PUBLIC POLICY AND FARMERS' ORGANIZATIONS. 37 



question. Still as they did in London, requiring first the lantern, then the 

 candle, and then the lighting, so we may get toward our point step by step. 



One of these steps is organization and sending men to make our laws who 

 are seeking the solution of these problems in sympathy with ourselves, that 

 they may cut and try until they do succeed. 



Last winter when it was proposed to tax mortgages the money-lenders 

 contended that this would oppress the borrower. 



So as to legislating against butterine, they say, '''No use, the only way is 

 to make better butter." 



I think legislation can do something for butter making. We have all 

 sorts of industries protected. Why not some farmer's industries? I would 

 legislate against bogus butter as against bogus money. 



Some one says: Yes, you passed a bill, and what did it accomplish ? 



True; but it was before we knew that the N. Y. law was unconstitutional. 

 Our law may have been the unlit lantern, but perhaps we can yet get the 

 lantern lit. 



Those who oppose legislation say, make better butter. But while we can 

 detect poor butters you cannot detect hurtful butterines. I saw last winter 

 a Buffalo cattle dealer who said nearly all cattle dying in transit are used to 

 make patent butter. If true, this should be legislated against. 



One thousand tons of bogus butter can but displace 1,000 tons of good 

 butter. Being made more cheaply it can undersell butter. 



The New York dairy commission mentioned GO ingredients used in making 

 bogus butter, including nitric and sulphuric acids, and many other disagree- 

 able substances. 



Do you want this stuff to displace the dairy product? Legislation should 

 check it. Perhaps wc can tax it out of existence. 



We can boycott the hotel that uses it, the dealer that sells it, the candidate 

 that will not oppose it. The Grange can do much in this direction. 



I wisii to say a few words about taxation. Most people think taxes high, 

 particularly the State tax. 



The legislature has been liberal to the Agricultural College and the 

 University, and our other institutions need large sums, but it is rather in 

 the method of distributing the tax than in the amount that the injustice 

 and tlie hardship come in. 



The capitalist who can conceal his property escapes his fair share of the 

 tax, or if taxed he can leave before his tax is collected and escape completely, 

 or he can leave when the assessment is made and come back afterward, while 

 the farmer has to bear his own burden and that of such capitalists to boot. 



Laws can help this and farmers can ensure having laws that will help it 

 by demanding candidates who favor such laws. 



I think all real estate mortgages should be assessed as real estate, and the 

 amount deducted from the debtor's assessment. 



Compel tax statements to be given under oath. It is said this will cause 

 perjury. It will at least tax the conscientious owner, and would not hurt 

 the farmer, whose property is all visible. 



Judge Ivamsdell found that this plan had been tested by the Oregon 

 Supreme Court and stood the test. 



Discrimination in freights is a most difficult subject to deal with, but one 

 as to which effort must not be remitted. The hill for this purpose last 

 winter never reached a vote in the Ilouse. 



