What is the Framer's Association and what demand does it make of Mr. Thomas? What happens if he doesn't obey?

The Farmer's Association is run by The Bank of the West, which owns most of the valley. They do not like Mr. Thomas paying 30 cents an hour because it makes other workers demand a similar wage. The bank wants to keep the wages as low as possible. Thomas has no choice but to cut the wage to 25 cents an hour. Mr. Thomas was not supposed to tell the workers this but he does. It was his way of retaliating against the order.