Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-02-01
CAMPAIGN BEGUN
To STOP FUTURES
ON FARM PRODUCTS
Eighteen Members of Con-
greSS Pledge Aid to President
Barrett in Efforts to Outlaw
Speculation
FRIENDS WILL START
ENDLESS CHAIN OF AID

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.-At a confer
ence tonight at the National hotel between
the executive committee of the Farmers
union and is members OF congress initial
steps were taken to outlaw gambling in
farm products. The congressman present
not only pledged their support to the
movement. but agreed to enlist the sup
port of others. II was agreed that each
of the IS should see at least two other
members Of congress within the next
three days.
Another conference will be held next
Thursday night when the executive COM
mittee will hear reports. In the mean
time other congressman will be interview
ed and put to work, and in this way an
endless chain of supporters will be estab-
lished.
LIST OF CONGRESSMAN.
The congressman present at tonight's
conference were Livingston, Bartlett,
Howard. Adamson, Bell, Hughes and Ed
wards, of Georgia; Heflin, of Alabama.
Gambler. Sisson, Dixon and Collier, or
Mississippi; James. of Kentucky; Beall,
of Texas; Webb. of North Carolina.
President Charles S. Barrett, of Geor-
gia, presided over the conference and act
ed as spokesman for the union. other
farmers present were Alex Davis, assist
ant national secretary, Texas; national
committeeman. John Grady, Kentucky;
w. A. Morris, Alabama; s. L. Wilson,
Mississippi: A. c. Shuford, North Car
DINA, and o. F. Dornblazer, Texas. 9th
ers present Hon. T. ]. Brooks, Tonnes
see: b. F. Ward. Jr., editor of the Off
cial organ of Mississippi, from Jackson;
NJ. B. Tapp. Kentucky, member OF the
state executive committee of the state;
Meyers. president state union, wheatland,
Ind.
HEARING BY COMMITTEE.
IL was agreed that all the congress-
men present should attend the hearing on
February 9 before the agricultural COM
mittee. when the legislation to prohibit
gambling in farm products will be con-
sidered.
The congI essmen were impressed with
the fact that the farmers knew what
they want and they were likewise inn
pressed with the knowledge that they have
adopted a practical way of getting it
soon. President Barrett heard the ex-
pressions Of every statesman in atten-
!, dance, and a record of every word that
was uttered % taken in Shorthand. The
union proposes to disseminate this infor-
nation amO ny the farine5. II is th'.ir Lur-
pose to sound every representative and
senator I'm congress ar1 publish to the
world his position on this question.
I'VE are keeping a cesor of this thing
that will make the Congressional Record
look like an old woman's almanac Presi-
dent Barrett informed the congressman.
I'VE are here to stay until we get this
legislation considered, and we propose to
leave no stone unturned in this fight"
TO SEND SPECIAL MESSAGE.
Congressman Livingston. who was first
to address the conference, pledged his
hearty support. and added that he under
stood President Taft would send a special
message to congress. urging such legis-
lation. notwithstanding that his brother
is attorney for the New York cotton ex-
change. He then reviewed the details of
the corporation commissioners report on
the New York exchange. Livingston said
that il had cost him about $500 to get any
Information about the exchange. He in
vested his money I'm cotton, he said, just
to learn the ''modus operandi'' and lost it.
Judge Bartlett voiced his hearty sympa-
thy with the proposed legislation and
provoked applause by his glowing trib-
ute to the serling worth of President Bar
rett, a citizen of his congressional dis
trict
Congressman Howard. Hughes, Ed d.
wards, Bell and Adamson expressed their
eagerness to lend assistance in the move
ment to wipe out cotton exchanges.
President Barrett and members Of the
executive committee. are much encour-
aged over the outlook. 1t is regarded as
practically certain that a bill embodying
the principle for which the union is fight
ing will be reported to the house at this
session. The systematic campaign that
has been inaugurated argues well for its
success, not only i'm the house but in the
senate.