The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-11
MEET WITH FAVOR
Kansas Farmers Anxious for
"SOiF' Convention.
Send Hundreds of Letters to-
Santa Fe Head.
ALL WANT BETTER CROPS
Willing to Meet in Topeka and
Discuss 1T.
Committee of Forty to Map
Out Details Soon.
ALL WANT BETTER CROPS

4 me announcement IN the state
Journal two weeks ago offering the
suggestion for a state wide gathering
of farmers for the purpose of stimulat-
ing interest in the movement for in
creased soil production has developed
to such an extent that a committee of
prominent farmers and stockmen will
meet shortly to work out the details
of the conference.
While Pratt is the birth place of the
suggestion the men who have engineer
ed the movement asked J. R. Koontz,
of Topeka, general freight agent of
the Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe to
take charge of the correspondence
pending the formation of a general
committee of 40 members. Hundreds of
letters received by Mr.. Koontz from
farmers. stockmen' editors and mer-
chants over the state indicate the great
interest manifested in the plan.
Object of Conference.
1.-THE proposed conference is to Gre
ate interest in the movement for in
creasing the productiveness of the SOIL"
Mr.. Koontz said, this work now is
under way in Kansas, carried on By
the state board of agriculture, the
county farmers institutes and other
organizations, and the state wide con-
ference of farmers is not to interfere
with the work in hand, but to help it
along. The gentlemen who are behind
the movement have assurance of as
sistance from the agricultural college,
from Secretary Coburn and members
of the state board of agriculture from
the state university and from the fed
eral department of agriculture. The
plan is to have a program of the high
est type. Every speaker will be
recognized expert on the subject as
signed to him, and every phase of farm
activity will be covered"
I. L. Diesem, Of Garden City, presi-
dent of the state board of agriculture,
writes: at would seem to me that a
convention of this kind, properly car
ried out, would result in much benefit
to the farmers of Kansas. 1 most
heartily endorse the things that will
go to help better the conditions of the
men and women of our state, who are
tilling the soil, and the conference sug-
gested is a move in the right direction.
Cut out the politics. In all probability
we will have enough of that before the
year rolls around"
Albert F. Wulfekuhler, who is at the
head of the farmers organization move
ment in Leavenworth county, says. Il
will be glad to help this cause in any
way possible. Would suggest that J.
H. Miller, director of extension work,
State Agricultural college, be invited
to assist. Miller can give ground floor
information"
of course J. H. Miller will help get
UP the conference Mr.. Koontz said
"A conference of farmers without MIR.
Miller would be unconstitutional
Board of Agriculture Members In Line
T. A. Hubbard, of WELLINGTON. a
member of the state board of agricul-
ture, who has been holding farmers
institutes for 20 years, says: ct will
do all 1 can to assist in making this
movement a success, for every farmer
in Kansas would be greatly benefited
by the proposed meeting. The agricul-
tural college is doing a fine work f.
this direction, and a state wide rally
would encourage the college to even
greater effort
A. L. Sponsler, a member of the
state board of agriculture, and secre-
tary of the Hutchinson fair, says: 1T
am very friendly to the suggestion, |
and am more than willing to cooper
ate. The Kansas agricultural college
is doing a tremendous work for the |
increase of production in this state. !
So is the state board of agriculture
The conference, as 1 understand it, is |
to create interest IN the work now in /!
hand-a sort of revival. Much good |
could be accomplished by a well man |
aged convention, such as is proposed"
Henry J. Allen, editor of the WITCH |
tia Beacon, writes: 'EThe proposed |
conference will be worth millions to |
Kansas 1t is a business proposition, |
and as every farmer is a business man, |
he will interest himself in it. The lat
est ideas in farming are as important |