The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-11
PROMINENT MEN IN COUNCIL.
Leeaers in Agrfcaature Gather at
indianapolis - President Clayton
In Hts Address. shows the Neces-
sity for Action by the Govern
ment to Protect the American
Farner-knosty Problems Re-
01irfng Immediate Action-ResO-
iutfen Favoring = Congress to
EstablfsA International Bi-Net-
al1isn.

nnal session cf the Farmers National
congress began today AZ Indianapolis.
There were about seventy persons present.
Later slttings are expected 10 show a
larger attendance The members presen,
we're representative men and leaders sn
agriculture The congress xas called 10
Greer by President B. r CLAYTON OF In
dianola. W. II. Taggart delivered the adj
dress Of weAcone. The response was made
by Secretary j. NJ. Staaal. Of chicago. who
sad:
We came here TO labor for the farm
er. and yet we to not forget the man in
The mine. the shop or the bank. We real
ize the interdependence of all Industries.
and know THAI when the industries of the
city ianguish our agricultural indus
tries must faa-
J. G. offum gave the address OF welcome
on behalf OF the farmers OF Indiana. He
said:
I'VE are looking forward to this con-
gress with great deal OF anxiety aud de-
sire. We farmers md ourselves in very
straiteaed conditions. We find many
farms piastered over with mortgages.
L 8. Coffin. OF Iowa, said that state was
more largely agricultural than almost any
other, and that Very small percentage
OF Iowa farms were mortgageL.
Gov. Matthews welcomed the congress
on behalf of the state.
President Ciayton's Address.
President Clayton delivered the annual
address. He said in part:
Our meeting follows determined and
closely contested national political CAM
paign. In this campaign the interest of
every farmer and producer has been IN
volved. The two great political parties.
one of which has dictated the policy OF
the government for nearly one hundred
years. met In national convention and sub
mitted to the American voter line or
policy for the control OF our republic Tor
the remainder OF the nineteenth century.
Laying aside the bitter personal attacks
that usually characterize national politics.
having as leaders men OF the highest per-
sonai Integrity and character, campaign
OF education was inaugurated and seventy
millions of American people Ia the sacred
right couched In the silent ballot rendered
their verdict on November ;. and. as re-
suit of that campaign. no nation so weil
understands the financial system OF Its
government as do the American people
As our country has been developed the
inventive genius has been called into
American farm hand can accomplish the
labor Of nearly ave men OF the old world.
and he has 80 divided aTss1 ssfsrr-tns~9 ets~s
ployment as to revolaticnize the condition
Of things
President Clayton here quoted the reso-
luton passed at the ParkerSbuirg meeting
in 1894. asking protection OF farm products
to the degree that protection should be
given to other products. He quoted ig-
ures of exports and imports for iss4. show
ing loss TO the American farmer OF s2ea.-
3s1. .322 He continued:
IF these figures be true. a vigorous re-
monstrance TO these schedules should so
up from this body. and We should demand
that the agricultural department inyesti-
gate each item. Should protection be
should be applied TO farm products. and
the agricultural department should rec
ommend to the general government such
changes in tariff schedules as will furnish
equal protection to the products OF the
farm.
This is a non-poiitical organization.
and I think very properly so. Gentlemen
will see at once the improperly of this
body trying to settle great economic ques-
tions: the congress of the United States
has been trying 10 settle these great ques
tions and has failed.
Danger From Combinations.
Notwithstanding the anti-trus, laws
now found on our national statutes, COM
binations of most gigantic proportions
have been formed that bid defiance TO the
court of law and that absolutely control
the purchase and selling price of live stock
and it's products. In my Judgment II is
a dark day when these combinations In
wade any state Gradually they are ex-
tending their power and fastening their
fangs upon the important trade centers
of the state with a rapacious greed that
threatens TO sweep everything before II
When you get behind the screen that
conceals the grain and the miiers' associ-
atious you will find the same conditions.
Unless checked by state and national iegis-
iation, the Millers' Association VIII soon
dictate 70 the farmer the price OF his
grain and TO the consumer the price OF his
bread stuff as absolutely as the whisky
trust controls the price OF their goods.
The meetings OF these organizations are
exclusive and clandestiue. Some time
since understood from reliable authority
that there was national convention OF
oatmeal manufacturers at Des Moines. Ia.
and their movements were 50 quiet as to
escape the sharp eye of the reportorial
stan OF the Des Moirfes press. IL you will
figure the margins between the price paid
for grain and the price charged for mill
product there Is no man but what viii
agree with me that those engaged in the
milling business are not rendering rect-
procai justice to the produce OF the
cereals or 10 the consumer. The facts
are the silent. submissive farmer and the
public have submitted TO these growing
evils without complaint. The farmer as
n class gives less attention 10 his own In
tprest in legislation affecting him. and to
the exscytton practiced. than any other
class OF American people.
by legislation and by the courts we
have settled the great principles that the
public have q right TO control these trusts
ard corporations have accepted the rrin-
cipie What we want is for the national
and state executives 20 Law before con-
gress and the legislative bodies the evils
complained of. and TO suggest such rause-
dies as viii check their further growth
We should say To these com hs1ations
Thus far and no farther shalt shou
come We should ask for no class lagis-
1ation- We should demand TO fayoTs, be-
yond legitimate protection 10 fhe farm
interest. and we should he Sa atisf1ed uath
nothing short of the same recognition ac-
corded 20 all other American industries.
Problems to he solved.
There are many questions. some OF
which involve the highest interest of our
Industry upon which We might ask con-
gressionaI consideration. Among them is
is TO be found the readtustmens OF our
the importance of the employment OF ex-
pert civil engineers 10 investigate the
rsrartire hgfity Of the reciamatio of the
arid ard the senni-srtd district by water
storage and irrigation: the revision.
amendment ard the better enforcement OF
our laws restricting trusts and corassna-
rfons organized 70 coctroi the price Of
farm produce the amendment Of the IN
terSfa,s commerce law 10 entirely
prevent unjust discrimination against
places or persons In the shipment OF
freight. and 10 provide for board OF ar
bfsra ffon for the settlement Of Industrial
strikes. the enlargement OF the Depart
merit Of agricultural 20 the Slxnife9 posi-
tic n 20 which * belongs and 70 grant 70
the department such appropriations IS
will enable IL 50 make fun Investigation
of our trade relations with foreign powers
respecting the importation and TIRE eS-
pcrratton % farm products. the enlarge
~zert Of free mail delivery In the rural dts
t-Scte. tire read lust nfHf OF Our national
ard inTerEA tiorat monetary system hy tEe
congress OF tbs United States ard ny a
monetary conference wfsA civilized ra-
svs.ern % currency permitting the largest
xaSs OF both go3d and silver as lawful