Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-10-10
GRAIN DEALERS MEET
Gov. Shaw's Address Of Welcome
In Behalf of Iowa.
FARMERS NATIONAL CONVENTION.



delegates from all parts of the coun-
try attended the opening meeting OF
the sixth annual session of the Ma
tional Grain Dealers association in
this city in the new auditorium yes
terday morning. Gov. Leslie M. Shaw
delivered an address of welcome on
behalf of the state of Iowa and in
the course of his remarks stated that
"when the first bushel of wheat was
transported by rail from the Missouri
river to the Atlantic ocean, thence by
ship to Liverpool, it cost 81 cents TO
thus market it. It was weighed and
loaded, then unloaded, put in ele-
vators, weighed out, reloaded, re-
shipped again and again, and at a
great expense. 1t now costs 2lh
cents TO take bushel of wheat from
the Missouri river to Liverpool. With
in 30 months, by reason of improved
roadbeds, lighter grades, fewer
curves. heavier iron and larger To-
comotives, a single engine will haul,
not II tons as formerly, but 1000
tons from the Missouri river to the
Atlantic ocean, where it will be load
ed from the car direct to the ships
carrying, not 1000 tons, but $4,000
tons, and the saving in expense of
transportation and handling and wa
ter rates will insure the producer bet
ter prices and the consumer cheaper
food. Our people all understand this
and they are both contented and
happy. They are building better
houses, they are planning better
schools; they are putting more pianos
in thsir parlors; more books on their
shelves; more sunshine in their homes
and they are advancing the prices
Of their farms. These can now be
rented for cash and will pay better
income on twice their market value
than government bonds at current
quotations"
At the evening session of the con-
vention the committee on arbitration
reported at considerable length
complicated scheme for the arbltra-
ton of differences that may arise
among members of the association.
No action was taken. Addresses
were delivered as follows: "Proper
Field of Work for the National Asso-
cintion," by G. A. Stibbins, of Red
Oak, Ia; "Arbitration," by George
A. Wells, of Des Moines, Ia; "Trade
Rules" by c. A. Burks, of Decatur, III.
Farmers National Convention.
Sioux Falls, s. d.. Oct. 3.-Harvis
Jordan, of Georgia, president of the
Southern Interstate Cotton Growers
association, read papers on "The Me
aragua Canal; Its Importance to
Farmers of the South and West" at
yesterdays session Of the Farmers
National convention, He declared
that the canal was great national
necessity and that while the south
and west would get large share of
the benefit, the east would also profit.
He declared that the great transcon-
tinental railroads were bringing
heavy pressure to bear on congress
to defeat the canal legislation and
that the producing classes ought to
make counter demonstration. He
said the railroads were short-sighted
in opposing the canal, as the increased
business which would come to them
from an expansion of trade would
more than offset traffic losses to the
canal resulting from decreased rates
At the afternoon session Charles
Knight, of Illinois, delivered an ad-
dress about the oleomargarine bust
ness and brought on discussion,
the debate at times being exceeding
ly animated. The feature Of the
nights session was an address, "The
Farmstead Beautiful" by DR.. E. Ben
iamin Andrews, chancellor Of the uni
versity Of Nebraska.
Des Moines, Ia, Oct. 4.-The con-