The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-01-11
CONVENTION
GREAT GATHERING OF COTTON
GROWERS AT MEMPHIS.
Twelve Hundred Farmers in Attend
MISREPRESENTATION to Hold
Cotton for 10 Cents.

ucational and Cooperative Union of
America were held yesterday. During
the morning session, which was open
to the public, the 1000 seats in the
Goodwin Institute, together with stand
ing room, was inadequate to accommo-
date the vast throng that gathered TO
hear the mayor make the address of
welcome, the address of Homer L. Higgs,
in behalf of the Tennessee union, and
| the D of J.. Y. Callahan, of Okla
homa, in behalf of the national organi-
cation.
The auditorium was also crowded dur
ing the afternoon, at which time the
wsrk of the various committees was
discussed in detail. The night meeting,
| which was also an open session, was
crowded and many of the accredited
delegates were compelled to remain out
| side on account of the lack of space.
Beyond the publication of the ad-
dresses in open session and the an
nouncement of committees, there was
little news of interest in the sessions.
The committees held meetings and their
work was discussed in detail at the ex-
ecutive session in the. afternoon, but
| this information will be withheld until
the committees make their reports.
The formal opening of the big meeting
took place at the auditorium yesterday
morning at 10 o'clock. Charles S. Bar
rett, president of the national Organi-
z%ation, called the meeting to order, and
not less than 1900 people were present
to hear addresses.
Mr.. Barrett, in q few words, intro
ouced Mayor Malone, who welcomed the
| delegates and farmers to ,le city of
Memphis.
Homer l.. Higgs, of Greeneld, Tenn,
chairman of the press committee and edi-
tor of the National Union Farmer, then
addressed the delegates, welcoming them
to the state of Tennessee in behalf of
the state union. Mr.. Higgs' able speech,
like the mayors felicitous address of
welcome, was well received and he was
the recipient of loud and enthusiastic
applause.
j.. Y. Callahan, of Enid, Okla, fol-
lowed Mr.. Higgs, responding to the two
addresses of welcome in behalf of the
national organization. His address was
replete with sound wisdom and occas-
ional sparks of wit. His views were
conservative and his points well taken.
The Farmers Union, he said, stood for
pOfhinn hoYpnfn1 fn nthor fptaracts anA
only asked for Justice and equity.
l.. l.. Allen, representing the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, then made an
address of welcome to the visitors, re-
| viewing much of the work that the labor
people nave done in their own behalf,
and expressed the opinion that there
should be a fraternal feeling between
the two organizations.
The night session was an open one.
P. j.. Brooks, of Atwood, Tenn, deliv-
cred the principal address of the even
ing, and Ben l.. Griffin, of Arkansas, the
red headed, freckled-face w.t." as he is
generally known, and several other
prominent members of the order made
ten-minute talks after Mr.. Brooks had
completed his oratorical effort.
Mr.. Brooks held the audience in rapt
tLt6lIlOH HUH liz OCSliliiuS uuJil liz
poetic preroration ended his effort. He
covered the whole range of the work
of the Farmers Union and pointed out
in eloquent language the course to pur-
sue. His symbolisms and comparative
phrases were rhetorical and eloquent,
and his facts were so grouped as to
convey his meaning clearly at every
change in the subject.
E - Ill., .1- H. -xo1@ u
quent effort yet heard, and he is classed
by his friends as the true patriot of
the cause for lettering the conditions
of the American farmers.
Mr.. Griffin followed Mr.. Brooks. His
talk was abundant in wit and kept the
| delegates in an uproar of laughter.
John Barrup, of Albuquerque, N. NJ,
| then delivered a short address on CO.
operation, and was followed by James
n. Patton, of Boston, Miss, secretary
of the Immigration League.
Besides planning for the reduction of
the cotton acreage, the convention is
considering steps to make practicable
the holding of cotton by those who are
not in shape financially to wait months
for their money.
Numerous suggestions have been made
| alOUg tuiS IlIc. OuC III Hdo OOSi oAS
cussed at some length has warehouse
| certificates for stored cotton as the basis
| of a bond issue. These bonds should be
sold to those members of the union who
have the ready money to spare. A fair
rate of interest should be fixed, the
bonds to mature in twelve months.
While the members of the union would
be first urged to take these bonds, they
would also be offered to such banks as
| might desire them. In all cases the in
terest would make them a desirable in
vestment.
The effect would be to band all the
sections more closely together, by the
forming practically of a big company
| with all members vitality interested in
the price of cotton.
Another proposition being discussed
is the forming of a regular stock com
pany, and to issue stock with stored cot
| ton as the basis.
CONVENTION NOTES.
"One-third of all the cotton raised
in Lauderdale county win be held for