Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-10
Betu0een PlotU Handles
/ AT Farmers Convention


one of the most interested and inter-
estinx visitors attending the Farmers
union convention is Hon. J. H. Pattens
Of Belton. S. c. Mr. Patten is general
counsel for the Organization at Wash
ington. where he has an office, and Is
during sessions of congress. He Is the
son-in-law of the late Senator A. G. Latr
finer of South Carolina, and has much
the senator's interest in and sympathy
for the welfare and advancement Of the
Farmers union and welfare Of the farm
ers.
AS general counsel. for the union and
practically in charge. of its legislative
department and work at Washington
Mr. Patten has been Kept busy by
the delegates going over the legislative
situation and answering questions
about congressmen and senators. He
is one Of the conspicuous figures IN the
Read house lobby, where he is being con-
t,nuauy buttoned by those in attend
ance and where he said among other
things in reply to some questions put
by a group of Georgia farmers;
TRIBUTE TO HOKE SMITH
Senator Hoke Smith is one of the dg-
gest men in the United States senate
There is absolutely no question aOou'
his having already gained an enviaele
fighter and one to be reckoned with up
on all occasions. He can always be
counted upon to look after the interests
of the people, particularly the farmers
and working classes. as we'll as the COM
merciaI and industrial needs Of me
south Not within the memory Of any
OF the oldest senators has any senator
taken the commanding position that he
has during the first year OF his service
there. His fight against the terrific
pensions increases, his efforts for the
creation of a DIVISION of markets. MS
interest in more liberal appropriations
for agricultural purposes. and his good
work for a practical and cheaper trans
portation of parcels packages. and par
ticularly agricultural commodities are
matters of record. and materialized In
Legislation. But more important
strange as 1t may seem, is the need to-
day Of genuine fighting southern men
who stand for southern recognition and
who are opposed to the mistaken notion
that the south can be ignored and prac-
tically sold out because Of its political
partisan solidarity. Unfortunately there
are too many southern congressman
who are willing to see the south and
its people overlooked in the juggling OF
the cards for an advantage in the po-
litical game Just because the south Is
soIidly Democrat is no reason why sew
enty-dve millions more should be voted
In pensions in order TO try to keep in
congress a few northern Democrats.
Such is too high price to pay. and Is
now being used in many northern con-
gressional districts as an argument why
Republicans should be elected As a.
matter of fact. the argument ought
to be reversed and the fact that
the south has been the backbone OF
the party in times Of defeat ana
aisappointment ought to have in
duced the fulfillment OF the faith and
hone of the faithful and loyal. At least
that is what Senator HoiSe Smith has
stood for and fought for most effectively
and not only the state Of Georgia but the
whole country and particularly the
south and the farmers OF the southland
have every reason to be justly proud.
At the last session of the National
Farmers union convention held at Shaw
nee, Okla. there was appointed stand
ing committee on education, consisting
Of C, c. Wright, North Carolinai MISS
E. Smith. Mississippi; J. F. Hughes,
Arkansas; John Mckinney Cahfornlas
and Lawson E. Brown, Georgia This
committee since its appointment one
year ago has done some very effective
work as evidenced by It's report made
TO the convention Wednesday afternoon,
in the matter Of shaping legislation look
ing to the advancement OF educational
interests of the Organization and Great
ing greater interest in the cause or
education. 1t has appointed local COM
mittees to cooperate with the county
authorities where the, union is organized,
has been the means in numbers Of in
stances of securing rural libraries. has
assisted in the establishment Of Boys
Corn clubs and Girls Domestic Science
clubs. -s tAr1 81 .
The committee recommended the es-
tablishment OF a department of market
ing and rural economics IN the univer-
stiles of all the states, and goes on
record as favoring compulsory education
The report was very gratifying TO the
delegates of the convention and was
adopted by unanimous vote.
Only q short session OF the conven-
ton was held wednesday afternoon, and
the delegates about O'Clock were taken
out in automobiles to Chlckamauga Park
and Missionary Ridge. where after the
delightful ride and from viewing the
many points OF interest, each one came
in refreshed and ready for the evening
session.
The evening session was consumed in
discussion Of the reports Of the commit
tee on greater consumption OF cotton.
The committee recommended that inas-l
much as jute is foreign-raised product
and cotton home product, all manufac-'
turers who use sacks in packing their
supplies as well as all persons who use
rope. Irvine, bags, etc, be urged to use
cotton bags. 1t pointed out that II all
bags, ropes and other articles now used
In America from jute was made from
cotton, it would require crop Of sew
eral million bales of cotton in excess
of what is now raised. In connection with
the recommendations of this committee,
committee of the wholesale people of
Chattanooga will meet with a like col
mittee from the union for a further dis-I
cussion of the subject and with a view
to offering their assistance in the novel
ment to interest the manufacturers and!
wholesale people over the entire country
in the use Of cotton bags.