The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-11-15
o. P. FORD ISSUES AN APPEAL

To the Union and Nonunion Farmers of
 Alabama:
 If the time was ever ripe, it is now for the farmer to wake up and prepare themselves through organization to pro- tect their interests after the crisis of the present war passes over.
 As we feel that there js a new day dawning and new laws will have to be made, and in order that the agricultural interest may be safeguarded, we, as tillers of the soil should be in a posi- tion to defend our interests. And I know of no other way 10 do this except through organization and cooperation. And as your servant for F long years, and as I feel that the best part of my fife has been spent in working for the interest of agriculture, l appeal to you in the name of high deity that you wake up and seriously consider your interests. l consider this the most opportune time that the farmer has ever had to estan- fish permanent markets for what he has to sell.
 The government is begging and plead- ing for the farmer to raise more food stuff and cooperate with their bureaus of markets, both state and national And, MT. Farmer, if you will just think, this is the first time in the history of our country that the government has taken as much interest in the production and marketing as they are at the present time. I know from past experience that when the farmer is prosperous he is easy to forget and lie down on his job, an.l it is hard to get him to wake up uneil it is too late; but this is one of the times that l warn you to get on your job and stay there. These good prices for your farm products will not last al- ways. While we are receiving good prices, we are also paying good prices for what we buy.
 Remember. when the Farmers. union came into this state our cotton was sell ing from to cents per pound. And as soon as our organization was tsrons enough demanded & minimum price of f5 cents per pound. As every farmer knows. we were criticized for this, but, nevertheless, the price has gone almost double the minimum price that we set Not only cotton, but every commodity that is raised on the farm. The price is double what it was j0 years ago. Now, we cont claim all the glory for better prices for our farm products but we do know that we biazed out the way through our organization agitating and advocating better prices. Not only this have we accomplished, but we have been into the legislative halls, through onr committees, both state and national, and have been Instrumental in having laws put upon the statute books to protect and build up our rural districts in the way of better schools, better roads. etc.
 I only make mention of a few things that have been accomplished by our or ganization that the farmer might think about When you can get him to thiniz- ing. he will act.
 eAs your servant, I appeal to you for your cooperation in building up and maintaining this organization. am now making every effort in my power tp start out some competent men in local campaign for the purpose of revivine, organizing and recognizing the farmers Of this state. And if I can get the hearty cooperation of the loyal membess of eassl county, l believe in the next six months that we can have lO0 000 mefl- bers in our organization. It should be encoura ging to know that the business man is more willing to cooperate thaa sstants. This rule will be rigidly en- forced.
 No birds may be removed from the show room before the close of the show,