Summary Information
Oral History Interview with Milo K. Swanton 1975-1976
- Swanton, Milo K., 1894-1993
Tape 550A
11 tape recordings
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Interview conducted by Dale Treleven of the Historical Society staff with Swanton, long-time executive secretary of the Wisconsin Council of Agricultural Cooperatives; concerning rural life as Swanton knew it in his youth in the Town of Blooming Grove, Dane County, Wisconsin; education in a one-room school, at the Wisconsin Academy, and at the University of Wisconsin; his farming experiences from World War I to 1966, the formation and development of many farm cooperatives, the Wisconsin Employment Peace Act of 1939, the National Farmers Organization, and other topics.
Part of the Wisconsin Agriculturalists Oral History Project.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-tape00550a ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Milo K. Swanton, born on November 27, 1894, and for more than a quarter of a century Executive Secretary of the Wisconsin Council of Agricultural Cooperatives (originally the Wisconsin Council of Agriculture), was one of the most important and influential spokesmen for organized farmer interests in the state. Swanton began farming in the Town of Blooming Grove, Dane County, Wisconsin, in 1919 and continued to operate a dairy and livestock farm until 1962. He cash-cropped the land until 1966. Today much of what was Swanton farm land, now within the eastern limits of the city of Madison, is dotted with suburban homes.
Swanton was and is a staunch advocate of organized farmers' activity. In 1919 he was an officer in the local organization of the American Society of Equity, Wisconsin Union, and he later played an important role in the formation and development of such organizations as the Madi son Milk Producers Cooperative Association, the Wisconsin Cooperative Tobacco Pool, and the Southern Wisconsin Breeders Cooperative. He also held memberships in the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, the Wisconsin Grange, and the Equity Cooperative Livestock Shipping Association, as well as other groups and associations. (A paper copy of Swanton's biographical summary, corrected to February 1975 by Mr. Swanton, is filed in the Archives Division with the Case file copy of this finding aid.)
Scope and Content Note
Interview
The taping sessions with Swanton were held over a period of more than sixteen months, largely because his calendar was remarkably filled with appointments for one who had reached the age of 80. Illness and inclement weather, including the most severe ice storm since the 1920's, made it necessary to reschedule several other sessions. We [Swanton and interviewer Dale Treleven] held the first session on February 11, 1975, while the final taping (for this series of interviews, at least) took place on July 13, 1976. We taped in the Historical Society's oral history office (Room #448). Typically, Swanton, dressed in suit and tie, would reach the office at 9 A.M. We would spend from fifteen minutes to a half hour discussing historical incidents and reviewing the areas we hoped to cover that day, then tape for several hours, and break off the discussion at about 12:00. Although Swanton generally asked to be reminded of the subjects we had agreed to discuss, before the recorder was turned on, he would usually retrieve a few sketchy notes he had prepared earlier.
The series of interviews on the whole dwells primarily upon Swanton's early life, remembrances of farming and neighborhood activities in the town of Blooming Grove during the century's first two decades, recollections of his education in a one-room school, and later at the Wisconsin Academy and at the University of Wisconsin. His love of history (he is a long-time curator and former president of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin) and careful attention to detail led to many interesting and informative views of Madison and eastern Dane county. He discusses at length various innovations and changes on the farm and in the rural neighborhood, and explains many aspects of his father's (and his own) farming operation, from fattening up and marketing Chester White hogs to the laborious task of growing a crop of tobacco. He comments extensively on social as well as economic aspects of rural life in the first several decades of the twentieth century, and observes how change in the town of Blooming Grove has taken its toll in terms of the togetherness and neighborliness of yesteryear.
Swanton talks about changes on his farm, during the 1920's and 1930's in particular, and discusses the efforts of farmers to form cooperatives and general organizations during the period. He refers to his own experiences to illustrate vividly the effects of the Depression upon neighborhood farmers, and relates the bitterness that arose between supporters of the Wisconsin Cooperative Milk Pool and other farmers during the Milk Strikes of 1932-33. He discusses his work as an appraiser for the federal land bank during the 1930's, a position he held until the directors of the Wisconsin Council of Agriculture offered him the position of the organization's first full-time professional employee. Immediately finding himself in the midst of growing antagonism between organized labor and agriculture, he tells how the Council of Agriculture took the lead in writing and gathering support for a change in the state labor relations act. The labor bill that resulted was probably the most important piece of legislation ever supported by the Wisconsin Council of Agriculture, in terms of the long-range impact on labor, industry, and agriculture. The Wisconsin Employment Peace Act of 1939 later became a model for portions of the national Taft-Hartley bill, passed by Congress in 1948.
Outside of several other Council legislative efforts, such as the ongoing anti-oleomargarine battles and winning support for the “America's Dairyland” license plate slogan, there is little in the series of interviews that dwells upon Swanton's day-to-day activities as a key spokesman for organized agriculture. Such details are for the most part well-documented in the organizational records and papers of the Wisconsin Council of Agricultural Cooperatives, housed in the Historical Society's Archives Division. Questions about specific issues that would augment information contained in the papers will await an opportunity for the oral historian to conduct in-depth research in the collection. Of chief importance would be an examination of those areas where Council positions differed from those of the state's second cooperative group, the Wisconsin Association of Cooperatives (WAC). While the WAC and the WCAC merged in 1969 to form the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, the historical roots and issues as well as personality conflicts during the period Swanton was WCAC's executive secretary led to many differences between the two groups that together represented the interests of most of the state's organized farmers.
Abstract to the Interview
The tapes for this interview have two tracks: a voice track containing the discussion and a time track containing time announcements at intervals of approximately five seconds. The abstract lists, in order of discussion, the topics covered on each tape, and indicates the time-marking at which point the beginning of the particular discussion appears.
Thus, the researcher, by using a tape recorder's fast-forward button, may find expeditiously and listen to discrete segments without listening to all of the taped discussion. For instance, the user who wishes to listen to the topic on “NEW YEARS EVE, 1899” should locate the place on the second track of tape one, side one, where the voice announces the 04:00 time-marking (the voice says at this point, “four minutes”), and at this point switch to the first track to hear the discussion. The discussion on “NEW YEARS EVE, 1899” continues until approximately 07:00 at which point discussion of the next topic (“SWANTON NEIGHBORHOOD INCLUDES DESCENDANTS OF EARLY WISCONSIN SETTLERS”) begins.
Notice that in most cases sentences beneath each headline explain more about the contents of the topic. For example, the sentences underneath “NEW YEARS EVE, 1899” give further details on what appears on the tape between 04:00 and 07:00.
The abstract is designed to provide only a brief outline of the content of the tapes and cannot serve as a substitute for listening to them. However, the abstract when used with the index will help the researcher easily locate distinct topics and discussions among the many minutes of commentary.
Index to the Interview
The index, which is keyed to the same time announcement track (second track) as the abstract, gives a single alphabetical listing of all proper nouns., (names of persons, places, groups, organizations, books, periodicals), and distinct historical phenomena (Depression, Milk Strikes) which appear by one or more three- or four-part citations specifying the location (s) where the entry appears. For instance, Blooming Grove Grange (Patrons of Husbandry) is followed by the citation 6:1, 01:05. This indicates that a reference to the Blooming Grove Grange appears on Tape 6, Side 1 within the time-marking beginning at one minute, five seconds of the time announcement.
Related Material
On file in the Historical Society's Archives Division are the papers of the Wisconsin Council of Agricultural Cooperatives (cataloged under Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives), and the papers of many farmers' cooperative and general organizations which held membership in the Council over the years.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Finding aid prepared by Dale E. Treleven, June 25, 1977.
Contents List
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2/11/75
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
00:55
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DESCRIPTION OF SWANTON FARM : In 1919, original farm divided into two units, one operated by Swanton and one by his brother. Largest acreage Milo Swanton ever farmed was 139 acres. In 1959, “we did not move to the city, but the city moved to us”; Swanton assigned a Madison street address in place of rural route number.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
04:00
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NEW YEARS EVE, : Swanton heard church bells and whistles from nearby Madison ringing to usher in new century.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
07:00
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SWANTON NEIGHBORHOOD INCLUDES DESCENDANTS OF EARLY WISCONSIN SETTLERS : Jacob Easton came from Ohio in the 1840's and introduced tobacco growing to the region.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
09:15
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DIVERSE ETHNIC GROUPS IN NEIGHBORHOOD : Neighborhood included immigrants and their descendants from Ireland, such as the Dempseys and Mahers, and from Norway, Germany and England.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
10:00
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ANECDOTE ABOUT NEIGHBOR WHO WAS FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR VETERAN : Neighbor participated with other nearby veterans in the Deutsche Militar-Verein in annual celebration of Franco-Prussian War.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
11:45
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SWANTON'S FAMILY BACKGROUND : Swanton's ancestors came from County Cork, Ireland, and England. Maternal grandparents settled in Waukesha County before moving to Blooming Grove; paternal grandparents in Washington County, before moving to Sun Prairie township (Dane County) after the Civil War.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
13:55
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SWANTON'S GRANDFATHER CELEBRATES WILLIAM OF ORANGE DAY : Swanton's grandfather would celebrate William of Orange Day on July 12 by parading in “Orange regalia,” until he realized that religious conflict in United States not so acute as in Ireland.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
15:45
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TYPES OF FARMING IN SWANTON'S NEIGHBORHOOD : Dairy and livestock, with tobacco as cash crop.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
16:15
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DESCRIPTION OF EASTON SCHOOL: ONE ROOM COUNTRY SCHOOL : “Five r's” taught at one room school: reading, writing, arithmetic, respect and discipline. Teachers completed eighth grade, attended summer conference on education conducted by county school superintendent, who then certified them to teach. Enrollment never exceeded twenty-three students at all grade levels. Easton School, built in 1855, had round, oak, wood-burning stove; students got chilblains in the winter. Students celebrated birthdays and holidays by sharing sweets brought from home. For recreation, students played baseball, ginny, and roamed in the nearby woods.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
23:45
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ANECDOTE ABOUT NEIGHBORS HELPING TO FIND FIRST-GRADE GIRL LOST IN WOODS
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
25:45
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PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES IN RURAL SCHOOL : At Christmas, teacher assigned two or three students to get tree; students participated in Christmas pageants. In 1915, new school with central heat and basement built and neighbors helped move from old school to new, which also served as neighborhood social center. No morning prayers; students learned to read and spell phonetically. Remembers Mary Gay, who later went to University of Wisconsin, as an outstanding teacher. Teachers usually remained at a school two or three years “until matrimony caught up with most of them,” or they furthered their educations. Teachers relied on older students to help younger ones. Limited resources; students learned to get along on what they had; neighbors helped the school when they could. Parents supported the teachers. Swanton's school district in session nine months.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
01:00
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SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RURAL SCHOOL : Helped develop personal initiative and pride.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
03:45
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ATTITUDE OF NEIGHBORHOOD PARENTS TOWARD EDUCATION : Saw education as important in “building for life.”
