I I NEWJ I THE ACTION PUBLICATION OF THE MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU Vol. 48, No. 11 -1919-50 Years of Service to Michigan Farmers-1969- November Is This The Future Of Agriculture? When times seem uncertain, young people often give up the well be a reality in a few short years. Dr. Robert Parker, a idea of preparing themselves for the future. There is a tendency scientist-astronaut with NASA, v. ~IIc.:.!dress the annual ban- to sit back and say, "What's the Use? Our plans will only have quet of the Michigan Farm Bureau at lansing Civic Center, to be abandoned anyway, and so we will wait." Five years November 11. (See page 3.) It is appropriate to have a young ago critics scoffed at the "lunacy of reaching the moon." Today man who is scheduled for one of the near future space flights optimistic scientists foresee space stations on the moon, with bring us up-to-date on what can and will take place. It is also agriculture sufficient to care for the needs of the inhabitants.' fitting, during these uncertain times, to get a report on the Artist Norm Goodling gives a brief insight of what could very vital role space travel will play in the lives of each of us. Don't Miss Your Michigan Farm Bureau Annual Meeting At Michigan State University ... November 10, 11and 12, 1969 Annual Capitol Fann Bureau Discussion Topic ... ON THE INSIDE: Meeting Page 3 Report Page 4 Women Page 5 Unionization Page 10 TWO November 1, 1969 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Editorial Farm Bureau President's Column EXPANSIONIST NOT PROTECTIONIST Mutual Announces Are we Thankful? Farm Bureau is Positive A question often asked, but seldom really Maurice H. Stans, U. S. Secre- tarv of Commerce told the 10th Dividend So often wt.~ hear the COInnH'nt "Farm Bu- answered is: "\Vhy should we wait until Thanks- ph~'nary meeting of the ~ational The thirteenth auto dividend in reau is a negative organization because it is Export Expansion Couneil re- twenty years will begin arriving against everything, especially when it comes giving to give thanks for the many things we cently, "The fundamental trade in Farm Bureau ~Iutual poliey- to legislation." have and for the many things we do not have?" policy of the Nixon Administra- holder mailboxes after i\ovember Before examining the validity of these ac- There isn't any of us that can't travel, even tion is expansionist, not prote(,'- 1. In eontinuing effort to en- cusations I would remind you there is definitely a mile from our home, and find a person, or tionist. In fact, and in word, we courage driver safety, the npw are committed to the aehievement dividend will add up to S280,OOO a "positive no". \\'hen your child is cornmit- persons, in need of our help. \Ve should be of free trade between nations, ... 10% of the semi-aimual pre- ting an error and you say "no" you aren't just thankful for the measure of health and strength and we are very aggressively seek- mium for some .50,000 ~lichigan against, you are for positive correction. All we enjoy. \Ve should humbly but proudly ad- ing the greatest possible cxpan- auto policyholders, farm organizations created as only a protest mit to ourselves and others that we arc thankful. sion of American exports," "Driver safety, that's the kcy," movement barely got off the ground and have It is revealing - and relaxing - to capture The National Export Expansion said Nile L. Vermillion, Exceu- long ago fallen by the wayside. the feelings and reflections of children who Council is composed of 74 prom- tive Viee President of Farm Bu- The trend of many organizations, an~ of our haven't been exposed to the confusion of world inent business, labor. and profes- reau Insurance Group, in an-- federal government, is to build '\valls of secur- . affairs or the reality of real life. sional leaders appointed by the nouncing the dividend. "As an itv" for every avenue of American life. The Secretary of Commerce to advise insurance company we have a One Thanksgiving season a wise school- d~claration of Farm Bureau policy immediately him on international business pol- responsibility to encourage safe teacher asked her class to tell her what they, icies and programs. Charles 13. driving through dividends . , . cautions us that this isn't the direction we be- individually, would thank God for in their Shuman, president of AlI1eriean showing that safety really does lieve in. Thanksgiving prayer. The replies warrant re- Farm Bureau is one of 36 new pay. But ultimately, only the in- \Ve believe, and we have nine score years peating. members n~.med to the Council dividual motorist can make the to prove, America's progress was based on free- this year. decision to drive earefuliv, de- dom and dignity of the individual. .Man loses The teacher listed the children's answers into fensively, safely. Farrn I3ureau The Secretary told the Council his digni,ty and self-initiative hehind a wall one prayer, which read: "\Ve bow our heads Mutual auto polieyholders have." of the establishment of a national of security. and thank Thee ... for the sound of laughter; export goal of $50 billion by 1973 The latest atito dividend was Farm Bureau was founded upon, and has for colored leaves that swirl and fall in the . , , "the first national export goal approved by Farm Bureau ~Iu- grown llpon the philosophy of positive pro- autumn; for the smell of chocolate cake in the in the nation's history," he said. tual Insurance Board of Direetors effective October 20. In the past grams and positive thinking. \Ve don't always. oven; for big red garden tomatoes; for my play- "Beyond the setting of goals three years, Farm Bureau ~lu- do as well as we should because we are a ful kitten that gets tangled up in pink yarn; we are taking the practical, posi- tual has paid out over $800,000 human .institution operated by humans with for erasers that make mistakes disappear; for tive steps necessary to encourage in auto dividends to policyhold- human weaknesses. Nonetheless, our organi- the feel of wet grass on my bare feet; for the Ameriean business to do business ers while most auto insurers have zational structure is not the problem. vVe are good taste of hot cherry pie; for my warm, soft abroad. been raising rates, set up on a county, state and national basis. bed; for my sister's smile on Christmas morning; "\Ve are going to reduce the Vermillion also said that an This structure, wherein both responsibility and for the boats and seagulls on the wallpaper that documentation requirements for insuranee firm must ... "Con- exports. authority are decentralized, is a hallmark of carry me across the sea when I look at them; for scientiously serve all of the driv- Farm Bureau. the shade of the maple trees in our yard; for "\Ve are going to restore the ing public. That is the need our I am proud to be a part of an organization windows that let me watch the world go by, American merchant marine as an group-rater auto program ... the effective instrument in greater first in the Nation ... is meeting." that adheres to positive and progressive pro- and for God's care." world commerce. Farm Bureau Insurance Group's grams and philosophies. A portion of our Farm 'Vith so much unrest, dissent and often Bureau statement of purpose reads: "\Ve are going to improve the group auto program has been tr~asonous acts in our nation, one may ask, adopted by 21 Michigan business, "\Ve, as Farm Bureau members believe: In wavs and means of obtaining more "\VilI not Thanksgiving this year be an empty credit for export financing~ church, school and governmental our Constitutional form of government and it~ farce?" Only an embittered pessimist will stifle units, including Farm Bureau In- division of powers. I "\Ve are considering ways to surance Group and Farm Bureau his inner desires to be thankful. Every opti- "In freedom of speech, press and peaceful help American products overcome Services employees. According mist gazes toward the dawn, and perceives competitive tax barriers which are to Vermillion assembly. there the promise of a better day. Let us be these group auto being raised against them in coun- plans follow basic group health "In separation of church and state and in thankful for the yesterdays and the todays and tries around the world, the right of each individual to worship accord- and group life concepts. Group the unknown tomorrows. "In every country where it is rating and administration reduce ing to the dictates of his own conscience. If you were to list the things you are thank- appropriate to do so, particularly individual insurance rates while "That self-government is a precious heri~age ful for how would it read? "'ould your list Japan, we are pressing vigorously eliminating arbitrary cancellations which can be preserved only by the active, include the same things as the young people? for the elimination of restrietions by the insurer. intelligent assumption of basic citizenship re- - open or covert restrictions- Savings and innovation ... Are we too sophisticated to vent our real feel- sponsibilities by all people. against American imports and constant companions of the Farm ings of thanks? American investments," the Sec- Bureau Insurance "In the American competitive enterprise sys- Group policy- I realize it isn't popular any more to express retary said. holder. tem, in which property is privately owned, the old fashioned belief in God, to give thanks privately managed, and operated for profit and for a "Land of the Free", or to champion the AFBF ANNUAL BECKONS COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES individual satisfaction, and in which supply cause of private enterprise, but I dare say' and demand are the ultimate determinants of Final preparations are being made for the Fiftieth Annual there are few people around who really, deep market price. ~teeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation in our na- down, wouldn't shout their tnle thanks from the «That farm people have the right and the tion's capitol. roof tops if they didn't fear reprisal or censure responsibility to speak for themselves through .Michigan Farm Bureau members have shown a definite in- from their associates. organizations of their choice without coercion terest in attending this historic Golden Anniversary meeting I am grateful that I am a part of a people with many reservations already received. or government intervention. that is governed by gentlemen and statesmen Of special interest is the invitation for all County Farm Bu- "That the powers not specifically delegated instead of by blood-thirsty tyrants and power- reau presidents to be in attendance at this all important meeting to the federal government bv the Constitution crazed despots. and to receive recognition for the outstanding accomplishments are reserved to the states or 'to the people and I am thankful for friends ... for their voices of the past year. A section of the general assembly area will be that such powers cannot be pre-empted by. and their firm handclasps, for the unseen but reserved for County representatives. I urge participation bv federal statutes and must not be pre-empted powerful threads that unite their lives with my every Michigan County Farm Bureau to the AFBF annu~l by the courts." life. I am thankful that I can voice a prayer meeting. From all indications this will be the greatest annual \Vith statements such as these, how can any- each day for their safety and comfort, where- meeting in the history of Farm Bureau. one seriously say that Farm Bureau is a nega- ever they are. tive organization. I don't find one negative ~. statement. As we reflect on the demonstrations, riots and downright vandalism, under the guise of sin- MICHIGAN .FARM NEWS The history of Farm Bllreau also "erifies TH. ACTION ,"U.LICATION 0 .. TH. MICHIGAN prA"M BU"I!AU that the membership strives to work together cere protests against this or that, we can be doubly thankful that we are not forced to join The ~f[CHIGA~ puhlisht'd FAR~f ~EWS month Iv. on the first da". is DIRECTORS: District 1. Ham' with other organizations in dealing with the ~ye, St. Joseph. R-l; Distrit-t 2. Dea;! such actions, but can show a force of strength h,' the ~fit-hittan' Farm Bureau. at it~ Pridl!t'OIl. ~llllltI!Omt'ry, R-I; Distrit-t 3. pressing problems of the dav. However, it puhlication oHict' at I OC) ~. Lafa\"{.tte Andrew Jackson. lIowt'll. R-]; Dis- must he noted that Farm Bure~lI does not sway for our country by displaying "Old Glory" as 'trl'et. Grl'envilJe. ~Iichil!an. trict 4, Elton R. Smith. Caletlonia, R-I. Editorial and ceneraJ oHicl's at 4000 thousands upon thousands did on moratorium :'\orth Grand Ri\'er A\'enul'. Lansin!!. District ."). David ~fon;s. Grane! Led!!l'. from one side of a prohlem to the other. ~Iem- ~Iit:hil!an .18<)01. Post Office Bo, 960. R-3: District 6. Jaf"k Laurie. Ca~s \.it\'. day. It's too bad the communications media Telephone. Laminc 485.8121. E:\:ten- R-3: District 7. Kl'nnl,th BIIII. nailc~'. hers of other organizations have often com- failed to see this part of the demonstration. sion 317, year. Suhsc~iption price .. 'JOt [X'r R-l; District 8. Barn',' Lcu{'nh,.r!!c'r. mented on what a great advantage this is as Saginaw. R-6; District 9. Eugene Roh- I am thankful for many things. The list Estahlished Janual"" 12. 