The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1914-11-07
NATIONAL FARMERS
HOLD CONVENTION

Government Aid Sought In Msrkstlna
| cotton-Work Of Pster Radford
Commended.
| Fort Worth, Texas.-The eleventh
annual meeting Of the Farmers Edu.
cational and Cooperative Union Of
America camo to q close In this city
today. More than two thousand dele.
gates were present, representing the
various state Organizations and Gov.
srins an area from coast 10 coast and
from the great lakes to the gulf.
President Chas. 8. Barrett, presid.
ed over the sessions and introduced
the various speakers. The keynote
of the convention was the action Of
the convention In asking government
II aid in financing the cotton crop Of
the south.
1.-THE greatest crisis in years,
brought on BY the European war.
faces the United states."s said Prest
lent Barrett In his opening address
There Is only one thing to do and
that IL for the United States govern.
ment to buy three or four million
bales of cotton at not less than ten
,ents pound from the farmers Of
he south to be held until . higher
price may be obtained and. when sold,
The profit. minus the expense Of hand.
ling to be RENTED to the farmers"
The convention went en- record 40
iavoring the Henry bill introduced
before Congress recently. which
favors the buying of cotton BY the
government as . relief Of the pres
emit situation. This bill was drafted
with the cooperation Of President
Bsrrett. who believes that 1t fully
covers the situation.
Provision was made for the raibinx
Of fund Of 100000 for the purpose
II maintaining committee to devise
plans for relieving the depressing
results Of the European war. This
committee will include q member
from every organized state. together
with the national officials and the ma
.ional executive committee. The COM
mittee will be In charge of Peter Rad.
lord, Of Texas. who was appointed
chairman. and before the adjournment
of the session more than $4,000 Of
The fund had already haen pledged
A resolution was passed condemn.
ing the present war and recommend
'ng the establishment Of an intcrna-
:ional parliament and an international
court. looking to universal peace ano
good will between the nations Of the
world. n
Child Labor Condemned 1a
A resolution was passed endorsing
he bill providing for the elimination
If products from interstate commerce
which are manufactured In factories
employing children less than fourteen
years Of age or those employing chill
1ren under sixteen years Of age mora
han eight hours. ''fgfH
A marketing plan introduced BY
Harry Tracy of Texas In which .
practical system Of marketing farm
products was outlined was heartily
endorsed by resolution. l.
Union Officials Endorsed.
Referring to the work Of the offic-
srs Of the Farmers Union, Mr.. Bar
.ett paid high tribute to the manner
n which they have co-operated with
lin. They have stood steadfastly
~ me In every call to duty" said
Er. Barrett. "and in every endeavor
or the general good. They are true.
'aithful and conscientious men. I
want to pay especial tribute to one
Individual. Peter Radford. II should
De asked to name one man In the
Union who has done more to tighten
ny own load. who stood ready day
n night for service. who doesn't
sven wait for the distress signal, then
"a have to say Peter Radford, Men
Ike Peter Radford keep one1 faith
sound. his courage high and renew
belief In humanity"
Union Growing Rapidly.
President Barrett stated that the
Union was fast growing in numbers
and in strength. Twenty-seven states
the Union are included in Its men,
,ership and the total number of mem
,ers aggregate more than eight mil.
ion. 1t is the boast Of the Union that
N its members are men who are &C.
ual farmers and that no one who does
lot till the soil, is eligible for Nom.
,ership In the organization.
The officials of the Union were
unanimously reelected for the coming
1ear ~ follows: c. 8. Barrett, Geor-
yia, president: A. v. Swift, vice pres.
dent. Oregon; A. c. Davis, secretary.
Arkansas.