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
05:25
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EIGHTH GRADE GRADUATES ABOUT : About half of graduates continued their educations in Madison, in high school or at the Four C Business College (Capital City Commercial College). Some males attended two-year Farm Short Course at University of Wisconsin. Swanton graduated from the Wisconsin Academy in Madison.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
08:45
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OUTSTANDING TEACHERS AT THE WISCONSIN ACADEMY : School operators Charlotte and Susan Richmond were excellent teachers and recruited such outstanding teachers as Voyta Wrabetz, later principal of Central High School. [Also a member of the state's first labor relations board.]
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
12:25
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STUDENTS AT WISCONSIN ACADEMY : Student body approximately equal between rural, urban and university students who took refresher courses.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
14:40
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TRANSPORTATION TO WISCONSIN ACADEMY : Walked two and one-half miles from farm to end of car line on Fair Oaks Avenue, where he took streetcar to Academy.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
15:20
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PUBLICATIONS SWANTONS SUBSCRIBED TO : Youth Companion, Wisconsin State Journal, Wisconsin Agriculturist, Wisconsin Farmer, Hoards Dairyman. Swanton's father brought newspapers and magazines home on Saturday afternoon after selling farm produce in Madison. When Rural Free Delivery began, newspapers delivered daily to farm.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
17:00
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SIGNIFICANCE OF FARM PUBLICATIONS AND YOUTH COMPANION : Helped stimulate discussion as well as provide information on farming and on raising children.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
18:10
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ANECDOTE ABOUT HOW DISCUSSION AT DINNER TABLE AFFECTED SWANTON AS A CHILD : In 1898, while outside, Swanton heard “terrific explosion” and ran home afraid that “Spaniards” had landed in Wisconsin, a reaction to discussion of contemporary events and Cuba.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
21:30
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FARM CHORES AND FIELD WORK : Brought in kindling; helped feed hay and fodder to horses and cows, milked cows every evening, howed, suckered, and piled tobacco, cut wood. Wood-cutting gave “every muscle in the body a workout.”
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
27:40
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BEGINNING OF TELEPHONE SERVICE, : In 1903, came home from school and pondered over longest cedar posts he had ever seen. Swanton farm the last on a line of ten and neighbors often came to make emergency calls.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
00:50
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SWANTONS GET ELECTRIC LIGHTS, : Swantons got illumination from Delco home plant. First use of electric lights “quite the occasion,” especially for Swanton's mother, who cared for kerosene lamps.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
03:40
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INSTALLATION OF POWER LINES NEAR MADISON : Madison Gas and Electric company resisted installing power lines near Madison until 1928, because of the great cost.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
05:25
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ACETYLENE GAS PLANT, : About 1905, Swantons installed acetylene gas plant which was difficult and dangerous to use. Highly explosive. Delco plant far safer.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
08:15
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ROAD MAINTENANCE : Town board responsible for road maintenance. “Pathmaster” responsible for road maintenance in a particular district. Farmers in district constructed roads when farm chores completed; used horse-drawn graders and dump-scrapers to improve dirt roads which were muddy, rocky, and dusty depending on the season. In winter, roads impassable and people traveled through fields. About 1915 gravel, and in some areas, macadam used, and still later, black top. Use of automobiles preceded widespread road improvement. Wisconsin one of the first states to fulfill objective of having “a surface road to every door.”
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
18:20
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EARLY AUTOMOBILES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD : John Dempsey one of first to buy an automobile. Irving Zink bought an early Ford. Swanton's father purchased a Buick C37 in 1914.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
19:45
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DISCUSSION OF HORSES : Swanton's father bred Percheron draft horses for farm work, and used a Morgan mare for road travel. Horses reflect proper feeding, watering, currying, pasturing, and resting. Learned to care for horses at an early age, drove single horse on road at age eight, and team at age ten. At age ten, drove team as far as ten miles.
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Tape/Side/Part
2/1/2
Time
00:05
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TRAVEL INTO MADISON BY BACK ROAD (EAST WASHINGTON AVENUE) : When going to Madison with young team not accustomed to streetcars, Swanton's father took East Washington Avenue, then a back road bordering cattail swamp.
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Tape/Side
2/1/2
Time
01:40
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SWANTON'S FATHER SELLS PRODUCE TO REGULAR CUSTOMERS : In addition to butter, Swanton's father sold eggs, dressed chickens and turkeys which Swanton's mother had raised, to regular customers.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
01:00
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DESCRIPTION OF SWANTON FARM OPERATION AND CATTLE AT START OF TWENTIETH CENTURY : Swanton's father had dual-purpose Durham (Shorthorn) cattle. A decade later father began to keep Holsteins, while Swanton in his own operation had Guernseys.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
05:40
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FARM AND HOME WEEK DEMONSTRATION CONVINCES SWANTON'S FATHER OF IMPORTANCE OF TUBERCULIN TEST : College of Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin annually sponsored Farm and Home Week. Demonstrations there convinced Swanton's father of need for testing cattle for tuberculosis. Wisconsin one of the first states to require tuberculosis testing, slaughter of reactors, and reimbursement to farmers for lost cattle. Led to virtual eradication of bovine tuberculosis.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
11:20
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CASH COMMODITIES ON SWANTON FARM OPERATION AT START OF TWENTIETH CENTURY : Chester White hogs, the “mortgage lifters;” as well as tobacco. Tobacco money important in financing new farm buildings. Corn, oats, and winter wheat also grown. Hay a very important cash crop and Swanton recalls hay market on East Washington Avenue. After telephone installed in 1902, Swanton's father used phone to sell hay.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
18:45
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MADISON BEET SUGAR FACTORY AS SOURCE OF LIME FOR FARMERS : Beet sugar factory circa 1915 dumped lime it didn't use. Swanton's father and other farmers, after ground froze, dug it out, dried it, and crushed and spread on soil.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
00:50
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DESCRIPTION OF DAIRY OPERATION : Swantons marketed butter; no neighborhood cheese makers. Milk from cows strained into “shot gun” milk cans; cream concentrated at top. “Shot gun” cans placed in water-cooled (horse) tank. Describes butter-churning done by his mother; on Saturdays his father delivered butter jars to regular customers. Butter-making equipment scalded to prevent bacteria.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
11:05
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POWER TO RAISE WATER : Used windmill exclusively until his father in first decade of twentieth century purchased “farm pump engine.”
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
12:05
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CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION OF DAIRY OPERATION, : Butter color varied with season and cow's diet, so carotene added for color uniformity. Skim milk fed to hogs and calves.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
14:45
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MAKING SOAP : Wood ashes saved in barrels with holes in bottom to which soft water was added. Filtrate, drained into large iron kettle, boiled to produce concentrated lye.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
16:45
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MARKETING HOGS AND OTHER LIVESTOCK : Hogs and other livestock not butchered for family use sold to livestock dealers who visited the farm. Dealers from Madison or Chicago bought for packing houses. Remembers in particular a livestock dealer nicknamed “Old Five Cents Off.”
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
21:10
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INCOME FROM SALE OF EGGS, DRESSED CHICKENS AND TURKEYS : Swanton's mother kept profits from sale of eggs, and dressed chickens and turkeys.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
22:25
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DESCRIPTION OF RAISING AND HARVESTING TOBACCO : Still cannot be harvested mechanically. Cut tobacco hung to dry in well-ventilated curing shed. Freezing weather helped dry very moist tobacco stalks; “case weather” (foggy, damp weather), facilitates leaf texture change from brittle to supple. Leaves stripped from stalk and sold in bales. Tobacco warehouses located in Madison, Sparta, Stoughton, Edgerton, and in any city in tobacco-growing areas. Most Wisconsin tobacco used for cigar binding, which holds “filler” together. Wisconsin also important producer of “chorn and spittin'“ tobacco. Buyer's offer determines price the farmer gets. “You need but just a minute or two of hail, and your crop is done for.” Of 41 crops raised, Swanton never lost one.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
01:05
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BEGINNING A TOBACCO CROP : Tiny tobacco seed difficult to handle; two ounces sufficient to plant ten acres. In April, seeds sprout in moistened woolen bag. Seeds sown in steamed, silt loam seed beds by sprinkling a mixture of water and one teaspoon of seed in a five gallon watering can. Beds covered with canvas, and five to six inch plants appeared by about June 10. Plants then transplanted. About 7,400 plants to a growing acre.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
07:30
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MARKETING POTATOES : Swanton's father sold potatoes to regular customers in Madison. Some potatoes sold at digging time (late September-early October), while 200-300 bushels stored in basement. Opinion varied as to best time to plant potatoes, but Swanton's father said, “The time to plant potatoes is when the seed is cheap.”
