The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-07-13
WHAT COOPERATION CAN DO
Farmers Union Was instrumental in
Raising Price OF Cotton So Farm
ers Made Some Money.

| first want to call the attention of
our farmer brethren to the condition
that existed just before the launching
of the Farmers Union. In the South,
at least in the cotton states, 1t is a
Well-known fact that not only had the
price of farm products gone 50 low
that It was next to impossible for the
tfllers Of the soil to make a living,
writes II. Beeeher Lewis OF Arkansas
| IN the Texas Co-Operator. All the
smaller farmers, and also some of
! those who farmed on a large scale,
| were unable to obtain any profitable
returns from their farms. And it will
| be remembered that although the CON
ditions were apparently that way all
over the country no one seemed able
or willing to suggest remedy nutil
/ the farmers themselves decided that
there was something wrong and de-
termined to seek for a remedy. So
I the Farmers Union was launched
and resulted in much good. Let US
! look and sum up some of the things
that the Farmers Union has accom-
plished.
First, 1t was instrumental in raising
the price of cotton and cotton seed so
that in five years time the difference
In the price netted the farmers about
eleven hundred million dollars. More
money then than they would have got
ten had not the farmers organized
and made an effort to relieve them
selves. Yet some of the wise ones
say, 20, the farmers cant do any
thing And not only that, but how
many anti-bucket shop laws were
there upon the statutes of any state
when the Farmers Union was orga.
nized? / say not one. Only a few
states, and as a result the Spectator,
who is always looking for these
things, decided that the union was
growing weak and as result the
price OF cotton was again forced to
the very bottom, and all for want OF
cooperation and unity Of action on the
part Of the farmers themselves. VIII
we continue to let this condition ex-
list or will we wake up and call upon
those among us who can again go out
and organize and reinstate ourselves
In the work where we can protect our
own interest and the interest Of wives
and children?
What say you?
7 have devoted the best years OF
nv life to the interest Of the Farmers
Union and did 1t at a great sacrifice.
But. Notwithstanding all that, and the
fact that / have in the last three
years lost my home and all the earth
" possessions had, once three years
ago by cyclone and on April IA
1912. by fire, still am willing to con
tinue the fight. All that I ask is the
realize that unless we rally our forces
cooperation Of the farmers, for !.
realize that unless we rally our forces
and rebuild our organization that tbs
farmer of the country will never BIZ
4 able to secure fair prices for theil
stuff.
ONLY a. very Of the states
had agricultural schools and none o
the cotton growers had ever though
of a cooperative warehouse for stor
ing their products to hold for bette
nrices. But through the organization
Of the farmers all these things came
But now let us take little accoun
Of what has happened lately. mea,
in the last two years. The farme
begins tosneglect his organization. an
many Of its leaders became discoul
s aged.