The Elbert County tribune., 1911-02-03
REPORT OF ST. LOUIS MEETING
President Barrett Summarizes Mean
ing and Prophecy of Recent Con-
ference Of Farmers

President Charles s. Barrett of the
Farmer Union and Educational asso-
citation, fr a communication to the Of
ficers and members OF that organiza-
ton. summarizes the meaning and
prophecy of the recent St Louis ma
tionaI conference as follows:
The national rally of the farmers
OF America. held May 2-s In st. Louis
under the auspices OF the Farmers
union was in effect mammoth educa-
tional chautauqua which has never
been exceeded, even approached. by
any gathering OF farmers chautauqua
held for farmers In American history.
In diversity of program, in number
OF speakers OF national prominence and
wide information, in freedom of ex-
preston and complete representation
of bona fide farmers. do not remem-
ber in my broad personal experience
any previous assembly that even re-
motely deserves to rank with this one.
Every shade of opinion was repre-
sented. and every speaker had full
swing for the presentation of his
views.
Collectively the week was like moth
ing more than like a gigantic lecture
course. In which each number was
taken care of by qualified experts and
the audiences to winch were among
the cream of the intelligent and inde-
pendent and thinking producers of the
nation.
In this one week ve obtained data
and instructive information that we
would have otherwise sought vainly
for term of years. The results, rich
ly stimulative TO creative thought and
action among the American farmers,
will be shortly issued in book form.
and circulated freely throughout the
country. There will be a copy for
every member or non-member who
wants one.
Despite misleading and perverted re-
ports sent out. the order during the
entire week was perfect and the con-
duct credit to the great organiza-
ton under whose auspices the con-
vention was held. No previous meet
ing of the Farmers union has been
made the victim of SO many untrue. un-
fair and misleading accounts by the
press of the city in which 1t was held.
A political tinge, In fiat contradiction
to facts, was given each report, the
seeming effort being to bolster up
sensation rather than to reflect accu-
,rately the proceedings of the week
Reports made by the various COM
mittees were extremely enlightened,
especially that from one committee
delegated to ascertain by a census
actual work being accomplished by the
union in the individual states. Their
aggregate findings indicate that prac-
tical enterprises and cooperative ven-
lures are multiplying in manner ac-
tually challenging the credulity OF
even our most enthusiastic members
In few days, 1t is my intention to
give out to the brethren and the pub
lie that portion of the report which
demonstrates concrete evidence of the
spread of the business of cooperative
idea.
The local and rational press has had
much to say regarding the Farmers
union entering partisan politics. There
is absolutely no truth, not even the
ground for speculation. in either ru-
mors or reports. | have so often and
forcibly reiterated that the Farmers
union shall not be embroiled in parti-
san politics. SO long at least as | am
president, that it seems needless for
me to re-afiirm that attitude. But my
ceaseless anxiety to conclusively dis
credit such vague or outright rumors,
leads me to again warn the member
ship that any story purporting to align
this organization with a partisan
pouaypont 10 unauthorized ,,ntr,a ,,d
merits instant reputation by every
member having the welfare of the or
der at heart.
One of the most important features
of the meeting was the overwhelming
percentage of bona fide farmers pres
ent, and actively engaging in discus
sions. All but eight American states
and territories were represented, and
we had, as we'll, a large number of
non-members as guests.
In the latter connection, and as
direct result OF the st. Louis rally.
calls for organizers are coming from
Rhode Island, New York and the Da-
kotas. In the former two states, espe-
cially, 1t is gratifying to know that
Farmers union sentiment is growing
steadily. Some of the most intelli-
gent. wealthiest and amongst the most
progressive farmers live in that por-
tion OF America, and we will never be
contented until we have strong organ
izations there, giving the finishing
touch to the national tone of the or
ganization.
At the last analysis, 1t is encoura-
ging to reflect that every one left st.
Louis well satisfied. l never saw a
more amicable or harmonious meeting,
or one in which the spirit of fraternity
was stronger developed.
1t is notable, too, that each single
development demonstrated that the