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
09:55
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FARMERS IN SWANTON'S NEIGHBORHOOD DIVERSIFY CROPS : Common for farmers in Swanton neighborhood to vary crops.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
10:20
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MARKETING BARLEY : Barley important cash crop since Wisconsin had large beer industry. Barley marketed directly--or indirectly, as feed for hogs.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
13:20
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STORING WINTER FEED : Swanton's father never had a silo. Grain stored in granary. Hay consisted of medium red and alsike clover, and later, alfalfa.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
15:00
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PURCHASING MACHINERY : In Swanton's father's time, relatively small investment in farm machinery. Usually purchased from dealers in Madison or Sun Prairie.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
16:35
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PURCHASING GROCERIES : Farms much more self-sufficient in Swanton's father's time. Most of meat, fruit and vegetables came from the farm. Dry goods usually purchased at Piper Brothers grocery store, “truly a rendezvous for farmers.”
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
20:50
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USE OF MAIL ORDER HOUSES : Swantons rarely used mail order houses because they lived so near Madison.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
22:10
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MOVEMENT FOR RURAL FREE DELIVERY : “It was one of the greatest advantages, improvements to rural life that I've ever seen in my life.” Before rural free delivery, picking up mail at post office a big occasion. As part of National Grange movement to begin program of rural free delivery, Swanton's father circulated petition among farmers. Movement encountered opposition from those who thought farmers didn't have the time or were not able to read, or mail delivery to rural areas too costly. Some suggested farmers should pay for their delivery. Routes of mail carriers averaged thirty miles.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
31:30
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FACTORS WHICH AFFECTED MOVEMENT FOR BETTER RURAL ROADS : Difficulty of road travel for mail delivery, marketing products, and leisure automobile trips, provided incentive for movement to improve rural roads.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
32:10
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COMMENT ON NEIGHBORHOOD IN SWANTON'S FATHER'S TIME : “There was a togetherness, a neighborliness in rural America back in those days.” A “great deal more neighborhood unity.”
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2/21/75
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
01:00
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IMPORTANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES AS A COMMUNITY CENTER : Served as centers for social activity. People in Swanton's neighborhood usually attended church in Madison, although nearby German and Norwegian Lutherans had churches in Hope and Pumpkin Hollow communities. No friction between people of different religions. Church suppers and other special occasions such as weddings attended by people of diverse religions.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
09:30
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RURAL GET-TOGETHERS : Neighbors got together at barn dances. Such local musicians as the Zink family orchestra or Natvig played. Shivarees, lawn parties, and sleigh rides were other occasions when neighbors got together. Several families might get together on the Fourth of July.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
18:35
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DOCTORS : Before telephone in 1902, patients taken to doctor, or doctor would be summoned.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
19:30
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FUNERALS BEFORE FUNERAL PARLORS : Crepe was hung on door of deceased; neighbor usually filled in for undertaker. Funeral held in home or church. Meal usually provided since people walked their horses over long distances.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
23:10
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NEIGHBORHOOD PARTIES : Neighbors got together to play a card-game called “cinch” and to hold surprise birthday parties.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
24:25
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HAIRCUTTING : Father cut Swanton's hair until he was a teenager.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
25:25
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NEIGHBORS GET TOGETHER FOR SCHOOL PROGRAMS : Neighbors attended school programs at Christmas, and at the end of the school year.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
26:40
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UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EXTENSION HELPS FARMERS LEARN ABOUT FARMING PRACTICES : University of Wisconsin-Extension sponsored speakers and demonstrations to inform farmers of such improvements as tuberculosis testing, liming soil for alfalfa, and use of commercial fertilizers. Farmers from all over Wisconsin met and exchanged ideas during Farm and Home Week in January.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
30:00
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BUILDING A NEW FARM HOME IN : Contractor drew plans and constructed house. Relative of Swantons installed heating and plumbing.
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3/6/75
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
01:15
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EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF BURNING OF STATE CAPITOL IN : Swantons heard fire whistles very early on a Saturday morning and neighbors phoned to say the state capitol was burning. While Swantons delivered butter and eggs, saw fire blazing from the dome and south wing of the capitol, fire engines on every corner, and huge crowds.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
08:05
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WHY SWANTON ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON IN : Encouragement from parents and example of cousin who had graduated. Lived relatively near the University and saved money by commuting by street car. Still helped at home with farm chores.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
10:35
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UW CAMPUS IN : Main Hall (Bascom Hall) domed; student population about four thousand.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
12:15
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SWANTON RECALLS OUTSTANDING FACULTY AT UW-MADISON ABOUT : Charles R. (“Prexie”) Van Hise, E.A. Birge, Richard T. Ely, John R. Commons, Fay Elwell, Frederick Paxson, Carl Russell Fish, Scott Goodnight, William H. Kiekhofer, William Ellery Leonard, M.V. O'Shea, William A. Scott, Ernest Bean and James M. O'Neill.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
29:00
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DEBATING SOCIETIES ABOUT : Students accepted in debating societies on basis of forensic skill. Separate debating societies for women.
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Tape/Side/Part
4/2/2
Time
00:00
|
IMPORTANCE OF DEBATING SOCIETIES : Intercollegiate debaters as important on campus as athletes were in later years. Joint debate question in 1915, “Resolved, that a compulsory system of old age and invalidity insurance be adopted in the United States, constitutionality waived.” Student debaters exempted from writing theses. Debating society once visited Chicago, “a real eye-opener” for Swanton.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
00:00
|
INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
00:45
|
UW DEBATING SOCIETY FIELD TRIP TO CHICAGO : Debating society visited hospitals and centers where elderly persons congregated. Visited with Jane Addams at Hull House, Dr. Graham Taylor of the Chicago Commons and William D. Haywood, President of Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
03:30
|
COMMENT ON MEETING WITH WILLIAM D. HAYWOOD : Visited “Big Bill” Haywood at his office; shocked by “an assembly, a group of men, that were about as hard looking as any group of men I've ever seen, more so than any men I've ever seen back here in Wisconsin.” Haywood initially abrupt with the student group because he thought they were direct representatives of state government. Haywood in gruff and vicious voice, very critical of big capital. Ironically, many years later, Swanton visited Haywood's grave in Moscow.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
13:10
|
IMPRESSIONS OF CHICAGO IN : Impressed mostly by tall buildings, “great multitude of people” living in crowded conditions, large-scale industry and business, railway depots, electric street cars, horse-drawn delivery wagons, and motorized taxis. Shocked by harsh treatment of horses by cab drivers. Recalls smokey atmosphere and lack of greenery.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
16:50
|
ATHLETICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON : About 1915, forensics and athletics were rivals in importance.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
18:50
|
ANECDOTE ABOUT BLEACHERS COLLAPSING AT FOOTBALL GAME IN : During football game with Minnesota, center sections of bleachers collapsed; many students injured and hospitalized.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
23:55
|
CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION OF ATHLETICS AT THE UW ABOUT : Tom Jones, coach of track and cross country, and basketball coach Walter Meanwell both able to interest new students in athletics.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
28:15
|
RECALLS FACULTY OF UW-EXTENSION ABOUT
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
28:45
|
MORE ON UW-EXTENSION FACULTY
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
29:25
|
RECALLS FACULTY OF UW COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
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Tape/Side/Part
5/1/2
Time
00:05
|
MORE ON UW COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE FACULTY : Especially Stephen M. Babcock, “the laughing saint of science.”
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|
Tape/Side/Part
5/2/1
Time
00:00
|
INTRODUCTION
|
|
Tape/Side/Part
5/2/1
Time
00:50
|
FACULTY WITH GREATEST INFLUENCE ON SWANTON : In Economics, William Kiekhofer, and in History, Frederick Paxson and Carl Russell Fish.
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Tape/Side/Part
5/2/1
Time
03:55
|
VIEWS ON THE CIVIL WAR AS AN AGRICULTURAL WAR : An agricultural war because of type of labor needed to grow and harvest cash crops of cotton, tobacco and indigo.
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Tape/Side/Part
5/2/1
Time
06:40
|
OTHER FACULTY WITH INFLUENCE ON SWANTON : In soils and geology, Ernest Bean had ability to show interrelationship between different areas of study. James O'Neill in public speaking encouraged students by providing incentive and helpful criticism.
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Tape/Side/Part
5/2/1
Time
08:40
|
COMMENTS ON CHARLES HOLMAN : Knew Holman when he worked for UW-Extension; later became Executive Secretary of National Milk Producers Federation.
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Tape/Side/Part
5/2/1
Time
09:55
|
EMPLOYMENT AFTER GRADUATION IN : Accepted position with University Extension as assistant instructor and field organizer for courses in north central Wisconsin. Later learned he had been accepted for graduate work in speech at Cornell. In April 1917 Swanton enlisted in the army but remained only six days because his father died.
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Tape/Side/Part
5/2/1
Time
17:05
|
DUTIES WITH UW EXTENSION ABOUT : Organized and conducted Extension courses in Stevens Point, Wausau, and Merrill, as well as lecture courses and week-long seminars in larger communities.
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Tape/Side/Part
5/2/1
Time
19:40
|
FARM DECISION-MAKING IN : Production presented no problem, but marketing and purchasing decisions difficult.
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Tape/Side/Part
5/2/1
Time
21:35
|
EMPLOYED AS APPRAISER FOR FEDERAL LAND BANK DURING : Federal Land Bank at St. Paul employed Swanton as appraiser for $5.95 per day.
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Tape/Side/Part
5/2/1
Time
23:05
|
FARM PRICES IN LATE-TEENS AND EARLY-TWENTIES : Reasonably stable until early-twenties. Impetus for organizing marketing cooperatives came when prices sagged.
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Tape/Side/Part
5/2/1
Time
24:35
|
SWANTON FARM OPERATION ABOUT : Whereas previously Swantons separated milk and sold home-churned butter, by 1917 they marketed whole milk.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
5/2/1
Time
25:55
|
SWANTONS MARKET MILK THROUGH PRIVATE DAIRY ABOUT : Swantons set milk on roadside milk stands to make it easier for pick-up. Milk hauled in flat bed, horse-drawn wagon. Milk cans on stands lined the roadsides in Wisconsin.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
5/2/2
Time
00:20
|
LIMING SOIL TO GROW ALFALFA : Nearby beet sugar factory used lime for purifying, and dumped it in marsh. In winter, Swantons dug out lime sludge, dried it at home, and spread it with manure. Better alfalfa yields meant greater milk production.
