The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-02-23
woodh II and Scotia Farmers Club.

Woodh II and Scotia Farmers Club.
The Woodruff aud Sclota farmers club
met at the home OF s. M. Gibbs, Feb. 18th,
and although the roads were bad and the
weather extremely cold, the club was well
represented.
After dinner, which we enjoyed with a
host of visitors, who we hope will form
themselves into club and become CO work
ers with us, we were called to order by the
president Mr.. Gibbs. Opened by singing
America. Prayer by our chaplain. The
work of the day was taken up.
Mr.. Willis Tucker read the rules for free
rural mail delivery and talked on the sub
ject. Messrs Tucker, Watkins and Hawley
were appointed as a committee to get the
petition and necessary signatures to estab-
lish route. The secretary was instructed
to correspond with the state librarian in re-
gard to getting library for our club.
Select reading by Mrs. Childs, subj "A
tale of hard times" The subject "Coopera-
tIvs buying and selling" was to have been
led by Mr. Crawford, he being absent Mrs.
Gibbs read paper showing how disaster
had always followed the foundation Of CON-
bines among farmers, believes the Grangers
are making an effort to capture all the far
mers clubs for the purpose of forming gigan-
tic combines or trusts TO the ruin of our
towns and villages, thereby closing our
manufactures of all kinds, causing the hosts
Of workmen in the towns TO become pro-
ducers of farm products instead OF purchas-
ers. ThOt 1t would be better to work for
needed reforms, such as free rural mail de-
livery, equal taxation, and election of u. 5.
senators by direct vote of the people. Mr..
Watkins thinks that farmers by forming
trusts and combines are iDjuring them
selves by iDjuring home merchants
and home manufactures or home
industries of any kind. While the farmers
are obliged to accept the price offered them
1t is not the fault of the merchants: compe-
tition is so great that the merchant who asks
too much profit, som loses his trade. Mr..
Berry was glad to see the home towns pros
per but wanted farmers to share in the pr s-
perity. Mr. s. Gibbs spoke of the patron
movement, their cooperative buying and
selling as failure, car see no feasible way
for farmers to combine. Next topic, "The
best way to crush trusts and combines"
Mr.. Childs thOt the best way would be to
create a healthy competition by reducing
the tariff on tie articles dealt in, such as
salt, iron, lumber, etc.-not caring about
diamonds.
Discussion by Messrs Watkins, 8. M.
Gibbs, Purdy, Berry aud Tucker, brought
out good many ideas on the way to crush
trusts and combines, but thot farmers should
lind out not only what they don't want but
what they do want
Select reading by Mrs. Watkins, ''When
the minister comes to tea" Mr.. Watkins
read an article on 1.-The cause of hard times,
we buy more than we SELL" The question
box brought out its supply OF questions, con-
Quoted by Mr.. Watkins; one of them, 81 lid
the Office of drain commissioner be abol-
ished. 1t was considered an important
Office but thot, the incumbant often abused
the authority vested In him and that the law
should be amended. At the close OF the work
Mr.. Gibbs resigned and Mr.. White was
elected president. The program for our
next meeting: Paper by Mr.. Tucker, care
the farmers as a rule more or less success
fal than the followers of other occupations"
paper, "The trials Of farmers wife," by
Mrs. Guile; Select reading by Mrs. Scott
Woodhull; paper by Geo. Clements, "Are
the farmers afraid to discuss politics; IL so
whyP" paper, Household hints," Mrs.
Hawiey; paper, "The years outlook from
the farmers standpoint" 8. NJ. Gibbs; Mrs.
Purdy Labor saving suggestions" After
. pleasant meeting we adjourned to visit
March 18th at the home of Mr.. and Mrs.
Aeadley. Question box to be conducted by
w W. Berry