1')23. Sl'C- ('rt~. Lake City. R-I; District 10. compared to the situation prevailing in their ond Class Postal!e paid at Greenville. becomes interminable. I cannot be among ~fichil!an. Richard Wieland. Ellsworth. H-t: Dis- organization, or others, when' a dear-cut state- trict 11. Clayton Ford. Corncll. EDITORIAL: Editor. E,'an J. lIale: fll(,Ilt of fundamental heliefs and forthright those who assert that Thanksgiving is a farce. Associate Editor. Vt'rn ~1. Rulll'n: Ad- To me the day is more meaningful than ever, \"ertisinc ~fanal!er. Artist. :'\orl1lan Goodlin!!. Carl p, Kt'ntm'r: DIRECTORS AT LAnc.E: Frahm. Fr;mkenl11uth; Jaml'\ L. Sant'o \\"altt'r pnlil'ies arc not followed. OFFICERS: ~hchil!an Farm Bu- 1\t.\Il,\,iIJl': Cal\'in Lutl.. Kal",'a .. . :\t; wc start t}w next fifty years of growth for in my consciollsness is an abundance of re:llI; Prl'\ident. Elton R. Smith. Call" WO:'-fEX OF FAR:\I nt'REAt': \Ir\ reasons for gratitude - more in number than donia. R-I: "ice President. nl'an .If'rold Tonliff. Eaton Ranids. R-I; In our 0f.!.!:lnizatiol1. let's look to the future Pridceon. :\fontl!omel"", R-I; ~ec:rl'tal""- FAlnl Bl'REAl' YOCXG FAH\IEIl'l' ever before. I shall pause this year to be thank- ~I;mal!t'r. Dan E. Reed. Lansim:. ' Lawn'm'" Kar'It'll. ROl:l'r\ City .. with a determination to huild on the positive ful for many things. ----------- - - --- - -- -- - . prograllls that han' made Farm Bllr('<1U the POSTMASTER: /n using form 3579, mail to: Michigan Farm News, 4000 N. largest !.!l'lwral farm organization in \Iichigan "'ill you join me? Grand River, lansing, Michigon 48904 Second class postage paid at Greenville, Michigan and tll(' nation. Evan Hale .Elton Smith MICHIGAN FARM NEWS - November 1, 1969 THREE Governor Names November 9-15 ..........••...........•••..•••••.......•••............•...•... Farm Bureau Week in Michigan f. tn: ~g I.~.;.. 50th ANNUAL MEETING ~ Michigan ..State University ... . November 10-12. 1969 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• J Charter Members Farm Bureau members are a "hearty group" - proving that fann life is a healthy life. Previously we listed 87 charter- family members - (those having been Michigan Farm Bureau members for 50 years.) Since then we have received names of 104 more. We are indeed proud to present these names of members who have contributed greatly to the success of tvfich- igan Farm Bureau. Family members, by county, include: Allegan: Andrew G. Lohman, Walter \Vightman, Gilbert Im- mink, Harvey Immink, George Koopman, James Koopman. Branch: Otis O. Barnes. Calhoun: - Roy Brazee. Charlevoix: Lavern E. McGhan. Clinton: Harlen Dershem, William King PROCLAMATION Lee. Delta: Wesley S. Hawley. Eaton: Minnie Clarke, Julia O'Neil, Chester Smith, Vern Smith. Ingham: Floyd Rice. Ionia: Robert Ainsworth, Myron S. Kennedy. Kalkaska: Ward Governor MilJiken has proclaimed the week of November 9-15, 1969, as Farm Bureau Rutton. Kent: Arthur Bowman, Ella Buttrick. Lenawee: Edna Week in Michigan. Beamer. Midland: Simon J. Murphy, Claude Oswald, Wm. Walter Mainhood. Montcalm: Fred Reblin. Newaygo: E. E. Twing. Oakland: Herbert Baynes, Lucius The proclamation reads; E. W. Lyon. Ottawa: D. H. S. Rymer (Sam). Saginaw: Ells- worth F. Larkin, G. W. Schomaker, Peter Young, Sr. Shiawas- "Agriculture, Michigan's second largest industry, provides for nearly one-third of our total see: Erle Arthur, Eugene Maiers, Clifford Arnold, Earl Baum- employment through agricultural production, processing and distribution. gardner, Clifford Bristol, Ray Byingto-n, Arthur Davis, Lila Heath, Blanche Potter, Floyd Reynolds, William Sherman, ~~TheMichigan Farm Bureau this year celebrates its golden anniversary with 50 years of Charles Warren, Hattie White, Leon \tVilliams. Tuscola: Eva outstanding accomplishment and service to Michigan agriculture. Aldrich, Mary E. Bell, Clare Ill, Ewald tll, Rinerd Knoblet, Frank Koch, John P. Newton, Edward Petzold, Fred Seitz. "Farm Bureau makes significant contributions to the economic and social well-being of Van Buren: Rena S. Buskirk. our state and comm1!-nities, helping farmers to work together economically, legislatively Washtenaw: Anna M. McCalla, Frank Geiger, Lawrence and educationally. In 1969, every county Farm Bureau in Michigan has achieved signifi- Boettner, Ralph Leland, Ray Gibbs, Angeline Hellner. Kala- cant membership growth, resulting in a total of more than 55,000 member families. mazoo: Earl Anderson, Daphine Bailey, Clair I. Brown, Helen Buckham, Valentine Buckham, Violet Maltby, Cyril Root. "Therefore, I, William G. Milliken, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby pro- Genesee: Gladys Bentley, Carl Brown, Laura Cooney, Roy F. claim the week of November 9-15, 1969, as Crouter, Mabyn F. Fox, George Fromwiller, Joseph Goodrich, Emma Green, Roy Hammond, Gladys B. Harris, Helen Hill, FARM BUREAU WEEK Erne'st Hill, Philip Hill, Carol Hodges, Mary A. Huggins, Earl Johnson, Maude Kurtz, L. R. Lang, C. Mildred Leach, Faye in Michigan, and urge recognition of the imporlance of agriculture in this state and C. Myers, Joseph B. Myers, Jr., Clara Perrin, Nina Pierson, of ,Farm Bureau." Ella H. Schultheis. George A. Somers, Nettie Spillane, Earl H. Swift, Lee Taylor, William A. Tenny, Carrie L. Tiedeman, George Thompson, Eva M. Wagner, Claude Zimmerman. NASA Astronaut To Address Annual Banquet YF Banquet to ternational Astronomical Union. the Red Cedar Rooms A and B Feature Odegard Prior to his selection for astro- at Kellogg Center at 6 p.m. while Three hundred Young Fanners naut training, Dr. Parker was an the Young Farmer banquet will are expected to attend this year's Associate Professor of Astronomv be held at 6:30 in the ballroom Young Fanner banquet at the at the University of Wisconsi~. of the Union Building. MFB Annual Meeting, Monday, He was selected as scientist- November 10, at 6:30 in the ball- astronaut by NASA in August, Pres. Shuman at Tues. Session room of the Union Building. 1967, and has completed the Following the Treasurer's re Hans Odegard, "fresh" from initial academic training and a port by William Beattie and th Denmark, will be the featured 53-week course in flight training Secretary-Manager's' report b. speaker. The 1969 Farm Bureau at Williams Air Force Base. Dan Reed, AFBF President Char Queen Diane Traver, national and les Shuman will address the gen Opening Day Session state Discussion Meet winners eral session. A special award wil The voting delegates will be and State Young Farmer Com- be presented to Michigan Far called to order at 10 a.m. Mon- mittee members will be in attend- Bureau by Michigan Milk Pro day. After the opening welcome. ance. A preview of next year's ducers; charter members will b there will be a presentation of planned Young Farmer activities recognized and a challenge 0 Freedoms Foundation Awards; will also be outlined at this Mich- the future will complete the morn the President's address by MFB igan Farm Bureau Young Farm- ing session. At 1 p.m. the dele- Dr. R. A. Parker President Elton Smith and at 11 ers Committee sponsored banquet. gates will reconvene to consider a.m. a Veterans Day ceremony resolutions. Delegates from Dis- Hans Odegard The six semi-finalists from the Carrying out a theme-"Look- by four members. of the U. S. tricts 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 will District Discussion Meets will ing to the Future"-Dr. Robert A. Marine Corps, Lansing. An ad- recess for caucuses at 4 p.m. compete for the state champion- from the 1969 Queen, Diane Trav- Parker, Scientist-Astronaut from dress by Gov. \Villiam Milliken Also at the 6 p.m. banquet, ship during the Commodity Day er at the banquet Tues. evening. NASA's Manned Spacecraft Cen- will complete the first morning's county Farm Bureau program luncheon Monday noon, with the ter in Houston, will be the princi- session. awards will be presented; Distin- state winner going on to compete Don't be left behind. Get your pal speaker at the 50th Anniver- Two special luncheons will be guished Service Awards will be for national honors at the AFBF reservations in early for the 50th sary MFB's annual banquet, held on Monday - The Women's presented and a 1970 Farm Bu- in December. Michigan's John Annual Meeting of AFBF to be November 11 at 6 p.m. in the luncheon at Kellogg Center in reau queen will receive her crown. Nye won the National Meet last held in Washington, D. c., De- Lansing Civic Center. the Big Ten Room and the Com- Directors to be Elected December. cember 7-10. Rooms are reserved Dr. Parker is tentativelv sched: modity luncheon in the Ballroom The general session will open at the Statler-Hilton with rates ~led for a space mission .in early of the Union Building. at 8:45 \Vednesday morning and The Farm Bureau queen con- starting at $12.00 per day. FOI 1970. He has degrees in Astron- County presidents and their Directors from un-even numbered test will be held Tu~day, No- transportation and room informa- omy and Physics and is a member wives and members of the state districts will be elected. Through- vember 11. More than 30 con- tion contact: Program Develop- of the American and Royal As- board and their spouses will at- out the sessions, resolutions will testants are entered and the 1970 ment Division, Box 960, Lansing, tronomical Societies and the In- tend the President's Banquet in be considered. FB queen wil~ receive her crown Michigan 48904. (See Page 11). FOUR November 1, 1969 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Statewide student testing is" an Iina, the state support now ranges important aspect of the recom- from 70% to 100%. In 21 other mendations. The purpose of this states, it is well over 50%. This is to determine what is happen- trend is indicated by the fact ing in the schools and whether that in 1940 only nine states were students are receiving the kind above the 50% support level. of instruction that they need. The The Governor made it very program would be on basic skills clear to the Legislators that his for all students in grades 1-2-4-7 recommendations are subject to and 10. This is in addition to the legislative debate and many prob- assessment program that is to able changes. He also made it start next January, which results clear that constructive criticism is from this year's legislation. Par- welcome, but with criticism must ents and others have a right to come alternative approaches. be concerned about the fact that Blind criticism cannot be pro- many students leave high school ductive and may result in little without basic skills in reading, or no change. writing, mathematics, etc. The program is one that re- The Governor's program also quires much study. No one should Gov. Milliken Presents Educational recognizes many other needs of education, sucb as neighborhood jump .to conclusions. The pro- gram contains all the elements of Reform Recommendations education centers; community school programs, which would a complete school and tax reform study. The opportunity now exists to get significant property tax by Robert E. Smith extend the use of school facilities; teacher incentives to encourage relief. Educational reform is the No. Intermediate school districts, A statewide property tax is good teachers; vocational educa- The 12 bills that have been 1 state issue before the fall session (presently numbering 60), would recommended in the report. In tion; (some areas have vocational introduced will be subject to of the Legislature, which con- be replaced by 10 to 15 regional this area, the Governor made education centers and raise as much change and each will stand vened October 6. On September offices. The regional offices would some import~nt changes. The much as a mill of property tax, on its own merits. However, every 30, the Governor's special Com- operate in much the same manner Commission talked in terms of 20 this would be eliminated) re- individual must recognize that mission on Educational Reform as the present intermediate dis- mills of statewide property tax- search and development of new nearly every area of the state is presented its report, which re- tricts, with additional responsi- the Governor cut this figure to and better methods of instruction; different and what appeals to ceived wide publicity and con- bilities. Transportation would be 16 mills. The first proposals were educational programs for migrant one area may be objectionable to tained broad and far-reaching handled by these offices, as "open ended" with no limit. The children, etc. another and, while most people recommendations. would special education, voca- Governor added a limitation, say- Neither the Governor nor the don't like the property tax, many On October II, Governor Mil- tional education, central purchas- ing that in future years the prop- Commission shirked their duty bv prefer it over the income tax, liken spoke to a joint session of ing, data processing and other erty tax for schools would not failing to recognize the se;iou's !!gain depending on personal cir- the Legislature and made his service-type programs that local be permitted to exceed the "same issue of parochial aid. They cumstances. recommendations for educational school districts cannot do them- percentage contribution to state recommended that a limited Farm Bureau's policy develop- reform. The Governor's proposals, selves. There would be a Board expenditures for schools as that amount be provided to pay a ment process is now in progress, in many areas, were different composed of represenatives of contributed by the 16-mill levy percentage of certified lay teach- but in our testimony, so far, we from the Commission's. There the local school boards. That in the first year." It is estimated ers' cost for teaching only non- have stated that property tax re- were at least 17 items that the Board would approve or disap- that, under present conditions, religious subjects. This, like the lief must come and that, while it Governor presented that were prove of the hiring of the Reg- -the 16 mills statewide would yield other parts of the program, will is possible to eliminate property not part of the Commission's re- ional Superintendent. All costs of _ about 35% of the school operat- be in a separate bill and will ride tax for school purposes, it is rec- port. There were another seven these programs would be paid by ing cost. This means that the on its own merits. However, they ognized that huge amounts of or more items that the Governor the state. Presently, this amounts property tax revenue would not also recommended that "nonpub- money are involved and that expanded upon with specific rec- to about 1l/4 to 1 Ih mills of be permitted to be higher than lie schools receiving state <;lid compromise will be an important ommendations. Most of the property tax in most areas. 