The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-12-13

6AGAN EXPLAINS GRAVITY
OF SITUATION IN STATE
Corn Especially Scarce and High
Resolutions on Grading Hear
Hearing Introduced
Members of the North Dakota Farm.
ers' Educational and Cooperative
union will join in the purchase of
seed grain, particularly corn, through
the Farmers Euying & Selling asso-
citation, an auxiliary Of the union re.
Gently formed with headquarters in
Bismarck. A unanimous decision to
this effect was reached just before ad.
journment today noon. The forenoon
had been devoted to an interesting
discussion of the seed grain PROPOSE
tion, following an address by Commits.
sioner of Agriculture John N. Hagap,
who declared the situation in North
Dakota grave. President II. J. ].
Montgomery Of Tappen had told OF
paying So in his vicinity for seed corn
with weak termination of only IS
per cent. In other seasons, he .saiG,
he had sold seed corn in Bismarck
for only ten cents over the market
price, but, he declared, it never came
back to the buyer at anything near
that price.
Former County Commissioner Riley
of Driscoll gave the union delaSa'e
present the name and address Df "a
South Dakota concern from wEich he
has purchased good seed corn at $3.50
the bushel. It was then thatsa sugges,
ton was made that the unibn, in or
der to prevent paying the lapges.
possible price, buy its seed corn in
quantities through some central or
ganization, and President Mohtgo IL
cry called attention to the fact tina:
the union possessed such an oyganiza-
tion IN the Farmers. Buying &fSeilins
association.
The president also announced that
a state meeting Of grain growers is
to be held soon In Bismarck for the
purpose of considering the seed prop
osition, with view to inauguratirg
cooperative buying. for all the farm
ers OF North Dakota. s5rijo'
when We cooperate with ourselves
we cooperate with every man, ''iaaid
President,s'' Montgomery, in insisting
upon the practice as well as the t1e-
ory OF cooperation. whatever is
good for the farmer must be good for
the town, and all of its people. The
time has come when we mus: cooper
ate for our self-preservation whether
we like it or not"
North Dakota members of the unicn
having seed grain to sell were asked
to communicate with Commissioner
Hagan or with the agricultural col.
lege. Mr.. Hagan advised that the
government is regulating the price Of
seed wheat to the farmer, and that it
will probably cost somewhere between
81 and 1925 the bushel. Mr.. Hagan's
address was devoted to a review of
the conference Of grain growers and
buyers held here with Charles J.
Brand, chief Of the United States bu-
reau of markets, Monday. He read
the resolutions which the farmers in.
troduced there, and these will come
up for consideration this afternoon
Mr.. Hagan advocated cooperation, and
told of some things which he knew ii
had accomplished.
This afternoon various committees
will report and it is probable that Of.
ficers for the ensuing year will be
elected
Arthur LeSueur briefly addressed
the union last night, his talk being
completed by James Manahan of st
I Paul when LeSleur was forced to
leave to catch his train.
Endorsei Red Cross.
The impending Red Cross member
ship drive received the hearty en-
dorsement of the North Dakota Farm
i ers' Educational and Cooperative un
/ ion following an interesting address
on the work Of the organization de
livered at the opening of the afternoon
session of the annual state convention
Wednesday afternoon.
Tne speaker was frequently inter.
rupted by applause, and the interest
shown by representative farmers from
all parts of the state is favorable
augury for the success of the big
drive so far as the rural districts are
concerned.
Routine Business.
The remainder of the afternoon was
devoted to routine business, the rol
call of officers, seating of delegates
raeding of the minutes of the las
meetings, and approval of the acts o
the board of directors during the las
year. Much valuable discussion was in
dulged in on the good Of the order. L
is probable that some time today the
new federal grain grades, features o
which are obnoxious to grain-grOwer'
and huyers alike, will come up for dis
cussiOn
secretary D. E. Shipley last night
announced that speaker represent
ing the national union is to appear II
this state the fore part of the nev
wear. addressing gatherings at Car
rineton. jamestown, Bismarck ant
Dickinson.
Business Of Session.
The convention proceeded satls
factorily Wednesday with the prelfm
mary business of the session. An ad
dress of welcome by Secretary George
n. Keniston, of the Bismarck Com
lCo1tinued % Page Thres)
y p