The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1907-11-01
SlOnl Look Listen!
Rice, oct p,

Editor Hcr1id.-ln travelling along
our public highways, we often have
TO cross railroads. and at these cross
ings we see written i'm large letters.
Stop Look Listen At once we real
i've there is danger at that point aud
we Immediately obey the silent but
important signal, or else our lives may
be crushed ont Of existence by the
fast flying locomotive.
Fellow farmers For the past IS
years we have been travelling the
road Of life, some Of US surrounded by
loved ones, looking anxiously 70 US
for a comfortable support, butin many
cases they have been sadly disappoint-
ed, aud on our journey we have seen a
signal of danger wildly displayed be-
fore our eyes, and yet we continued
to advance until the heartless train
the tobacco trust had plowed IFS
wheels Of greed through our ranks,
aud had killed and destroyed Oman
cIallyl 70 many of our farmers. some
have been forced 20 deser. their farms,
aud others have been compelled 10
shelter themselves under tie wings Of
the Commission Merchants, hoping at
"some Sweet Day they might be in
better cond ton 10 provide for the
dear ones at home, but as yet, in most
cases, all their hopes have been blight
ed. Then, my friends, after such an
experience for % long years, is it not
time for the farmers Of Virginia, like
our Western friends, 20 take steps 10
protect our interest? aud this can
only be done through organization.
Some will say can get as much for
my tobacco ON the warehouse floor, as
YOU get in the Association Let me
say 10 such, stop and think, why IL Is
you are getting those prices on the
floor You are plucking the fruit
from the trees planted and cultivated
by the members of the Association,
and who have made sacrifices for the
sake of their families whom they have
vowed before Almighty God 10 honor
and protect Have you NOT made the
same VOW? Il SO be faithful TO it. To
meet this argument of better prices on
the warehouse floor I viii say the net
average of the Association tobacco
that has been sold. which includes
nearly an of the Tugs. has been about
one dollar more than the gross average
on the highest dark tobacco market
in the State. other, viii say you are
not selling your tobacco you have in
the Association. Where do you get
your information Doubtless from
those whoare enemies 10 the Associa-
ton. Let me say we are fast dispos-
ing Of our stock on hand at fair prices,
having sold about 300 hog. heads with
i'm the last ten days, and in a short
time we expect 10 close out our hold
ings and refill our prilerIe, with the
1907 crop
Some will say Will wait awhile
until the farmers get better organized
and then will come in and help.
They rem nd me of story ! once
heard Of an old man who bad a wife
he loved dearly and with whom he
stood at the nuptial altar and solemn
ly vowed TO honor and protect, and
on one occasion they We're attacked
by a large bear. and the cowardly old
. fellow. deserted Dob. wife, ran up stairs,
bolted the door and left his much
beloved wife, Betsy 20 battle with
the vicious creature, and after she had
killed the animal, he crept down
stairs and shouted with loud voice
that SHE and Betsy had killed the
bear.D What noble old coward
Did ne deserve any credit oh yes
! so far a. he did not help the bear Kill
Betsy. Now, nay fellow farmers, we
have had 10 contend with a large
greedy bear, lthe tobacco trust rov-
{ ny through our State as well as other
states seeking whom he might de
8 your
[ We learn from sad experience and
! observation that a number Of farmer
! I'm our midst have been so totally de
voured financially thatnecessity ha'
e compelled them 20 seek other occupa
e tons, while the merciless bear con
. tinues TO feed upon the financial bodice
Of those Of us, who are atill on oui
b farms. striving by hard and homes
y efforts 10 support and protect GU
homes.
y You not members OF ihe Associa
a ton who are selling your tobacco on
}. the open market. at the mercy Of th'
= trust, are doing worse than the ole
, man mentioned above, because you
e are not only refusing 20 help Kill tn
= bear, but you are doing everything II
y your power 10 help the bear Kill th
n farmers and rob them of Che product
n of their honest labor
q Let me say in conclusion, "1lop
!, helping the trust 10 bring povert
l. upon your homes. "Look' at tn
Is prices Of tobacco in 1903 and 1904 be
.e fore the farmers began t0organize am
- compare them with the prices sine
Is that time, and lastly "LIsien" 10 th
.e appeal, Of your friends.
~ u. III. BRUCE.
Ell