The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-12-12

Annual Conference Opened at
Commercial Club this Morning
-Hagan Makes Talk
Patriotism and cooperation" were
the keynotes which Secretary George
N. Keniston of the Bismarck CONNER
cial club gave the convention in well
coming the delegates of the North Da-
kOta Farmers union on behalf of the
city of Bismarck this morning Co.
operation with every interest that
touches the farmer was urged. The
speaker said when it came to "big
business" the farmer had no cause
for fear, for he represented the bis
gest single big business in the
world. He advocated the right of the
farmer and the necessity of the farm,
er organizing not only for protection
but for promotion.
More food for the nation and q
more equitable proportion of the
profits OF production for the producer
are economic problems which dele
gates representing $500 active North
Dakota farmers took under considera.
tion at the Commercial club rooms at
9 O'Clock this morning, when the
North Dakota Farmers Educational &
Cooperative union began it's fourth
annual convention in this city.
In spite Of cold weather and delayed
trains, scores of delegates had arrived
in the city and were ready and eager
for the opening session. The crisis
which faces the nation, and in which
the farmer must play SO prominent a
part; recent legislation directly affect
ing the farmer; the regulation OF the
prices which he may receive for his
product; the supreme necessity for a
bumper crop utilizing every acre Of
arabic land in 1918; the financial strin-
gency resulting from the two poor sea
sons which have been suffered in some
sections of the state-all of these are
factors which tend to make this great
annual conclave Of real farmers
epOchal. "1t -. i4' ''!'"ioe' =
10 cdxvention Organizes ,pNIs
The CONVENTION met and organized
at 8 8cloGK and then listened to an
interesting address from Commission.
er of Agriculture and Labor John N.
Hagan on the general subject of CO.
operation. 49,
The appointment of committees for
the period of the convention and for
the ensuing year followed. This after.
&C. ~s,S11 hn fPNn0
standing committees named ION the
good of the order" o."
Government Expert. 10
Thursday the delegates will have
the pleasure of listening to govern.
ment expert sent all the way from
Washington for this convention by the
United States speakers bureau. Sec
retary Shipley has been in cOmmuni
cation with the speakers bureau for
the last ten days, and has been as.
sured that speaker will be here for
tomorrow, although the name of the
man who is coming has not been an
nounced. ,.,s
Peports of committees and the cleo
tion of officers will consume the re
mainder of tomorrow's sessions. No
entertainment programs have been
planned. Because of the unreasonable
cold all of the delegates are anxious
to close up their business as promptly
as possible and get back to their stock
and other farm interests. Everyone
here is enthusiastic over the future OF
the Farmers union and heartily In
accord with the executive committees
plans for thorough campaign which
is expected to at least double the
membership during the ensuing year.
Whole State Represented.
President r. J. j. Montgomery, OF
Tappen, who has been in the city for
several days cooperating with Secre-
tary D. H. Shipley in planning the an
nual sessions, predicts that unless the
weather man proves particularly un-
gracious from 500 to 700 delegates will
be in attendance. The whole state
will be represented, and from the
Slope region will come not only scores
of duly elected delegates but dozens OF
visitors who always make 1t point
to attend these conventions for the
liberal education which they provide.
Bismarck the Center.
George Sorber, of Gladstone, Is vice
president and D. E. Shipley, OF BIS
marck is secretary of the state or
ganization. Bismarck is in a general
way state headquarters, majority OF
the business of the union being trans
acted from this city. The union has
large central warehouse and cooper
ative implement distributing plant
here, and it is planning to make Bis
marck it's center for cooperative pur'
chasing for the entire state.
Old Timers Active.
Many of the Slopes Oldest and most
progressive farmers-such men as
William E. Breen, of Bismarck, who
is member of the state executive
committee; Commissioner Birlea u
Ward. Albin Hedstrong, of Wilton
are active in the councils Of the Far
mers' union. The convention which
begins in the Commercial club hall
this forenoon will be a reunion OF
men who have done more than prob
ably any other of their class to make
No. 0h~~nN