The Mankato free press., 1917-02-16
PLEADS FOR EQUITY
AIDING THE FARMER
COLONEL WILKINSON SPOKE.
AT THE CORN SHOW
Explained the Benefits That Are To Be
Derived From Organization; Co. -0per-
alton Means the UpbuiIding Of Rural
And City Communities; Other Speak
er Referred to the Advantages Of the
Agriculturaiist; Seed Fair In Kato
from Fridays Daily.

rom Fridays Daily.
Farming interests, and the value
II organization for farmers, were
opening program of the convention,
and seed fair Of the Blue Earth
County seed association, which was
teld in the knights of Columbus hall
yesterday afternoon. About one hun
dred and fifty men, and number
of women were present, and evinced
their interest in the addresses by
close attention and frequent applause.
c. R. Shumway. secretary of the as
sociation, presided in the absence Of
President H. NJ. Green of Lake Crys-
tai who is at ST. Paul attending to
his legislative duties.
Secretary E. F. Soaring of the Man.
kato Commercial club delivered a
cordial address of welcome on behalf
of Mayor Robert Lamm and the city
in general, and of the Commercial
club. Mr.. Soaring humorously re-
marked that he didn't know if any
of the farmers present were raising
assured them that goats were raised
in Mankato, and that he himself was
"the goat" upon the present occasion,
as he had not known he would be
asked to make a speech, but was now
called upon to deliver welcoming ad-
dresses both for the mayor, and for
the president of the Commercial club.
SON behalf of the city and the COM
aercial club hefextended the warmest
elcome possible to the farmers who
ad come many miles through the
old to attend the meetings. He told
hem that they were always welcome
in Mankato, and that it would always
be so.
From Wilderness to Fine Section.
1--WE have lived here peacefully for
many years." said Mr.. Soaring, "anG
we have seen the country grow from
a wilderness to one of the finest Sec
tions of the northwest, and blossom
ing with prosperity and wealth of
crops for the farmers. And when the
farmers are prosperous the city is al
so prosperous. A few years ago the
commercial club helped to organize
this association, which has since then
aided largely in the development OF
the country. The city of Mankato/fs
very proud of the surrounding terri
tory. When / ride out into the coun-
try I am astonished at the richness
of it's resources. 1t is a garden OF
wealth for all, both city and country,
I hope that the present meeting will
result in the exchanging and gather
ing of many new ideas, which can
be put to practical use to raise more
bushels and better crops to the acre
than ever before. Again I extend to
YOU. in behalf of the two organ1za-
tions for whom l speak and the city
in general, a most cordial welcome.
Fisher Endorsed Welcome.
C. w. Fisher, president of the Man
kato Retail Merchants association
gave an address, opening his talk by
saving that the welcome extended by
S.ar. Soaring was heartily endorsed by
MIN, and he considered it an honor
Ito extend to the farmers and others
,present a cordial welcome to the city.
He said he trusted that the conven-
ton would be productive of good TO
every man who attended, and that
such conventions and organizations
were sure stepping stones to growth
1--WE all take off our hats to the
farmers" said Mr.. Fisher. "They are
the backbone of the country, and
without them the wheels of commerce
would STOP" Mr.. Fisher then out
lined the policy of the retail mer-
chants association.
C. E. Whitney of Lake Crystal, in
a short and eloquent address, de-
livered response for the farmers to
the welcoming addresses just given.
He spoke very favorably of the Man
kato Commercial club, telling of the
co-operation and incentive which it
had given to the farmers clubs, and
the great good resulting.
1--WE are all in the melting pot,
and working for the common good"
said Mr.. Whitney.
Colonel R. A. Wilkinson, president
of the American Society of Equity,
gave a splendid and helpful address
fo the farmers on the value of or
ganization.
Address BY Mr.. Wilkinson.
"Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
men" began Mr.. Wilkinson, 81 as
srre YOU that / am pleased to meet
with you this afternoon and discuss
the problems which are presented to
fhe farmers" He then gave his ideas
on the value of organization in re-
gard to bettering the condition OF
farmers and business men, stating
that there was no antagonism be-
tween the farmers and the business
men. or would not be if they would
get together and look at both sides
of the question. He spoke of the
nreiudice existing between farmers
who went farther in their business
than the mere raising of their crops.
"We farmers and the Equity So
ciety recognize the fact that the
farmers are under obligations to
carry on their business in the most
efficient manner possible" he said.
"This duty rests on them as heavily
as it does on the business men. A
man to be a good equity man must
he a good farmer. In addition to be-
ing a good farmer as far as crops
are concerned the farmer has some
thing else to do. The marketing en-
is often iuet as important, and more
important In former years farmers
were criticised when thy tried to
organize. They were considered in
ferior and were not recognized as
business men. They were classed as