FOURTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VI. 467 



but rather to protect your interests when hostility thereto develops. 

 Thus we place the burden of proof on the opposing parties, and make 

 your defense much stronger. If by maintaining your organization and 

 keeping it in fighting trim, we can prevent these opposing interests 

 from springing these conflicts, or secure a satisfactory adjustment of 

 them without going into the courts or before the different commissions, 

 we are ahead in the end. In other words, if you can accomplish your 

 purpose and secure about what you want without a long-drawn-out fight, 

 which means a heavy expense, it is certainly to your advantage. 



I am aware that some think that unless there is a great noise of 

 battle, and your association is continually in the limelight on account 

 of some big contest in which it is engaged, there isn't much doing; but 

 I am sure that this is the wrong estimate to place on the real value 

 of your organization, as some of its most important work is done in a 

 quiet, unassuming way, with but little said about it. On the other hand, 

 who would attempt to estimate the value of the association to the farm- 

 ers merely by its existence, in preventing unjust rules and practices 

 from being forced upon them? So don't be too ready to criticize, for 

 you can not always measure what is being accomplished by what you 

 see upon the surface. 



One more, a word to our members in regard to filling out the ship- 

 per's reports and sending them to the secretary. Whatever you do, 

 don't fail to do this, as these are of vital importance in securing bet- 

 ter service and accommodations. We still find that many of our mem- 

 bers are slow to send in their complaints about overcharges in rates 

 and similar matters. Let me urge you again to send in all complaints 

 promptly. This organization is maintained to help you when you are 

 in trouble, but its officers have no way of knowing your troubles un- 

 less you report them. 



Before closing this report, as president of your association I wish 

 in this public way to express our appreciation of the loyal support 

 rendered by every officer and member in building up the association 

 and making it what it is. We thank you one and all, and may you live 

 many years to enjoy the fruits of your labors. 



There is also another class of men who have, I believe, contributed 

 largely to the success of this organization, and to whom we owe a debt 

 of gratitude. I refer to the men who publish our agricultural and daily 

 papers. To these men, individually and collectively, I wish to say that 

 we thank them most heartily, and shall always appreciate their sup- 

 port and co-operation. 



In conclusion, let me especially urge upon you the importance of 

 maintaining your organization. Don't think for a minute that because 

 the past year has been rather quiet, there is nothing more for you to 

 do. Remember the old adage that the greatest calm is just before the 

 storm breaks. It is impossible to tell when the storm is going to break, 

 so to speak, and if you are disorganized and your forces scattered, how 

 will you defend yourselves? So, to my mind, and I believe to the mind 

 of every man who will study the situation carefully, the safe way to 

 proceed is to be always in trim and ready for a scrap. So, hoping 

 that the Corn Belt Meat Producers' Association will continue to grow, 



