The Ordway new era., 1914-10-16
National Farmers
Hold Convention

Fort Worth, Texas.-The eleventh
annual meeting Of the Farmers' Edu-
sational and Cooperative Union OF
America came to . close in this city
today, More than two thousand dele
gates were present. representing tha
various state organizations and oov-
sring an area from coast to coast and
from the great lakes to the gulf.
President Chas. s. Barrett. presid-
cd over the sessions and introduced
Of the convention was the action OF
the convention in asking government
al aid in financing the cotton crop Of
tho south.
THE greatest crisis in years,
brought on by the European war.
faces the United States" said Presi.
dent Barrett in his opening address.
There is only one thing to do and
that is for the United States govern
ment to buy three or four million
bales of cotton at not less than ten
cents a pound from the farmers Of
the south to be held until a higher
price may be obtained and, when sold.
the profit. minus the expense OF hand
ling to be remitted to the farmers"
Tho convention went on record as
tavoring the Henry bill introduced
before Congress recently, which
favors the buying of cotton by tho
government as a relief OF the pres
ent situation. This bill was drafted
with the cooperation of President
Barrett. who believes that It fully
covers the situation.
Provision was made for the raising
of fund of 100000 for the purpose
OF maintaining committee to devils.
plans for relieving the depressing
results OF the European war. This
committee will include member
from every organized state. together
with the national officials and the ma
tional executive committee. The COM
mittee will be in charge of Peter Rad
ford. Of Texas. who was appointed
chairman. and before the adjournment
Of the session more than $4,000 of
the fund had already hnen pledged
A resolution was passed condemn
Ing the present war and recommend
Ing the establishment Of an interna-
tlonal parliament and an international
court. looking to universal peace ano
good will between the nations Of tho
world.
Child Labor Condemned
A resolution was passed endorsing
the bill providing for the elimination
Of products from Interstate commerce
which are manufactured in factories
employing children less than fourteen
years Of age or those employing chill
dren under sixteen years Of age more
than eight hours.
A marketing plan introduced by
Harry Tracy OF Texas In which
practical system Of marketing farm
products was outlined was heartily
endorsed by resolution.
Union Officials Endorsed.
Referring to the work Of the offlc.
ers OF the Farmers Union. Mr.. Bar
rett paid a high tribute to the manner
In which they have co-operated with
him. They have stood steadfastly
by me In every call to duty said
Mr.. Barrett. "and In every endeayor
for the general good. They are true.
faithful and conscientious men.
want to pay especial tribute to one
Individual. Peter Radford. II I should
be asked to name one man in tho
Union who has done more to tighten
my own load. who stood ready day
or night for service. who doesn't
even wait for the distress signal. then
I'd haye to say Peter Radford. Men
like Peter Radford keep ones faith
sound. his courage high and renew
belief in humanity"
Union Growing Rapidly.
President Barrett stated that tho
Union was fast growing in numbers
and in strength. Twenty-seven states
in the Union are included in its men,
bership and the total number OF mem
bers aggregate more than eight mil
lion. 1t Is the boast OF the Union that
an its members are men who are ac-
tual farmers and that no one who does
not till the soil, is eligible for men,
bership in the organization.
The officials of the Union were
unanimously reelected for the coming
year as follows: C. s. Barrett. Geor-
eia. president: A. V. Swift. vice pres
ident. Oregon: A. C. Davis. secretary.