The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-08-21


sire.
If we a again get the Alliance
into the position it occupied in 1889
go and 81, 1 do not think it will be
allowed to retrograde again as it has
done. In order to do this, we must
guard the door. Unworthy persons
must be denied membership, and
especially must all who acted dis
honestly in matters of business be
prohibited from return to the ranks.
THE SHOE FACTORY N TAN YARD.
I recommend that the Business
Agent be instructed to dispose of all
machinery and stock on hand, and
to pay the Trustee of the B. A. Fund
the proceeds to reimburse for money
of the fund spent in this venture.
This has been a disastrous venture
into which the Alliance was forced
by the then Executive Committee,
against its declared sentiments. The
purchase of unsuitable machinery at
an exorbitant price, and the pay
ment for the same before the con-
tract of purchase had been complied
with, and the erection of a tan yard
and other improbable investments
on the property, we'll high wrecked
the finances of the body.
l recommend that the Business
Agent be instructed to dispose of the
tan yard and tract of land on which
it is located, if a reasonable price
can be obtained, and the Trustee to
obtain from the court power to CON
firm such sale, and apply the pro-
ceeds to the mortgage he holds upon
the property. The experience we
have had has been sufficient to show
it improbable, and it should be
abandoned at once.
REIMBURSE THE BUSINESS AGENCY
UND
For three years past the Trustee,
by order or the Alliance, has paid
old accounts of the State Bust
ness Agent incurred before that
time amounting to several thou
sand dollars. This action, while
legal, was applying the fund differ
emily from that for which it was So
icited. I recommend that the State
Business Agent pay to the fund any
money realized in the years bust
ness, in excess of what may be neces-
sary for the prudent operation of
his department..
THE ,JUTE BAGGING TRUST.
This old acquaintance of ours
eleven years ago has again formed
its plans and ''laid its pipes" to reap
unjust returns from the farmers in
exchange for it's goods. Old sugar
sacks was the ''stick with which we
broke its head in 1889-9O. The
same weapon is still available, sup
plemented if not superseded by the
bagging on the cotton, used by the
mills in the State. Cooperation and
the use of the Business Agency is all
that is needed to again foil its ne
fariOus purposes.
THE BUSINESS AGENCY.
The Business Agency in this State
is the only practical business result
evolved from the Alliance movement
in the United States. Each year re-
veals the wisdom of it's plan of or
ganizatiOn, and the benefit it can be
made to the members of the Order
in purchases of necessary supplies,
and sales of products. I earnestly
recommend it to our consideration
and patronage.
TEST FARM AT HEADQUARTERS.
I suggest the propriety of endeav-
to have the Board of Agricul-
ture locate one of it's ''test farms"
on Headquarters property, and that
we devote at least one day of each
annual session to a Farmers Insti-
tute on our grounds. 1t would be a
kind of Farmers Congress of both
and non-Alliancemen, and
be made an encampment for
pleasure and profit.
REDUCTION OF ''CAR LOAD OF FERTIL-
LZER TO TEN TONS.
The Corporation Commission has
made an order to this effect. The
railroads applied to the courts. The
Board of Agriculture had it's Chair
man, Col. John S. Cunningham, to
with Secretary Parker, of
5he State Alliance, before the Com
mission in our behalf, and when
5he appeal was taken, prosecuted