Alo—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 1,1981
Remember the movie that
appeared on the big screens
throughout the nation a
number of years back called
“The Sting” that depicted the
razzle-dazzle times of the
1920 V
For those with short
memories for movie titles,
calling to mind the stars’
names Redford and Newman
might help to bring back
memories of the Academy
Award winning film for most
fans of Hollywood's most
celebrated male actors.
But, if this, too, fails to help
you recall the plot, a quick
review would go something
like this.
The story evolves around
two felons, one an ex
perienced, big-time con artist,
the other a fledgling thief
who's taken under the wing of
the first. With the aid of other
convicts and bunko artists,
the pair manages to cunningly
swindle the biggest ‘fish’ in
New York City, a mob leader.
Well, that short review
doesn’t do justice to the ex
citing, involved plot that
unfolds the tale of one of
Hollywood’s masterpieces.
But it does set the stage for a
surprisingly simitar situation
that is being acted out in
Pennsylvania’s farm com
munity today.
Although the elaborate set
and the handsome actors are
missing from this scene, the
plot is much the same. A
‘pigeon’ is singled out by a
group of swindlers and the
play to take the money and
run begins.
The con artists are
disguising themselves as
reputable business people in
this act, and are using the
current economy as a back
drop in order for their scam to
succeed. They’re offering
folks, especially small
businesses, farmers, and
families looking for a home,
what is an ‘unbelievable’ deal
low interest rates of 8 75
percent when commercial
lenders are charging around
19 percent.
The Pennsylvania Farmers'
Association has warned its
members to be ‘‘extremely
cautious” before becoming a
borrower when approached by
a purveyor of low-interest
money. In their recent
newsletter, PFA has reported
the Pennsylvania Department
of Banking is currently
working on an investigation
involving these “unknown
lenders."
“Similar operations are
under investigation in Indiana
and Ohio," reports PFA "At
least 60 Indiana farmers and
another 24 in Ohio have not
received low interest loans
after paying $l,OOO each to
secure their loans plus ap
plication fees of several
hundred dollars. Farmers in
New York. Minnesota,
Off the
Sot m&mg
By Sheila Miller, Editor
Don't get stung
Wisconsin, Colorado, and New
Mexico have also reportedly
applied for similar low interest
loans ”
Unlike Hollywood’s version
that kept its audience rooting
for the underdogs Redford
and Newman, in today’s
drama the villains truly are the
bad guys and unsuspecting,
trusting farmers are the ones
that need support.
A word to the wise is suf
ficient, they say. In this case,
we’ll make an exception and
use two words “Be skep
tical”, at least until a legal
service has checked every
dotted V and crossed *t' for
you.
The same skepticism needs
to be employed when ap
proached for donations from
groups claiming to represent
the farm community.
It has been brought to our
attention that a person
“representing” the U.S
Chamber of Commerce has
been calling on local farmers
requesting contributions in
the amount of $125 minimum.
These funds are said to be
going toward lobbying efforts
for ag legislation in
Washington, D.C
According to an informed
source, this person is using
the reputation of local Ag
Chamber of Commerce
Councils to get a foothold,
even though his group has no
connection with the local
Chamber
“This person is telling
farmers the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce is supporting 75
percent parity and is sjjj>
HAV HAWS
“Which pest gives me the most trouble? That’s an easy one
to answer any guy who bugs me for money."
Board
porting the Senate Bill,"
reports the source. ‘‘When we
checked with the U S
Chamber office in
Washington, which is more
interested in business than
farming, we learned the only
mention the U.S. Chamber
has of agriculture in their
lobbying efforts is that the
Secretary of Agriculture
should have the discretion to
make a semi-annual price
adjustment in dairy pricing."
The question here is not
whether it is right or wrong to
contribute to the U.S
Chamber, but is there a sound
reason to donate funds? If a
farmer’s hard-earned dollars
are going to support ag lob
bying efforts in legislation,
aren’t they better invested in
well-established farm
representatives such as the
American Farm Bureau
Federation, Grange, National
Council of Farmer
Cooperatives, Farmers’
Union, and other similar
lobbying organizations whose
interests are strictly for the
farmer?
We commend farmers for
taking an interest in their
futures through legislative
policy-making channels and
also for being shrewd business
people who try to make the
most profitable investment
decisions. Farming is a
legitimate business with few
ways of taking people across
Unfortunately that can’t be
said for other businesses in
this free enterprise system So
be cautious and careful
don’t get stung
JUSTICE FOR THE
STRANGER
August 2,1981
Background Scriptures:
Deuteronomy 16:18 through
17:20; 24.1-22
Devotional Reading:
Isaiah 55:1-9.
When I was a boy I knew a little
about the legendary Satchel Paige.
I remember that my father told me
he was one of the greatest baseball
pitchers ot all tune. 1 also knew
that he was black (in those days
“Negro” was the proper term) and
that because ot this he had never
played in the major leagues,
although my father told me that he
had appeared against some major
league all-star teams m exhibition
games and struck-out all of the big
stars.