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Tape/Side/Part
5/2/2
Time
03:10
|
INCREASED USE OF COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS IN EARLY TWENTIES : Although at first some farmers resisted purchasing commercial chemical fertilizers, they soon saw relationship between chemical fertilizers and better crops.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
5/2/2
Time
04:45
|
LITTLE USE OF TRACTORS IN EARLY TWENTIES : Few tractors used in the early-1920's and those known for their frequent breakdowns.
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|
|
3/14/75
|
|
Tape/Side/Part
6/1/1
Time
00:10
|
INTRODUCTION
|
|
Tape/Side/Part
6/1/1
Time
01:05
|
LONG HISTORY OF SWANTON FAMILY PARTICIPATION IN FARMERS' ORGANIZATIONS : Grandparents and parents active in Grange from the 1870's. Parents belonged to Blooming Grove Grange, and Swanton and his brother also became active Grangers in 1920's.
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Tape/Side/Part
6/1/1
Time
03:10
|
SWANTON JOINS AMERICAN SOCIETY OF EQUITY IN : Served as secretary-treasurer of American Society of Equity local. Purchased coal cooperatively to steam tobacco beds in early spring, and to power threshing machines in August. Lime purchased cooperatively from quarries near Milwaukee and Waukesha; shipped by rail to Dane County.
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Tape/Side/Part
6/1/1
Time
07:20
|
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AMERICAN SOCIETY OF EQUITY AND EQUITY LOCALS : After merger of American Society of Equity and Farmers Union in western region of Wisconsin [in 1934], tie between American Society of Equity and local units was discontinued. Members of Swanton's local not impressed by James Tittemore's political aspirations in 1918.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/1/1
Time
09:50
|
HOW SWANTON CAME TO JOIN FARM BUREAU : Potential new members recruited by neighbors who had already joined Farm Bureau. At first, members organized on county basis; local chapters evolved as membership increased.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/1/1
Time
11:45
|
WHY SWANTON JOINED THE FARM BUREAU : Farm Bureau active in farm supply purchasing program and supportive of various marketing cooperatives.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/1/1
Time
14:30
|
FORMATION OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE TOBACCO POOL : Farmers at the mercy of the buyers. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and UW College of Agriculture helped organize Northern Wisconsin Cooperative Tobacco Pool, which at its peak had between eight and nine thousand members. Emerson Ela, a Madison attorney, employed as general manager; helped obtain from Federal Farm Board a loan of $500,000, used to advance farmers between 50 and 70 per cent of the value of their stored tobacco. During late-1920's major tobacco companies “pulled their buyers off the road and let the farmers set,” since tobacco companies had enough tobacco for the next three years. About 1931-33 tobacco companies' supplies ran low, and Tobacco Pool sold stored tobacco at prices high enough to more than cover advances made to members. Example of cooperative marketing instead of dumping.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/1/2
Time
00:00
|
CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION OF THE NORTHERN WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE TOBACCO POOL : During the late-thirties and early-forties, membership in Tobacco Pool declined, due to higher prices and a “much, much better relationship between the tobacco companies and the growers.”
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/1/2
Time
03:30
|
ORIGINS OF THE MADISON MILK PRODUCERS COOPERATIVE IN : When farmers got together in 1922 to thresh, they complained of the low price of milk. Met in October at old Burke Town Hall to found the Madison Milk Producers Cooperative to bargain with Madison dairies. Swanton elected president. Soon began to meet monthly with officers of the local dairy companies, Al Kramer and B.H. TerBeest [A.H. Kramer, Kennedy Dairy Co., Inc.; B.H. TerBeest, Capital Dairy Co.], to discuss such problems as regulating production as demand in the milk market fluctuated. Farmers and milk dealers visited markets in Chicago and Milwaukee.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/1/2
Time
11:15
|
MADISON MILK PRODUCERS START CHEESE FACTORY TO PROCESS SURPLUS MILK : In early thirties, MMPC converted rennet plant into a swiss cheese factory which benefited both farmers and dairy companies. Some cheese sold locally but most marketed through Land O' Lakes Cooperative. MMP worked with Wisconsin Swiss-Limburger Cheese Producers Cooperative. Also worked closely with the Milwaukee Milk Producers Cooperative and its general manager Charles Dineen.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/1/2
Time
17:10
|
CONFLICT BETWEEN MADISON MILK PRODUCERS AND WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE MILK POOL : Wisconsin Cooperative Milk Pool led by Walter Singler demanded that cooperatives combine in militant action to combat depressed milk prices. Since MMPC price held up better than that of other cooperatives, they neither joined Milk Pool nor participated in any milk strikes.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/1/2
Time
19:50
|
MILK STRIKE, : Strikers blocked all roads into Madison, preventing marketing of milk; Swanton personally unable to market milk for eleven days. Governor Schmedeman summoned National Guard when some violence and property destruction occurred. During strike, Swanton separated milk and made butter. Meeting held at College of Agriculture auditorium for MMPC members only. “Overwhelming voice” to oppose strike. Immediately after meeting, MMPC demanded that sheriff provide protection for milk trucks. One Madison newspaper critical of College of Agriculture for favoritism towards one particular organization.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/1/2
Time
27:00
|
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE FACULTY ESPECIALLY HELPFUL TO MADISON MILK PRODUCERS COOPERATIVE : Professors Broker and Schaars at College of Agriculture and staff of the State Department of Agriculture among those especially helpful to MMPC.
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Tape/Side/Part
6/1/2
Time
00:00
|
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE MILK POOL : At this point, the time markings on the tape start again at 00:00.
: College of Agriculture faculty critical of Milk Pool's leadership, but not necessarily its program. Milk Pool later became an “effective” farmer organization.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/1/2
Time
00:55
|
COMMENTS ON JOHN SCHUMAN, WATERTOWN, ADVOCATE OF SAPIROISM : Schuman strong advocate of national, centralized dairy marketing system in the 1920's; MMPC never accepted that position.
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Tape/Side/Part
6/1/2
Time
03:10
|
COMMENTS ON PROFESSOR MACKLIN, OPPONENT OF SAPIROISM : Very dependable and constructive leader in the field of marketing.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/1/2
Time
04:10
|
MILK PRICES FALL IN THE TWENTIES : Immediately after World War I, milk prices rose to $3.00 a hundred, but began to fall in 1922. Farmers weren't sure it was a case of “the good times gone or the hard times come.”
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/1/2
Time
05:30
|
WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE MILK POOL AND MADISON MILK PRODUCERS DIFFER OVER MILK PRICING SYSTEM : Singler and Milk Pool favored single price system, which MMPC opposed. Fluid milk had to be of higher quality then milk used to manufacture other products, and should therefore receive higher price. Farmers who marketed milk for cheese could feed whey to hogs.
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|
|
3/21/75
|
|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/1
Time
00:00
|
INTRODUCTION
|
|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/1
Time
00:45
|
EQUITY CO-OPERATIVE LIVESTOCK SALES ASSOCIATION, INC. IN : Producers marketed livestock individually; forced to accept buyer's offer, regardless of quality. With founding of Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales in 1922, farmers cooperated to ship livestock to Milwaukee in railroad carlots. Quality livestock emphasized, to get the best possible price.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/1
Time
11:45
|
OSCAR MAYER REPLACES FARMER-OWNED SLAUGHTERHOUSE IN MADISON : Inefficient farmer-owned slaughterhouse bought by Oscar Mayer company of Chicago, although Oscar Mayer still a small company in 1922.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/1
Time
13:50
|
EQUITY COOPERATIVE LIVESTOCK SALES HELPS STABILIZE MARKET FLOW : Helped stabilize seasonal flow of livestock to private packers.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/1
Time
15:10
|
WHY EQUITY COOPERATIVE LIVESTOCK SALES SPLIT FROM THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF EQUITY IN : American Society of Equity interested in farm legislation and politics; Livestock Sales concerned primarily with marketing, and employed men experienced in n merchandising rather than personnel usually associated with a general farmers organization.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/1
Time
17:35
|
ORGANIZATION OF EQUITY COOPERATIVE LIVESTOCK SALES : At first, farmer-producers organized into locals that federated with shipping association. As roads improved, trucks came into greater use. and producers transported directly, usually to the Milwaukee yards. Much later, many locals developed in western Wisconsin and livestock sales shifted headquarters to Baraboo. Volume greatly increased over the years because Equity “moved to where the livestock was.”
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/1
Time
23:00
|
COMPETITION BETWEEN FARM BUREAU AND EQUITY IN COOPERATIVE LIVESTOCK MARKETING
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/1
Time
23:35
|
COMMENTS ON C.F. CLAFLIN, GENERAL MANAGER OF EQUITY COOPERATIVE LIVESTOCK SALES : Farm background, attended college of agriculture, taught agriculture, and was a county agent. Down-to-earth and a good communicator, “Claf” was “a most outstanding individual.” Not just an office manager, he worked in the field where he won over “rank and file farmers” as well as staff of UW College of Agriculture, livestock buyers, and others.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/1
Time
28:50
|
IMPORTANCE OF LIVESTOCK MARKETING TO DAIRY FARMERS : Dairy farmers sell many heifer calves from high-producing herds to other producers, while bull calves marketed for veal. Unproductive and unprofitable cows and aging bulls also marketed. Some dairy farmers also raised beef cattle.
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Tape/Side/Part
6/2/2
Time
00:00
|
CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION OF WHY LIVESTOCK MARKETING IS IMPORTANT TO DAIRY FARMERS : Raising and marketing bulls more important in recent years.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/2
Time
00:35
|
FAILURE OF WISCONSIN CHEESE PRODUCERS FEDERATION IN : Tried to assemble great volume to put producers in stronger bargaining position. Cooperated with many crossroads factories, but too little financing, market, or storage facilities to handle volume. Resulted in “loss of product, loss of value, loss of confidence, and ultimate loss of the old cheese federation itself.”
