Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-09-09
FARNE rs UNION
HAS 100000
MEMBERS
Georgia Man, Reelected PreSi,
dent, Declares Organization
Is Rapidly Gaining Power.

President Charles S. Barrett returned
today from Chattanooga, where he mr.
sided last week over the eleventh an
nual national convention of the Farm
ers union.
MT Barrett was elected to head the
organization for the seventh consec,,
tive time, and before leaving for hi.
home in Atlanta entered actively into
his new years work.
President Barrett speaks modestly o,
the directing part he played in the b.e
convention just concluded, but he taIl.e
most Interestingly Of the great ore.sn-
ization he heads, its past and its fn-
ture.
Chder wise and watchful adr,n,s.
tratlon. the Farmers union has do,c'-
oped into by far the most militant and
aggressive organization the farmers ~
America ever have had. It's C6atta-
nooSa convention was attended bv del
esates from every state in the Onion.
Hard Class to Organize.
discussing the organization and worl,
| Of the Farmers union, President B,r
rett said:
II must be understood that the most
difficult class in America to organic
ana Keep organized is that class which
comprises the farming population. In
all the stages OF history the farmer has
IN the very nature of his calling oeen
more or less an isolated and independ-
ent part of the people Of all nations
when the Farmers union was first
organized in Texas in 1902. it had TO
reckon with these circumstances.
In addition, the founders had to
combat the distrust of all organiza-
lions of such character, because of the
many failures in the past Such fail
ures could be traced to several causes
Foremost among them. perhaps. was
selfishness on the part of leaders. who
were bent upon using the farmer TO
advance their own personal fortunes
whether running for governor, sheriff
congressman or even in the channels Of
commerce. Once such men had won
what they were seeking the organiza
ton, which they had harmed rather
than helped by their influence, speedily
became secondary factor in their
lives. Efforts to organize the farmer
had previously failed. too. because the
members, encouraged by their short
sighted leaders, went to pieces on the
rocks of partisan politics.
Now Has 100000 Members.
we have in our present organiza
ton, in the face of temptation and DO
! Iucal brides. steered clear of engaging
/ directly in politics. Here and there We
have found it necessary to formulate
! legislative programs, both state and
national Where this has been done it
has been without reference to parties
o. party alignment, but simply and
solely for the Advancement of the
farmer irrespective of the political
creed he might embrace.
1--WE have approximately 100000
members. and they include all classes
of farmers in this nation, from the poor
cropper 10 the weaIthest owner of his
own acres, not to count the physicians.
the teachers the editors and others
who arc eligible to membership ana
who are giving us their financial and
moral support
| hHO"' co., anu IIllS - al lnpo!-
tant gauge. that from the standpoint
of dues actually paid in the Farmers
union is larger and more powerful than
since its founding.
! Il am convinced from my personal
observations taken in travelling ever>
American state for several years in
| the service of these people, that the
| Farmers union is the greatest and most
| practical organization of farmers in
| history"