The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1915-06-18
GARDNER, FRIEND
OF GERMANS, TO
ADDRESS Them
St. LOuisan Who Was in
Fatherland When War
Started, Speaks Sunday.
WILL BE GUEST OF
GERMAN-AMERICANS
Author of Land Bank Law to
Tell How He Conceived
Idea.

Col. Frederick D. Gardner of st
Louis. author of the Gardner Ian,
Bank law, which emancipates the poo
Missouri farmer, has accepted the in
to address the German-Ameri
cans at the picnic to be held at the OLE
Fairgrounds Sunday.
In a letter to Harry w. Bridges
secretary of the German-Americar
Alliance, Col. Gardner said he woulc
discuss his visit to the Fatherland lat,
last year. His letter of acceptance
follows:
Acknowledging receipt of your
invitation Of the 18th inst, will
say that | am glad to accept same.
l will leave here Sunday morning
at s o'clock, arriving there
at noon, June goth.
l shall be very much pleased to
make few remarks to my Ger
man friends and tell them some
of the great lessons which ! learn
ed during nry recent visit to Ger
many for, as you now, was there
there when war was declared.
Looking forward with much
pleasure to my visit, l am,
Very truly yours,
F. D. Gardner.
Col. Gardner was in Germany wher
the declaration of war was issued. He
the mobilization of the
Kaiscr's army and rode a Zeppelin
over Germany.
Mr.. Gardner, who visited Germany
to study economic conditions and tc
get ideas for his land bank bill, is one
of the best informed men in Missouri
on Germany, and is a storing advocate
of the Fatherland in the present Euro.
pean conflict.
He contends that the war is not po.
litical, but commercial conflict
brought about solely because the ma.
ton of Europe are jealous of Ger,
many's rapid expansion in exports.
Col. Gardner's land bank is one OF
the chief topics of interest in agricul,
tural communities. The measure is
after the German system OF
rural credit. 1t is intended to assist
the poor farmer especially. Through
this State bank the borrowing farmer
will be permitted to secure money fol
a period of twenty-five years at g
very low rate of interest ard without
the necessity of renewing the loan.
The law makes it possible for the
farmer to retire the note by paying g
small amount on the capital with the
interest. Since the State Legislature
passed the bill last winter, the project
has created statewide interest, anC
Col. Gardner has been requested tC
address conventions of almost ever!
nature to explain the law.
Col. Gardner was elected to mem.
bership on the Board of Freeholders
which drafted a new charter for the
city of st. Louis, and which was re
Gently adopted by the people. In the
Col. Gardner received the
largest number of votes cast in the
election.
He is an excellent speaker, and as
he is being prominently mentioned a:
the Democratic nominee for Governor
next year, his address is expected tt
swell the attendance at this annua
picnic.
Capt. Bridges informed The Tribune
yesterday that he anticipated an un
usual crowd, eclipsing last years gath
ering which was estimated at more
than 5000 people. "Unless the wealth
er IS unpleasant, 1 expect tremend
Gus crowd" said Capt Bridges
among the speakers will be some o1
the rnost distinguished men in the
State.
81 have received acceptances from
Col. Gardner, Mayor Kiel and Charlie!
Daues, and l expect to hear from Sen
ator Gardner of st. Louis County, whC
is mentioned as a Republican candidate
for Governor, with Judge Lamm anC
John Kennish. 1t may be that Gov
Major will be here. He has been in
vited and if he can do so, expect hin
to be present"