Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-01-20
FARMERS ARE URGED
TO AID THEMSELVES
BY PERFECT UNION
National President Barrett
Says Farmers Can Over
come Adverse Conditions by
a More Complete 0rganiza-
ton of Interests


WASHINGTON. Jan 1T.-Tnat organ
ration Is the surest method for i'm
orovine the farmers condition y the
keynots OF a statement issued by Presi-
dent Charles s Barrett, OF the National
Farruere' union. He also gives some
reasons why il Is diaicult TO organize the
American farmer. His statement fol-
lows
Organization Is today the greatest
weapon and the most achieving tool al
the disposal OF the American farmer
hare stressed. in previous appeals,
the almost magical value OF organtza-
ton. as shown in great and small bus
iness. state and federal government,
accomplishment generally the world
over.
But one could write volumes and yet
leave many features OF the subject un-
handled
URGES ORGANIZATIONS.
am. moreover, extremely anxious
that etery American farmer not a
member OF the Farmers union identify
himself with this organization; for his
own sake first. and. necessarily, for the
GOOD OF the organization
There = lot one American state in
which the Farmers union is we'll organ
lied, but the lot or the farmers Of that
state generally has been improved.
Why
For the simple reason that instead
OF working singly. or in pairs. for the
local. the county OF the state improve
ments and reforms they need. they have
worked as n unit
That is the secret OF organization and
its wonderful efficacy everywhere
For instance:
II Il were 10 the interests OF the farm
ers Of certain state TO secure 3 larg7
er educational appropria ton that there
might be more little red school
che old SYSTEM
= A farmer or two would write his rep
resentative in the state legislature. the
lated would languidly read the letter
and there the matter would rest.
II would continue to rest for months
and years until gradually the feeble
scattered voices got together ana made
such IN impression upon the law-mak-
ing body that action vas Forthcoming.
Had organization existed the result
would have been Mastered BY as many
years Is there was numerical power and
wise leadership TO the organization.
That Is what ORGANIZATION does-has-
tens results. REDUCES scattered public
sentiment to a focus. ard makes II beat
hard. loud and persistsntly upon the ear
drum q sleepy legislatures
Wf haTr 7rcxed X IN 50 many states.
t1at Garnet undertake to enuiherate
them
Poiitics j. just one feature.
BETTER CONDITIONS.
III Organization Is eEectual in that field.
Il is ne less efTectuai in creating con-
ditions that ~iil lessen the farmer >
debt. make his living conditions more
pieasauf. give him good roads. put him
into more friendly relations with bis
nefghhors and. finally. solve what the
wise men call the rural problem"
Organization j. the weapon or the
many put into the hands Of a few re-
sponsihle. able and devoted men.
That i why am preaching its value.
But Organization can be most effective.
IN you Insist that your leaders be chosen
for fitness and for ability TO suffer and
sacrifice rather than Tor joiIying and
Misunderstanding ability.
50. i win he an excellent plan for
you TO spend much OF your time this
year in looking for men who answer
this Qualification. then giving them a
square deal II they fail. and you still
believe them honest and capable give
them another trial. II does7't matter il
they turn out dishonest OF grafteFs. Drop
that special kind. and go al it again
with another set
sOME DTFFICTLTIES.
The American farmer Is the hardest
fellow IN christendom 10 organize be-
cause 81 his independence. He carps
about his rights Even when surren-
dering 4 few Of them for a while would
better his condition. he is often stub
born - a Missouri mule
Organization has gone forward faster
In European countries. because the farm
ers there realized to begin with that
they had less a chance. in politics and
business. and that they must combine
Tor their own good.
Tne American farmer. until lately, has
thought himself absolutely self-suficient
he has stood upon the theory OF every
American being a king" overlooked the
way in which big and little business
and city men organized 20 enforce their
's<ingShip.''
And continue TO let wealth drift from
the farm 10 the city. when the drift
should. in the nature Of things, be In
the other direction.
have been frank about these things
because we must face them in order tc
perfect our Organization. and TO bring
into 1t every farmer in the country with
the intelligence to know that organiza-
I'm Is. the keynote 10 his own saliva
ton