The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1908-07-03
Stand firm
FOR EQUITY.
That What Farmer Says Far
merS Should do.
New Organization Not Limiting
Acreage and Misrepresents
Equity Principles

To the Equity tobacco growers Oh
Ohio county. take this method OF
calling your attention to the work
ings of the new tobacco organization
known as the Green River Tobacco
Growers Association, or Branch of
American tobacco Company.
This part of the county has been
canvassed in the last few days by re-
representatives. of this association and
al once the report goes out that
had signed their pledge when it is
we'll known that | mad pledged my
tobacco to the Equity committee OF
Ohio County. Now / consider this
report as reflection on my integri-
ty and resent it as such. But | am
not alone in this experience as l
find that such reports have been START
ed on a number of men in different
communities who were known TO be
staunch Equity men. 1t seems TO be
the policy OF this organization TO
gain its ends regardless of the means
used. | regret the necessity OF any
criticism that can be construed as
fight on the new organization but
/ would be false to myself,to the coun-
ty Union and especially to the Buford
magisterial district if | did otherwise
under the circumstances. My policy
has been to treat the members of this
new organization with all courtesy,
recognizing the fact that they had a
right to decide this question for them
selves and believing that we might
work along in perfect harmony and %
operation. But the means used to
secure names to their pledges in this
part of the county as well as other
things said and done by Mr. Berry
and other advocates of the organi-
cation, compells me to review the MIS-
tory of this organization from its be-
ginning.
In the first place when the Green
River District A. S. of E. was called
together to consider the constitution
and bylaws of this association, 1t was
clearly understood. to be a delegated
convention, but when it met the CHAIR
man ruled that it was mass meet
ing and that all Equity men were
entitled to a seat.
This ruling gave the friends OF
the new association a decided advan-
tage over those VINO stood firm for
the A, S.. of f., and furthermore
the constitution was adopted by this
meeting with an amendment that pro-
vided that in one year from that date
there should be a vote taken as to
whether or not this organization should
become a part of the A. S. OF L. Not
withstanding this, the next day this
amendment was repudiated by the
independents, assisted by some VINO
called themselves Equity men.
Now let us look at their. position on
the acreage question. Mr.. Berry and
nearly-every one else has always IA
vored the O0O-hill-to-the-hand lin
it, and the impression has been made
that the organization would stand for
it. But when their pledges come out
we find that they are as silent as
the grave on this important question.
And further it is reported that Mr..
Berry acknowledged the other day
at Calhoun that they were not limit
ing the acreage this year and that
Mr.. - agent of the American, To-
bacco Co.. said to Mr.. Ewing that 1t
was not necessary. Now is it pos
sible that Mr.. Berry is running this
organization at the dictation of the
American Tobacco Co?
Now | will ask the Equity tobacco
growers of this county to remember
the action of our county union as
regards this new association. Remem-
Der that Ohio County has been the
banner county in the A. s. of E. and
remember that on your action depends
the welfare of the AS. Of E. Re-
member these things, and decide wheth-
err you will pledge your tobacco to this
new organization and build up Ownes-
boro at the expense of your home towr
or whether you will pledge to CON-
mittee Of your own selection in your
own county and thereby attend your
own business and build up your town
and indorse the A. s. Of e, that for
four years has fought the farmers bat
tie for better conditions and better
~ .esgt9ts ~