The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-13
Workers of South Join
Hands in Solution of
Rural Problems.
WEEK is CROWDED
WITH MEETINGS
Farmers, Business Men, Bankers,
Educators, Ministers Will Dis
cuss Marketing, Rural Cred
it's, Country Schools and
Churches-General Meet
ings at Night.

Corporation is to be the keynote OF
the Conference for Education in the
south. which meets in Richmond this
week lnasmuch as the name of the
Organization does not cover Its pur-
poses. and as The meetings are to be
series OF almost Independent CON
fcrcnces, the idea that all of these
forces for the upbuilding OF the South
should cooperate became the dominant
spirit OF the congress-
More especially is this true OF the
Farmers Conference This body IL to
take up In good earnest the problem
OF distribution-how to market the
products OF the soil at the least eX-
pense, and for the advantage both OF
the producer and of the consumer.
There is absolutely but one way, as
far as the minds OF men can reach
By which this can he accomplished-by
cooperation. The conference OF tillers
of the ground Will take up selling as
sociations, By means OF which the
crops are sold at such times and in
such manner as will best inure to the
profit OF the man who produces them.
Experts in Marketing.
Experts who have seen these cooper
ative marketing associations born and
go through the initial struggles for
for want OF proper efforts, have
witnessed the agonics incident to cut
ting their eyeteeth. and have been pres
ent when they reached the dignity and
usefulness OF fun growth. will be in
Richmond TO tell how it is done. There
are 1900 SUCH societies in Minnesota.
and men who are actively working in
them are coming to relate their expert
enccs.
Virginia is behind In this matter.
yet she is not without achievements.
as Witness the success OF the produce
exchanges on the Eastern Shore. Co.
operative selling Of eggs. of strawbcr-
rics and other small fruits. of potatoes.
OF apples, of live stock. Will be discuss
ed by men In and out OF the South
The cooperative creamery will have
its share of attention. So Will local
factories for canning fruits and vege-
tables.
Help From Business Men.
The business Mems Conference will
really discuss farming problems and
how to cooperate with the people
who raise what the country feeds on.
Realizing that prosperous farmer
makes prosperous merchant and
banker and manufacturer. leading
business men of the cities and towns
of the South will come to Richmond
TO talk over wasteful tillage. the tenant
evil, the lack of farming capital. farm
extension work, and the proper task
OF city commercial hodies in helping
TO build up the farming interest.
Coming TO the question of rural
credits. again is the demand Tor CO.
operation uppermost. Other countries
are "a: ahead OF the United States in
providing the farmer with sufficient
money for his operations, at low rates
OF interest and By easy methods OF
borrowing. Visitors To the conference
will tell how the problem was solved
in Italy, in ireland, in Canada Bank
ers Will be on hand to join In the dis
cussion, and to tell OF such difficulties
as may occur to them
1nasmuch as the problem of equal
taxation affects the farmer as much
as ii does anybody else. and as it is
OF vital Importance to the business man
and the banker, the Conference Of
Taxation constitutes another link i'm
the chain OF cooperation. Every
Southern state is deficient in fair and
just tax laws, making this section one
of great Importance at this or any
other time
The Church's Part.
No effort at improving rural life so
as to make il more attractive to the
boys and girls could be successful
without including the country church
To this end the ministers of the South
will gather in Richmond TO cooperate
with all the other .orces. Confer
cnce of Virginia Preachers will be held
one day. and two days will be given
to the Conference the Country
Church, which is to embrace ministers
in other States.
The education OF women in the
country Is TO receive special attention
because 1t is vital problem of the
hour, and one which cannot be solved
Continued on Seventh Page.