The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-12-21
MEETING OF FARMERS.

Large Gathering of Them Expected
Early i'm January-The Annual Con-
Alliance and Industrial Union,
Which Will he Followed by the Ma
tiOnnl Grain Growers Association
Some Legislation They Will Ask
For.
The annual convention of the Ma
tional Farmers Alliance and Industrial
Union of Minnesota will be held at the
state capitol Jan. 2 and g.
The National Grain Growers Associa-
ton and the Farmers and Independent
Elevator Association of the Northwest
will meet at the conclusion of the AL
lance convention, Jan. and 5.
These two conventions are expected to
bring a large number of delegates to st.
Paul
Alliance of this state, is non-political
organization. 1t is to the farmer a So
cial, fraternal insurance and business
society all in one.
The Grain Growers Association is
partly business organization within
the Alliance. It aims to secure better
prices and better markets for the pro-
ducts of the farm. It also proposes to
establish an independent farmers ele-
vator at all stations where grain is mar
keted, and establish competition at local
stations that will give highest price
for the farmers grain. The association
will emphasize the wisdom of farmers
hauling their grain to their local indie
pendent or farmers elevator instead of
patronizing the combine" or cline ele-
vators"
Among some of the bills that have
been Endorsed by the Alliance at its last
state convention are the following: The
reduction Of freight rates on railroads
prior to Jan. 1 1898, 20 per cent; the
reduction of the legal rate of interest to
6 per cent; the abolition of dealing in
options, the exemption of 81 500 on the
homes of the people from taxation; the
creation of a commission and an appre-
citation to secure and establish a market
in Oriental countries for the surplus pro-
ducts of the farm; to substitute the ton
mage of American ships and the en-
couragement of the building of an Amer
lean merchant marine.
Gov John Lind is expected to address
the convention, extending a welcome on
behalf of the state, and Mayor A. R.
Kiefer on behalf of st. Paul. The fol-
lowing members will read papers cover
ing some topic on agricultural interests;
Hon. P. H. Rahilly, national state pres
ident, Magnolia; c.. H. Hopkins, state
vice-president Fairfax; J. c. Hanley,
state secretary, st. Paul; Eric Olson,
state organizer, Sherburn; Ignatius Don
nelly, of Hastings, and Louis Nash, of
st. Paul.
The Farmers and Independent Ele-
yators' Association of the Northwest, is
also cooperative organization which
works in harmony with the alliance. 1t
is proposed to later establish their own
board of trade and compel buyers to
come to their counters and bid for their
grain, by selling from samples and on
it's merits, and If the figures offered are
not satisfactory, to hold their grain I'M
til it will be satisfactory. 1t is also their
intention to build terminal elevators at
Minneapolis, Duluth and West Superior.
The treatment the farmers received
the past year from the line elevators in
grading down the what crop of the state
one point, and thus cutting down the
price per bushel, is explained as the
cause of this new activity among the
farmers in protecting their interests.
The state inspection department and
the state prison board will receive the
attention of the convention as to the
reason that the grade on this seasons
crop was so unsatisfactory, and the
reason that the prison sold their 0O0, 900
pounds of Irvine out to dealers at 61z
to cents per pound, while the farmers
could not buy small amount Qess than
100000 pounds) at those prices. while