The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-02
FARMERS BITTER
IN DENU.NC|AT|0N.
At Meeting Held in Danville:
American Tobacco Company Is
Severely Araigned.
Especial to Tho Times-Dtspatch.

DANVILLE, VA, May 1.-Over eight
hundred voices chcered the speakers
here to-day when they arraigned the
American Tobacco Company for be-
Ing responsible for the impoverished
condition OF the farmers and the low
prices paid for tobacco. The occasion
was a general meeting Of tho Mutual
Protective Association OF Bright To-
bacco Growers OF Virginia and North
Carolina. which was attended by hun
dreds of the tillers OF the soil COM
ing from the tobacco districts OF the
two States.
The main object Of the convention
here was to devise plans for the sale
8 OF tobacco now stored away In "a
warehouse operated in Danville under
the auspices of tho association. where
farmers place their product, to be held
until satisfactory price Is offered.
and the sales made privately instead
of at public auction on the floors or
the nine warehouses here.
Reports from the warehouse, which
is in its initial year. are that the
scheme has proved SO far as success
full as can be expected. The matter OF
disposing of the tobacco was left In
the hands of the board OF directors.
composed Of eight members, who will
proceed along lines deemed best.
No More at Public Auction.
S. b. keesee, one of the largest
planters of tobacco in this section. in
speech, declared that he hoped he
had seen tho last day when he would
allow his tobacco to be sold at public
auction, at which he said the repre-
sentatives of the American and Con-
stinental Tobacco Companies were the
only bidders. The farmers OF to-day.
nc declared, were net !laif as we'll OF
as they We're twenty years ago. al.
though they were moro Industrious,
and to keep the wolf away from the
door were forced to work their wives
and daughters in the fields under blaz-
ing suns.
The condition of the farmer has been
gradually growing worse since the orr
ganzation of the American Tobacco
Company. which cuts out competition
for raw material. was effected. j. o. w.
sGravely. of Rocky Mount, N c., State
lecturer. for the North Carolina Assoc
citation. spoke at some length on the
necessity OF organization as the only
remedy left for the farmer to protect
himself against the greed OF the trusts.
H. o. Kerns. of Sutherlins. president
of the Virginia. Association. presided
at the session this afternoon, and In
his opening remarks. outlined the work
of the association for the ensuing year,
urging that the farmers sign the pledge
i to turn over their next years crop to
the Farmers Warehouse here to be dis
posed Of.
Slavery Of Low Prices.
S. c.. Adams, of Charlotte county, the
president of the Interstate Association,
followed Mr.. Kcrns. He spoke In favor
OF q campaign to arouse the farmer to
n spirit OF rebellion against the slavery
of low prices he was now subjected to. i
and to convert them to the one idea Of
throwing off the shackles.
The shackles. which bound The grow
ers of the weed, he said, We're the pub
lie auction sales, where there was prac-
5tically but one bidder who named his
own price for the pile OF tobacco. The /!
feature OF the: session here to-day was
the passing OF assresolution Ito raise !
funds whereby worthy farmers can be
advanced money on their growing
crops 1t is Intended to raise at least
$4,000 and possibly $4,000 to carry
out the project The association by |
this plan act sas banker for the far
NOR, who has been in the habit of
getting advances from the local to-
ibacco warehouse in order to complete
his crop, which naturally he would sell
at public auction on the floors of tho |
warehouse advancing him the money. |
Many of the farmers to-day pledged |
themselves to turn over their en-
tire crop to the association next year.
The meeting to-day was probably tho |
largest aad tho most enthusiastic gath
.ering OF the sovereigns of the soil ever
held here.