Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-23
MACON WELCOMES
GEORGIA FARMERS
Representatives of Georgia Divis-
ion of Farmers Union Gather
for Their Annual State Conven-
tion-Presidsnt Lee Presides.
Especial Dispatch to The JournaD.

Especial Dispatch to The JournaD.
MACON, Ca, July 22.-Macon today
gave welcome to hundreds of farmers
who are here from all parts of the state
to attend the state convention OF the
; Georgia division of the Farmers union
The session was opened in the city
auditorium and was called to order by
President ]. L. Lee. His annual address
proved the feature of today's session.
Oxer 600 delegates are in attendance.
Members of the union began to arrive
in Macon early yesterday, the majority
for the purpose of attending the annual
session of the stockholders of the Car
michael Implement company, concern
fcstered by the union. President d. A.
Carmichael was present and the reading
of his report was the chief feature
the meeting. 1t was shown that the
years business had been successful
ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY MAYOR.
The convention this morning was open
ed by an address of welcome delivered
by Mayor A. L. Miller. Response was
made by Hon. c. S. Barrett, president Of
the National union. Addresses We're then
made, on behalf of the chamber of COM
merce by Messrs, T. r. Ayres and A. W.
Lane. The response to these was made by
Capt. B. D. Lumsden, of Bibb county.
This part of the meeting was open to the
public.
Compulsory education, the exemption OF
all farm products from taxation for the
first u months they are held by the
farmers stricter trepass law are among
the things to be discussed.
National President c. s. Barrett made
a ringing talk, in which he advocated
closer union, urging the farmers to make
a better fight for their rights.
Following the formal exercises, the con-
vention went into executive session, dis
cussing matters of fraternal interest. The
appointment of all working committees
will be made.
This afternoon the officers of the union.
will be entertained by the chamber of
commerce with an automobile ride
through the city and suburbs. The follow
ing are the officers of the state union and
its branches, all of whom are now here:
STATE OFFICERS.
]. L. Lee, president.
William Bradford, vice president.
John T. Mcdaniel. secretary-treasurer.
T. l. Hawkins, state organizer.
7 G. Eubanks, state business agent
Executive committee: ]. H. Hoyles
chairman; s. ]. Smith, secretary; j. ID.
Anderson, w. V. Martin, w. 7. Hogue
d. A Carmichael, president of imple-
ment company.
c. ]. Jeans. manager OF Implement
works.
W. ~
company.
The HEADQUARTERS of the state union are
at Union City, where the implement
manufacturing works are also located
PRESIDENT LEE ENTHUSlAST1Cr
President j. L. Lee is very enthusiastic
over the prospects of a successful and
harmonious meeting. He says; Inc
membership of the union was never larger
or in a more fiourishing condition. Inc
rolls show that the union has an actnaA
membership of 10000 in Georgia, COM
prising $500 local unions. OF this number
800 have been added within the
last wear. although the union has made
an educational campaign rather than one
for increased membership. 1t is prob
able. though by no means certain, that
the future annual meetings of the. Farm
ers' union will be held in Macon on ac-
count of the legislature being in session
I'm Atlanta at the time appointed in the
constitution of the organization for the
session. Macon is favored, / believe,
because of its central location, which will
save this year several thousand dollars
for the union, chiefly in railroad fare.
There are, of course, many matters OF
special interest some of great Importance,
to come before the convention for con-
sideration and action. Tne result of the
deliberations of the convention viii be
given to the public through press COM
mittee. The state union is now encour-
aging the plan of having large, centrally
located warehouses for the handling OF
cotton instead of the present district
warehouses"
The union will be in active session three
days, adjourning either Saturday after
noon or night according TO the volume
of business to be transacted