, this one's tailor-made. Each is worth $100 at maturity; sells for only $75. 5. Perfect for bonuses, tax refunds and other windfalls. Grows into a tidy nest egg of $200 at maturity; costs only $150. 6. For big-time savers ... and small inves- tors. You get guaranteed interest, excellent security. Worth $500 at maturity; sells for only $375. 7. This one's fine for part of an insurance settlement. \Vorth $1,000 at maturity; sells for only $750. 8. Good place for reserve funds-for busi- nesses, pension funds, credit unions, and other institutions except commercial banks. Good for you, too, when you happen to have $7500. Keep freedom in your future with BUY U. S. SAVINGS BONDS SIX October 1, 1964 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Violence Marks HoldingAction! Wrote one woman of another imprisonment for not more than instance, "It was heartbreaking to two years or by a fine of not see a man beat off from seUing more than $1,000 or both. four steers, because we knew his "A number of arrests to date wife lay in tlu;!funeral parlor and show that local law enforcement - the money was needed for funeral officials are growing tired of law- expenses. - , breaking and impatient with the Reports of 500 or more rioters methods of yiolence used," Wight- requiring the efforts of as many man said. as 60 law enforcement officers, to "Governor Romney displayed control, means that the rights' of great courage and wi~dom in his those who do not wish to become action to assure that laws are involved or to support the ac- obeyed. tions of NFO are being violated. - ..He is to be c01J{i1"atulatedfpr "Some seem to think that only his decision.- one select group has