1310 New Yokk State Agricultukal Society 



I would say that the resolution was gone over carefully with 

 the Commissioner of Agriculture and he is ready to do all he 

 can to bring about success. 



Mr. Dillon : I think we ought not to put that resolution 

 through, to be perfectly frank about it. I am saying so because 

 I wrote it. I do not want to put any resolution through in this 

 or any other meeting where the farmers have not had a chance 

 to discuss and to tear it to pieces and express their views on it. 

 I am prepared to defend it right here in the open. I invite the 

 criticism of any farmer with honest views on the subject to get up 

 and oppose it. I should like to hear Mr. van Alstyne's views on 

 the subject. 



Mr. van Alstyne : I very much regret to take the time of the 

 meeting and my own as well, but I never am unwilling to stand 

 for a position when I believe I am right, even though as in this 

 case I am the only one. Xow, you are going to the legislature 

 and you are asking for $20,000 to do a certain thing, organize 

 the producers of the state. Let us take up that phase of it 

 just for a minute. It comes pretty near being class legislation, 

 does it not, an appropriation to organize the farmers ? I am a 

 farmer and I will stand for anything that is for their interest but 

 I do not believe the farmers want — and if thev do, I do not believe 

 tiiey ought to have it — any legislation from the state or national 

 governments that is for their benefit solely. The appropriations 

 for agricultural education and extension work among the farmers 

 are only warranted because they affect the whole Iwdy politic, and 

 you cannot justify them on any other grounds. You will say, I 

 know, that this is justifiable on the same grounds, that you organ- 

 ize the producers and it is going to benefit the people as a whole. 

 If that is so, then it is justifiable. But I tell you you are right 

 on the border line, and it is a bad precedent to establish. This is 

 the first reason. 



In the second place, because we are continually talking about 

 extravagance in state government and the appropriations that 

 are being made for this or that or the other thing. And yet 

 what are wc doing? We are asking the legislature for appropria- 

 tions for this, that or for the other thing. Whore is it going to 

 stop ? To ask for $20,000 to do this specific work I do believe is 



