The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1909-01-29
Thinks Farmers Union Prospects
Bright.

the Southern farming problem, that
upon it will depend the future Of the
Farmers Union. and that the pros
poets for this same organization were
never brighter than at present, is the
opinion of d. j. Neill OF Fort Worth,
president OF the Farmers Educational
and Cooperative Union OF Texas.
AS to the kind of education needed,
Mr.. Neill believes that the most eS-
sential thing is to get the farmer to
realize the vast possibilities Of his own
power, and to utilize it ia a systematic
and effective wav for the advancement
OF the class, and the promotion of all
round prCSperUuSneSS
Cotton has made our farmers
pror." said Mr.. Neill, to a Farm and
Ranch nan Cotton has thrown them
into direct competition with the negro
labor, entailiny a lower STANDARD of
living to compete successfully with
the black race.
Farming c',tton and buying sup
plies that could be raised On the farm
have operated very ~unfavnrably for
the industrial progress OF the New
South. kuowiI1 this, the Union is
waging a strenuous campaign To get
the farmer to reduce the individual
acreage aud to raise the essentials fpr
family and animals on the farm
When this is accomplished, the path
to rightful prices is already blazed
In this Connection. a merchant
who had spent the greater portion Of
his business career in Texas, catering
to the needs Of the farmer, told ne
that he had never held q mortgage on
a farmers property when that farmer
made his living or the farm This
same merchant failed in business
afterwards trying to carry the poor
devils who raised only cOttOn and thus
wer. rendered O supporting.
The farmer who raises his living
ca the farm can control the prices OF
his products to the extent of supply
and demand. The proper place to
hold ones products is at home or in
farmers warehouses.
III Il population is independent.
the buyers will come to us. This is a
known'fact. ~
Zoo much has been expected OF
the Farmers Union in the way OF i'm
mediate returns. Many have forgot
ten that the object OF the association
is for the greatest good to the greatest
number, and the absolute saving to
our class of many millions has been
accom- pliShed by passage Of laws, re-
duction of freight rates. and in secur-
ing better prices.
1--WE have secured a reduction Of %
cents per ba.e ia freight rates, and
we have saved the farmers over $780,
OO0, 900 ia these other ways during
the past four years.
with the gradual realiz ition
among our membership OF the new
true idea CT The Union, there mas been
an increased interest taken in its
affairs, and new members are coming
into OIL ranks. During the past few
months, over fifty new locals have or
gained: more money has Keen re-
ported as having been received by the
locas secretaries. and a general a.
Weakening IS noticeable. This is in
decldeH contrast To to the Dormant
cauditlon that was apparent SINE
time ago.
"Cuperalion between the farm rs
population and the business elemer is
at the towns is one OF the things alb
Auiutely necessary in the building Of
a new standard Of agriculture. Local
gatherings should De attended by all
classes, and each vocation should in
form itself Of the conditions among
other vacations. Ignorance as n'hese
matters is one Of the greatest draw
backs to progress. ] consider the
futr re of the Farmers Union secure,
and everything points to its greater
growth Firm and Ranch.
Wa~,:nr Mo<i~o