44 2 AGRICULTURAL DISCONTENT 



In March, 1931, Reno was reported sounding out the head of the Iowa 

 Farm Bureau on the prospects of joint action in such a move, but there 

 was very little encouragement extended. 22 



At the annual Iowa Farmers' Union convention in 1931, a resolution 

 was passed asking for "a farmers' buying, selling and tax-paying strike" 

 to be called unless the necessary remedial legislation was forthcoming. 

 The convention instructed the president to name a committee of three 

 to confer with a similar committee that was expected to be selected by 

 John A. Simpson, president of the national Farmers' Union, to launch the 

 movement. The Iowa convention described an acceptable farm program 

 as one that included the following five points: inflation of the currency, 

 increased graduated income taxes, higher inheritance and gift taxes, re- 

 strictions on federal borrowings, and the confiscation of wealth in times 

 of war. 23 



By March, 1932, some progress was reported in getting the farm strike 

 under way. Mass meetings had been scheduled for Grinnell, Webster City, 

 Fort Dodge, Harcourt, and other places, and progress in organization 

 was in evidence in Harrison, Cedar, Hamilton, and Marion counties. A 

 farmers' convention held in Des Moines on May 3 voted to launch a strike 

 beginning on July 4, the date selected apparently being to give a patriotic 

 touch to the movement. The slogan for the campaign was "Stay at Home 

 Buy Nothing Sell Nothing." The name "farm holiday" was adopted 

 because the term "holiday" had been chosen by the banks which had 

 closed and made it impossible for farmers to withdraw their money. If 

 the bankers were entitled to a "holiday," so were the farmers. 24 



Come, fellow farmers, one and all 

 We've fed the world throughout the years 

 And haven't made our salt. 



We've paid our taxes right and left 

 Without the least objection 

 We've paid them to a government 

 That gives us no protection. 



22. Iowa Union Farmer, March 9, 1931. 



23. Des Moines Register, September 9, 1931. 



24. Ibid., March n, 1932; Iowa Union Farmer (Columbus Junction), May 4, 

 1932; Farm Holiday News (St. Paul), February 20, 1933. 