35% of the cost of school oper- should be subjected to the same part of the legislative process. changes recommended by the Local school district reorgani- ation. Here again,. the pe.o~le evaluation, accountability and Farm Bureau has insisted, how- Governor came closer to Farm zation is also recommended in would make the fmal deciSion quality controls as public schools." ever, that the property tax millage Bureau's overall school and tax- the report, especially those dis- through a constitutional amen~- should be lowered to 10 or 12 ation policies. The parochial aid isSue, during mills, and that income tax is the tricts that do not presently have ~e~t .. The present 15-18 mill Governor Milliken has received the past year, has had a suffocat- fairest method of replacing the a K-12 program. There are about hmitation .wo~ld be c';lt to pr~b- general commendation for the ing effect on all other types of large amounts of money involved. 126 such districts left in th _ ably 7 mills 10 15 mill countIes courage that he has displayed in legislation. Most informed people If the Legislature is truly con- tire state. Reorganization of ~~~2 and 10 mills in 18 mill counties. calling for complete educational realize that this issue must be cerned about educational reform districts is also recommended There is much to consider in resolved one way or the other- and tax reform. The program is with a suggested size of not les~ this proposal. It means that more either by the Legislature and the tax reform needed to so broad that it can be said - "it or carry it out, some type of com- than 2,000 pupils, but with recog- than 90% of the. prop:r~ . tax- through the courts. It will, no pleases everybody in some ways nition that this cannot be achieved payers would receIve SignifiCant prehensive program will have to and, likewise, displeases every- doubt, become a federal consti- be passed, whether it's the Gov- in every case, due to sparcity of tax relief .. For instance, many tutional issue. body in other ways. Nonetheless, population, distances that stu- areas receIve more than 30 mills ernor's, the Commission's or it recognizes the differences in dents would have to travel and for school operation. In many The national trend is toward someone else's. In any event, it school problems throughout the other factors. areas, school property taxes for state financing of local education. is estimated that it would take state and is a vehicle to be used .. operation could be cut in half. In In several states, such as Hawaii three years to put a complete by the Legislature in coming to !he reorgamzation would re- a few areas, however, school taxes Alaska, Delaware and North Caro~ program into effect. final decisions. Decisions on two qmre about three years to fully would rise somewhat and in other major parts of the program would carry out. The first stages w?~l? areas there would be'little change. be by the people themselves at the 1970 election. hE: throu?h volun.t~ry local mIti- A statewide property tax would ative, WIth prOViSIons for later be administered through the exist- ""taa ""Uude The program would require two constitutional amendments in addition to specific legislation. requirement . th~ough a hearing ing tax structure. In addition, pr~cess. ThIS is no~ n~arly as local districts would be permitted strmgent a.s other legislation that to raise, by vote, up to an ad- 1 aIUft, ~"",et:Ut ~ tJ,aJl,et 1t-e«l4, tItI Twelve bills have been introduced has been mtroduced. ditional three mills. However, to carry out the recommenda- Local school districts would each mill would be guaranteed The Michigan Farm Bureau 4. True tax equity and reduced tions. Some of the key recom- continue to be governed by elec- at $30. In other words, each dis- Board of Directors, in session on property taxes will make it mendations are: ted boards of directors. They trict's mill would be worth the October 16, considered some possible for all remaining non- Abolition of the State Board of would continue to have control of same as if it had an evaluation areas of the Governor's educa- K-12 districts to become part hiring of teachers, curriculum de- of $30,000 per child. tion recommendations in light of of a high school district. Re- Education. There seems to be cisions~ supervi~ion of ?~rsonnel, Huge amounts of money are present Farm Bureau policy. The organization of K-12 districts general agreement, that as now constituted, it has been a monu- educational pollcy deciSions and involved in shifting of taxation Board commended the Governor should be voluntary. Required mental failure. The State Super- all other ar~as of operation that The Governor recommends that for presentation of a complete reorganization should be de- intendent of Public Instruction presen~y eXIst. They would also part of the monies for schools education reform program. It is layed until such time as assess- Dr. Polley, has resigned. Th~ determme the budget; however, could be realized with a five cent recognized that the proposals will ment and evaluation tens give man selected as temporary Super- the total funding of the school increase on the cigarette tax. In be thoroughly considered by the factual information as to'\jual- intendent resigned in less than a would come f~om state. sources. a full year, it is estimated this Legislature. The Board acted in ity education programs for week. One of the leading Demo- Because of thIS budgeting pro- would provide $45 million. An- these areas: students. crats on the Board, Marilyn Jean cess, there would be some limita- other recommendation is to elimi- 1. If the State Board of Educa- Kelly, has also called for aboli- tions on teachers' ~ala~es: T?is nate the property tax credit on tion is abolished, it should be 5. Property tax should not ex- tion of the Board. should be helpful m ehmmatmg the state income tax. This could replaced by a commission ceed 12 mills and should be the present "whipsawing" by mean $116 million or more. This which, in turn, would appoint fuHy protected in relation to There is disagreement as to what should take its place. The teacher organizations with which has been difficult to administer the Superintendent of Public the cost of schools. governor recommends appoint- Boards of Education find ~em- as it also applies to renters. Th~ Instruction. This is consistent with other governmental de- 6. The state income tax should ment of a Director of Education selv~s ~onfronted. Teachers ~r- rest of the money needed to re- ga~llzatio~S: generally, do not l~e place the decrease in property partments, such as Agriculture be used to replace monies lost by the Governor, with consent of due to the decrease in prop- the Senate. Others suggests that thiS prOViSIon, as they recognIze taxes and to further fund the and Natura! Resources. it as a type .of. control. of their new school proposals would come 2. In view of the fact that there erty taxes. a bipartisan Commission be ap- pointed by the Governor, which, present negotiating tactics. from increased income taxes. This are many proposals for reor- The Board also pointed out that in turn, would hire the Director. Funding of local schools would would not need to be done until ganization of intermediate dis- most of the Governor's proposals Either of these ideas is in line be accomplished through what is 1971. At that time, the income tricts, the regional concept are already covered in present with the methods now used in the known as the "Classroom Unit taxes would be increased as fol- appears to he the most logical Farm Bureau policies and that other 18 departments of state System," which is now used in lows: personal - 1.5% (from the and would help cut property the 1969 policies are now being government. However, the final some form by most other states. present 2.6% to 4.1%), corpora- taxes. formulated through county an- decision would be made by the The present admittedly inequit- tions from the present 2.6% to 3. A statewide testing and assess- nual meetings, with final action people through a constitutional able school aid formula system 4.] % and financial institutions ment of students progress is to be taken at the state annual amendment would be eliminated .. from the present 7% to 11%. highly commendable. meeting in November. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS November 1, 1969 FIVE F~B~.W~ ~~A~ . /VI~ p~ - NfW_ 10 A style show - the election of a state chairman and vice chairman - plus an address from Michigan's lady state Senator will provide an interesting full day for the more than 700 Mich- igan Farm Bureau Women expected to attend the 50th Annual Meeting program November 10. ~residing will be Mrs. Jerold Topliff, Chairman, Women's Committee, Michigan Farm Bureau. The luncheon will start at 12:30 in the Big Ten Room, Kel- logg Center. Mrs. \Villiam Scramlin, Past Chairman, will giv ~ the invocation, and following the luncheon, Mrs. Clare Carpen- ter, Vice Chairman, will introduce the many guests . working, not waiting .. • •••• Always of interest is an elect~qn - this year, the state's chairman and vice chairman posts are on the ballot. The only announced candidate for state chairman is Mrs. Topliff, the "It's A Busy Time /" incumbent. Mrs. Richard Wieland and Mrs. Francis Campau Hello Y'all. As I sit here writ- Many of you met Bert White at VanWert, Hampton, Iowa, who is have filed for the vice chairman position. ing this morning I can look out ACWW last fall. our Midwest FB women's chair- the window and see "Autumn" Did you know that because of man, was elected to that position. Senator N. Lorraine Beebe, 12 Dist., Michigan State Legis- dressed in her most beautiful yel- aU the generous contributions, A new vice-chairman was elected lature, will address the ladies - talking on "\Vomen's Role in lows, reds, golds, and bro\\'I1s. It donated time and many hours of this year too. She is Mrs. F. G. Today's Society." Mrs. Beebe is a member of several state would be strange to live where work by many people at Mich- Garrison of Detroit, who is a committees and also national chairman of the Consumer we saw 'green' the year around, igan State, the careful planning member of the Farm and Garden Rights Committee. wouldn't it? Even the browns of of the steering committee for Club. These officers are chosen MFB President Elton Smith will visit with the guests; Mrs. the cornfields are a welcome ACWW, the work of Farm Bu- on a regular rotation basis, so Topliff will give her annual report and Helen Atwood, Coordi- sight after a summer of many reau women, the Extension home- that no one organization ever nator, "'omen's Activities, will present awards to county long working days. For goodness makers and Farm and Garden dominates the officers. Women's Committees for outstanding performance over the sakes, do be careful around those club people, the CWC had a Do you want a letter friend? If past year. cornpickers and combines, they balance, after all expenses, of so there are new forms to be are grabby things when running, about $60,OOO? The delegates at filled out and sent to the CWC The ladies will join Don Funk, East Lansing Songster and whether it be ears of com or CWC decided how to use the Secretary. These may be obtain- song leader and Mrs. Louise Smith, pianist, in a group-singing hands and arms. money - $25,000 to be used to ed from Helen Atwood's office. session before the long-awaited Style Review. The Country Womens Council hold a National seminar for We had a very full and inter- Winners of local needlecraft contests, held in each county, (CWC) met recently in Jackson, American Indian Women; $12,- esting meeting. The speaker at will model their winning costumes in a style review while other Miss. The meeting was sched- 000 for another improvement pro- the evening banquet was Dr. John "non-wearable" articles will be on display nearby. uled for Biloxi but hurricane gram in Central or South America H. Furbay, who has participated As gold is the selected color for the 50th Annual Meeting, Camile arrived first and stirred (similar to Villa Maria); $10,000 in our Citizenship seminars here members of the State Committee are using gold color for decor- things up too much. The ladies to be sent to the AC\V\V office in Michigan. His topic was "Four ations and encouraging the wearing of "something gold" in did some fast work and made to use as they see fit and the