Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-01-10
CITY TURNED OVER
TO VISITING FARMERS
Fully Three Hundred Farmers
Attend the Morning Session Of
the American Society of Equity
Which Opened in the Grand
Opera House Tuesday.

About three hundred farmers, from
all sections of the state, and Wood
county, were present at the opening
session of the American Society of
Equity, which is meeting in annual
convention in this city. At noon
Tuesday 14O accredited delegates were
present.
The convention was called to order
by the president promptly at 1870
O'Clock, and Mayor w. E. Wheelan
welcomed the visitors on behalf Of the
city. The mayors address was brief,
but he created no little merriment
and good feeling, in the manner in
which he presented to the men at
tending the convention, the keys of
the city. His remarks were literally
applauded.
The response to the addresses of
welcome was made by F. w. Ploetz,
of Coloma, Wis, who thanked the
city on behalf of the American
Society of Equity.
Presidents Address.
Immediately following the response
to the address of welcome, president
Thos. Emmerton, of Bloomer, Wis,
delivered his annual address in which
he told of the object of the society,
what it sought to accomplish, and
complimented the members upon the
great start that had already been
made. He cited reasons for closer
atfiliation, and more united effort,
and stated that there was no limit to
the good that could be accomplished
by the movement started by this
society. He advised the cultivation
of cordial friendship between the
society and the local newspapers, and
praised the power of the press.
Mr.. Billings Address.
Immediately after the address of
the president, the committee on
credentials was appointed, and dur
ing the preliminary work c. G. Bill
lings, of Eau Gale, was called upon
| to talk to members. Mr.. Billings
stated that the farmers of this coun-
try, and especially of this state had a
great duty to perform. He stated
that the great question today was:
Shall the monopoly control the out
put of the farms, or shall the farmers
themselves do SO? "Organization,' -
| he stated, twas the farmers source of
wealth, but the outlook for them if
they did not closely affiliate, was ex-
treemly sorrowful." The American
Society of Equity afforded the one
salvation to the American farmer,
and it was through this society, and
this society alone, that he could be-
come shackle-free, and improve his
condition. The only way that the
crying need for more men to do the
work on the farms Of this country
could be met, was to increase the
| financial returns for that labor, and
make more desirable the conditions
surrounding the rural life. This
society offered solution, in that it
would enable the American farmer to
get a better return for his products
To pile more work upon the owners
was only to invite gray hairs, and ar
early grave. The farms must ther
revert to the capitalist, and thus a
system of landlordism would grow uI
in this Gland of the free and home Of
the brave" When the work of the
A. S. of E. has been completed il
would be found that J. A. Everts, the
founder, shall have stricken more
shackles from more people that
Abraham Lincoln did, when he freeG
the slaves.
Tuesday Afternoon
The afternoon session opened
promptly at 1:30 O'Clock and large
number of new delegates reported
The report of the committee OF
: credentials was made and the recon-
mendation that all registered be en-
titled to seat and vote was car
ried.
The following committee on com
mittees was appointed by the chair
Hansen, Lebaut, Parker, Billings AM
Scott.
The following committees were re
commended:
Committee on Organization, Com
mittee on Bylaws, Committee ol
Telephones, Committee Cooperation
Committee on Legislative Resolu
tions, Committee on State Officia
Paper, Committee on Atfilation wit
Labor Unions, Committee on Officer
Salary and per diem, Committee o.
Finance, Committee on Shipping o
Live Stock and Product, Committe
on Warehouses?
Expressions of regret were rea
from Wood county farmers because @
their inability to be present becaus
of a Farmers Insurance meeting