Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-06-23
DUCKWORTH HEADS
GEORGIA DIVISION
FARMERS UNION
Farmers Kill Proposed Amend
ment to Allow State Officials
to Hold Office and Will Fight
Shy of Politics
sx RAxMurD DANIEL.

Georgia division of the Farmers Educa-
tionaI and Cooperative Union went on
record here this afternoon to keep the
organization out of politics and refused
10 consider any steps that would mean
the amending of the state constitution
to allow a state official to hold the Of
fee of president of the Farmers union
This decision made it unanimous that
successor be elected to President Emmett
Cabaniss, who on next Wednesday will
take his seat in the Georgia legislature
as a member of the house of represen-
tatives.
Immediately following it's refusal to
consider even a motion for the amend
ment of theN constitution the convention
elected Hon r. F. Duckworth, one of
the foremost leaders of the national and
state Organization as president OF the
Georgia division for the ensuing year.
President Duckworth defeated Hon. Fred
Wimberly, of Pulaski county, by practi-
cally a two to one vote.
The election of President Duckworth
was unanimous.
The convention Immediately adjourned
until I:s0 o'clock. when the election OF
a vice president, secretary, treasurer, ex-
acutive committee, and representatives to
the national union was taken up The
election OF a new president came We'd
nesday afternoon after a busy morning
session
POLITICS RULED OUT.
The convention at this session determ-
ined beyond all shadow of a doubt that
1t would not allow politics to play part
as IL refused the consideration of any
amendment that would allow state offi-
Gals to hold office in the Farmers I'M
ion.
BY this action the Georgia division es-
tabIished the fact that politics would
not interfere with the unions policy Of
education and cooperation for its MEM
bers-
Although President Cabaniss had made
the union one of its best officials, the
reinforced sentiment in regard to the
constitution prevented his name being
presented to the convention as he will
soon qualify for his legislative duties.
The name of President Duckworth was
presented TO the convention by John l.
FulIenwood. OF Polk county. and was
honored by a number Of delegates. The
name of Lawson Brown, the well known
farmer OF Washington county, was also
presented, but Mr.. Brown declared that
he could not be a candidate as he would
support Mr.. Duckworth
ELECTED ON FIRST BALLOT.
The withdrawal of Mr.. Brown left Mr..
Duckworth and Mr. wimberly as the ony
opposing candidates and Mr.. Duclxworth
was elected by an overwhelming vote
on the first ballot.
Following the election of the other Of
Scers of the convention, the delegates adj
tourned at o'clock for an automobile
ride over the fine roads Of Ben Hill coun-
ty. 1t is possible that the convention
will adjourn with its session tonight.
A number of late reports are to be
.4w-cr ~
Guiding the annual statement of the COM
mittee on agriculture, which is one of the
most interesting reports of all the COM
mittees. A meeting OF the bonded ware
house company viii also be held this
evening to hear reports.
The present session OF the convention
will go down in history as being one of
the most interesting meetings for the
launching OF plans and campaigns for the
advancement Of the organization. The
consideration of vital measures for the
education of the farmer occupied most of
the sessions time. On the official pro-
gram they were mentioned as 'official
business discussions" but in the execu-
tive sessions they developed into heart
to-heart talks, where each one gave his
views.
TO KEEP MONEY AT HOME.
The convention had brought TO it's at
tention the fact that the farmers of the
south were spending millions of dollars
for farm implements and products in
eastern and western markets when the
same items could have been bought at
home. The profits the farmers receive
for their cotton crop seem insignificant
when the money they send away is count
ed The prices they pay for products in
other sections of the country far exceed
the profits they make on their crops by
millions OF dollars.
Methods by which the cotton crop could
be more perfectly marketed were also
taken up. This does not mean that there
will be any fight upon the middleman OF
upon any business agency. but that a
plan will be reached by which the bush
ness man as well as the farmer will be
aided.
Under the new plan the crop will be Sc
marketed that the market will become
neither overstocked nor deteriorated
There has been much complaint in the
past that there was too much delay be-
tween the producer and the consumer. II
is for the purpose of correcting this delay
that the new methods were brought up.
INVESTIGATION URGED.
The diversification of farm products
was also urged. Land that has grown
poor on account of the continued plant
ing of one product will be sown in other
products that win not only enrich the
land. but will aid the planters. The SOW
(conttzned on page Two, column 81