Dreams of Man," an interesting their costumes. arrangements for us to meet in balance retained for ACW\V and and challenging talk. Jackson instead. They were mas- CWC educational programs in Mrs. Jerold (Maxine) Topliff ters in hospitality too. The state our member societies. president of the Home Extension We were told that Villa Maria Feeling a little low? Do you SenatoL Beebe Reports on and state chairman of Farm Bu- reau women arranged for all 190 still needs equipment. The build- ing is completed, but they need want a lift? Need a vacation? Then join in the fun and the in- Hawaiian labor-Laws of us to have a tour of their lovely old Governor's mansion and host- a stove, refrigerator, pots and pans, plastic dishes, several kinds spiration of the 1969 AFBF An- nual Meeting in \Vashington, ed a tea there where we had the of toys and office equipment. D. C., December 7-10. Make Michigan State Senator N. Lorraine Beebe, Chainnan of the privilege of meeting the govern- An election was also part of Reservations now by writing: nationwide Consumers' Rights Committee, has issued the fol- or's wife. The state chairman of the business of C\VC and this Program Development Div. Box lowing statement: the Mississippi Farm Bureau year it was Farm Bureaus' turn 960, Lansing Michigan 48904. "I have just returned from an unpublicized visit to Hawaii, women is also a State Senator. to nominate a treasurer. Alice (See story Page 11). the only state in the nation with a collective bargaining law for farm workers, to find out for myself how effective this law is and to determine in what measure any of its provisions or con- cepts could be incorporated in a national fann labor bill to solve the dilemma facing all American agriculture. go anYWhere in MiChigan "After talking at length with legislative leaders of both parties, labor attorneys who are expert in the operation of the Hawaii act, business leaders and labor leaders - including lor a nickel-a -minule. officials of the ILWU, who have organized farm workers in Hawaii - I concluded that the great thing about the pioneering Hawaii act is that it works. The interesting thing is that every- one I talked to said the farm labor law benefits all aspects of Hawaiian agriculture - the farmer, the worker, the consumer and the unions. "1 am no labor lawyer myself and all those to whom I talked made it perfectly clear that they did not know whether the Hawaii act would serve the needs of any other state or as a model for national legislation. But, going through the provisions of the act as a lay person with Hawaiians who have to live with it, I was struck by the fact that Hawaii's law so closely parallels in so many respects the concept contained in Senator George Murphy's Consumer Agricultural Food Protection Act, on which I understand the United States Senate will shortly hold hearings. "My visit convinced me that agriculture all over the United States would benefit from farm labor legislation, such as Senator Murphy's, that is national in scope, equitable in pur- pose, and designed to protect the interest of all parties con- cerned with the free flow of food from the fann to the consumer. "The prime purpose of any such act must be to protect the consumer and his food supply. A necessary corollary of that o For a nickel, calls dialed direct, is that the act must give a voice to farm workers by providing we'll carry your voice and to operator-handled guidelines within which they may organize peacefully through a long distance. calls where Direct Distance secret elections, and bargain collectively. D You pay just $2 a month, Dialing is not yet available. "In this way we can hope to see the end of such destnlCtive and from 10 at night till 7 in the morning, o Call our Business Office and ask and discriminatory tactics as the attempted boycott of Cali- you can direct dial calls to anyplace in for Nickel-a-Minute service. It's a nice fornia table grapes, which are only destructive, and settle Michigan. For a Nickel-a-Minute. way to get out of town in a hurry. farm disputes on the farm, where they belong. o You can call your kids away at "As chainnan of the Consumers' Rights Committee, which school, relatives across the state, or now numbers 30,000 members, I have travelled the nation seeking information on the needs of agriculture. ~1y fact- finding tour of Hawaii has taught me that the state has pio- friends liVing anywhere in Michigan. o Nickel-a-Minute service applies only to station-to-station @ Michigan Bell neered well in this important area. The fact that Hawaii's act so closely parallels Senator Murphy's model convinces me that the solution is to be found in this concept." .1J::Ub111U1U~ ~u l.)lUVoN JU:.lU1LU~Ul .. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS November 1, 1969 .. J'" x..:. '.'" upon superiors of such priests to the next day to their fate? Where . ",...... (:--. ./J keep them in tow and not allow is the Bishop who can reverse the them "to roam the country dic- crucifixion of Sierra Vista and \~ tating individual ideologies or bring it back to life again? ~here promoting personal schemes, in- are the national tears for theIr loss vading jurisdictions over which a when they last staked their fu- local Ordinary (Bishop) presides ture on the brave assurance that and for which he is responsible." all would be well if they would The Vicar General, Monsignor only submit to a "free" election? James G. Dowling, was quick to To these workers, the national Battle assure the people of the Mon- boycott is merely a power play, terey-Fresno diocese that their imposed by outsiders who really Bishop was quite conscious of his care little and know less about for the Vineyards pastoral responsibilities to all of them - a play designed to pres- his flock, the poor and the non- sure them into another trap. It poor. "He has been a tireless is clear to them, as it is to me, COPYRIGHT 1969 TWIN CIRCLE. EXCERPTS apostle among the poor," accord- that they could choose Cesar Cha- REPRINTED BY PERMISSION ing to the Monsignor, "during vez to represent them any time thirty-two years as a priest and they really want to. But they do Bishop in Puerto Rico until 1947 not. All the pressure was against when he came to be our Chief their staying in the fields when REV. CLETUS HEALY, S. J. WHAT HAS GONE BEfORE Shepherd and Pastor.... Like the pickets were there. All the Father Cletus Healy, well-known Jesuit writer tells of his visits to California every other good and conscien- pressure was for walking out. In tect; the fanner has current in- vineyards to gather first hand material about the so-called Grape Strike. tious shepherd he must be mind- spite of this, a vast majority of come and the entire accumula- There he talked with Cesar Chavez about whom he writes: "He has a vested ful of the needs and problems of the workers voted daily, not freely tion of a lifetime - perhaps of interest in troublemaking. And he loves his wark - for more than any saint should ... " Father Healy's story continues •.• all members of the fold. And in but against a great deal of pres- several lifetimes - to protect. this instance his fatherly consid- sure, to go into the fields, to stay It is not the bishops who have eration must be not only for the in the fie!ds, and to reject Cesar tended to alienate many of the workers but for the growers." Chavez. How could their choice people from the Church - not COMMUNIST GROUP dupes varies from the conscious objectives of the subversives who Monsignor Dowling was even be clearer? the 'local bishops, at least. That ACTIVITIES manipulate the dupes. But the so daring as to say a kind word They cannot understand how a damage has come from other Commenting on the involve- real consequences that result from about the growers. \Vhile admit- sophisticated world cannot read priests, nuns, and a few outside ment of these groups in the De- the Chavez operation will not be ting that "they are human like their unsophisticated vote. Every bishops who have lacked both the lano conflict, the California Senate determined by the dupes! Wheth- the rest of us" and "have the ballot against Chavez is standing jurisdiction and the necessary in- 14th Report noted: "There can be er or not the subversives succeed faults of humans," he deplored out in the grape field or walking formation to make responsible de- no doubt that the Communist in achieving their announced ob- the irresponsible criticism they around in the packing sheds. This cisions, but who have involved Party was eager to penetrate not jectives, the causf( of the subver- have had to endure. "In all this is the only election they can han- themselves in either the strike or only the heart of the strike itself, sive is advanced by the Delano heated discussion," he says, "there dle. It takes only courage to run the boycott. but also any group on its peri- conflict. Even without success, seems to be acceptance of the it, but that they have. In the One of the women workers I phery:' this conflict provides the Leftist idea that the. growers are un- other elections, professional non- talked to said: "That's why it Less active in Delano, but more with an excellent agitational issue, scrupulous taskmasters who are workers take over. When people hurts me to say I'm a Catholic. significant for their position in a "fight in the bank" as Alinsky only too ready to squeeze the they do not know' come in to help I didn't send my donation this the Communist Party were: would say, for all Leftist forces very life blood out of their em- them mark ballots, when strangers year. I didn't because our Saul and Mrs. Billie Waphter, across the nation. It provides the ployees. This is not true. For take over the supervision of their churches are supporting this boy- who came into Delano with a "cause," the ammunition, and the the most part they are hard work- elections, when the ballot boxes cott - and I think they're very UA W caravan for an over-night battlefield in which the young ing men who have changed an are carried off they-know-not- cruel in doing it'" stay, November 6, 1965. They radicals throughout the country arid desert into a fertile valley. where, to be counted by they- It seemed to me that the alien- were both delegates to the Com- can be battle-trained. It affords .. :' The observation tempts one know-not-whom - they end up ation was more critical among munist Party National Convention the excuse for a conflict in which to suggest to the campus radicals captives. Why can they not run the workers than among the grow- in New York, 1953. It was Saul's Americans can be divided, ha- who come in to improve Delano: their own lives? Why can they ers. This is probably because so son, Douglas, who featured in the treds can be increased, the "class "Go, thou, and do likewise!"- not "freely" elect the ones who many of the workers are Mexican- San Francisco riots of May, 1960. consciousness" of the masses can And then, if you will, tear up "truly represent them" their own Americans belonging to Our Lady your own achievement. way? . Sam Kushner and Harvey Rich- be heightened, and the revolu- of Guadalupe parish. This is ards, feature writer and photog- tionary tempo of socio-political Bishop Timothy Manning, like In one other respect the Bish- "their" church. It was one of the rapher, respectively, for the Com- activists can be raised. his predecessor, Bishop Willinger, ops of California, Bishop Man- priests from "their" church that munists' West Coast People's has tried to make clear to his ning too, have gone beyond the The whole battle contributes to was most active in the strike. M- World, were frequent visitors to flock the moral principles in- mere enunciation of moral prin- the social, political, and economic ter he appeared on the picket Delano. The Senate 14th Report volved in the conflict, carefully ciples. They have specifically disintegration of our country, pos- lines calling them "scabs," many contains a picture of Kushner sit- divorcing himself from any par- recommended that the National sibly to a considerable extent. of the Mexican-Americans left ting in the back seat of an "Of- tisan affiliation. Murray Norris, Labor Relations Act be extended Anything that so weakens the Our Lady of Guadalupe and went ficial Use Only" State car. Notes a Catholic journalist from Fresno, to cover farm workers. California U.S. brings the subversive one over to St. Mary's. How many the Report: "The fact that an al- has studied the Bishop's state- farmers, already paying the high- step closer to his ultimate objec- parishioners had their faith so most constant stream of articles" ments on the Delano conflict. In est agricultural wages in the na- tive - the disintegration of the shattered that they left the on Delano appeared in the Peo- his booklet, Delano - Another tion, have little to worry about socio-political fabric of our coun- Church, is not known. Some re- ple's World "indicates Party in- Crisis For the Catholic Church, from an equitable national fann try. Therefore it easily merits the terest beyond the point of mere ~orris notes: "Bishop Manning labor law, but some of them prob- portedly have. attention of Soviet agents. The is- Things have quieted down in reporting:' Kushner, as noted be- merely states that the growers ably feel that the Bishops have sues that gave rise to the conflict Delano now. I just talked to an- fore, "was a close associate and and fann workers have the right oVGr-stepped the bounds of their may not deserve our attention, but