The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1906-02-27

North Carolina Farmers Protective |
association, in annual convention
here today, asserted that for the first
l.al" in 80 years, the farmers Of this
State are in a position to oppose the
.tiucnccs which have held them to
..e ploW handle and demand fheiI.
emancipation from the powers which
have controlled The commerce Of the
."untTN to the detriment of the tiIIers
.. the soil keeping them in bondage
." combines which the farmers will
.HW fight with organization.
The object Of the Farmers PrOtec-
five Association is almost exclusively
..r protection and advancement of the
#tereStS and welfare of the tobacco
"I"Wers of the state, and every ac-
fI1u and speech today was confined
'p the consideration of tobacco pro-
b.cns.
The most far-reaching and impor-
ant action of the convention was the
"dopuon Of a resolution, extremely
liberal in it's provisions. which, within
few months, may result in the eS-
enlistment of Il tremendous tobacco
factory by the association, to create
competition with the American To-
baccO Company. and it was stated that
$4,000 had already been pledged to
this project, should the Association
determine to fight the devil with fire.
This resolution was adopted unani-
ulousIy and enthusiastically. and is as
follows:
'Whercas, The present condition.
OF the tobacco trade Is unsatisfactory
and,
"WhercaS, Competition i growing
weaker wear hY year. and the control
OF the raw Inatcria! and manufactured
article H. passing rapidly into the
hands OF one or two concerns, and,
Whereas. NC believe that honest
80
prosperity. and that said competition
can best be created by co-Opcra:ion on
the part OF tilc farmers and their
friends, therefore, be it
''RCSoivcd. That we attempt to in
jcct life into lllc tobacco business in
all of its phases, by establishing STOP
age and rc-dryin@ houses, and tobacco
manufacturing plants in this and 9th
cr tobacco STATES, and tii;it invite
I'll men whose hearts are i'll unison
With the best interests OF the filters OF
He soil to Join ais i'll this great and
Important move.
Another resolution authorized the
appointment of 4 committee Of tWen-
'--tjVe tobacco growers to decide the
best means for securing uniform
prices for tobacco, fixing, in an ad-
EjsOrN way. the minimum prices upon
The various grades at which leaf to-
hacco should be offered and sold upon
The markets of this State.
The tobacco planters were advised
and warned to reduce the tobacco
"creage this year, and diversity their
crops raising their own home sup
plies, and promoting their independ-
ouce of the changeable market con-
0itons.
The imperfections of the Assoc1a-
non were appreciated. and a commit
iec was appointed to meet in Green's
HolO Saturday, March 3rd, to prepare
a new set Of bylaws and form plans
inr pcrfccting the organization in
North Carolina. This committee Will
eport at the adjourned meeting. to
j." held in Durham Saturday, March
I"tn. The meeting today was pre-
tuinarE 10 legislation, which will
I'D. enacted at The meeting March 10th.
Definite action was deferred upon
N"opositions requiring instant action,
and the election of officers tor the
"lsuing wear was postponed until
March 10th, At the coming meeting
the warehouse storage system, manu-
t#eturing, re-drying plant and other
I'ppositions may receive appropria
ions and agents will be put i'll the
.nld to organize every tobacco grow
I1G county.
There were present at the meeting
I-rnerS representative of every phase
n+ the tobacco growing industry in
s1.~ State, from the one horse farm
who pulls a bell cord over his
directs the operations of his farm
.r"m his office. They We're thinking,
.1tctf~ent farmers and business men.
".~ing for action rather than for
-r.-chcS' and as soon as a practical
liam for the prosecution of the aSSO-
.aion's work evolved from the dis
HszionS it was adopted.
1t was fitting that the Association
could hold it's meeting here: Dur
.=lu was. rs it were, founded on to-
.ueoo. and sprung from its stalk and
.aG. and the city owes it progress and
.<uuuSiOn most 10 the tobacco indus
'.. Durham and tobacco are linked
.,4other. and their united names are
Gown around the world.
Nbc three principal speakers of the
invention were Colonel John $. Gun
ugham. of Person county, president
of the Association: General Julian $.
'.-i. Of Durham. who is Il friend tried
aud rue of the farmers, and Mr. j.
50. W. GraNely. of Rocky Mount who
tEOcatcd the manufacturing of to-
..#nrO as means of opposing the
list effectively, and raising the price
tobacco.
The meeting was held in the cOun-
court house. which vas crowded
.# h farmers bankers, merchants,
Hu other business and professional
..en.
The Proceedings in Detail.
The Convention was called to order
" noon in the County Court House.