SEGMENT: FARM ORGANIZATIONS
Charles Shuman>UIS Collection S>UIS Collection S, Segment 15
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- FARM ORGANIZATIONS
- Leaders fostered by Earl Smith were Donald Kirkpatrick, George Metzger, Dave Mieher (insurance),Paul Mathias (generals counsel), Wilfred Shaw, Oscar Brissenden, Lloyd Marchant(Farm Supply Company), Chet Becker (FS), Vernon Vaniman. A negative for Smith was his offer of too low salaries, which lost him some good men. F.B. started business services under his term, depending on specialized experts. Fought politically for parity prices. Defines this as a ratio (of farm prices to e.g. industrial prices. In 1914 this was 100% ratio. Today not considered realistic tool. Smith a leader during New Deal days. Teamed with Ed O'Neal (President, AFB Federation) into politics. Says southerners understand politics. Fight for farm legislation was to balance special interest of labor and industry. Smith was well respected; worked hard; commuted to Chicago; wife left in Pike county. Expected to get his own way.