confidant of Larry Itliong." to organize and to strike under ecclesiastical competence when other worker. She had left Our the Leftist involvement in the con- certain conditions. Neither the they were so specific as to rec- Lady of Guadalupe, but now she's It is significant also that Alex- flict does. back. She thinks many others feel growers nor fann workers have ommend the NLRA. ander Hoffman, an attorney who a quarrel with the Bishop on this the way she does. It is there, un- Young John Guimarra, who "has been involved in Leftist ac- INVOLVEMENT OF THE point:' der the mantle of Our Lady of gave up his budding law prac- tivities in the bay area for a num- Guadalupe, that she feels at home. ber of years". and who has "made CATHOLIC CHURCH In a joint statement of October tice to help his family in this con- 18, 1966, all the Bishops of Cali- flict, favors some kind of a na- Many of her friends have also no effort to conceal his Marxist THE DELANO COMMU- fornia took a like position. They tional labor law to cover farmers returned. They feel that the other convictions" transferred his legal NITY could have been spared reiterated the traditional Catholic and farm workers. But he be- two priests are really trying to office to NFW A headquarters in much of its spiritual anguish had social principle enunciated in Vat- lieves that, just as circumstances heal the wounds and to bring the Delano. the Church been less conspicu- ican II regarding the right of required a different law for the people back together again. She When Chavez set up his coop- ously involved in the Chavez con- "freely founding unions of work- railroads so do the circumstances woul~ like to give them a chance. erative, the legal end of it was troversy. But for one reason or ing people." "These," the docu- peculiar to the agricultural indus- handled by attorneys Robert Treu- another, some priests from near ment continues, "should be able try require a special law for fann haft and Doris Brin Walker- Delano and many from far away truly to represent them:' Thev workers. Industrial laws, for ex- DELANO- "both ... identified as Commu- have been passionately intent on also noted that "free election's ample, restrain disaffected em- A MORAL APPRAISAL nist Party members:' identifying the Church with the have much to recommend them ployees from destroying the prop- All this time we have been The 14th Report comments: "It cause of Cesar Chavez. as a first step in the right di- erty of their employer. But talking about a conflict that is, we believe, significant that Such partisanship has been rection:' because of the necessity of syn- should never have been. The both Cesar Chavez and his union carefully avoided by the bishops If I understand the mind of chronizing production operations wage structure in the California should choose a Communist sym- of the Delano area. In fact, the Delano workers correctlv it with seasons of the year, and be- vineyards does not justify a strike. pathizer and Communist Party Bishop WilJinger's failure to iden- is not the principle, as outsiders cause of the perishable nature of If it should, there are forty-nine members, respectively, to repre- tify the Church with the Chavez would impose it upon them, that their final product, any significant other states in the Union in which sent and counsel them concerning cause earned for him the brazen bugs them. Why can they not delay in operations would have the strike should have occurred strike matters." criticism of one visiting priest, have the freedom of not joining the effect of destroying the farm- first. Nor do living and working It is significant, and the sig- who publicly accused the bishop a u~ion? .Why c~n they not make er's product for the whole year .. conditions in the Delano vine- nificance is not to the credit of of being "frozen with fear" and. the~r c~OJce theIr own way: by It may not be evident to every- yards justify a major labor-man- Cesar Chavez. It is difficult to of having "abandoned the sheep." votmg If .they want to, by going one, but it is painfully clear to the agement conflict. say what the precise objective of At no loss for words, in a front to work If they want to, or by farmer that any law covering farm As for the right of the f~ these Leftists in Delano is. Some page article in the diocesan paper striking if they want to? l~bor is going to have to recog- workers to organize, the only sen- police officers feel that their only the Bishop, quite unfrozen and They have seen the profession- nize the fact that it is not only ous tampering with that right has purpose is to cause a breakdown with little evidence of fear, ac- als at work in the DiGiorgio elec- farm workers that need protec- been effected, not by the grow- of law and order, and of respect cused "the horn blower of De- tions, and against these profes- tion, but also the fanners. It is ers, but by the Chavez union. for law-enforcing agents. Many lano" and his two companions of sionals, they are no match. Where highly probable that any law that The workers I talked to seemed fanners feel it is to gain a toe- "choosing the role of challenging were the champions of the real fails. to give the fanner the pro- to be oblivious of any pressures hold on the agricultural industry defiance to dramatize their cler- workers when caravans of non- tectIon he needs will turn out to exerted on them by the growers - of California first, then of the ical presence as well as to em- workers came in from El Paso to be a legal instrument of enormous not to join the union, and they country. phasize the superrighteousness of vote them into the captivity of injustice. The working man has were ignorant of any means the The conscious objective' of the fu~~r_~~~ S!lpport.:' ~He called Cesar Chavez - and left them only his current income to pro- growers could take to stop them oJ o-~ ...... November 1, 1969 SEVEN" if they wanted to join the union. fessions-are constituted in which But they were 'acutely aware of me_n may have their place, not III Till IIBY:~: the undue pressure exerted on according to the position each has them by champions of Cesar in the labor f1Ulrketbut according Chavez. to the respective social functions Nevertheless the Chavez oper- which each performs." The Pope ation is presented to the world invisaged here organizations r THE lABMlli as a holy crusade for worker jus- along the lines of the old guilds ~ tice. None have contributed more in which workers and employers A spectacularly to this impression worked together with Christian than our ecclesiastical profession- respect and concern for each als who have invaded the Delano other. arena or who have dominated Here we have from an authori- our ecclesiastical communications tative Catholic source, a broad -SYNOPSIS- media. outline of the organizational ideal When I read comments by for our economic sector. CLARKl. BRODY was the first Secretary-Manager of the Michigan Farm Bureau. Catholic spokesmen in church In his encyclical, Mater et Over a wide span of years he guided the organization through political and bulletins, newsletters, magazines Magistra, Pope John XXIII re- financial crisis, and from a fledgling organization into a powerful giant among and newspapers, I was often im- minds us that "Workers and em- pressed, not only by their lack of state Farm Bureaus. His book, \\In the Service of the Farmer" is a warm recount- ployers should regulate their mu- scruple in the presentation of fac- tual relations in a spirit of hUf1Uln ing of the turbulent times when the Bureau was still trying to find itself - to tual information, but also by their solidarity and in accordance with determine members' needs and practical means of meet{ng those needs. In faulty grasp of the moral princi- the bond of Christian brother- last month's chapters, Brody told of good times and bad, and the hard choices ples involved in the Delano con- }:lOod.For the unregulated com- between short term gains which could later become \\bad long-run economics ... " flict. I found the socio-moral petition which so-called liberals presuppositions underlying their espouse, or the class struggle in ("In the Service of the Farmer" Copyright 1959 MSU Press, Excerpts reprinted thinking far more compatible to the Marxist sense, are utterly by permission.) the socio-political prejudices of opposed to Christian teaching and Time or Newsweek than to the also to the very nature of man." OUT OF THE THIRTIES industry could retool for peace of Farmers Petroleum to $7 mil- valid social teachings of the Vicar (n. 23.) AND INTO WAR time production. With an extreme lion annually; a second 40,000 of Christ. In my opinion the organization undersupply of goods and a great ton fertilizer plant was construc- presently realized in the grape In 1936 the affairs of the Mich- oversupply of money, the econ- ted at Kalamazoo and an ele- I have in mind, particularly, the extraordinarily high priority fields of California is far c!oser to igan State Farm Bureau took an omy was ripe for inflation. Agri- vator at Lansing; and the num- they attached to the formation of this Catholic ideal than is the upswing which in the main has cultural products alone were in ber of automobile insurance pol- a farm labor union. They seemed union proposed by Cesar Chavez been maintained ever since. By plentiful supply. Hence, in lieu of icies in force rose to 58,000, and and his promoters. the end of 1941 assets had grown having other things on which to life insurance policies to 25,000. to regard a labor union as the from $700,000 to $1,240,000, and spend money, Americans bought The new main office building, summum bonum, the ultimate The relationship of the grow- net worth from $300,000 to food in excessive quantities. Farm erected on a 69 acre tract north- good - or at least an absolute ers and workers in Delano is quite $515,000. Membership increased necessity for securing worker jus- prices, therefore, rose more west of Lansing and dedicated on close. It is true that out in the by almost 100% to $12,000. tice. This is not the thinking of steeply than any other prices. August 1, 1955, symbolizes the fields there is a crew boss to su- These five years merely pre-aged the Supreme Pontiff. Moreover, contrary to what most growth and advancement of the pervise the crews. In the pres- the phenomenal growth that was experts had predicted, the foreign Michigan Farm Bureau. The dig- It is true that Pope Pius XI in ence of the boss, he represents to occur immediately after the demand for food, feed, and fiber nity of its horizontal lines, which his encyclical Quadragesimo Anno the workers. But this does not war. continued high after the war. is accentuated by a continuous dep!ored the "criminal injustice" mean that there is no communi- Commissions from selling au- The fortunes of the Michigan bank of tinted windows, its mile of those heads .of States who de- cation between the boss and the tomobile insurance policies to Farm Bureau improved with those of fluorescent lighting, its lavish nied the economically weak "the worker. Beatrice Aglipay, a De- farmers was the one largest source of the farmer. In 1945 member- offices, each designed, carpeted natural right to form associations lano worker's wife, said of the of income for the Bureau. The ship was 45,000 and there were and furnished to a different taste, ... to defend themselves from ill workers: "They can talk to their Bureau had the insurance bus- more than 700 community farm its pastel waIls, and the precisely treatment at the hands of the bosses anytime. They have no iness of Michigan farmers pretty bureaus. We were on the thres- aligned row upon row of desks, powerful:' But he is intent on problem communicating, none at much to itseH. hold of an even greater era of ex- made the old quarters on Cedar avoiding the hazard of organized am" As for the bosses: "They're By 1941 Farm Bureau Services pansion. Our thinking about the Street seem like a relic. Nor were violence. It is only under the out in the field every day. As I was wholesaling to cooperatives, basis of organization of the Bu- our methods any less shining new. compulsion of necessity, therefore, said, they can call individual men seed, fertilizer, feed, twine, in- reau had by this time gone full John Yaeger employed a psychol- that he tolerates Catholics joining by name .... The majority of the secticides, roofing and fence ma- circle. We decided that the major ogist and a nationally known cCsecular"labor unions (i.e., non- growers are considerate of their terials, petroleum, barn and elec- part of the money for financing management advisory firm to an- religious oriented). This he tol- workers and really have a rap- trical equipment, farm machin- our services to members should alyze the personalities and work erates only on condition that pro- port with them .... There's no ery, tires, stoves, and even vac- come from dues, rather than from of all the 800 employees spread vision is made to imbue Catholic lack of communication." uum sweepers and radios. Grain business earnings. We believed throughout the state, including members with the principles of "They've had a union of their elevators, petroleum bulk stations, that we could safely increase dues executives, that he might better "religion and morality:' A solid own," she added, speaking of the and warehouses had been estab- if the Bureau provided more and determine staff promotions and spiritual formation was considered workers, "without signing any lished at