The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-11-01
CALL TO STATE ARMER
To Join South Carolina Central Farm.
erS' Union.
North. S. c.

ers' Union.
Columbia, Oct. 2S.-The following
call to the farmers of the State, sign
ed by Col. E. J. Watson, w. o. Stuck
ey, j. Frank Williams and B. Harris.
has been made public:
TO the Farmers Of South Carolina:
The new conditions that the pro-
ducers of this State are soon to he
called upon to face have made it of
primary importance hat there be or
ganized without delay a central work.
Ing body Of the Farmers Union of
south Carolina, upon such a basis
that the entire body can be called into
consultation from time to time at Co
lum6ia for counsel and consideration
of those matters that affect the eco
welfare of the eighty per cent.
Of the people Of the State, and when
necessary to voice the attitude OF the
farmers on important questions, both
State and national.
AT a conference Of members of the
State Farmers Union and other farm
ers held in Columbia on Thursday,
october rs, the situation was fully
discussed; the problems Immediately
facing the farmers were considered
carefully; the new instrumentalities
for putting the farmer on a sure
economic basis, all for years advocat-
ed and urged by the Grange, the AL
lance and the Farmers Union, now
at last enacted into law by the nat
ional and State governments, were
dispassionately explained; and it was
the unanimous conclusion Of those
present that the prime need Of the
hour was q working organization with
headquarters at the capital, which
would be a mobile body, easily and
quickly assembled when the emer-
gency demanded-a body in which
each member would have full right to
voice his opinion. a body non-politi-
cal, yet Of such character and repre-
sentation that it's expression on mat
tiers of needed legislation would car
ny, not alone weight, but counsel of
value to lawmakers and administra-
tive officials. Being assured by the
commissioner of agriculture OF the
State that such a body was earnestly
desired, indeed, imperatively needed
for the pending battle with new con-
ditions on the farm, and that it's cen
trail headquarters would be welcomed
In the department, the conference
Immediately proceeded with the for
nation of the South Carolina Central
State Farmers Union, to be compos
ed Of all farmers eligible to union
membership who would send to the
secretary-treasurer the, annual fee of
81. All existing local and county
unions will stand, and will not be in
terfered with by the new body. The
present general officers and executive
committee of the State Farmers I'm
ion were made officers Of the new
body, and the commissioner Of agri-
culture of the State e. J. Watson, in
order that expenses may be kept at q
minimum, was requested to act, and
duly elected ACKNOWLEDGEMENT to re
ceive each members dollar upon di.
rect remittance.
The fullest cooperation in the worl
OF organization of all the farm de
monstration forces. the department o
agriculture, Clemson college, and al
other official and unofficial agcncie.
working in the cause of agriculture
was enthusiastically invoked.
1t was pointed out thai i'm at leas
n prosperous SOuth-Central State
where the farmers always succeedc,
i'm getting what they desired, this Idle;
was the basis of orga niZation. an,
hat through such an organization :
! campaign Of information, was mos