New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-03-31
GIRL ANSWERS LEADERS
Farmers Daughter Tells Garfield
and Gompers They Are Wrong.
"ALL BEGINS WITH SOIL"
Sherman Act Criticised at Amer.
lean Academy of Political and
Social Science.

Philadelphia, MdlCll ovs-il AoOh twenty .
tour-year-od daughter Of a Nebraska
FARMER Just ten minutes this morning part
IL 10 convince some of the best known men
from all parts of the United States that
they know very little about economic
questions and the remedy for economic
abuses.
The awakening came like thunderclap
If the end Of the morning session OF the
meeting Of the American Academy Of Po-
iitical and Social Science. Some OF the
hest known men I'm the country, such men
es lanes A. Garfield. Samuel Gompers and
lohn A. Fitch. had spoken on industrial
conditions and had been applauded.
From the back Of the hall little figure.
with rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes and red
lips. the very picture Of health, attired In
homespun. arose. Chairman Miles NJ Daw-
,on. Of New York, had announced that the
morning session was over. The little
woman pleaded for just five minutes and
they were granted.
She moved to the platform and then
launched into the finest flow of invective
vet heard by the meeting. She didn't rail
and rant against combinations and trust.
She began at the bottom.
What do YOU know about economic con-
ditiorS?" she demanded. you rant and
rail about the combinations of capital and
the condition Of the workingmen, but have
not heard one of you mention the farmer.
You don't appear TO know that everything
begins with the soil. not only political and
social science but everything else.
Only a Farmers Daughter.
Il am only the daughter of a Nebraska
farmer. | am here as a delegate to repre-
sent the farmers of Nebraska. and | tell
Mr. Garfield and Mr. Fitch that they are
starting at the wrong place to study
economic conditions. Let them start at the
farm, not at the college. Let them get
down 10 actual work, ami eliminate their
theorizing. lie. them rub shoulders with
the farmers and the workers and they win
know moro about real conditions than If
they discuss and rediscuss the questions
with college men"
Al this point Miss Hartley she gave her
name as Fay Nj. Hartlcy-was interrupted
with cheers The staid audience actually
spplauded TO such an extent that voices
were made hoarse from cheering and gloves
we're fractured from Clapping. For ten
minutes the audience Cheered, showing be-
yond all doubt that the straight talk from
the young woman had aroused a sentiment
which had not been aroused by any Of the
speakers whose names are known from
coast 10 coast ard from Gulf to Canada.
After Miss Hartley finished her address
she left the platform and was surrounded
by leaders Of the movement They flung
questions at her, and she answered. quiet
J. she told them TO change their methods
and make the countrywide movement a
movement which would keep workers from
leaving the farms and would send those
that had strayed away back
Have an equitable division of the popu-
latiou Of the country and take care of the
farms" was the parting advice Of Miss
Hartley, and the economic problems you
look upon as vital now will take care OF
themselves