The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-10-24

prominent men In Virginia connected
with agricultural work. told of the
high rate of interest, and the fact
that the farmers even experienced diff
ficulty in getting funds at all for the
improvement of their farms En-
thusiasm was manifest throughout the
hearing. all of those present heartily
endorsing the action Of the govern
ment
y. ID. Eggieston Speaks.
President J. ID. Egglcston, of Vir-
ginia Polytechnic Institute. made a
very interesting talk. He told the
members of the board of the diff
Guilty encountered by the farmers in
borrowing money. and of the red tape
through which many of them have
to go. He told them that at the
present time they can borrow money
for only a short time and asserted
that when times are hard they are
unable to procure it at all. President
Eggleston said that farmers should be
able to get money on shorter notice
and with smaller interest.
T. o. Sandy, State demonstration
agent declared that the movement is
the greatest one ever started in be-
half of the farmers, and asserted that
1t has met with enthusiasm by the
agriculturists throughout Virginia.
Members of the board were told of
the struggles of some Of the farmers
as a result of the short time notes
on which they have to borrow money.
During his talk he stated that Vir-
GINA has more demonstration agents
than any other State in the Union.
Progress of the colored people in
Virginia along agricultural lines was
pointed out to the board by Charles
Ora haD whn ia at he hpad of the
agricultural work at Hampton Insti-
tute. Mr.. Graham, who is In touch
with colored farmers throughout the
State. declared that out of 10000
negro farmers in Virginia more than
three-fifths OF them own their own
places. He declares that he finds the
negroes ready and willing to coop
crate with the white people in the
State and to take advice from them.
of money for the improvement of
farms.
"A man who keeps out OF debt is
not progressive" he declared.
Alfred Rolfe. county agent for Not
toway and Amelia, declared that the
farmers in his district have a plenty
Of good land, but they Just haven't
the money to develop their farms.
He said that they have to pay eight
per cent on the money they borrow.
Not Like Politicians.
II find the farmers in my counties
ready and willing to help each other"
he said. Farmers are not like poll
ticians. They are not afraid OF each
other, but are always ready TO CO.
operate. What we need now is ac
tual money to do things"
Miss Ella Agnew, who is In charge
cf the girls garden clubs. which work
is known as home demonstration,
spoke of what has been accomplished
by the young ladies around the State.
In answer to question from Chair
man Norris she declared that she sees
the need of money everywhere she
goes.
Westm oreland Davis. Of Loudoun
County, who Is connected with the
Farmers Institute. made a brief talk
and said that he thinks the farmers
will derive many benefits from the
land banks
G. c. Barksdale, State bank ex-
aminer, in reply to a question from
the chairman as to how much interest
| II costs a farmer to procure money,
stated that it was about 3 per cent
He testified that it costs some more
ard some less, hut that the average
rate of interest is about per cent.
A. w. Ealsh, who owns land in
several States. told the board that in
| Wisconsin and Kansas farmers ex-
perience little trouble in procuring
money for the improvements of their
farms but he says that he found diff
| ferent conditions existing in Virginia
President Charles T. Lassiter, of
the Petersburg Cham Der of Com
merce, and who is well known at
torney in the Cockade City, said that
he finds 1t impossible at times to Sc
cure loans for his clients out in the
counties. He says that il is easy for
people in the city to procure loans.
| but the farmer experiences no little
| trouble MI Lassiter asserted that
in his opinion the inauguration of this
new bank is the greatest thing the
United States government ever did.
| While on the stand Mr.. Lassiter took
occasion to state that Petersburg Is n
| big market town for Southeast vir-
ginia and portion of North Caro-
| Ira.
Senator W. A. Jeffreys. who re-
sides at Chase City. told the board
that the need of such a bank for the
farmers has long been felt. He also
! told of the hard time the farmers
have In securing money.
Colored President Heard.
| President J. n. Candy. of the Vir-
ginia Normal and Industrial School
which is located at Petersburg, as
serted that the fact that the colored
farmers In Virginia are now more
progressive than they are is not due
to lack of intelligence, but to the lack
of money and the difficulty they ex-
perience in borrowing. He said that
the negroes in Virginia are anxious
to go ahead and they enlightenment
from the white people. He said that
a fine spirit of cooperation between
the white and colored farmers exists
/ in Virginia
j. n. koler who is at tn. head of
the Bohemian colony in Prince George
! County. told OF the money seeds of
/ his people. He says that some of them
have hen known to pay as high as
| nifty per cent interest on money bor-
rowed. while others have paid twenty
! five and twelve per cent.
! Colonel f. c. Massie also made n
/ short talk at the afternoon session,
as did w. W, Barnes. a land agent
At yesterday mornings session Com
missioner of Agriculture George w.
koiner made an interesting address
explaining the agricultural conditions
/ In VIRGINIA iss nj