The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-10-11
.LEpER EXPLAINS LEGISLATION.
CONGRESSMAN TELLS LARGE;
AUDIENCE HOW THEY MAY
SECURE ADVANTAGES
~-N'
AFFORDED IN RE.
CENT ACTS.

COngressman A. f. Lever of the
seventh, congressional district had an
audience which filled the court house
70 overfowing today to hear him talk
on the problems which confronted the
farmers Of South Carolina and how
the farmers, by taking advantage of
the, opportunities offered through
the legislation of the present admins
tration, could solve many of those
problems to their personal gain. Con-
gressman Lever spoke for more than
two hours, and although he did not
begin his speech until few minute tes
after one o'clock, at a time which
was the customary dinner hour of
most of those present, still there were
Very few to leave until after three
O'clock. The large audience gave the
speaker the closest attention and at
the conclusion of his address, many
remarks on the practical application
OF what he had said were heard on all
sides.
Congressman Lever stated in begin
ming his remarks that e. I. Reardon
had given him subject which COW
cred all creation and he took advan-
tage of this latitude offered him to
discuss broadly the many problems
which faced the farmers and the So
lutions which had been found for
these evils and those which were
sought for others,
| The meeting was opened by Presi-
dent r, B. Belser, who stated that the
chief object of the Chamber of Com
merce under his and previous admin
istrations to do everything possible to
help to build up the farming interests
OF the county. as better town was
what the Chamber of Commerce want
ed, and it could only be secured by
having a better country back Of it..
He referred to the efforts of the COM
mercial organization to establish
cream routes, with the view of estab-
fishing a creamery here in future. He
referred to the work of congress in
behalf of the farmer, referring to the
rural credits act as the best piece Of
legislation which has been enacted in
favor of the farmers. He introduced
Mayor L. d. Jennings, who would in
troduce Mr.. Lever.
Mayor L. D. Jennings referred to
TIE federal reserve act as the great
|ssqt piece OF legislation in behalf of the
=. nert which had ever been passed.
as without IL he believed that cotton
now would not be bringing reason
able price. His reference to Woodrow
Wilson as the greatest president since
George Washington was received with
applause. He referred to the con-
structive legislation under his admin
istration in behalf of the farmers and
farm interests, and asked that all who
had not done SO to contribute his part
toward the success of his campaign
FOR reelection. He then introduced
Congressman Lever as lone who had
taken leading part in the passage
of that legislation"
Congressman Lever referred to the
delay and difficulties he had at Cam
den in reaching Sumter. He said
another might have given up, had he
not promised to come. He had not
been to Sumter much in recent years,
he said, but it was not that he did not
want to come, but because he could
do more good for the people in con-
gress. He referred to his marriage
since he was here, and the fact that
he had brought his baby along with
him, "the prettiest red-headed baby
in South Carolina"
He stated that his friend Emmett
Reardon had given him a subject
which spread all over creation. He
referred TO agriculture as tripod,
the three legs Of which were produc-
! ton, distribution and finance 1t was
only the first Of these, he said, whici,
had received any consideration until
the last few years.
He discussed the means the depart
ment of agriculture was using to
teach production. 1t was teaching ag-
riculture in many agricultural schools
in which there were thousands Of stu
dents. The farm demonstrations
were another means. He stated that
farm demonstration should not only
be an expert farmer, but he should
be an expert on plant diseases, he
should know of insect pests and the
yucCaSSful RAISING Of live StOclS Vh g