The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-08
! FARMERS PRAISE | BARRETT'S WORK
 FOR ORGANIZATION Welcome Addresses Made At Open Session of Conven-
 ton Held Yesterday UNDERWOOD STRESSES
 NEED FOR GOOD ROADS Congressman Says Improvement of Roads is Far More Important
 Than Tariff or Regulation
 of Railroad Rates.

With more to fight for and better chances to win than ever, the Farmers Educational and Cooperative union con- vened in Birmingham yesterday morning for it's fifth annual convention The morning session was open to the public and devoted to a cordial welcome for the visitors.
 A feature was the generous outburst of enthusiasm for President C. S. Barrett when he responded to the addresses of welcome. The affection in which he is held was exhibited by the presentation of a beautiful loving cup by the members of the Georgia delegation J. L. Brown of Greensboro made the talk in presenting the token. across which was engraved: l: gro our beloved Charles S. Barrett in token of the love and esteem in which his brothers and fellow workers hold him and to commemorate his third elevation to the high office of the National Farm ers' union"
 The convention was called to order by J. B. Drake, who acted as master of ceremonies and introduced President W.
 
 Mr Morris took occasion to call for the removal of the 5000 women who are bending their backs In the fields of the country and warmly welcomed the guests to Birmingham. "Here,'' he said ''the rice growers of the east can strike hands with the fruit growers of the Pacific coast and the orange growers of Florida can meet the grain growers of the north.
 Will H. Vim, president of the Birming ham Trades Council, thanked the union for accepting Birminghams invitation and promised the best entertainment pos sible.
 Frank P. Chaffee, secretary of the Busi- ness Mems league, extended them the welcome of Birmingham's newest organ ization, and paid high tribute to the farm CT as the greatest producer in the world
 Roy Mccullough. secretary of the Board of Trade assured the farmers of the good will of the people of Birmingham and in sisted that they should examine and re- member all the good things about ths Magic City.
 White E. Gibson spoke for the State Federation of Labor, and said that their presence is an honor to every labor or ganization in the state. He appealed to the farmers to solidify and consolidate their organization.
 John B. Lennon of Bloomington, Ill, treasurer of the American Federation of Labor, made the last address, giving the farmers the benefit of his experience as an organizer and workers In the union circles.
 President Charles S. Barrett was then introduced amid a round of cheers. Mr.. Barrett calmly expressed the heartfelt thanks of the convention for Birming- hams hospitality and dwelt upon the great possibility of the union.
 It was here that MT. Brown presented the loving cup and the president was so deeply touched that he choked with emo- tion. He could only thank his friends and speak of his surprise. R. A. N. Wilson of Mississippi the preacher-farmer, en- tertained the convention with touching anecdotes and made an appeal for the ab- olition of drudgery from farm life. Little talks were also made by P. J. Brooks. secretary of the union in Tennessee; Ben l.. Griffin of Arkansas; MT. Cox a wealthy grain grower of Washington; MT Gordon of Virginia, a tobacco grower. and MT. Evans, big farmer from Illi- nois.
 made the address of the occasion He was introduced as a laboring mans friend. and took the opportunity to say that the welfare of the whole country hangs entirely upon the farmer. He said that to the farmer the improvement of the roads Is far more important than the reduction of tarin and reform railroad rate regulation, that it costs five times as much to haul ton of farm products on bad road as 1t does on an improved macadam. He spoke of the road as means of bringing the city and country together, and as an aid to Christianity, education and humanity.