The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-07
FARMERS TO FEDERATE
Walter N. Aliens Organization
Meets This Afternoon.

A meeting for the organization of an
agricultural trust by the farmers of the
Mississippi valley is in session in To-
peka this afternoon, the first meeting
having been called to order in represen-
tative hall.
While there is not much general in
terest in this gathering it might by
chance mark the beginning of a new
epoch in the worlds history.
The farmer, believing that trusts and
combines control the prices which he
must pay for those things needed a
farm, under the plan for this meeting,
proposes to organize a combination in
agricultural products for the purpose of
making something of a profit on what
he raises, without which it is conceded
that the world can not get along.
Walter n Allen of Meriden is the orig
inator of this plan for the farmers to
control the markets. Mr.. Allen present.
ed his plan to the last annual meeting
of the state board of agriculture.
The meeting which Mr.. Allen has
called is scheduled to last two days. 1t
begins this afternoon. The attendance
today is not large but the promoters of
the meeting insist that they will here
lay the ground work for the greatest
organization of the kind in existence.
1t is fOndly anticipated by some of
those interested that this meeting may
form a gigantic combine which will
make the other trusts burn with envy
when they come in contact with it. In
cidentally it is hoped by the promoters
that the farmers trust will also make
some of the steel, flour, cracker, and
other trusts squirm when they come to
foot the bills.
Mr.. Allen is president of the fedora
ton and James Butler secretary. Mr..
Butler says the following delegates
have pledged themselves to be present
at the conferences: W. B. Gasche, Hart
ford, Kan. F. w. Frasius, Topeka; c.
B. Hoffman, Enterprise; w. D. Gi1pin,
Topeka; James F. Spencer, Rochester,
Mimi; D. R. Ewing, Des Moines, Iowa;
Louis McCutchen, Chas. Hotham, G. A;
Troudman and Mrs. G.. A. Troudman of
Carbonate, Kan; J. G. D. Whipple,
Lake Benton, Mimi; E. B. Howard, of
the Iowa Agricultural college, Ames,
Dakota; F. E. Miller, De Soto, Kan;
Nels. Anderson, Topeka; Joseph Lime
burner, Chicago. ILL.,; c. B. Herman,
Oskaloosa, Kan; T. NJ. James, Topeka;
colt, Princeton, Mimi; B. F. Dickinson,
Everest. Kan; l. T Barringer Ruth
ven. Iowa; e. S; Newton. St: Jo ln,
E. w. Crumb, Harveyville, Kan; E. H
German, F'airview, Kan; E. Peterson,
Independence, Kan; John Johuk, Enter
Kan; VIM. Stryker, Wellington, Kan;
Edwin Snyder, Oskaloosa, Kan; Frank
Shane, Osawkee, Kan; r. L. Holman,
Springfield, H.; Mrs H. L.. Ferris,
City, Kan; James Myers, Odell, Neb.;
James Senter, Rep. Ness county, Kan;
Daniel Loose, Melmore, Ohio; Edward
M. Rogers, Barclay, Kan; B. F. Briggs,
Parsons Kan; J. B. HaZlett, COlman,
South Dakota
Ex-senator PETER was present at the
meeting held this afternoon at the Ma
tional hotel parlors. This was the
opening session, of an informal char
acter, to be followed by general meet
ing later at representative hall.
In calling the meeting to order this
afternoon Walter N. Allen stated, in a
general way, the purposes which he has
1--WE are here" he said, "to plan the
houses, probably at Kansas City and
at other places of Importance, for the
sale of the products of the soil.
"Our plan is to have the commission
houses put in working order, then have
the farmers consign the products which
they have to market to the commission
houses or to public elevators which will
also be established.
''Our plan is to sell the farmers prod
ucts for the benefit of the consumers as
against the speculator."
'Will you regulate the price of farm
productS?" was asked.
Incidentally yes was the reply
"Our plan is to have the products
stored or in elevators and sell to the
actual demand. When that stops owing
to a crowded market, the plan is then
to stop the sale until there is a greater
demand, and when the consumers pay
our prices we will sell. We will prevent
the speculator from cornering the prod
ucts then we will deprive this branch
of business of the profits which belong
to the producer.
cts a great scheme" said Mr.. Allen,
"and / believe it can be managed sue
cessfully. The Small Bros, the bank
ers in North Topeka, tell me there is
no doubt about the success of the COM
mission house PLAN"
Mason Peters, the nominee for con-
gress in the Second district, and c. B.
Hoffman will deliver addresses to the
conference