Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-03-03
POWER OF FARMER
CAUSES CONGRESS
To AWAKE To DUTY.
President Barrett Declares
That Rural Interests Have
at Last Brought Their IN
fIuence Out of Cold Storage
Especial Dispatch to The journal,

Special Dispatch to The Journal.) !
UNION CITY, Ga. March t-"That
the power OF the farmer. long he'd IN,
cold storage, has been brought forth"
and made It's erect felt on congress. isl
the statement made by President Charles
3. Barrett, OF the Farmers National un-
ion. m letter issued to the members OF
the organisation. The letter follows In
ruII:
TO the Omcers ana Members Of the
Farmers Union: Your national snh stats
omcials who have been working Tn Wash
ington this winter IN behaA OF the
Farmerg union have found that congress
II growing more responsive 70 tho de-
msnds OF tno American farmer than 1t
any time In It's history.
mat We have not written dsmantis II
the Farmers union into legisisfaen IL
due. not to hack OF innuenos. but ~ the
congestion inevitable with . shor< ses-
non and the oenaoraliEa<5on consequent
&pon pending political changes.
30 Tar a. a parcels post Is ooncerned.
1 am convinced that that measure In
a national and not q rural sense. In near
er than any OF our members. or than
say, OF the politicians. imagine.
EXPECTS PARCELS POST.
The lobby against the parcels posi- has
shot its bolt. IT has exhausted its am
munttion. II an extra session IL called.
congress will In all probability ennct a
general parcels post. II there Is n3 ex-
ira session, the chances are strong that
a general parcels post will be authorised
at the regular session next December.
II you viii dig up the letters ! pub
nsned last winter from congressman,
you VIII ma that In nearly every in
stance they gave non-commitai replies
to the question regarding a parcels post.
But the situation has changed.
AT any moment, you may expect q
battalion OF statesmen to proclaim loudly
that they have all along been In favor
OF parcels post Next you may ex-
pect them to work for It with vim.
me explanation OF this singular about
race Is an easy one.
The congressman has heard from tho
rarmerl Representatives and senators
from nearly oil the states have been
literally bombarded1 with letters from
their FARMER constituents.
Inc power of the farmer, long hold IN
cold storage" has been brought forth.
Inc result was inevitable.
L regard this spectacle as vindication
or my often repeated declaration the
the former has only TO makss-hiHsz
heard to have his wants supplied--in
congressional sense
It takes the spur to make the con-
gresham live up to its campaign prom
ises. The farmer is finding out how to
use the spur.
In this connection, you ought to know
the strange effect that officeholding
and life In washington had upon con-
gressmen.
We have particularly noticed during
this session, the mild and tame conduct
Of some Of the representatives who
were genuine fire-eaters on the stump.
While they were appealing for your
votes they paved dust like a stallion.
promised to reform everything over
night, and to start something" the mo-
ment they were sworn in
HAVING GOOD TIME.
But, lol the change the moment they
get in congress! Then, with many Of
them, the principal object Is to pam
handle a few little Jobs for eorstitu-
ents, sneak up on some little committee
assignment keep free seed going, glut
the malls with agricultural bulletins
and free government. publications, and
HAVE A GOOD TIME THEMSELVES.
1t is true that. ENTHUSIASTICALLY.
they rear up on their hind legs and bel
low thunder. But investigate closely
and you Will generally find the subject
is a trivial one. that 1t won't hurt any,
body, and that all the sand-raising Is to
make the FOLKS AT HOME BELIEVE
THEIR FAITHFUL SERVANT ISN'T
AT THE SWITCH.
here are some strong, energetic and
loyal congressman, * Is true be-
lieve their number are increasing. But
they need to be increased still more
rapidly, II the farmer wants to get the
service to which he 10 entitled.
THE COUNTRY GETS NO BETTER
OR MORE ACTIVE CONGRESS 6ATEN
THAN 1T DESERVES. II you are not
with the brand Of statesman
ship being ladled out from washington.
just search your own soul has 70 how
far you are personally Responsible for
electing an -Icompetenti
II they kill the anti-cotton gambling
bill at the present session. we have
good prospects to pass It at an extra
session on next December.
1t is certain to be eventually enact
ed. have the assurance of some OF the
best informed congressman for this as
sertion.
For their ability and loyalty, and tire
less cooperation. owe debt OF
thanks to your national and state off
Gals and other prominent workers who
have assisted In our dealings with con-
gress this winter.
(signed) CHARLES 8. BARRETT.