PART V 



Annual Convention of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation 

 Des Moines, la., January 10, 11, 1922 



ANNUAL REPORT OF SECRETARY E. H. CUNNINGHAM 



The year just closed has been the most disastrous • in its economic 

 effect on agriculture that the industry has ever experienced. Not only has 

 the individual farmer suffered severely by reason of the reverses that 

 have affected his business financially, and which in many instances are 

 most distressing, but the industry has suffered far more by reason of the 

 blighting effect upon the mind of the people engaged in farming, who in 

 many instances have come to feel that the country generally is not as 

 serious in recognizing the deplorable conditions surrounding their in- 

 terests as the well phrased and oft expressed sj'mpathies would lead 

 them to believe. The efforts of the organization have been constant and 

 continuous. The results, while far from satisfactory, have nevertheless 

 advanced the status of our organization and established a better under- 

 standing between the Groups, Classes and Interests of the Nation, and 

 especially those who have always looked upon farm organization as being 

 destructive rather than constructive, who are coming to have a better 

 understanding of the foundamental policies on which we are building. 

 The work has been retarded in some instances and made more difficult 

 generally on account of opposition from many whom we had every reason 

 to believe should have at least allowed us to carry on in our efforts, espe- 

 cially since they openly profess to be the friends of agriculture. 



The members of the executive committee and the executive officers 

 have given their best efforts to your interest. It has required discreet 

 judgment on the part of everyone. Your officers must match their wits 

 with the large and powerful combinations of industry who have the money 

 to command the brains and ability of the world. We hope that the con- 

 ditions under which they work and the accomplishments of the past year 

 will have careful consideration by the membership. 



The executive committee during the year have held nine meetings. 



President Hunt has given every minute of his time to the duties of 

 his office. 



The time given over to the field and conference work by the president 

 occupied 146 days of his time. Eighty-five days, general farm meetings; 

 3 days, community meetings; 9 days, executive committee; 13 days, dis- 

 trict meetings; 33 days, general conferences; 3 days, national convention. 



The duties of the secretary during the year have, as in the years past, 

 covered a multiplicity of activities. To enumerate everything in detail 

 would be tiresome and would serve no particular end, as it is not with 