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/2
Time
06:00
|
SUCCESS OF WISCONSIN CHEESE PRODUCERS COOPERATIVE AND RELATIONSHIP WITH LAND O' LAKES CREAMERIES : Wisconsin Cheese Producers Cooperative, under the leadership of Fred Huntziger, Greenwood (Clark County) learned from mistakes of old federation and won confidence of many dairy farmers. Land O' Lakes Creameries, under General Manager John Brandt, began in 1934 to market quality cheese as well as butter for Wisconsin Cheese Producers Cooperative.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/2
Time
11:10
|
COMPARISON OF MINNESOTA COOPERATIVE CREAMERIES ASSOCIATION, (LATER LAND O' LAKES) WITH WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE CREAMERIES ASSOCIATION : Land O' Lakes well organized with strong leadership. Wisconsin creameries produced good quality butter, but less emphasis on marketing.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/2
Time
14:35
|
COMMENTS ON FRED HUNTZIGER, LEADER OF WISCONSIN CHEESE PRODUCERS COOPERATIVE : Excellent businessman and good farmer.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/2
Time
15:25
|
COMMENTS ON JOHN BRANDT, GENERAL MANAGER OF LAND O' LAKES CREAMERIES : Farmer and outstanding organizer who won confidence of farmers. “Terrific sense of humor.”
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Tape/Side/Part
6/2/2
Time
16:55
|
COOPERATIVES ESSENTIAL TO CAPITALISM : John Brandt and Fred Huntziger believed cooperatives an “integral part of America's capitalistic system.” Many businesses once opposed farmers cooperatives by viewing with suspicion their collective activities. Since Granger movement, cooperatives have strengthened the private enterprise system of American agriculture; cooperatives in so doing have been “one of the finest, greatest safeguards against left-wing movements and ultimately communism.”
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/2
Time
21:45
|
SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BREEDERS COOPERATIVE : Artificial insemination research at University of Wisconsin-Madison led area farmers to develop Southern Wisconsin Breeders Cooperative.
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Tape/Side/Part
6/2/2
Time
24:05
|
MORE ON SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BREEDERS COOPERATIVE : Organized at county level around the late-thirties or early-forties; stiff competition from privately-owned companies.
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Tape/Side/Part
6/2/3
Time
00:00
|
WHY DAIRY FARMERS WANTED TO FORM BREEDERS' COOPERATIVE
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|
Tape/Side/Part
6/2/3
Time
02:10
|
IMPORTANCE OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION TO DAIRY FARMERS : “One of the greatest achievements to improve efficiency of dairy production, in my opinion, has been the development of artificial insemination.” Before artificial breeding, Swanton and his brother had to pool resources to shop around for good bull calf.
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Tape/Side/Part
6/2/3
Time
04:05
|
REVIEW OF SWANTON'S INVOLVEMENT WITH VARIOUS FARMERS ORGANIZATIONS : Served on Board of Directors of Madison Milk Producers Cooperative from 1922 until about 1937; held memberships in Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association, Northern Wisconsin Tobacco Pool and Southern Wisconsin Breeders Cooperative.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
00:00
|
INTRODUCTION
|
|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
01:10
|
FARM AND HOME WEEK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON : Always attended Farm and Home Week at the University of Wisconsin. Trains as well as cars brought farm families from all over Wisconsin, where they met faculty members, other farmers and their wives to discuss common problems and attend sessions on many subjects. Heavily attended by representatives of various farmers' organizations and cooperatives. Considered a significant gathering by UW presidents, various deans, faculty members as well as representatives of midwestern newspapers and farmer publications.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
10:00
|
COMMENTS ON DEAN CHRIS CHRISTIANSEN : Very supportive of self-help marketing cooperatives. Participated not only in Farm and Home Week, but visited farmers “on the soil” throughout the year.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
11:35
|
COMMENTS ON DEAN RUSSELL : Outstanding researcher; not as much personal contact with farmers as Christiansen.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
12:20
|
FORMATION OF THE WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE : E. R. McIntyre, editor of Wisconsin Agriculturist and Farmer, always participated in Farm and Home Week and communicated constantly with U.W. President Glenn Frank. Discussed possibility of farmers' organizations combining to support common goals, and in 1929, after two-year “gestation period,” the Wisconsin Council of Agriculture was born. Grange, Farm Bureau, American Society of Equity and Farmers' Union among the original members as well as various marketing cooperatives. Main incentive for organizing: “More for farmers to agree upon than disagree about.” Urgent issues included those related to legislative appropriations and stronger agricultural extension programs.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
24:15
|
MORE ON WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE : Other issues: Support for agricultural research, enactment of gasoline tax for improvement of state highways and farm to market roads, tuberculin testing of cattle and need for indemnity payments, and support of oleomargarine tax.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
00:15
|
OLEOMARGARINE AND WISCONSIN DAIRY FARMERS : Council of Agriculture position was that oleomargarine competed unfairly because oleo imitated the character and physical attributes of a long established and well recognized product, and should have a separate and distinctive identification.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
01:15
|
STRUCTURE OF THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE : Before 1937, commissioners of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture appointed by governor, and could be removed for political reasons. Wisconsin Council of Agriculture in 1937 cooperated with Governor Philip La Follette in devising a lay board made up of seven farmer representatives, which appointed a director. First director was Ralph Ammon, while Herman Ihde was chairman.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
07:55
|
ANECDOTE ABOUT HOW POLITICAL APPOINTEES HURT FARMERS : Poor quality dairy products in Iowa because agriculture department filled with political appointees.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
11:30
|
CONFLICTS WITHIN WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE : Several points of conflict: some organizations felt they would lose identity in a larger group, while other groups supported coalitions with non-agricultural groups. Still others, such as the Grange and Farm Bureau, opposed cooperating with labor. Ultimately led to secession of several organizations. Council of Agriculture, a federation of producer groups, felt consumer groups philosophy and objectives differed, especially since some consumer cooperatives in northern Wisconsin were influenced by communist members. Swanton emphasizes distinction between consumer cooperatives and farmer purchasing cooperatives.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
17:55
|
CONFLICT BETWEEN FARMERS AND WORKERS ORGANIZATIONS : Whereas some groups felt that better paid workers would lead to higher consumption of agricultural products, others felt workers' goals opposite to those of farmers.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
19:50
|
OPPOSITION TO WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE MILK POOL : Some groups in Council felt that Wisconsin Cooperative Milk Pool plan could not be effective. Opposition also to Milk Pool's militancy. Madison and Milwaukee Milk Producers cooperatives felt Milk Pool wanted to build upon the experience of the established cooperatives. When Madison-area farmer shot, members of MMPC decided that “this war had gone on as far as it should go.”
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/3
Time
00:00
|
MORE ON MILK POOL AND MILK STRIKE : See also Tape 6, Side 1, Part 2, 19:50.
|
|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/3
Time
01:55
|
SUPPORTERS OF WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE MILK POOL : Among chief supporters were John Schuman, I.M. Wright, and Kenneth Hones.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/3
Time
03:40
|
DESCRIPTION OF WALTER SINGLER, PRESIDENT OF WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE MILK POOL : Well over six feet tall and 240 pounds. Flashy dresser with assertive voice. A “showman” who knew how to “bluster a way through.” Farmers very despondent over conditions attracted by Singler's charisma. Other organizations refused to be bullied by Singler. Milk Pool later became an effective dairy marketing association, but not under Singler's leadership.
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|
|
6/10/76
|
|
Tape/Side
8/1
Time
00:00
|
INTRODUCTION
|
|
Tape/Side
8/1
Time
00:50
|
THE DEPRESSION AND FARMING : Describes depths of farm depression from 1932-1935. Swanton stopped unprofitable hog-raising and concentrated on dairying. Madison Milk Producers Cooperative helped stabilize prices for member-patrons. Continued to grow four to five acres of tobacco; farmers north and east of Swanton continued to raise peas. Swanton still used horses.
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|
Tape/Side
8/1
Time
09:00
|
THE DAY THE BANK WENT BROKE, : While cutting alfalfa, Swanton's horse dropped dead. Soon after neighbor brought news of bank closing. Bank demanded Swanton pay $600 note before it was due. When bank liquidated, he got 62 cents on the dollar on checking account balance.
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|
Tape/Side
8/1
Time
12:55
|
TOBACCO PRICES DURING DEPRESSION : Five cents per pound for good cigar tobacco; two cents per pound for chewing and plug tobacco.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/1
Time
13:35
|
FURTHER COMMENTS ON HIS BANKER : Some bankers didn't understand farmers; thought they paid too slowly.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/1
Time
15:15
|
WORK AS FEDERAL LAND BANK APPRAISER, : President of Federal Land Bank at St. Paul asked Swanton to take short course and write examinations to become appraiser. “Excellent pay” of $5.95 per day, but worked long hours; assigned to northeastern region of Wisconsin. Paid hired man to farm for $20 per month. Describes how he appraised for federal loan applications and helped train others to do likewise. Not all applicants received loans; some too far in debt, others not capable producers. Remembers learning as much about human nature as agriculture.
