Velum* 37 



Number 1 



October, 1949 



The Record 



OmCIAL PUBLICATION 

 THE lUINOIS AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION 



To advance the purpose for which the Farm Bureau was organized, namely, 

 to promote, protect and represent the business, economic, social and educa- 

 tional interests oj the farmers of Illinois and the nation, and to develop 

 agriculture. 



OniCERS 



CHARLES B. SHUMAN, Sullmn. President 



FLOYD E. MORRIS 

 Vice-President 



PAUL E. MATHIAS 

 Secretary 



ARTHUR F. SCHUCK 

 Treasurer 



GEORGE E. METZGER 

 Field Secretary 



CLARENCE C. CHAPELLE 

 Comptroller 



DONALD KIRKPATRICK 

 General Counsel 



BOARD OF DIRECTORS 



Lyman Bunting, Ellery ; Thomas H. Lloyd, Girard ; Lester S. Davison, 

 Minonk; Homer Cuitiss, Stockton; J. Kmg Eaton, Edwardsville ; C. J. 

 Elliott, Streator ; John T. Evans, Hoopeston ; Edwin Gumm, Gaiesburg ; 

 Earl M. Hughes. Woodstock ; Chester McCord, Newton ; Russell V. 

 McKee, Varna; K. T. Smith, Greenfield; Otto Steffey, Stiooghunt; 

 Frank L. Simpson, Farmer City ; and Albert Webb, Ewing. 



DIVISION HEADS 



George E. Metzger, Organization & Information ; L. L. Colvis, Market- 

 ing ; I, E. Parett, General Services ; Paul E, Mathias, Building, Records, 

 and Personnel ; Arthur F. Schuck, Treasurer's office ; C, C. Chapelle. 

 Comptroller's office ; and Donald Kirkpatrick, General Counsel. 



DEPARTMENT HEADS 



Frank M. Atchley. Research ; O. D. Brissenden. Organization : G. W. 

 Baxter, Transportation-Claims ; John K. Cox, Rural School Relations ; 

 C. J, Foster. Publicity ; R. E. Gish, Soil Conservation Activities ; Roy P. 

 Johnson, Special Services & Office of the Building ; C. E. Johnston, Gen- 

 eral Office; Donald Kirkpatrick. Legal; Ellsworth _D. Lyon, Young Peo- 

 ple's Activities ; Judson P. Mason, Dairy Marketing ; Cullen B. Sweet, 

 Rural Road Improvements; S. F. Russell. Livestock Marketing; W. E. 

 Scbeer. Personnel ; John A. Lake, Safety and Public Health ; and Ben 

 Vandervliet, Property Taxatian. 



ASSOCIATED COMPANY MANAGERS 



Darrell L. Achenbacb^ Country Mutual Fire Company ; C. H. Becker, Il- 

 linois Farm Supply Company ; L. R. Downs, Producers' Seed Company ; 

 Forrest C. Fairchild. Prairie Farms Creameries ; Sam L. Hassell, Il- 

 linois Grain Terminals Company; Judson P. Mason, 111. Milk Producers' 

 Assn.; R. S. McBride, Illinois Fruit Growers Exchange; Howard McWard, 

 111. Grain Corporation ; C. F. Musser, III. Farm Bureau Serum Assn. ; 

 J. L. Pidcock, 111. Co-op Locker Service ; A. E. Richardson, Country 

 Life Insurance Company ; Dale Rouse, Illinois Wool Marketing Assn. ; 

 C. E. Strand, Illinois Agricultural Auditing Assn. ; H. W. Trautmann, 

 Illinois Livestock Marketing Asso. ; and F. V. Wilcox, Country Mutual 

 Casua4ty Company. 



EDITORIAL STAFT 



Cieston J. Foster 

 Editor 



James C. Thomson 

 Ass't. Editor 



Editorial Office 



43 East Ohio, Chicago U 



The Illinois Agriculturaal Association RECORD is published monthly 

 by the Illinois Agricultural Association at 1)01 W. Washington Road. 

 MendoU, 111. Editoral Offices, 43 East Ohio St., Chicago 11, lU. Entered 

 as second class matter at post office, Mendota, 111., Sept. 11, 1936. 

 Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided in Section 412, 

 Act of Feb. 28. 1925, authorized Oct. 27, 1935. Address all com- 

 munications for publication to Editorial Offices, Illinois Agricultural 

 Association RECORD, 43 East Ohio St., Chicago. The indiTida*! mem- 

 bership fee of the Illinois Agricultural Association is five dollars a ^ear. 

 The fee includes payment of Uti cents for subscription to the Illinois 

 Agricultural Association RECORD. Postmaster; Send notices on Form 

 3578. Undeliverable copies returned under Form 3579 to editorial offices 

 43 E. Ohio St., Chicago 11, 111. 



THt STATi FARM lUREAU PURLICATION 



Charles B. Shumoa 



What Do You Think? 



By Charles B. Shuman 



President, Illinois Agricultural Association 



A NATIONALLY prominent business man being 

 interviewed by a reporter on current issues of the 

 day was asked, "What do you think?" This execu- 

 tive picked up an unread copy of his favorite news- 

 paper, turned to the editorial page and said, "This 

 is what I think." We can be thankful that most Ameri- 

 can citizens are not willing to desig- 

 nate someone else to do their think- 

 ing. Certainly farmers generally 

 have jealously guarded their right 

 to their own independent, indi- 

 vidual opinions. 



THE very nature of our work 

 encourages us to develop the 

 ability to think objectively. 

 Modern urban life with its con- 

 gestion and confusion discourages 

 meditation. Thanks to the efifec- 

 tive eflForts of the farm press, news- 

 papers, radio. Extension Service and our own organi- 

 zation we are truly "the best informed Agricultural 

 people in the world." This information coupled with 

 the opportunity and ability to think clearly has earned 

 for the American farmers a position of leadership in 

 our nation. Daily from every segment of our society 

 and every conceivable issue comes the question, "What 

 do farmers think?" 



IF YOUR leaders are to properly discharge their re- 

 sponsibility to accurately reflect farmer thinking 

 tiiere are two essential requirements that must be 

 met. It is not enough for our leaders to be close to 

 agriculture, they must have their feet on the land so 

 that they feel, and think, and react in the same way 

 that farmers feel, and think, and react. Secondly, it 

 is equally important that every farmer accept his re- 

 sponsibility to express his own thinking to those 

 leaders. 



FROM time to time we are approached by various 

 individuals or groups who have a beautiful idea 

 or clever plan with the request that we "sell" it 

 to the Farm Bureau membership. These folks are 

 usually quite startled to learn that we do not operate 

 on this plan in Illinois. In our fast moving world it 

 is necessary for your organization to be free to act 

 promptly on many issues. It is the responsibility of 

 boards of directors to be sure that the actions taken 

 accurately portray the views of the members. 



WE are approaching the annual meeting season at 

 county, state and national levels. The current 

 and future programs of your organization will be 

 subject to review, discussion and determination. I 

 hope that every member will appreciate the importance 

 of his attendance and participation. It is up to you 

 to see that your officers and board members are con- 

 scientious, capable men and actual farmers. It is to 

 your interest that they be advised currently of your 

 thoughts on various problems. 



What do you think? I would be glad to hear from 

 you. 



OCTOBER, 1949 



