The Delta independent., 1908-08-21
Said at Apple Gropers'

oAee ot ffStS STOtICIo
Convention.
From speech delivered at the Inter-
National Apple Growers Convention
by w. B. Geroe, we clip the following
extracts:
The interests of the producer of
every section, and the interest of every
shipper are identical Their very ex-
istence depends upon their mutual un-
derstanding and assistance. AS the
western ranchman said to his son when
the boy was leaving home for an east
ern college, Jim, when you get down
east the people will laugh at you
They will laugh at your walk and your
clothes, and the way you talk, and
your manners, but don't you care, just
remember that they are only folks
just everyday folks like you and l. +"
And so | say that the grower and the
buyer are only folks, no horns or cloven
hoofs around the fireside of either.
Both with the same ambitions; the
same hopes and fears and the same de-
sire to win; very human, everyday
folks.
During the war of the sixties. an
Illinois regiment was marched to the
front in the night, right on to the fir
ing line. When daylight broke, they
found they were stationed in an old
pasture lot without tree or shrub-no
protection whatever, and across the
fence a regiment of southern troops,
entrenched and well protected from the
fire of the enemy. The only thing the
Illinois boys could do was to take to
the grass, lie down fiat and hug the
ground. Every time one stuck up his
head, shot was the reply, and this
position they held during a long hot
day. About four O'Clock in the after
noon tall, lank Illinoisian suddenly
got up, and amid the yells of his COM
panions and the orders of his officers to
''lie down." stretched himself and re-
marked that he Twas not going to
fiatten out another minute" "If he
was to be shot he would take his stand
ing"-with that he stalked up to the
old Virginia worm rail fence, climbed
up on top, and taking off his hat
waved it in the air and yelled to the
enemy, "Hey you darned idiots stop
pointing your guns this waJ; this here
fields full of folks"
The field of the shipper and the field
of the grower is full of folks. Don t
point your guns at them The meeting
of the buyer and seller should take on
more the appearance of love feast or
banquet than a battle. If this or
ganization can bring about such con-
dition of affrirs we can discount the
millennium and receive our crowns right
| here on this side.
We don't want war, that's certain.
It's too Almighty costly; and you
know what Sherman said war was.
well business war is just as bad, prob
ably not so much physical blood is
shed, but a whole lot of mental and
financial blood is wasted.
Neither do we want frenzied suicide.
Deaths have occurred from this cause
during the excitement of the buying
season, and usually accidents of this
nature take place in the ranks of the
buyers. Peace and prosperity go hand
in hand.
When it comes to prices, they are in
the hands of Providence, but don't feel,
Mr.. Shipper, that it's all one sided;
don't throw too much acid into YOUR
offers, the growers must live and
work; and, Mr.. Producer. don't season
your ideas too high. There are other
years. A good surgeon doesn't ampu
tate the head first. Don't put too
much pepper into your asking price e-it
might get into some of the old wounds
and cause stampede. And, speaking
of too much pepper, an old negro, dea-
con of his church, and very devout
old soul. prayed to the Almighty to
send provisions to his neighbor's fam
lily. His supplications were after this
fashion: Good Lord, send to Widow
Jones barrel of pork, whole barrel,
Aord, for you know what powerful
big family she's got, and, Lord, send
her barrel of flour, and send her
barrel of salt and barrel of pepper
hell, that's too much pepper" And SO
| say, don't put in too much pepper.
Tote fair and watch results.
Tuesday An Excursion Day.