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|
Tape/Side
8/1
Time
19:35
|
ANECDOTE ABOUT MEETING IN GREEN BAY : Received telegram to come to Northland Hotel in Green Bay; feared he would be reprimanded or fired. Instead assigned to train five new appraisers in one week.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/1
Time
23:15
|
ANECDOTE ABOUT FARMER WHO APPLIED FOR LOAN : Interviewed a very short farmer who told Swanton he took steps just as large as taller men in order to make his shoes last longer.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/1
Time
26:00
|
ADVANTAGES TO FARMER OF FEDERAL LAND BANK LOAN : Lower interest rate (3-4 percent versus 5-6 percent); often scaled down total indebtedness.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/1
Time
28:30
|
CRITERIA FOR FEDERAL LAND BANK LOAN : Appraisers made recommendations based on land value, locality of farm, type of buildings, and kind of farm operator.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/1
Time
29:45
|
END TAPE 8, SIDE 1
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
00:00
|
INTRODUCTION
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
00:25
|
CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION ON CRITERIA FOR FEDERAL LAND BANK LOAN : Important to make a management farm plan to repay loan. One Fond du Lac recipient became successful farmer and board member of Wisconsin Council of Agricultural Cooperatives. Most farmers basically honest and industrious; some better managers than others.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
04:10
|
HOW FARMERS APPLIED FOR FEDERAL LAND BANK LOANS : With help of local loan association, applications for Midwest region prepared, sent to St. Paul, reviewed, and assigned to appraisers.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
04:45
|
IMPORTANCE OF FARM LOCATION : Important factors included quality of soil and proximity to markets; closeness to educational facilities. Especially careful with farmers who tried to farm on soil best suited to forests.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
08:30
|
APPRAISING THE “HUMAN ELEMENT” : Important, but difficult to evaluate personality of loan applicants.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
09:50
|
TERRITORY AS APPRAISER : Worked mostly out of Green Bay in Door county peninsula, Upper Michigan peninsula, but also in southern Wisconsin counties.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
11:25
|
DROUGHT CONDITIONS IN WISCONSIN, : Drought in some areas only; overall not as bad as Dakotas.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
12:45
|
MORALE DURING DEPRESSION : “A willingness to face up to the desperate economic situation, and make the best of it,” even among the young people.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
14:15
|
U.S. SUPREME COURT INVALIDATES AGRICULTURAL ADJUSTMENT ACT (AAA) in : Doesn't remember being greatly concerned since it didn't affect land bank program or own farm operation.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
15:20
|
RECOLLECTIONS OF EXTREMES IN CLIMATE, : Especially snowy winter and terribly hot summer. Recalls another bad winter in 1916-1917. Other years grain sowed by March and still other years no field work possible before April. Recalls father's advice: “Wisconsin will never let you down.”
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
18:55
|
RECALLS ICE STORM OF : Doesn't recall ice storm so long and “heavy.” Effects more serious than in the past because people so dependent on electrical machines.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
20:30
|
FORECLOSURES IN SWANTON'S NEIGHBORHOOD, : Some farmers foreclosed when either banks or individuals recalled loans.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
22:15
|
PENNY AUCTIONS : Never attended any.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
23:25
|
HOW SWANTON BECAME ASSOCIATED WITH WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE : Founded in late 1920's, Council recognized need for continuity and organization. Swanton hired as first full-time executive secretary, a position he held for 28 years until he was 70 years old. Starting salary of $210 per month. First office in Loraine Hotel, Madison, rented for $25 per month. WCA increased from 17 member organizations to more than 90. Member organizations are farmer-producer or service (marketing, and farm supply purchasing) cooperatives.
|
|
Tape/Side
8/2
Time
29:30
|
END TAPE 8, SIDE 2
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
00:00
|
INTRODUCTION
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
00:30
|
BEGINS TO WORK FOR WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE (WCA) : Salary $210 per month; could hire labor on farm for less. Continued to live in farmhouse.
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
01:35
|
DUTIES AS SECRETARY OF WCA : Background in economics and forensics useful in role as spokesman for agriculture and as participant in marketing and purchasing affairs. Worked in legislative matters with Wisconsin State Grange, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, and cooperative members. Worked for farmers' interests in such matters as highways, transportation, and quality of dairy products.
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
03:45
|
NEED FOR INCREASED AGRICULTURAL INFLUENCE IN STATE GOVERNMENT : Felt government agencies needed greater understanding of problems and objectives of agriculture, and importance, especially of dairying, to Wisconsin economy.
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
06:06
|
“AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND.” : WCA wrote bill authorizing phrase “America's Dairyland” on motor vehicle license plates; recognized significance of dairy industry in Wisconsin economy.
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
07:15
|
FARMERS' ORGANIZATIONS HELP WCA : WCA sponsored legislation supported by Wisconsin State Grange, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, and such marketing cooperatives as Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association, Milwaukee Milk Producers, Madison Milk Producers, Pure Milk Products of Chicago, Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin Tobacco Pool, Wisconsin Cheese Producers. WCA helped farmers organizations recognize common interests, in addition to parochial interests. Grange especially helpful supporting quality standards and increased appropriations for public education.
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
11:35
|
WCA SPONSORS WISCONSIN EMPLOYMENT PEACE BILL, : WCA became involved because agriculture had direct stake in management labor relations, particularly in agricultural marketing and processing enterprises. Cooperatives such as Golden Guernsey and Land O' Lakes Creameries dissatisfied with 1937 state law which defined labor rights and employers' responsibilities. Organized labor demanded that Golden Guernsey management fire some employees and hire others. WCA requested to get bill passed to balance responsibilities of organized labor and management. In 1939 WCA took lead in writing and lobbying for what became known as Wisconsin Employment Peace Act, despite vigorous opposition of labor. WCA later played role in modifying national labor relations act.
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
17:20
|
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WCA AND MANUFACTURERS : Categorically denies tie between WCA and manufacturers. WCA worked with member cooperatives, asked both manufacturers representatives and labor officials to participate in conferences on Employment Peace bill; only manufacturers and a few independent unions responded, while AFL and CIO did not. WCA received no money from manufacturers.
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
19:45
|
COMMENTS ON WALTER BENDER, MILWAUKEE LAWYER : Attorney for Golden Guernsey Cooperative, “ . . . fair-minded and . . . knowledgeable” about labor relations.
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
20:25
|
MIDLAND COOPERATIVE WHOLESALE LEAVES WCA : Midland, only WCA member which did not support Employment Peace bill, left WCA.
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
21:40
|
WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE MILK POOL JOINS WCA : Joined after Employment Peace bill passed. Onetime source of irritation to some member organizations of WCA, the Wisconsin Cooperative Milk Pool changed leadership and structure later.
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
23:55
|
HEARINGS ON EMPLOYMENT PEACE BILL : Hearings stormy, noisy, and tense. Labor union representatives turned out in busloads; assembly chambers packed; high degree of animosity expressed by labor spokesmen.
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
26:55
|
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WCA AND WISCONSIN MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION : No particular relationship, merely supported same bill. Wisconsin Manufacturers Association responded to WCA's invitation to confer on Employment Peace bill; labor for most part refused to participate.
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
28:35
|
AGRICULTURE'S LABOR PROBLEMS : Decline of isolated, individual producers and growth of large processing cooperatives resulted in development of same labor problems for farmer-owned organizations as for industrial employers.
|
|
Tape/Side
9/1
Time
29:40
|
END TAPE 9, SIDE 1
|
|
|
7/13/76
|
|
Tape/Side
10/1
Time
00:00
|
INTRODUCTION
|
|
Tape/Side
10/1
Time
00:30
|
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WCA AND INDIVIDUAL FARMERS : WCA established in belief farmers own initiative and financing could provide more effective means for marketing products and purchasing farm supplies and equipment.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/1
Time
02:20
|
EARLIER ORGANIZATIONS THAT SPOKE FOR WISCONSIN FARMERS : American Society of Equity helped farmers to purchase cooperatively; Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association established to help get better prices.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/1
Time
03:45
|
LOCAL EQUITY SHIPPING ASSOCIATIONS OFFER ALTERNATIVE TO INDIVIDUAL BUYERS : Recalls one old livestock buyer known as “Old five cents off.” Equity founded to obtain better prices for farmers.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/1
Time
04:45
|
SUCCESS OF COOPERATIVES DOES NOT HALT DECLINE IN NUMBER OF FARMERS : Number of farmers has declined because increased demand for produce and modern equipment have required greater acreage per farmer, brought increased costs and meant individual farmer must be more efficient. Cooperatives essential for marketing produce efficiently; no direct relationship between cooperative marketing and size of farm unit.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/1
Time
08:15
|
FARMER INFLUENCE IN MARKETPLACE : Cooperative marketing has increased farmers' influence in marketplace. Cooperative storage facilities have allowed farmers to regulate supply according to demand, despite effects of weather. Recalls how during Depression steady production of tobacco without regulation or storage facilities produced low prices.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/1
Time
11:50
|
MULTI-REGIONAL COOPERATIVES : Approves establishment of such multi-regional cooperatives as Associated Milk Producers Incorporated (AMPI) because of long-distance shipping, but stresses such cooperatives must remain sensitive to local organizations such as the Madison Milk Producers Cooperative and its producer-members. Feels cooperatives cannot operate effectively unless close relationship maintained with members.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/1
Time
18:00
|
WCA REPRESENTS AGRICULTURE'S LEGISLATIVE INTERESTS IN STATE LEGISLATURE : WCA effectively represents farmers interests in state legislature, regardless of partisan politics.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/1
Time
20:00
|
ESTABLISHMENT OF WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF COOPERATIVES (WAC) : Formed by several groups, especially Wisconsin Farmers Union, representing strong liberal consumer movement. Saw WCA as too conservative and producer-oriented. In northern Wisconsin, the Central Cooperative Wholesale (CCW) whose members included some communists, advocated lower costs for all workers and consumers. CCW as well as other disenchanted members of WCA, established a second statewide group, the Wisconsin Association of Cooperatives (WAC) in 1940's.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/1
Time
24:15
|
ANECDOTE ABOUT TOUR TO THE SOVIET UNION, : Recalls while in Russia with a group from University of Wisconsin met American communist originally from Brule, Wisconsin. Father had worked for Central Cooperative Wholesale.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/1
Time
27:25
|
COOPERATION BETWEEN WCA AND WAC : Occasionally worked together to support agricultural legislation, but WAC's closeness to labor movement precluded much collaboration.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/1
Time
29:10
|
END TAPE 10, SIDE 1
|
|
Tape/Side
10/2
Time
00:00
|
INTRODUCTION
|
|
Tape/Side
10/2
Time
00:30
|
CHANGES IN WAC LEADERSHIP : Relations between WAC and WCA improved when Jack Kyle became WAC executive secretary, succeeding Erich Lenz, and Gilbert Rohde replaced Kenneth Hones as president of the Wisconsin Farmers Union. Hones rarely showed interest in cooperation. Both Kyle and Rohde improved teamwork among general farmers' organizations.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/2
Time
03:20
|
DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN WAC AND WCA : Consumer and labor legislation.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/2
Time
05:00
|
WAC AND WCA JOIN TO FORM WISCONSIN FEDERATION OF COOPERATIVES (WFC) : Not aware of specific leaders who brought WAC and WCA together; recalls idea of merger widely accepted.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/2
Time
07:00
|
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS IN LEGISLATURE TO : Agricultural interests well-represented in legislature, owing in particular to efforts of general farmers' organizations.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/2
Time
08:00
|
FREEDOM FOR FARMERS, INC., MEETING AT BALDWIN : Freedom for Farmers, Inc., supported by Farm Bureau and Farmers Union, sponsored a meeting September 11, 1963 to combat aggressive organizational drive of National Farmers' Organization (NFO). Recalls NFO brought supporters to meeting from all over Midwest. NFO President Oren Lee Staley attended; recalls confrontation between Staley and three other NFO supporters, and police.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/2
Time
16:50
|
COMPARES BALDWIN MEETING TO HEARINGS ON EMPLOYMENT PEACE BILL : Meeting at Baldwin much wilder; estimates 2,000 people overflowed gymnasium at Baldwin.