twenty points around better benefits strictly for mem- proper salary adjustments. Our necessary "so that peaceful living papers or going on a strike. All the state. bers. Hence, in 1947 dues were multi-million dollar business was together and prosperity will re- they do is just tell the boss what raised from $5 to $10. In one a highly competitive, complex op- sult." (n. 32, 35.) they want and they usually get WAR AND THE year, as anticipated, membership eration, and he intended to equip But the Pope does not consider it." TRANSITION TO PEACE fell from 48,000 to 34,000; but us with the most capable staff the labor union the ideal. While "If my help today wants to join When the Japanese attacked by 1952 it grew to 50,000. In five possible. he ooncedes the "natural right" of any union of their choice," John Pearl HarDor, disagreements were years, then, income from dues From the moment when John laboring men to form unions "to Garabedian said, "they're free to forgotten as the populace rallied more than doubled. Yaeger took over the administra- defen..J.themselves" from the un- do so. I can't stop them. I to the support of the government. tion of the Farm Bureau, I worked ~crupulous, he deplores the fact wouldn't even try." But his help, Everyone wanted to contribute to . RETIREMENT AND almost exclUSively on national that this is even necessary, and some of whom had worked for the war effort, and labor unions, REFLECTIONS farm legislation, particularly aft~r he strongly recommends organiz- him for 25' years, were fearful industrialist groups, and farmer On August 1, 1952, the Board 1956, when my title was simpli- ing along other lines less in- that John might crumble under organizations provided an outlet of Directors appointed John F. fied to "counsel on public affairs:' herently oriented to conflict. This the pressure and sign up for the for energy and emotions. Yaeger my successor as executive My activities brought me again in is a point that is rarely if ever suf- union, leaving them trapped. Not With the onset of war, the secretary-treasurer and general touch with Ezra Taft Benson, Sec- ficiently acknowledged by people John. c'I'm free to sell my free- membership of the Michigan manager of the Michigan Farm retary of Agriculture, with whom who fancy themselves champions dom," he said, in an amazingly State Farm Bureau increased fast. Bureau. The Board made me ex- I had become a close friend in of "Catholic social thought." matter-of-fact way, "but I'm not John Yaeger, with the assistance ecutive vice president. My du- the late thirties, when he was In Quadragesimo Anno, Pope going to sell the freedom of my of Keith Tanner, and later Nor- ties, besides assisting Yaeger, were executive secretary of the Na- Pius comments that CC ... as the workers." I got the distinct im- wood D. Eastman, through the to direct the public affairs and tional Council of Farmer Cooper- situation now stands, hiring and pression that John would go out county and community farm bu- legislative programs of the Bu- atives and I was one of its direc- offering for hire in the so-called of his hard-earned business rather reaus, had begun to enlist mem- reau. Since 1949 I had been tors. President Eisenhower, on labor market separates men into than sell his workers short. bers on a large scale. The threat turning over additional responsi- December 1, 1953, appointed me two divisions, as into two battle When the question of worker- of unfavorable ceilings on farm bilities to Yaeger. Thus he had a member of the Federal Farm lines, and the oontest between grower consideration for each prices and the threat of dep!etion in effect ~n carrying out the Credit Board, which agency ad- these divisions turns the labor other comes up, I am reminded of the farm labor force inclined duties of his new position months ministers the Federal Farm Loan market itself almost into a battle- of the manifest concern DiGior- farmers to band together. The di- before his appointment was made and Production Credit Associa- field where, face to face, the op- gio had for his workers, and how rect benefits of membership (pa- official. We made a good team tions and the Bank for Coopera- posing lines struggle bitterly." ecstatically appreciative his work- tronage dividends, low cost in- - him with his vigor and im- tives. This appointment increased Organization along such "battle- ers were for what he had done surance, protection against exploi- petuosity, me with my mildness my influence in the Department lines" is quite acceptable to any- for them. I think of Dolores tation by commercial combines) and conservatism. For my part, of Agriculture, where several one interested in promoting class Mendoza referring to the "Louie" also induced farmers to join. I welcomed relief from manager- friends of mine - True D. Morse, conflict, but it should be quite Lucas farm as "our" farm. I ial responsibility, which I had Undersecretary of Agriculture, unsatisfactory to any Christian, think especially of John Garabe- POST-WAR EXPANSION shouldered since 1921. Romeo Short and John Davis, especially to anyone familiar with dian, the grower I talked to up At the end of World War II the Between 1952 and 1958, when heads of Commodity Credit Cor- the authoritative Catholic social near Fresno. United States entered an era of ill health made John Yaeger's re- poration, James McConnell and teaching. The impression I had when I prosperity, the like of which it tirement mandatory, the Mich- Dr. Earle Butts, Assistant Secre- ""Everyone understands," con- left Delano was, and my more had never known before, not even igan Farm Bureau knew its pe- taries of Agriculture, Charles tinues the Pope, "that this grave considered opinion today is, that in the palmiest days of the nine- riod of greatest expansion. Dur- Figy, Assistant to Secretary Ben- evil which is plunging ~1l human the organization that the workers teen-twenties. War-torn coun- ing his tenure, membership grew son - were working, and stood society to destruction must be and the growers now have is ade- tries needed our goods and serv- to 72,000, Junior Farm Bureau me in good stead in my repre- remedied as soon as possible. But quate, quite satisfactory to both ices for rebuilding. Americans, and Women's Council member- senting the Michigan Farm Bu- complete cure will not come until growers and workers, and is far their pockets swollen with money, ship to 1200 each, and commu- reau in supporting the Agricul- this opposition has been abolished closer to the Christian ideal than itched to buy all the things they nity farm bureaus to about 1700; tural Act of 1954. and well-ordered members of the the union of Cesar Chavez prom- had been denied during the war, Farm Bureau Services business The Agricultural Act of 1954 i~ to.~. ~....... but it would be some time before increased to $25 million, and that (can't on page 8) ~.~I body - Industries and Pro.; EIGHT November 1, 1969 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS IN THE SERVICE - (Con't) .. the "basic" crops infects the rest of the a gr icultural econom y like reau 'ahnost collapsed in 1921 because so much more was eX--A ...... -. --All .... .- _ '~ T i ... "l >I"l 7"1 ",. -o::r '," ... 'T ~ 1 'r' replaced the rIgId 90% panty IF' All OllrD a disease. The surpluses are fed with flexible supports running from 75% to 100%, as would to poultry and livestock, stimulat- pected It took of many it than yearsit could for thedeliver. Mich- "/nTr~e~ IWU. ~D(J'''JI rnl r en ... be determined by the Secretary ing over-production, or are con- verted into synthetics, wrecking appointment in the Michigan of Agriculture. But it was too Fann Bureau. He had to learn late for the mere introduction of the market for cotton, and so on. ~~M~~~~~~' flexible price supports to stem the Also, there are reasons for be- that the Bureau was an agency ....... b K' h L lieving government assistance has th h h. h h ld k Smcere congratulations to Fann Bureau mem er elt . tide of over-production. Indeed, roug w IC e cou ma e h N' I mostly benefited the people who his efforts effective. It had no Eisenmann from Blissfield who was presented t e top atio~a there were record breaking sur- need it least. That is, the large power except what the members FFA Award in Crop Farming at the National FFA Convention pluses from 1954, and how these producers receive the biggest di- as individuals put into it. in Kansas City. Keith is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lowell would be liquidated, no one could then foresee. The fact is that in rect subsidies. The average fanner My retirement from the Mich- Eisenmann. meanwhile is hardly able to make igan Fann Bureau became effec- 1959 government investment in ends meet, if at all. Price sup- tive February 1, 1959, when I Eisenmann was dted for using modern agricultural tech- farm surpluses has risen to $9 billion, three times what it was ports, no matter how high, can- was eighty years of age. I spent niques learned in vocational agriculture which increased yields not make the small producer pros- my last day with my secretary of of soybeans on an average of ,30 to 40 bushels per acre. His in 1953. The only figure in the perous. To the contrary. They thirty-five years, Miss Gladys average com yield is 125 bushels per acre. national budget exceeding farm subsidies is that for national de- encourage him to put marginal Stevens, clearing out my office ... , . land into production, and even At a few minutes after five I' He IS currently attendmg MIchIgan State University major- fense. It can only be anticipated encourage him to use land for walked out of my office for the ing in agricultural studies. that surpluses will increase still last time. The three hundred crops not well adapted to it. For further until we stop the govern- employees had left the new Farm example, it is not sound economi- ment from pumping excess capital Bureau Center for the day and cally for Michigan to have in- Glenn Lake, Michigan Milk Producers Association president, into agriculture, thereby over- creased its wheat acreage in the the corridors were quiet. Near stimulating production, as would the entrance I studied the por- has been appointed to take part in the White House Conference last ten years, or for Vennont and not be the case under a free pric- traits of all past presidents of the on Food, Nutrition and Health. Lake will serve on a panel, New York to become wheat pro- ing system. Farm Bureau, whose mantle had studying what can be done by voluntary action of fanners and ducing states. Some studies even Economists and farm organiza- show that agricultural incomes are fallen on Walter Wigptman, each t~e food industry to help the poor. The conference will be tion leaders are agreed that we even more disparate than they of whom I remembered so well, held December 2-4 in Washington, D. C. Preliminary meetings need some kind of farm program were two decades ago. The and to whom I bade a silent fare- of the various panels involved in the conference are also to protect the farmer from haz- vicious cycle must somehow be well. Under their forty years of scheduled. Purpose of the conference 'is to lay a foundation ards of nature and the peculiar broken, but that will never be leadership the Michigan Farm economic fluctuations he is sub- for a national nutrition policy and to advise President Nixon accomplished with price-fixing Bureau had emerged into the lead- on the best methods of eliminating hunger ~nd malnutrition ject to. It is likely too that we supports. The difficulty is that ing farm organization of the state. shall have supports with us for in the United States. what the agricultural policy of the Aiding that emergence had been some time to come, since such nation ought to be bears little the great opportunity of my life; institutions, once they have be- re1ation to what the public wants, and my life in turn was shaped come established, are hard to get or at least to what elected repre- by the Bureau. I did not plan it Mrs. Haven Smith, Chappell, Nebraska, chairman of the rid of, legislators being so sensi- sentatives legislate with the tacit that way; I believe that I did not American Farm Bureau Women's Committee, has been named tive to the pressures of special consent of the voters. We will not drift, but that I was led. The interests as commodity groups, chainnan of a Presidential Task Force on rural development. have a sound agricultural policy Bureau became' my life. I suf- grain storage associations, and a A White House announcement said the task force "will review until an informed public demands fered during its travail and was few misled farm organizations. one and elects represenatives who gratified by its achievements. My the effectiveness of our present rural assistance programs and But if we must have support, then will provide it with one. supreme satisfaction has been make recommendations as to what might be done in the private the formula must by all means be The Michigan Farm Bureau working for the economic better- and public sectors to stimulate rural development." Clifford changed. Unless support form- and other fann organizations have ment and freedom of the farmer. G. McIntire, director of AFBF's natural resources department, ulas are based, say, on something their greatest work to do in con- Had I my eighty years to live was named as one of the nine other members of the task force. like the market during the three vincing the American farmer that through