East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-04-29

Says the Dayton, (Wash.) Courier
Press, introducing an exposition of
the Farmers union to its readers
A persistent effort is being made
in this state to secure the highest
price for the farmers for their grain
by the elimination of the middlemen
who have controlled the markets in
the past, and the efforts is being
made by the Farmers Cooperative
and Educational Union of America,
which has had very great growth
throughout the country. Mr.. w, w,
Wayman, state organizer, of Waits
burg, II. G. d. Cox of Prescott, local
organizer of the state, and f. n. Nc
Cav, state organizer of Oregon and
W. +. Hawks, organizer for Washing
ton. alc here to start the movement
going in this section.
Mr. Wayman, in explaining the OBJ
iects Of the movement said:
'I am hero to organize a local
branch of the Farmers Cooperative
and Educational Union of America.
| Before proceeding with the work of
organizing it is necessary to tell what
the union is. Started less than five
years ago. it has been found so adj
vantageous that membership is now
| 100000 and IS increasing In every
part Of the United States at the rate
of 5000 a day
''ro give an example of the bene-
fits to be derived; Last year in
Michigan, Illinois and Iowa. where
the iarnels are particularly well or
ganiZed they decided to raise the
price of potatoes, which were then
selling at 35 cents a bushel. Word
was passed to hold for IS cents and
in less than a week potatoes had
reached that figure.
again, while l was in Austin,
Texas, a year ago, a meeting Of cot
ton growers wns called and the union
decided to hold out for better prices.
In short time cotton had scared to
the highest notch since the days of
Sulloy's flyer.
1.-THE greatest product OF the coun-
try is wheat ard to fix the price of
this cereal is now the great object Of
the union. That is why organizers
have been sent out here and why
am here. Without united effort the
attempt would not probably be sue
cessful and the farmers of the great
grain belt in the middle west want
the cooperation of the Pacific north
west in this, the first step ever taken
bv the grain growers to say for them
selves what shall he the reward of
their labors.
"By the end of the present harvest
we expect to be in Il position to en-
force our demands for fair prices
and unless the price set by the unior
is offered 1t is the intention to have
every wheat raiser in the county hold
his crop until told to release ii.
'l3ut this viii not be necessary. AS
soon as 1t is found that no grain is
being sold the market will immedi-
ately respond and higher prices will
result. Why. If forced to it. every
farme, in the county could let his
land lie idle for year and ther not
feel the effects CT it. A strike Of such
proportions would paralyze the coun-
try"
Mr.. II. q. d. Cox said that organ
iz1'ions had been formed at Prescott
and Waitshurg where nine farmers
0Tt OF every 10 had Joined and were
satisfied that the growth of the union
will be in future Identified and allied
with the progress of the stute.
"tfun 'reds of farmers in the valley
VIII" DC net fnllv realize yet the OPP
portumity being helf out to them in
getting together will undouhtedly
take advantage Of the leisure time be-
tween now ard haying to come in
and sign the charter"
Messrs. w. W. Wayman, Fl. D. G
Cox and f. N. McCaw were in this
city yesterday and have made ar
rangements to hold a meeting of the
farmers and all interested in this
movement at the court house on Sat
uruday, May 4, at 2 p. m. A big
representation of the farmers is
earnestly requested at this meeting