|
|
Tape/Side
10/2
Time
17:55
|
SWANTON'S SPEECH AT BALDWIN : Reads excerpts from his speech at Baldwin, attacking NFO. [A paper copy of this speech is filed in the Archives Division with the Case file copy of this finding aid.]
|
|
Tape/Side
10/2
Time
30:05
|
END TAPE 10, SIDE 2
|
|
Tape/Side
11/1
Time
00:00
|
INTRODUCTION
|
|
Tape/Side
11/1
Time
00:30
|
CONTINUATION OF EXCERPTS FROM SWANTON SPEECH AT BALDWIN
|
|
Tape/Side
11/1
Time
04:55
|
INCIDENT AT BONDUEL : Baldwin meeting occurred before two NFO picketers killed at Bonduel.
|
|
Tape/Side
11/1
Time
05:25
|
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF COOPERATIVES : Cooperatives have worked successfully to stabilize markets and increase returns to farmers.
|
|
Tape/Side
11/1
Time
06:05
|
FREEDOM FOR FARMERS, INC. : Founded specifically in response to NFO organizing activities. Active in Wisconsin and Minnesota, it sought to bring to the attention of farmers the reasons they should continue to support general organizations and their cooperatives, and oppose NFO.
|
|
Tape/Side
11/1
Time
07:50
|
END OF INTERVIEW
|
|
Index to the Interview with Milo K. Swanton
- Addams, Jane
- 5:1, 00:45
- Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)
- 8:2, 14:15
- Agricultural Practices
- 1:1, 15:45; 2:2, 11:20, 18:45; 3:1, 21:10, 22:25; 3:2, 01:05, 07:30, 09:55, 10:20, 13:20; 4:1, 26:40; 5:2:2, 00:20, 03:10; 8:1, 00:50; 8:2, 15:20
- American Federation of Labor Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
- 9:1, 17:20
- American Society of Equity
- 6:1, 03:10, 07:20; 6:2:1, 15:10; 7:1:1, 12:20; 10:1, 02:20
- “America's Dairyland” (license plate slogan)
- 9:1, 06:05
- Ammon, Ralph
- 7:1:2, 01:15
- Associated Milk Producers, Inc. (AMPI)
- 10:1, 11:50
- Babcock, Stephen M.
- 5:1:2, 00:05
- Baldwin
- 10:2, 08:00, 16:50, 17:55; 11:1, 00:30, 04:55
- Baraboo
- 6:2:1, 17:35
- Bean, Ernest
- 4:2, 12:15; 5:2, 06:40
- Bender, Walter
- 9:1, 19:45
- Birge, E.A.
- 4:2, 12:15
- Blooming Grove
- 1:1, 11:45
- Blooming Grove Grange (Patrons of Husbandry)
- 6:1, 01:05
- Bonduel
- 11:1, 04:55
- Brandt, John
- 6:2:2, 06:00, 15:25, 16:55
- Brule
- 10:1, 24:15
- Buick (automobile)
- 2:1, 18:20
- Burke town hall (Dane County)
- 6:1:2, 03:30
- Capital City Commercial College (Madison)
- 1:2, 05:25
- Capital Dairy Co. (Madison)
- 6:1:2, 03:30
- Central Cooperative Wholesale
- 10:1, 20:00, 24:15
- Central High School (Madison)
- 1:2, 08:45
- Chester White hogs
- 2:2, 11:20
- Chicago
- 3:1, 16:45; 4:2, 00:00; 5:1, 00:45, 13:10; 6:1:2, 03:30; 6:2:1, 11:45
- Chicago Commons
- 5:1, 00:45
- Christiansen, Chris L.
- 7:1:1, 10:00, 11:35
- Christmas
- 1:1, 25:45; 4:1, 25:25
- Civil War (U.S.)
- 1:1, 11:45; 5:2, 03:55
- Claflin, C.F.
- 6:2:1, 23:35
- Clark County
- 6:2:2, 06:00
- Climate
- 8:2, 11:25, 15:20, 18:55
- Commons, John R.
- 4:2, 12:15
- Communists/Communism
- 7:1:2, 11:30; 10:1, 24:15
- Cornell University
- 5:2, 09:55
- County Cork, Ireland
- 1:1, 11:45
- Cuba
- 1:2, 18:10
- Dairying
- 1:1, 15:45; 3:1, 00:50, 12:05; 5:2, 24:35, 25:55, 27:00; 6:2:1, 28:50; 6:2:2, 00:00; 6:2:3, 00:00, 02:10; 7:1:2, 00:15; 8:1, 00:50; 9:1, 01:35
- Dakotas
- 8:2, 11:25
- Dane County
- 1:1, 11:45
- Delco home generator
- 2:1, 00:50, 05:25
- Dempsey, John
- 2:1, 18:20
- Dempsey Family
- 1:1, 09:15
- Depression
- 8:1, 00:50, 09:00; 8:2, 12:45, 10:1, 08:15
-
Deutsche Militar Verein
- 1:1, 10:00
- Dineen, Charles
- 6:1:2, 11:15
- Door County
- 8:2, 09:50
- Durham Cattle
- 2:2, 01:00
- East Washington Avenue (Madison)
- 2:1:2, 00:05; 2:2, 11:20
- Easton, Jacob
- 1:1, 07:00
- Easton School (Blooming Grove)
- 1:1, 16:15, 25:45
- Edgerton
- 3:1, 22:25
- Ela, Emerson
- 6:1, 14:30
- Elwell, Fayette
- 4:2, 12:15
- Ely, Richard T.
- 4:2, 12:15
- England
- 1:1, 09:15, 11:45
- Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association, Inc.
- 6:2:1, 00:45, 13:50, 15:10, 17:35, 23:00, 23:35; 6:2:3, 04:05; 9:1, 07:15; 10:1, 02:20, 03:45
- Fair Oaks Avenue (Madison)
- 1:2, 14:40
- Farm Foreclosures
- 8:2, 20:30
- Farm Implements
- 3:2, 15:00; 5:2:2, 04:45
- Farm Power
- 2:1, 00:50, 05:25; 3:1, 00:50; 6:1, 03:10
- Farm Prices
- 5:2, 23:05; 6:1:2 cont, 04:10; 8:1, 12:55; 9:1, 08:15
- Federal Farm Board
- 6:1, 14:30
- Federal Land Bank
- 5:2, 21:35; 8:1, 15:15, 26:00, 28:30; 8:2, 00:25, 04:10
- Fish, Carl Russell
- 4:2, 12:15; 5:2, 00:50
- Fond du Lac
- 8:2, 00:25
- Ford (automobile)
- 2:1, 18:20
- Four C Business College (Madison)
- 1;2, 05;25
- Fourth of July
- 4:1, 09:30
- Franco-Prussian War
- 1:1, 10:00
- Frank, Glenn
- 7:1:1, 12:20
- Freedom for Farmers, Inc.
- 10:2, 08:00; 11:1, 06:05
- Funerals
- 4:1, 19:30
- Gay, Mary
- 1:1, 25:45
- Germany
- 1:1, 09:15
- Golden Guernsey Cooperative
- 9:1, 11:35, 19:45
- Goodnight, Scott
- 4:2, 12:15
- Green Bay
- 8:1, 19:35; 8:2, 09:50
- Greenwood
- 6:2:2, 06:00
- Guernsey Cattle
- 2:2, 01:00
- Haywood, William D.
- 5:1, 00:45, 03:30
-
Hoard's Dairyman
- 1:2, 15:20
- Holman, Charles
- 5:2, 08:40
- Holstein Cattle
- 2:2, 01:00
- Hones, Kenneth
- 7:1:3, 01:55: 10:2, 00:30
- Hope (Dane County)
- 4:1, 01:00
- Horse-Breeding
- 2:1, 19:45
- Hull House (Chicago)
- 5:1, 00:45
- Huntziger, Fred
- 6:2:2, 06:00, 14:35, 16:55
- Ihde, Herman
- 7:1:2, 01:15
- Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)
- 5:1, 00:45, 03:30
- Iowa
- 7:1:2, 07:55
- Ireland
- 1:1, 09:15, 11:45, 13:55
- Jones, Tom (coach, University of Wisconsin-Madison)
- 5:1, 23:55
- Kennedy Dairy Co., Inc.
- 6:1:2, 03:30
- Kiekhofer, William H.
- 4:2, 12:15; 5:2, 00:50
- Kramer, A.H.