again, I would choose to immediate foregoing years, fann- his best future lies in his taking spend them at the Michigan Farm ers will continue to produce cer- agriculture back into his own Bureau, with the very people tain crops in excess. It seems hands. For the rest, fann organi- with whom I worked, the remem- The plans for the 1970 Michigan Week festivities are already tragic that subsidization of "basic" zations can function most effec- brance of whom I cherish so. under way. Robert J. Hutton, general chainnan for Michigan crops - wheat, corn, rice, cotton, tively by forwarding general pros- As I left the building, I thanked Week 1970, has named Frank T. Buchanan, Michigan Bell tobacco, and peanuts - should perity while preventing the ex- God for my having worked at the Telephone Company and Coordinator of Michigan Bell's 29 have a cost second only to that ploitation of a farmer. Once the Michigan Farm Bureau these Junior Achievement companies and special events, to serve for national defense, especially true function of a farm organiza- many years. Then I got in my when those "basic" crops yield as deputy general chairman-at-Iarge, working with state com- tion is seen in all clarity, the bet- car, pointed it toward home, and only 20 % of the farm income. ter it should be able to serve the took my place in the traffic on mittees for the 17th Annual Michigan Week. And the excessive production of farmer. The Michigan Fann Bu- Route 16. Rep. Stanley Powell's name was not listed under the picture of Gov. Milliken's signing of the proclamation naming October as "Cooperative Month." We're sorry, Rep. Powell. We at the Michigan Farm Bureau office are still in need of some of the earlier Michigan Farm Bureau Board of Directors pictures. We hope to have a display of these pictures and other historical events at the 50th Annual Meeting. Please send them to the Information Division, Michigan Farm Bureau, Box 960, Dr. A. Mauch L. Nelson Dr. T. Hedrick K. VanPatten Lansing, Michigan 48904, c/o Vem M. Bullen. We are pleased to see U. S. Congressman Ed Hutchinson, representing Michigan's 4th Congressional District, introduce Farm Bureau's Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1969 in Con- gress. His bill is HR 14372. Congressman Hutchinson joins 24 other House members and Dr. S. Greig Dr. 0. Ricks Dr. D. Sturt 20 U. S. Senators from both political parties from all regions of the nation in supporting the far reaching programs outlined in the 1969 AAA. Six Young Fanners will participate in a competitive discussion - "Can Farm Bureau Survive Another 50 Years?" - a part of the noon Commodity Day Luncheon program in MSU's Union Building. The A long time member of the Michigan State Senate, Mr. Hut- discussion meet is a technique in leadership training wherein participants compete in a lively discussion chinson also served as vice president of the Constitutional Con- - the finalist to compete at the national level. vention in Michigan. Following the luncheon, Walter Frahm, Michigan Farm Bureau Field Crops Advisory Committee Chairman, will host the Field Crops program in room 31 of the Union Building. Dr. Arthur Mauch, In announcing his support of the new Act, Congressman Dept. of Agricultural Economics, MSU and Ley ton Nelson, Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences, MSU, Hutchinson said he felt new legislation was needed to replace will participate in the session beginning at 2: 15. the Food and Agriculture Act of 1965 which is scheduled to Richard \Vieland. MFB Dairy Advisory Committee chainnan, will have a panel discussion in room expire at the end of 1970. 35, Union Building - discussing the Status of Dairy Promotion and New Dairy Products. Don Carlson, American Dairy Ass'n. of Mich., Boyd Rice, Dairy Research Inc., Dr. Theodore Hedrick, MSU Food Science Dept. and Kenneth VanPatten, Mich. Dept. of Agriculture, comprise the panel. We received word that an added feature at the AFBF Golden Michigan's Fruits and Vegetables in the Market: \Vhere Do They Stand? What Is Their Future? is the theme of the Fruit and Vegetable program, chaired by Kenneth Bull, MFB Fruit Advisory Commit- A~niversary "C?nv.ention will be the appearance of the "Up tee in room 30 of the Union Building. Dr. Smith Greig, Dr. Donald Ricks and George Stachwick, all of ""\lIth People smgmg group scheduled for the Tuesday evening MSU will participate. program December 9. Featured speakers for this historic an- David ~Iorris, MFB Livestock Advisory Committee chairman will conduct a Livestock program in nual meeting will include U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Clifford room 38 of the Union Building. Dr. John Quinn, State Veterinarian; Larry De Vuyst, Mgr., MACMA ~ardin, Charles Shuman, president of AFBF and Roger Flem- Feeder Pig Program; Don Shepard and R. H. "Ike" 'Valton will participate in the session. mg, secretary-treasurer, AFBF. One more speaker will be an- Dr. Daniel Sturt and M. J. Buschlen will talk on the Farm Labor program. Harry Nye, MFB Farm nounced later. Plan now to attend this all important meeting Labor Advisory Committee chairman will lead the meeting in parlors A and B in the Union Building. December 7-10 in Washington, D. C. ' Vl~. Y("I I • t"Jm",,' • MICHIGAN FARM NEWS November 1, 1969 NINE \ J \ \ I I REDI-GRIP WT with .. ply polyester WIDE MARK REDI-GRIP has polyester cord body available in .6" whitewall cord body with fiberglass belts, one or all black. sidewall white stripe and one sidewall red stripe. Get Ready for Winter with High Performance Traction Tires TWO great tires designed for TRACTION ... designed for throughout the entire life of the tread. Both tires are suitable ice grips (studs) with a specially engineered ice-grip support for front end operation in applications where four ice-grip area in the tread. These tires are reverse molded to put tires are desired. As much as 75% of your car's braking more tire in contact with the road, improving tread mileage effort is on the front wheels, so make your car super safe as well as skid resistance. The generously slotted treads with Unico ice gripper tires on all four wheels. You'll have resist side-slip and full depth tread grooves provide traction more control on turns, corners and hills. See your dealer now. * Studded tires may anly be used on Mich. igan highways from Nov. 1 until May 1. FARMERS Your dealer will install your studs. PETROLEUM 4000 N. GRAND RIVER AVENUE LANSING, MICHIGAN TEN November 1, 1969 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS THE FARM LABOR ISSUE DISCUSSION TOPIC UNIONIZATION ment. On the contrary - it won't leave us. An 2. That without the benefits of this act, an em- By Gary A. Kleinhenn example can be taken from unionized industry with ployer and his employees are without any effective Director, Education ani Research all their machinery. The skilled labor operating these legal remedy in the event of union activity to or- machines belong to some of the strongest unions in ganize workers. Summer is past, most migrant workers have left existence. Why? - because skilled men playa more 3. That since the unionization of farm labor is the state, but the threat of farm labor unionization important part in the successful operation of in- remains. an imminent problem in today's farming operation, dustry. On the farm an example can be drawn fr9m the fanners should not be denied the protection of Efforts are being made to organize farm workers the value of the hired man to the farmer - he is in states other than Michigan. But very few suc- much more valuable to the fanner's farm than a this act. cesses by these organizers have been reported. 4. To seek the protection of the law afforded to laborer in the field. On the other hand the social conscience of many other employees and employers does not in any How farmers practice labor management now and manner endorse unionization of farm workers. The urban and some rural people has been aroused by in the future will play an extremely significant part the many unfair, one sided newspaper articles which i~ the well being of the farming industry. Farm National Labor Relations Act, as amended, specifi- have been written during recent months. cally guarantees the right of employees to elect not Bureau is answering this need through the Michigan to be represented by a union. The act provides an For example, farmers are being blamed for the Agricultural .Services Association. To help farmers plight of farm workers. Legislators and special in- along the road ahead on the labor scene, M.A.S.A. orderly method of employer-employee-union rela- terest groups have been accused of blocking legisla-. publishes at a minimum rate an informational news- tionship after unionization efforts begin. tion supposedly designed to help farm workers, and letter. Write - M.A.S.A., 4000 N. Grand River Opponents who debate that agriculture should not various agencies of the government have been ac- Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48904. come under the provisions of the NLRA say: cused of not properly enforcing the present laws. 1. Farmers producing fruits and v.egetables- The unfavorable publicity may have been politi- who hire most of the farm workers - are uniquely cally motivated and urged on by social reform FIVE PROPOSALS BEFORE CONGRESS vulnerable to labor disputes and strikes and could groups. However, one thing is certain, the unions suffer losses therefrom incomparable greater than have been given much free publicity to help further 1. Senate 8 by Senator Williams (N.].) - Would those of non-farm employers. their movement. eliminate the present exemption of farm labor from the National Labor Relations Act. 2. Unionization of farmer workers would lend to Farm employers need to take part, to get involved, increased costs. to guard their interests. How? By writing your 2. American Farm Bureau Federation proposal- 3. Farmers cannot afford the legal costs that are congressmen, writing the newspapers and by telling a. Would enact a new National Farm Labor Re- associated with collective bargaining and employer- both, the farmers side of the issue. A positive ap- lations Act modeled after NLRA. union relationships. proach is. a proven way of doing it; through news b. Would create a National Farm Labor Relations stories, demonstrating the economic value of agri- Division in the Department of Agriculture. 4. The enactnient of the bill would adversely culture in terms of product values, workers employed, affect far more farm workers than would be benefited c. Would exempt farmers who employ less than because of the potential for the substitution of cap- payrolls generated, and mOre could very well help eight employees. to soften the effects before future sessions of the ital for labor. legislature. d. Would authorize only the federal courts to Proponents of separate legislation for agricultural What many non-fanning folks fail to realize is hear and decide all labor disputes involving farm labor problems say: that farm workers definitely do have the right to labor. 1. The National Labor Relations Act fits the re- bargain for pay with the farmer. Migrant labor can e. Would prohibit strikes. lationship between workers and employers in in- voluntarily organize into their own groups for bar- f. Would prohibit secondary boycotts. dustry. It does not fit the situation in agriculture; gaining power. And if they have complaints they g. Would include "right-to-work" features. therefore, agriculture needs a different but possibly also have the right to picket! They also have the a similar act administered by a Farm Labor Rela- 3. Nixon Administration Proposal- right to withhold their labor if they are not happy. tions Division in the Department of Agriculture. Collective bargaining is not new to farm workers. a. Would enact a new National Farm Labor Re- lations Act modeled after NLRA. 2. The current National Labor Relations Board Information on where Farm Bureau members is already overworked with industrial problems. It stand is found in the labor policy section of the b. Would create a separate Farm Labor Relations has neither the time nor the expertise to deal with American Farm Bureau policy booklet. Board to hear and decide labor disputes like NLRB agricultural problems. with review through federal courts. AN EVOLUTION 3. Strikes in agriculture should be prohibited be- c. Does not prohibit strikes but does provide for cause of the extreme vulnerability of the farmer. M. J. BuchIen, Michigan Agriculture Services As- 10-day notice of intent to strike and a 30-day arbitra- sociation Manager capsuls the farmers situation. He tion period during which a strike is prohibited. (Others claim that strikes cannot be totally prohib- said: ited but that a "cooling off' period can be provided d. Would continue to exempt farmers who em- during which the parties can arbitrate. This is pro- "In a very short period of time farmers who em- ploy labor for less than 500 man days per quarter - (a ploy labor have been required to become experts in man day is one man working one hour or more in posed by the present administration.) hiring practices and procedures, personnel records, a day.) 4. The small farmer who employs less than eight payroll records, accounting procedures to properly employees should not be burdened with possible e. Would ban secondary boycotts. unionization. His employees are so close to him that report payroll taxes which should be collected, land- lord-tenant