St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1909-07-03
TRUCK Or
CAME At ATWOOD.
Rarge Meeting, At Which Prominent out=of-Towr
Speakers Make Addresses--Offcers Are
Elected, and Organization Perfected.

that assembled under the spreading
oaks Of the beautiful Atwood plan
tation, and It is from this meeting
that shall spring forth a new era in
the agricultural life Of this section,
and which will no doubt be taken up
BY the farmers Of other communities.
The meeting was called to order
by Mr.. Ben R. Splane. to whom is due
the credit Of this movement, as he
has labored hard to get this move
ment started and to get gentlemen
here that could throw some light on
The subject Of truck farming.
The object Of the meeting was
stated, which is to organize the farm
ers into All association for the pur-
pese Of planting, cultivating and
better moving truck Of all kinds,
70 better their conditions gen
orally and particularly 70 see that
they get full market price for all
products of their farms.
There was d determination On the
part Of all present to stand together
iii this movement, for it was impress
ed upon them that in union
was there any strength, therefore #
was TO their interest to stick to each
other and to The rules Of the associa-
zion, which will be drawn up By the
committee appointed and presented
al the next meeting.
Quite a number Of visitors were
present from different sections, at
tracted there By the desire to hear
what would be- said about truck farm
ing BY the gentleman that had been
invited to address this meeting, and
they we're interviewed By j CORES
pondent after the meeting and ex-
pressed their determination to organ
lie along the same lines and also in
vite these same gentlemen to be
present and address their body.
Mr. Splane had Oh hand Mr.. Joseph
Steckler, Of the Steckler Seed Co. Of
New Orleans, and Mr.. L. j. Winder,
representatives of National Producers
Distributing Association, Of C~incinatti,
which is the largest concern Of its
kind III the country, and thoroughly
reliable as stated BIZ Mr.. Splane, for
he has made inquiries into their me-
thods of doing business. and their
financial standing and has also had
local banks do the same thing, and
he expressed himself as believing
that We could not indentify ourselves
with a better concern.
After the preliminaries Of the
meeting had been dispensed with, DR..
Foster vas called upon to say 8 few
words to the gathering. The Doctor
said that sometime ago in Opelousas
@a&aEFV#s
they had endeavored to perfect such
al organization of the farnars Of
this section, but after reaching the
meeting place. that the farmers were
CONSPICUOUS by their absense, and
that Offices were forced upon bust
ness men Of the section instead Of
the farmers, who should be the Off
cers Of che association. but / am
glad to see such a good crowd 81
determined men here to-day and
feel that we are now going about
this thing along the right lines. Il
il the only way We can hope to gel
any kind Of prices for our produce
said DR.. Foster, for everything else
il. conducted by an organization, ever
the bootrblacks are organized; so, my
friends, let's stick together in this
movement
j. w. Jordon, General Agent Of
the 0pelousas, Gulf and Northeastern
Railroad, was the next speaker, snt
said in part, 4 am glad to see you peo.
pie take the initiative in this movement
For ID Union there is Strength ant
If you stand together, you will have
the strength that you need to gel
tie best prices for your products
We have rates from all the big road;
that reach the Eastern and Northern
markets, and can offer you
unsurpassed shipping facilities
Gentlemen, | wish you much success
Mr.. SteckIer was next called upon
to address the meeting, and gave
much valuable information to The
farmers. Mr.. Steckler said that he
was ready to answer any question
that those present desired to ask.