The Newtown bee., 1903-03-27
Ten Pages.

| 10 Inc Editor, IHE NEWTOWN BEE:
I desire through your valuable paper
to give brief report of the committee
meeting at Springfield, last Wednes-
day, as feel in duty bound to make
some report of the meeting to those
who so kindly selected me to represent
them at that meeting.
In the first place beg to differ with
the Editor in regard to the New Mil
ford meeting, as 1 see you say in your
report that the meeting lacked in inter-
est. The meeting did not lack in
enthusiasm, as the fact that SO many
growers all up and down the valley
wide saread interest in the new move
ment.
| The meeting simply lacked in pre-
meditated organization. If the matter
of presiding officers had been settled
beforehand much valuable time would
have been saved. Was very much
surprised at the conduct of some of
New Milford's prominent citizens, who
while not really opposing the proposed
organiza ton, did not give it the hearty
support they should have done,
farmers have been loyal to them in the
past. So much for the New Milford
meeting. Whether successful or not
it is not worth while to argue. Let US
be satisfied that we did the best we
could and when we fully comprehend
the scope of theco-Operative movement
among the growers, we must be pre-
pared to expect and overcome strong
opposition from the packers and mid
dlemen. In regard to tho committee
meeting, would say that the farmers
who take the Homestead found an
ample report of the meeting. To those
who have not seen this report would
say that three members were elected
to fill out vacancies. Also H. B.
Cowan, connected with the Home
stead, was chosen secretary and treas
urer under bond of $4,000 and en-
powered to receive pledges and first
payment Of 81 per acre to go into ex-
pense fund, as per Article 8.
Also an executive committee was
chosen from members of organizing
committee. to consist of three mem,
berS as follows: William S. Pinney of
vile, and L. A. Crofts. These men,
bers being centrally located can get to-
gether and act upon minor matters
that would not warrant the calling
together of the full committee. The
business of pushing to completion
the organization was then considered.
Meetings were arranged for in towns
along the Connecticut Valley and
speakers appointed.
In the Housatonic~ Valley it was
thought best to push the canvass
through local canvassers, so the mat
ter was left with the two committee
my notion leaves too much of a load on
our shoulders. 1t is very evident to me
that growers of the Housatonic valley
will come in on the tail end of the pro-
ceSSiOn unless we get hustle on us
and push the work of obtaining and
sending in pledges. The simplest way
to accomplish this is for every grower
to constitute himself committee of
one not only to send in his own pledge
but to get the growers in his own
immediate neighborhood. These
pledges with funds should be sent in
to H. B. Cowan, Secretary and Treas
urer, Homestead Office, Springfield,
Mass
This movement is prominently a
growers movement and unless in
dividual farmers are interested enough
to push it to completion it must
necessarily fail. So let me say in clos
ing, fellow farmers, having put our
hand to the pillow let us not turn back.
Calling to mind as fitting illustration
of the point at issue those memorable
words of Patrick Henry in the Virginia
assembly when steps we're being taken
to break away from the mother
country: "If we do not hang together
we shall surely all hang separately"
This statement is very applicable to
our case for if we fail to incorporate
and carry this movement to a success
full issue our second condition will be
worse than the present. Yours very
truly,I[Frank K. Hallock, Washing
ton Depot.
P. S. Your committeeman now pro-
pose to hold another masSmeeeting in
New Milford, Monday, March 80, if we
can make the necessary arrangements.