The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-19
Southern Commercial Con-
gress Has Elaborate Plan
TO HELP THE FARMERS
Senator Fletcher in Speech Defines
Object of Sending Commission
to Europe for an Inves-
tigation of Subject

BY c. Il. STEWART.

w aSnlnRJOn, Aug ISs-iSDeclal.1-
Congress recently passed resolution in
troduced by Senator Newlands invoking
the diplomatic considera ton" of the
countries included In the itinerary of the
proposed American commission of the
Southern Commercial congress sent
abroad for the purpose of investigating
the rural credits of Europe
The Southern Commercial congress is
working on a big scale, and on a far
seeing plan to help the farmers of the
country, and this plan of making a close
study OF the rural credits. which have
been OF such vast benefits to the farmers
of Europe. was conceived at confer
ence held under the auspices of the South
ern Commercial congress in Nashville
April to 6 last
Inc commission will be composed of del
egates from all states of the United
states to report to the International Insti-
tute of Agriculture. which under treaty
Is supported by the government of the
United States, at the time OF the meeting
OF the general assembly of the lnterna-
uonal Institute of Agriculture. May, 1913.
In discussing the resolution in the Sem
ate, Senator Fletcher of Florida, said:
Mr. President. the Southern CONNER
cial congress was organized for the pur-
pose, primarily, of advancing the ma
terial interests of the 16 southern states,
and as indicative of its broad spirit and
extended lines of endeavor adopted as its
slogan "A greater nation through great
er south! Realizing that unique condi-
tons existed In the south, where serious
interruption had for time checked con-
unuous development and where peculiar
problems had to be met. 1t was conceived
that some aggressive and constructive eff
fort to make known the possibilities and
opportunities TO be found there and to
push forward and emphasize the agricul-
tural Industrial. commercial, climatic and
educational advantages in that region was
a work which was called for and should
be followed by rich results.
Enthusiastic Awakening
Accordingly, In an altruistic spirit, hav-
ing nothing Of its own to buy or sell, no
ends to accomplish but the general good
that organization has been putting forth
Its energies along the various directions
suggested, and already an enthusiastic
awakening has taken place, land values
nave increased, new capital and new en-
terprises have been attracted, the I'M
equaled natural resources and material
advantages are becoming more Justly
priced and more widely known. miscon-
ceptions as to climate and social condi-
tons are being swept away, accurate In
formation Is taking the place of ignorance
and transformation regarding what is
called the south in other portions of the
country and abroad, and the day of un-
precedented progress dawns
without attempting to set forth the
practical results already accomplished.
which but blaze the way for greater and
more substantial achievements in the fu-
ture, this organization is recognized oy
those acquainted with its purpose and en-
beavers and by the various departments
OF the government as being engaged In a
patriotic public work, In practical way.
for the accomplishment of desirable ends.
and their cooperation is cordially ex-
tended.
Through the state department II is now
reaching out to promote friendly relations
and commercial intercourse with Latin
American countries, and shaping routes
and channels of trade which the Panama
canal Will open ap to use
The Southerns Commercial congress
holds an annual convention where various
subjects which affect the prosperity of
the country and the welfare of the people
are considered. Its last convention was
held in Nashville. April $40, this year
Through the state department our min
lster to Denmark, Maurice Francis Egan.
came across the ocean to explain to the
people of this country the system of
dairying as practiced in Denmark, and
after addressing that convention he spent
some weeks lecturing to agrIculturists on
that important subject
through the cooperation OF the state
department. David Lubin of California,
delegate of the United States to the In
ternational institute of Agriculture. with
headquarters at Rome Italy-the institute
ri icina cd In nv N m
came to this country to attend and adj
dress the convention of the Southern Com
mercial congress and TO conduct q confer
ence on rural credits held in Nashville
April 1-6 last
THE institute had issued publica tons
on the rural cooperative credit system in
operation in certain European countries
and these had come TO the notice of the
Southern Commercial Congress, which
took the matter up with Mr. Lubin last
January and succeeded in bringing him
to this country to guide and direct the
conference ON the subject mentioned and
to address the congress. Twenty-seven
states We're represented al the Nashville
as shown by the minutes of
the proceedings. which I will ask to af-
fix as part of my remarks and mark Elk
hibit A."
Proceedings of the Congress
oendtOr FLETCHER tnen submitted the
minutes of the proceedings of the con-
sress. which was made part Of the
board.
The minutes furnish some very interest
Ing and valuable information. It says in
part:
while the Southern Commercial con-
gress is given credit for the initiative in
making an organized effort for the study
of European rural credits. 1T should be
that throughout the United
States and in many countries of the world
intense interest is conferred on this sub
ject for the solution of economic prob
lens TO the interest of the masses OF the
people who live In rural communities.
There is no more important question
confronting the American people today
than that of agricultural credits. II is
basic, as the solution of the problem