But tor some reason, 1 cannot
recall that 1 felt any overwhelming
sense of injustice that this great
athlete was denied his opportunity
because of his color. Perhaps 1 did,
but I can’t recall it. Maybe I simp
ly accepted that’s the way things
were.
One of Your Brethren
A tew evenings ago I was wat
ching a television presentation of
the life of Satchel Paige. As I wat
ched this man’s story, I was over
whelmed with a sense of shame
and indignation as I realized that
"the way things were” in those
days— whatever else we might say
about them—was terribly unjust.
Worst ot all, however, was the
NOW IS THE TIME
By Jay Irwin
Lancatter County Africulture Afent
Phone 717 394-CB5l
TO PREPARE THE SILO
The corn crop is developing
rapidly and soon it will be silo - till
ing time. The condition ot the silo
should get some attetion before the
new crop crop is ensiled.
Many ot the concrete silos may
be pitted and have a rough inside
surface. This will allow; air pockets
and cause moldy silage. Some in
side joints may need to be re
pointed m order to keep out the air
and have a smooth surface.
Don’t wait until the silo filler is
coming before you make these
repairs.
Silage is one ot the best and most
economical feeds on our'farms to
day; let’s not spoil it after it is in
the silo.
TO RENOVATE OLD PASTURES
Permanent pastures that contain
poor stands ot grasses and weeds,
can be renovated and re-seeded
with good results during late
August and early September in this
part ot the country. The old sod
should be destroyed by plowing,
discing or killing with a herbicide,
and a good seed bed prepard.
Lime and tertilizer should be ap
plied according to a complete soil
test. Early tall is one of the best
times to make a new seeding ot
pasture or other turt. The cooler
weather ot the tall, along with nor
mally extra mositure, will give the
new plants a good start well betore
cold weather arrives. These plants
will stand the heat ot next summer
better than a spring seeding.
ORDER LATE SUMMER
AND 1- ALLSEEDS
t’he late summer and tall
seeding beacon ib lapidly ap
proaching. We bhould be making
realization that Satchel Paige’s
story is but a symbol or token ot
the monstrous injustices endured
by the black people of this country,
despite the prevalence ot this na
tion’s Judaic- Christian heritage
which is founded so strongly on the
concept ot justice— particularly
justice for those who do not have
the power to grasp it for
themselves; "you shall not pervert
the justice due to the sojourner or
to the fatherless, or take a widow’s
garment in pledge...”
( Deuteronomy 24:17).
Justice between equals is assum
ed, but what the ancient law of
Israel was particularly concerned
with was justice between the have
and the have-not, between the
strong and the weak: "You shall
not oppress a lured servant who is
poor and needy, whether he is one
ot your brethren or one ot the so
journers who are in your land...”
(24:14). It is one thing to retram
from being unjust to a family
member, neighbor or friend, and
something else to retrain from tak
ing advantage ot someone who
seems permissible ‘ ‘fair game’ ’.
For He Is Poor
Furthermore, the law is concern
ed, not only with outright oppres
sion, but the more subtle kinds ot
injustice. For example: "you shall
give him his hire on the day he
earns it, before the sun goes down
(tor he is poor, and sets his heart
upon it); lest he cry against you to
the Lord, and it be sin in you”
(24:15). Because he is weak and
you are strong, it is unjust to take
advantage ot him or to stand by
and permit someone else to do so.
It is sin!
But you can’t legislate morality,
can you? Apparently Deuteronomy
thought so; "When you gather the
grapes ot your vineyard, you shall
not glean it afterward; it shall be
tor the sojourner, the tatherless
and the widow” (24:21).
plans now tor the August seedmgs
ot altalta. Winter barley and wheat
seedmgs should be planned and
orders placed tor the right kind ot
seed.
Don't wait until seeding time and
then discover the supply is
exhausted. We strongly suggest
certified seed so you realize the
most trom the fertilizer and other
unputs.
If you plan to use home-grown
seeds, they should be tested at the
Pennsylvania Department ot
Agnucltural seed laboratory.
Don’t waste time and money on
poor quality seed, you also could be
spreading disease and weed seeds.
TO BEWARE OF
LIGHTNING DANGER
High temperatures otten bring
severe thunder and lightning
storms, we’ve had some in recent
weeks and no doubt there will be
more to come. Parents need to
warn their youngsters ot the
danger of standing under a tree or
swimming in a pond or creek
before and during a storm. Safety
in a truck, car or a building should
be encouraged as the storm ap
proaches as well as during the
storm. Stay away from electric
fences and farm equipment that is
out in the open.
Buildings with lightning rods
should be checked to be sure the
rods are grounded in moist soil and
tree ot debris that would prevent
the cable from taking the charge
into the ground.
Electrical storms are dangerous
and safety measures should be
adopted.