- 6:1:2, 03:30
- Kyle, Jack
- 10:2, 00:30
- La Follette, Philip
- 7:1:2, 01:15
- Land O' Lakes Cooperative
- 6:1:2, 11:15; 6:2:2, 06:00, 15:25; 9:1, 07:15, 11:35
- Lenz, Erich
- 10:2, 00:30
- Leonard, William Ellery
- 4:2, 12:15
- Livestock
- 2:2, 01:00, 05:40, 11:20; 3:1, 16:45; 8:1, 00:50
- Loraine Hotel (Madison)
- 8:2, 23:25
- Lutherans, German and Norwegian
- 4:1, 01:00
- Macklin, Theodore
- 6:1:2 cont, 03:10
- Madison
- 1:1, 00:55; 1:2, 05:25, 14:40, 15:20; 2:1, 03:40; 3:1, 16:45, 22:25; 3:2, 07:30, 15:00, 20:50; 4:1, 01:00; 6:1, 14:30; 6:1:2, 03:30, 19:50; 6:2:1, 11:45; 8:2, 23:25
- Madison Gas and Electric Company
- 2:1, 03:40
- Madison Milk Producers Cooperative
- 6:1:2, 03:30, 11:15, 17:10, 19:50, 27:00; 6:1:2 cont, 00:55, 05:30; 6:2:3, 04:05; 7:1:2, 19:50; 8:1, 00:50; 9:1, 07:15; 10:1, 11:50
- Maher Family
- 1:1, 09:15
- McIntyre, E.R.
- 7:1:1, 12:20
- Meanwell, Walter
- 5:1, 23:55
- Merrill
- 5:2, 17:05
- Michigan
- 8:2, 09:50
- Midland Cooperative Wholesale
- 9:1, 20:25
- Milk Strikes
- 6:1:2, 19:50; 7:1:3, 00:00
- Milwaukee
- 6:1, 03:10; 6:1:2, 03:30; 6:2:1, 00:45, 17:35
- Milwaukee Milk Producers Cooperative
- 6:1:2, 11:15; 7:1:2, 19:50; 9:1, 07:15
- Minnesota
- 11:1, 06:05
- Minnesota Cooperative Creameries Association
- see Land O' Lakes Cooperative
- Morgan horses
- 2:1, 19:45
- Moscow, U.S.S.R.
- 5:1, 03:30
- National Farmers Organization (NFO)
- 10:2, 08:00, 17:55; 11:1, 04:55, 06:05
- National Grange (Patrons of Husbandry)
- 3:2, 22:10
- National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF)
- 5:2, 08:40
- New Year's Eve, 1899
- 1:1, 00:55
- Northern Wisconsin Cooperative Tobacco Pool
- 6:1, 14:30; 6:1:2, 00:00; 6:2:3, 04:05
- Northland Hotel (Green Bay)
- 8:1, 19:35
- Norway
- 1:1, 09:15
- Oscar Mayer Co.
- 6:2:1, 11:45
- Ohio
- 1:1, 07:00
- O'Neill, James M.
- 4:2, 12:15; 5:2, 06:40
- O'Shea, M.V.
- 4:2, 12:15
- Patrons of Husbandry
- see National Grange; Wisconsin State Grange
- Paxson, Frederick
- 4:2, 12:15; 5:2, 00:50
- Penny Auctions
- 8:2, 22:15
- Percheron horses
- 2:1, 19:45
- Piper Brothers Grocery (Madison)
- 4:1, 01:00
- Pumpkin Hollow (Dane County)
- 4:1, 01;00
- Pure Milk Association (Chicago)
- 9:1, 07:15
- Richmond, Charlotte
- 1:2, 08:45
- Richmond, Susan
- 1:2, 08:45
- Rohde, Gilbert
- 10:2, 00:30
- Rural Doctors
- 4:1, 18:35
- Rural Free Delivery
- 1:2, 15:20; 3:2, 22:10
- Rural Road Conditions
- 2:1, 08:15; 3:2, 31:30
- Russell, Harry L.
- 7:1:1, 11:35
- St. Paul, Minnesota
- 5:2, 21:35; 8:1, 15:15; 8:2, 04:10
- Sapiroism
- 6:1:2 cont, 00:55
- Schmedeman, Albert
- 6:1:2, 19:50
- Schuman, John
- 6:1:2 cont, 00:55; 7:1:3, 01:55
- Scott, William A.
- 4:2, 12:15
- Singler, Walter
- 6:1:2 cont, 05:30; 7:1:3, 03:40
- Soap-making
- 3:1, 14:45
- Southern Wisconsin Breeders Cooperative
- 6:2:2, 21:45, 24:05; 6:2:3, 04:05
- Soviet Union
- 10:1, 24:15
- Spaniards
- 1:2, 18:10
- Sparta
- 3:1, 22:25
- Staley, Oren Lee
- 10:2, 08:00
- Stevens Point
- 5:2, 17:05
- Stoughton
- 3:1, 22:25
- Sun Prairie
- 1:1, 11:45; 3:2, 15:00
- Swanton Family
- 1:1, 11:45, 13:55; 1:2, 15:20; 2:1, 11:50, 18:20; 2:1:2, 00:05, 01:40; 2:2, 05:40; 6:1, 01:05
- Swanton Neighborhood
- 1:1, 07:00; 2:1, 18:20; 3:2, 09:55, 32:10; 4:1, 01:00, 23:10; 8:2, 20:30
- Taylor, Graham
- 5:1, 00:45
- Telephone Service
- 1:2, 27:40; 2:2, 11:20; 4:1, 18:35
- TerBeest, Benjamin H.
- 6:1:2, 03:30
- Tittemore, James
- 6:1, 07:20
- Tobacco-Raising and Marketing
- 1:1, 15:45; 1:2, 21:30; 2:2, 11:20; 3:1, 22:25; 3:2, 01:05; 5:2:1, 03:55; 6:1:1, 14:30; 6:1:2, 00:00; 8:1, 00:50, 12:55; 10:1, 08:15
- Tuberculosis
- 2:2, 05:40
- United States
- 1:1, 13:55; 4:2, 00:00
- United States Supreme Court
- 8:2, 14:15
- University of Minnesota
- 5:1, 18:50
- University of Wisconsin-Extension
- 4:1, 26:40; 5:1, 28:15, 28:45; 5:2, 08:40, 09:55, 17:05
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- 1:2, 05:25; 4:2, 08:05, 10:35, 12:15; 5:1, 16:50, 23:55; 6:2:2, 21:45; 7:1:1, 01:10; 10:1, 24:15
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Bascom Hall
- 4:2, 10:35
- University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agriculture
- 2:2, 05:40; 5:1:2, 00:05; 6:1, 14:30; 6:1:2, 19:50, 27:00; 6:1:2 cont, 00:00; 6:2:1, 23:35
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Debating Society
- 4:2, 29:00; 5:1, 00:45
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm and Home Week
- 2:2, 05:40; 4:1, 26:40; 7:1:1, 01:10, 10:00, 12:20
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm Short Course
- 1:2, 05:25
- Van Hise, Charles R.
- 4:2, 12:15
- Washington County
- 1:1, 11:45
- Watertown
- 6:1:2 cont, 00:55
- Waukesha
- 6:1, 03:10
- Waukesha County
- 1:1, 11:45
- Wausau
- 5:2, 17:05
- William of Orange Day
- 1:1, 13:55
- Wisconsin Academy (Madison)
- 1:2, 05:25, 08:45, 12:25, 14:40
-
Wisconsin Agriculturist
- 1:2, 15:20
-
Wisconsin Agriculturist and Farmer
- 7:1:1, 12:20
- Wisconsin Association of Cooperatives (WAC)
- 10:1, 20:00, 27:25; 10:2, 00:30, 03:20, 05:00
- Wisconsin Cheese Producers Cooperative
- see also Wisconsin Cheese
- Producers Federation
- 6:2:2, 06:00, 14:35; 9:1, 17:15
- Wisconsin Cheese Producers Federation; see also Wisconsin Cheese Producers Cooperative
- 6:2:2, 00:35
- Wisconsin Cooperative Creameries Association
- 6:2:2, 11:10
- Wisconsin Cooperative Milk Pool
- 6:1:2, 17:10; 6:1:2 cont, 00:00, 05:30; 7:1:2, 19:50; 7:1:3, 00:00, 01:55, 03:40; 9:1, 21:40
- Wisconsin Council of Agricultural Cooperatives; see also Wisconsin Council of Agriculture
- 8:2, 00:25
- Wisconsin Council of Agriculture; see also Wisconsin Council of Agricultural Cooperatives
- 7:1:1, 12:20, 24:15; 7:1:2, 00:15, 01:15, 11:30; 8:2, 23:25; 9:1, 00:30, 01:35, 07:15, 11:35; 17:20, 20:25, 21:40, 26:55; 10:1, 00:30, 18:00, 20:00, 27:25; 10:2, 00:30, 03:20, 05:00
- Wisconsin Department of Agriculture
- 6:1, 14:30; 6:1:2, 27:00; 7:1:2, 01:15
- Wisconsin Employment Peace Bill
- 9:1, 11:35, 17:20, 20:25, 21:40, 23:55, 26:55; 10:2, 16:50
- Wisconsin Farm Bureau
- 6:1, 09:50, 11:45; 6:2:1, 23:00; 7:1:1, 12:20; 7:1:2, 11:30; 9:1, 01:35, 07:15; 10:2, 08:00
-
Wisconsin Farmer
- 1:2, 15:20
- Wisconsin Farmers' Union
- 6:1, 17:20; 7:1:1, 12:20; 10:1, 20:00; 10:2, 00:30, 08:00
- Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives (WFC)
- 10:2, 05:00
- Wisconsin Manufacturers Association
- 9:1, 26:55
- Wisconsin National Guard
- 6:1:2, 19:50
- Wisconsin State Capitol
- 4:2, 01:15
- Wisconsin State Grange
- 6:1, 01:05; 6:2:2, 16:55; 7:1:1, 12:20; 7:1:2, 11:30; 9:1, 01:35, 07:15
- Wisconsin State Journal (Madison)
- 1:2, 15:20
- Wisconsin State Legislature
- 10:1, 18:00; 10:2, 07:00
- Wisconsin Swiss-Limburger Cheese Producers Cooperative
- 6:1:2, 11:15
- Wrabetz, Voyta
- 1:2, 08:45
- Wright, I.M.
- 7:1:3, 01:55
-
Youth Companion
- 1:2, 15:20, 17:00
- Zink, Irving
- 2:1, 18:20
- Zink Family
- 4:1, 09:30
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