The Tupelo journal., 1908-01-17
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.

IGttSs
Memphis, Tenn-The first days. session
OF the convention of the Farmers Ed.
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
her the mayor make the address OF
welcome, the address of Homer L. Higgs
In behalf of the Tennessee union, and
the response of J.. Y. Callahan, of Okla.
homa, in behalf of the national organi
cation.
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.
cation, called the meeting to order, and
not less than 1900 people were present
to hear addresses.
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.
Tho Earnoarct Ednoof;onoJ ooI ~
Operative Union of America at its SEQ
ond days session, adopted a resolution
d~enouneing the so-called money panic as
power inc spectators, and charging
that it is a threat against the farmers
that they must be content to allow
Others to control the price of their pro
ducts.
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 hall. 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.
date passage of y law authorizing the
immediate issuance of $500, 900, 900 in
legal 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.
A law by which all money shall be
issued by and under the direct control
of the government, and all citizens with
land collateral shall at all times have
the privilege of borrowing money at
not to exceed 5 per cent per annum.
The immediate issuance of not less
than $500, 900, 900 of legal tender treas
ury notes, and the lending of the same,
together with any surplus that may be
in the United States treasury, direct to
the people, to aid them in marketing
the present cotton crop.
The passage of a law by congress pro-
hibiting the buying and selling of cotton
futures and all other farm products, OF
gambling in agricultural products in
any manner.
The immediate abolition by congress
of the federal bureau of distribution and
the speedy enactment of laws substan-
TALLY including the present alien in
Il by means OF an increased head
tax, a money requirement, the illiteracy
test and other measures, in order to pre-.
vent the agricultural sections of the
United States from becoming the dump
ing ground for foreign immigration.
That congress extend the parcels post,
increasing the number of pounds to be
carried in the mails from four to eleven,
and a reduction in postage from 16
cents to IL cents per pound; also the
establishment of a parcels post system
On the mail delivery routes, carryir> a
special rate to be charged on packages
originating on rural routes, the rate to
be 5 cents for the first pound, two
cents for each additional pound up to
eleven pounds.
The establishment of a postal saw
ings bank system as a means of keep
ing money at home, aiding circulation
and guaranteeing for the farmers a safe
depository.
A number of other resolutions of
great Importance were considered and
unanimously adopted. The three SEES
sions were very harmonious, and with
the exception of the vociferous enthu-
oidSAu WIICL SOulc OI tUe ueFePdteS us
played, the resolutions were discussed
and unanimously passed without fric-
ton or heated argument.
! The following resolution submitted
by the committee on ginnery and com
preston, also received the unqualified in
dorsement of the body:
we your committee on the cempres-
sion of lint cotton produced by mem.
bers of the Farmers Educational and
Cooperative Union of America, would
respectfully make the following report:
Internationally, we have become con-
WINGED that, as a business proposition,
we should at this session recommend
that as soon as practicable all of our
lint cotton should be compressed at the
ginneries, ginning it from the seed. Diff
ferent systems of doing this are now in
operation here and there, yet we are not
proposing to adopt any of them. Some
kind of machinery may in the near flu
ture be invented which will better 1seet
all requirements and be accepted and
finally adopted.
ut is, in our opinion, useless TO speak
CONVENTION NOTES.