The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-09
FIFTEEN CENTS TOBE MINIMUM Farmers Union Agrees
 on Price. TRIBUTE TO MIR. GRESHAM Widow of the Founder Will Get
 Pension. Heated Discussion Arises Over Prone. sition to Take on Tariff on
 Jute Baggfng-Gees
 ts Congress.
TRIBUTE TO MIR. GRESHAM

Birmingham. Sept. S.-(Special. )- Great interest is manifested in the convention of the Farmers Union both inside of the meeting and without, and while the sessions are in secret. con- siderable information is gleaned.
 fhe price at which cotton is to be held for is said to be under discussion In committee only so far. but Is cents Tor middling is said to be the basis.
 In a spontaneous outburst of affec- tion. the national convention of the union early today appropriated a pen- sion Of $1,000 a year to his widow as Q lasting memorial to Newt Gresham, the founder of the organization. As an immediate testimonial purse of about $125 was raised by collection and turn ed over to Mrs. Gresham, who was in the hall with two attractive daughters. Misses Blye Gresham and Batti Gresh- am, aged Is and years, respectively.
 Mrs. Gresham was visibly affected when the tribute was paid to her nus band and the manifestation of the af- lection of the farmers for herself and family. Mrs. Gresham Is ro receive the pension in monthly installments as long as she remains the widow of the founder of the union, or as long as she lives without contracting another mar riage.
 She resides on the farm operated by her husband near Point, Texas, but has been in attendance upon all the ma ttonal conventions of the organization. Mir. Gresham died in the spring of 1906.
 Routine business of committee re- ports took up much of the morning session today. A heated discussion was aroused on the subject of asking Congress to take off the tariq on jute bagging, the Western delegation in particular being strong for the reso- lution. The resolution prevailed by Q small majority and the request Of the farmers will be sent to Congress when 1t meets again.
 The afternoon was given over to sightseeing, adjournment being taken until tomorrow morning.
 Practically all of the committees named by President Barrett Tuesday have started in on reports to the con- vention. The more important reports of these committees will be ready in the morning.
 It is impossible to obtain any definite forecast of the altitude of the union in the matter of holding cotton. but the impression Is gaining that middling will be held for 15 cents and that the adjournment of the union will be fol- lowed by an immediate let up in the sales of cotton throughout the cotton States.
 From the best information that can be gathered. the cotton crop through out the entire cotton belt is off from one-third to one-fourth because of the drouth and other unfovorable condi- tions. The staple will be shorter than usual. Reports indicate that the bolls are opening very rapidly, which might lead to an estimate of the crop that would be entirely too optimistic and might lead the farmers to put too much on the market at an early stage.
 The officers of tn eunion are believed to have accurate information as to the condition and probable production, and will base the action of the union on these reports.