The commonwealth., 1908-01-17
FARMERS CONVENTION
GREAT GATHERING OF COTTON
GROWERS AT MEMPHIS.
Big Bond Issue Is Asked to Aid in
Marketing Cotton Crop Deal
ing in Futures Condemned.
Good Roads Favored. ~

Ing IN Futures condemned.
Good Roads Favored. -
Memphis, Tenn--The first days session
of the convention of the Farmers Ed
ucational and Cooperative Union of
America were held yesterday. Daring
the morning session, which was open
to the public, the 1000 seats in the
Goodwyn Institute, together with stand
ing room was inadequate 10 a'eommo,
date the vast throng that gathered TO
he, r the mayor make the address of
welcome, the address of Homer L. liiggs,
i'll behalf OF the Tennessee union, aud
the response of J. y. Callahan. of Okla.
homa, in behalf of the national organi-
zation.
The formal opening of the hig meeting
took place at the auditorium yesterday
morning at 10 o'clock. Charles s. Bar
rett president of the national orgnni
2ation, called the meeting to order, and
not lcss than 1900 people were present
TO hear addresses,
The night session was an open one.
T. 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 witt ns he is
generally known, and several other
prominent members OF the order made
ten minute talks after Mr. Brooks had
completed his oratorical effort
The Farmers Educational and Go.
Operative Union Of America at its ses-
ond days session. adopted II resolution
denouncing the s0.called money panic an
conspiracy on the part of the moncy
power and spectators, and charging
that il is threat against the farmers
that they must be content TO allow
Others to control the price Of their pro
duets.
The seating capacity of the auditorium
OF the GOODWIN institute was taxed
TO its capacity, and many of the 1900
delegates in attendance were forced To
remain outside In the hnll. The three
executive sessions we're filled with Incl
dents, and many important resolutions
were adopted. The chief feature Of the
day was the adoption of the resolution
calling for governmental aid and imme,
diate passage OF n law authorizing the
immediate issuance of $500, 900, 900 In
iegnl tender treasury notes and the lend
ing OF the same TO the farmers for mar
keting the present cotton crop,
Following Is the legislation that the
Farmers Educational and Cooperative
Union Of America desires enacted by
the national congress.
y ,aw ny whlch ali money shall bc
ISSUED ny ana under the direct control
"' ,he government ana All citizehs with
"a ,a1u coiln'of"l shali at an times have
wv PH"'Re " Oor'oWihe money nj
hot W. 10 eNceed per cent per hnnum.
ihe ,n,u'eu'u.e ne,' issuance OF not less
thah s'ooooo,oop 'i icgal tender treas
ufy notes, anu 'he IehdihR ol the same,
,.osether With any surplus lh"t may De
IN the onltel states treasury, direct to
the people, to aid them In marketing
the present cotton crop .1
ihe passage OF a law by congress pro.
hibiting the buying and selling of cotton
futures and all other farm products, or /
gambling in agricultural products in |
any manner
The immediate abolition by congress |
Of the federal bureau of distribution and
the speedy enactment of laws substap.
TALLY including the present alien In.
ilux by means of an increased bead
tax, money requirement. the iIliteracy
test and other measures, in order to pre-.
veut the agricultural sections of tie
United States from becoming the dunn.
Ing ground for foreign immigration.
That conyress oyteed tbe ,nr,.Is ,os,
fhc nnmhor of ,pnnds ~ y,
,arrjea in tbe mails from fanr tn oIoyon
md a reduction in nostaoe from "a
,ents TO ~ cents per nound. aIan the
establishment of n narrels nost system
IN the mail delivery routcs caryy;no a
,psciaI rate ia bo cbaraad on ,acLn,os
,riuinatinp on ruraI routes the rate to
No cents for tho A., nn,,,d ,,so
ents for each additional npnnd nm IN
Ieyen pounds,
The establishment of n nostaI any.
nps bank system ns n means of Losn
no money at home a;d;ng c;rc,Iat;an
nd puaranteeipy for the sarmers = sago
epository.
A number Of other reso,,t;ons NJ
reat Importance were considered and
adonteJ rrLa throa aaa a"'
ions were very harmonious and with !
.