The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-02-11
JUDGE B0WLBY BACK
FROM SPOKANH
WENT THITHER WITH sEcRE-
TARY WHYTE, TO MEET
FARMERS UNION.

The Astoria Chamber Of Com
merce, and, incidentally, this city and
section, we're represented at the con
yention Of the Farmers Educational
and Cooperative Union Of America,
at Spokane, on Tuesday last, by ]. Q.
A. Bowlby and Secretary John II.
Whyte, the former returning to this
city on the noon train Of yesterday.
Mr.. Whyte going on to Seattle, with
the idea Of returning to Astoria to-
day.
In the course Of brief talk with
Judge Bowlby yesterday afternoon,
that gentleman said that the meeting
Of the farmers, in this instance, was
Of exceeding interest; that the asso-
citation is made up Of Inland Empire
citizens, each and all OF whom are
practical farmers and wheat growers,
and the purpose Of the organization is
to cheaper and expedite the market
ing Of the grain crops Of that section
and the perfecting Of plans whereby
the handling Of the enormous output
will be kept within first hands as far
as possible. The Farmers Union
desires to construct and maintain
warehouses at several different points
within easy touch of the coast or upon
it, in which their grain may be stored,
and from which it may be shipped, al
ways upon a rational basis of cost and
the certainty OF despatch. Some
point is to be selected and it was in
the interest Of such a choice in favor
of Astoria, that the gentlemen named
made the trip, as well as to acquaint
themselves with the general trend
of the Unions purposes in this i'm
portant relation. Judge Bowlby said
the convention set apart certain
hours for the reception OF the dele
gates from the various coast cities
and shipping points, and the dis
cussion Of the several claims and
interests they had to present but
that these visitors were not permit
ted to mingle with the convention
in its larger sessions; and it was at
one Of these private meetings, and
before the committee meetings to
which they were invited afterwards,
that the Astoria delegates presented
the superior claims of this port and
country for the consideration Of this
body Of practical men.
1t is thought that a decision will
be declared in this important matter
at the next gathering of the Union;
and in the meantime, the merits of
all the ports and points represented
will be duly looked into by special
committees and reports filed of the
findings, to-wit, Astoria, Vancouver.
ST Johns and Portland; and once
one or more shall be chosen for the
purposes Of the Farmers the work of
setting up their warehouses will go
forward promptly and thoroughly.
He said that it was a fact that
the Farmers Union was we'll dis
posed to the plan Of having their de
pots established within easy touch
Of, or at, the mouth of the Columbia
river, and that, according to a re-
cent article in one Of the Spokane
dailies, there was a strong proba- |
bility of the fixing Of warehouse IA
cilities at Astoria, Vancouver and |
Portland. The judge says he has
seldom seen body of men as deeply |
in earnest as these solid citizens Of
the Inland Empire, and that what
ever decision they may come to, is
sure to be in accord with the sound
est predicates of good business and |
economic disposition of their crops.
They are moving in their own orbit,
allowing no extraneous influences
to effect them in any degree, and
are steadfastly working out their
own salvation, and when they achieve
it, it will be done with genuine cir
curspection and upon the most adj
vantageous rules and methods. He
is glad he went; glad to have met
these men, to know what they want,
and will be more than glad if Astoria |
shall figure in the outcome, if only |
in part.