relationships, public relations and labor f. Would leave «right-to-work'" laws in the hands they do not need representation by a labor union and management. It isn't any wonder that many farmers of the states. so the present act is not adequate. are confused and oftentimes resentful, as the result 4. United Farm Workers Organizing Committee- of such pressures." ( AFL-CIO) proposal- OPPONENTS OF SEPARATE LEGISLATION We re-emphasize, "farmers cannot ignore the is- Similar to S-8 except it would also eliminate the TO DEAL 'ONLY WITH AGRICULTURAL sues." Mechanization is one reason. A popular belief prohibition against secondary boycotts and would is that the threat of unionization will disappear with also eliminate the power of states to enact «right-to- LABOR PROBLEMS CLAIM THAT: advanced planting, processing, and harvesting equip- work" laws. 1. The procedure and rules for handling disputes 5. Senate 2203 - Consumer Agricultural Food Pro- are well established under the NLRB and these pro- tection Act by Senator Murphy (California)- cedures can be adapted to agricultural labor prob- DISCUSSION TOPIC SUMMARY FOR SEPTEMBER a. Would enact a National Farm Labor Relations lems. Under any new act, there would be a lengthy Act modeled after NLRA. period of developing and getting understanding of Participation of the Cuba topic consisted of rules and procedures before the program could be 662 discussion groups and more than 7,200 b. Would create a National Farm Labor Rela- effective in resolving disputes. Farm Bureau members. Results: Those who tions Board in Department of Agriculture, and would allow direct access to the courts in cases of strikes, 2. Establishing a new act and a new administra- think Cuba is a threat to our representative tive department only adds another agency with its form of government; 395 groups said it was a boycotts and picketing. employees. This would duplicate the NLRB and distinct threat; 263 groups said it was a warn- c. Would continue to exempt fanners who em- would be costly to taxpayers. ing but no serious threat, and seven groups ploy labor for less than 500 man days per quarter. 3. Provisions to take disputes into the courts for indicated that Cuba could be safely ignored. d. Would prohibit strikes. resolution would be much more costly and time con- On the other hand it was an overwhelming e. Would prohibit secondary boycotts. suming than using the services of the NLRB which opinion that the U.S. faces a more serious threat f. Would leave "right-to-work" to the states. provides its services to the parties of a dispute with- from communism and socialism in this country out charge. presently than Cuba per se; 608 groups re- ported it to be a serious threat, while 14 voted PROS AND CONS 4. The NLRA should protect all farmers without it as an outdated issue. exempting those producers that hire less than eight Those favoring (including agriculture labor) the employees. The producer with only three or four Furthermore, 423 groups agreed with U. S. NLRA say: employees may be less able to deal with labor prob- policy while 155 groups generally felt that U. S. 1. That this is the only piece of legislation, ir- lems than a larger producer and consequently may should take a firmer stand. respective of its faults, which limits the activities of have a greater need for the protection of a well- a labor union organization in its organizational cam- defined set of rules and procedures for resolving paigns to gain members. labor disputes. ~. ,.., MICHIGAN FARM NEWS November 1, 1969 ELEVEN Washington - Hilton AFBF Convention Site GREENAWALT, HARRY A. FOSTER, a MACMA JERRY CAMPBELL, Field Repre- Over 5,000 Farm Bureau mem~ Larry Ewing, Manager, ... Program former school teacher and an active Farm Bureau member in both Indiana and Michigan, staff member for four years, has been appointed Cherry Division Manager, Red Tart ac- sentative for the Michigan Ag- ricultural Cooperative ing Association ... MACMA ... Market- bers including 300 from Mich- Development Division. All reser- has joined the MFB staff as cording to MACMA Manager since July, 1968 in southwest igan will converge on the na- Southwest's Regional Repre- Robert Braden. Harry has de- Michigan, has been named vations for transportation and tion's capital December 7-10 for sentative. He is active in 4-H, veloped and carried out a suc- Grape Division Manager for the 50th annual meeting of the housing should be made with his church and is a navy vet- cessful grape and asparagus Michigan Farm Bureau. Mr. American Farm Bureau Feder- ~Ir. Ewing before November 14. eran. Mr. and Mrs. Greenawalt marketing program. Rodney Campbell and his family live ati()Jl. and their two children live in Bull is chairman of the MACMA in Decatur. He replaces Harry It was emphasized that room Kalamazoo. The Michigan delegation will Red Tart Cherry Committee. Foster in this position. reservations at the Statler-Hilton be housed in the Statler-Hilton Hotel, located about 2 miles are in the name of Michigan Fann from convention headquarterso Bureau and individual reserva- tions must be made with Mr. According to a spokesman from the American Farm Bureau, shut- Ewing by writing: Program De- tle buses will be used to transport velopment Division, Box 960, Farm Bureau members between Lallsing, Michigan 48904. meetings and events. Transportation and housing have been arranged with a charter Michigan flight originating from Lansing Farm Bureau for membership chairmen and New Protection for Your Livestock their wives. Two flights will AFBF Convention Tour originate from Detroit Metro Air- port, with a special bus leaving Washington-Richmond. TRACE MINERAL SALT FOOT ROT SALT FARM BUREAU MINERALS Lansing for all members desiring Williamsburg Farm Bureau Trace Mineral Salt Economical-yes, because Hardy Complete mineral supplements pro- to leave their cars at the Farm helps keep your livestock healthy Oecember 3-11, 1969 gives you protection from foot rot vide economy and dependability. Bureau center. and productive at low cost. Provides Choose from either 6%, 8%, or all six essential trace minerals in problems. Feed it safely to all Total cost for transporta~ion complete salt mix. Feed free choice classes of livestock, even cows in 12% Phosphorus levels. "Controlled For Brochure contact for self controlled intake, or ask daily intake" for free choice feed- from Detroit is $52050. There wiII milk production. Also provides ing takes the worry out of mineral to have it mixed in your feedso be a $7.00 bus fee for the round MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU Guarantees consumption and im- salt and all the necessary trace feeding, salt. guarantees proper trip from Lansing to Detroit. proves appetite for top feeding mineral requirements. Available in levels. Ask for it mixed in your Tour Service results. bags or blocks. customized feeds, too! An alternative plan with plane P.O. Box 960 transportation direct from Lan- lansing, Mich. 48904 sing to \Vashington will cost $79.80, it was announced by .------------ ... 3-BEDROOM, CONTEMPRI SECTIONAL HOMES ALLEGAN CO-OP FARM BUREAU SERVICES, INC. MOl/NE CO-OP Allegan, Michigan Hart, Michigan Moline, Michigan BUCHANAN CO-OP FARM BUREAU SERVICES, INC. SQUARE DEAL FARM SUPPLY Buchanan, Michigan Kalamazoo, Michigan Onekama, Michigan FARMERS ElEVATOR UNT CITY FARM BUREAU FARM BUREAU SERVICES, INC. Caledonia, MichigCln Kent City, Michigan Saginaw, Michigan COO.PERSVILLE C~-OP MARCELLUS FARM BUREAU FARM BUREAU SERVICES, INC. Coopersville, Mil:higan Marcellus, Michigan Scottville. Michigan FREMONT CO-OP FALMOUTH CO-OP COMPANY FARM BUREAU SERVICES, INC. We believe in: A GOOD HOME FOR GOOD PEOPLE Fremont, Michigan McBain, Michigan Traverse City, Michigan - AT A PRICE THEY CAN AFFORD TO PAY The 24' x 44' model for $11,995 (1056 sq. fto) FARM BUREAU SERVICES, INC. FALMOUTH CO-OP COMPANY GERALD BIEHL AND SONS The 24' x 52' model for $12,995 (1248 sq. fto) Hastings ,Michigan Merritt, Michigan Mancelona, Michigan Approved for city or country - completely furnished BAKER'S COMMUNITY HOMES 214 W. Pine Street Phone (517) 862-5480 Elsie, Michigan 48831 HARDY SALT COMPANY Leaders in Produd Development FARM BUREAU MARKET PLACE 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 as one word. NON-MEMBER advertisers: 15 cents per word one edition,two or more editions,10 cents per word. Copy deadline: 20th of the month. 14 FOR SALE 20 LIVESTOCK 26 POULTRY 36 MISCELLANEOUS 36 MISCELLANEOUS 600 ASSORTED SWEET O:\"IOX HEREFORD BULLS-pure hred he:d KLAGER"S DEKALD PROFIT peLLETS OVERSEAS JOBS - AlIstr:tlia, Europe, "ZIPCODE DIRECTORY" - (All 3.').000 PLA:\"!S with fr.'t'planting gllid•• $:3.60 ~ifes. Ready for service. :\150. regislered - Ortl"f yom startt'd pIIIIl'tSthat ha\"t' South America. FiH Easl. ('Ic. Openings Posloffin's): 81.00 ~IAIL:o.IAnT. Carroll- pOslpaHI. TO:\"CO, "llOnw of Ih•. sWt'd hdf"fs and caln's. Egypl Valley ~er~'ford h",'n raised on a pHl'.tongrowing program. in all trades anti professions. S-tOO to Ion I::!. K('ntucky -tlOOS. (3-lf-llh) 1-1 ollioll,"Farlllt'rs,'iIIt', T,'xas ,.,)031. Farm. 6611 Knapp St.. Ada. ~hl"hlgano The l!rowing hirds art' insp..l'll'dw.'ekly 52 •.')00 monlhh'. fre•. inlonnaliono \\'ril.,: (11-41-1 m,) 2.1 Phone OR 6-10900 (Kenl Counly) h\' trained staff.\"acdnatl'tI.tll'l)t'ak.otl ami Fordcn Employmenl :o.lart.Box 223.3 (11-tf-25h) 20 d~'li\"l'redhv 115 in d,'an cral.'s. If \"011 A.:o.I.F .• ~ti,lIni.Florida 331.5H. SVITI:\"G FLA:\":\"ELS. RICII FASHlO:'\ ke.'p rtomrds, YOII will ke.'p KLACER DE- (lO-lt-3Ipl 36 COLOnS. Lllxurioll' CopF.\IIi Haynn-:\rl>- PICK-UP THUCK STOCK HACKS - All KALHS. KL,\GEH IIATCIIEHIES. Ihidlotc- lal... \\'ash.lilil'.CU'.I',' U ,,'l.•nl. Sol"e: .t",'.1l"Omlrlletioll. $ I()C).,')O.Dt'alt'rships SEHYICE ,\GE HEGISTEHED 1I0L- :1\'~lIlahl.,. FH'., lilt'fatllno.DOLLY E:\"- STEI:\" BeLL FOR SALE. T.'sll'd.rl'a.~y wall'r. 70S, ~Iichigan. Tell'phon.,s: 313 429- and 31.'3 42R-303 t_. __ I.\:DI,,:\"IIE,-\,I)CS.\:TS. Y-:\"ICKU.S. Exciting "ampl.' ('ollel'liollI0(. Kn)(lIl.1 0 t'ichl diffl"nonl 51 .!JR. :o.loonn'II1 (:o.I •.d.lI) Fahrics. 200.'j-F:o.I.T.I\ lor \hnllt'.I\'(lli,. ~EHPHISES. 2HJ ~laill. (;okh,'sler. 11- 10 go. ~Iil"hael Clark, Clarkslt'atl Ilol:lt'!.n FHEE wilh 3-l!J.'i.5-S('''JlI~SI..'50. I'if" ~Iinnl'sola 3.'j.IIR, . \ \ll '::'-2 lh\ Jh hnois l>2326. (\ I-II-19p) I; Farm. Pittsford, :0.1 ichican. Phom' (.~I ,) 511A "ER ST ARCHOSS 288 - Slartl'd plIl- diff,'n'nl Linl"oln n'nts I\Jon-I \J3\J $ 1.'1X . .')(j,-8626. I'HICE S3.,)O. (11-11-2.,)p) 20 Ids availahl.. most l"'NY month. G.'~ wise ami Iry thlos.,lop profil makers as YOllr Ed •.I's. Car" Ie. lIIiJloisfi22.'3I. ~-OR SALE: HECISTEHED E:\"GLISII . -JI-.l0pl 3() \\"E C\'STO:o.I BL'TCHI P (I.!.. ,day 311<1 SHEPIIEHD PL'PS and rtocislt,rt'dI'olllod hnod :o.IODEH:\" Hecislt'rt"d Herefords. - Hulls. Ill'xlflock. :o.lad'llI'rsonlIall"hl"ry.Roull" I'it-l-llp. If ~Oil ,1T.o ill tl. UP \. 'H 1I.'rl"fllHI h,'ift'rs... SOIIII' III fn'slwlI I'rimt'ami lllwn Iwifefs. l"?".s WIth ,'a":•.s. =3. Ionia. ~ticllil!an. Phonc 52,-0860. P,\HT TI~IE Sr\LES~I\:\ -10 wI! (\1111- phon .. IlIl1nhl'ri,: 727-1 t;\ 'Illnk. I and H,'Ct'1I1hlood hnt's.Tt'sl,'dInch pkt •• lin•. of Dairy B.nn Eqllipml"1I1 110m It,Ull. h.lloll ••• 1lI.1\..(> \ .11 H ' 1I.0'~'.OPt'1I and Ilt'ift'fl"a" I'S. I.l'slt'f !It'r!onnan("t'.(:ll'all.PhOll\" (j 16 R~6-18HS . DAY OLD OH STAinED PL'LLETS- :o.licl\\ ,',1 w.H ..holl'" 01 a I.ln!., l~."l,ru 1lI0lld ~'" Il p,\( !..(' I. (l1-21-2.,)h) 20 Ihl" smart pOllltryman lor high .'Cg pro- hurg Hd .. c.IJlnllll,hmg. :o.lichil!an. " E'luipllll'llt.Inl'.. Dl'p.lrtll1.onl:o.IF:\.II,I (7-.1t-30h) :..0 dlll.lion.sllP..rillreCg qllalily.grt'all'rf.o,'d r Hurr JAHS \\'OHTII SIIlOO (l.ook pril't,s1000 kinds, wi1l'rt" III wll. CALF - Xl"" CHEEP FEEDEH'i - 30 1.1lI dfid,'nl"\". If, Oil kl""p no,'ortls. YOII'II"to.,p I J).. Kalh,: \\'~itl>for prices ;lIld •.alalo\!. ,Ill' .\ir. ~Ial~ I.llld 210 I.t (/0-21-30h 2.")',. :\"aliollalHI,md ('11.1;11 , l'i I'\HHO\\I'\'(; "T\Ll'> "l6.7;. J)t olkrshll" .1\.1 ( 'Illpl. I I ( 1 I".';al.llllt.".!. $1 }J.') poslpilitl. Ilan ",1 Pllh- •.ql.ldly. $!J2 ..")O. D ..a!I'r'.hi,ps . a,;all;~h.'t:-KLAGI':H IIATCIIEHIES. Bricll!t,\\.tli r. ~ \ \'1': 11 •• 1111' l)(lI.L' 1."\11 -' ~sIfo:,._Bm. ~O \.')_ K \\, ~Iilw,l\Ikt,t'."'i,. F".,. liinaillfto. DOLL'! I~:'\n~IH HISbS. ~Iidlh:an. Tl'It'phollt's: Salin•. 11,\/1,1 Saw Ch.lill. "'ril..: H ..ro Brolh,.,'. "\, \1.1111. ( I I, h"'I('I. IPlIlI I ((lJISJlI .>321H. (11-11-21 p) .10 21!J \I.dll. (:oldw'I.'r. Il1iJloi,62326. ~)-70H7. :o.lanl"heslN GArUl'n 8-303.1. Ohio 130').'). (11-2t-Ill' \(, I 'I TWELVE November 1, 1969 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS MORE SAFETY PROFITS! 2,200,000 2,000,000 1,800,000 1,600,000 1,400,000 1,200,000 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 100,000 1950 1954 1955 1956 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1967 1968 1969 ANOTHER AUTO DIVIDEND! In fact, the thirteenth Auto Dividend in Farm Bureau Mutual's 20 years of service. Auto Dividend checks m .iled on November 1 will add up to $280,000 .. ~100/0 of your semi-annual premium. In 20 years, over two million dollars in auto dividends have been paid to Farm Bureau Mutual auto policyholders ... those are real safety profits. Interested? Call your Farm Bureau Insurance man today. - MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU >- FARM BUREAU 50TH ~ l> ~ 1919 <: 1969 m 20TH ~ ~ w INSURANCE ~ 1949 11 1969 ~ FARM BUREAU INSURANCE z 4 GROUP