Imperial Valley press., 1918-08-07
MEET PRESIDENT
HALF CENTURY SOCIETY
DISCUSS LABOR
PRESIDENT BRYANT MAKES ADDRESS AND Of
FERS VALLEY NEARLY 5000 MEN AS FARM
LABORERS-HOUSING AND TR NSPORTA-
TION YET TO BE ARRANGED.

u AMI / IL N NoTON ~
Is held at the court house last evening,
'tic and, if the plans proposed by those
ed, the Valley will be better off.
lights meeting to work out the de.ails.
Holtville; w. l.. Si.Odderly, Dixieland,
,ill confer with Don Bitter, county de-
tation of labor, housing and feeding
ere.
some short talks from growers of the
president of the Half Century AssOci-
~ the development board agent.
laws of the state.
The objects and purposes of the so
ciety explained Mr.. Bryant, were: To
mobilize citizens of the United States.
over 80 years of age, into a benevo-
lent and potential union; to destroy
existing discrimination against per-
sons over so years, in public service.
and protect them in the full enjoy
ment of their right to opportunity in
the pursuit of their livelihood.
! From the modest 100 membership,
to 1900, the organization has grown
at the rate of nearly 100 each week
since it's inception.
Every Sunday the members meet
at their hall in Los Angeles, and sing
patriotic songs, make addresses and
mingle in care-free way among
themselves. They are not all poor
men, some of them being men of con-
siderable means, and many of them
are we'll educated and intelligent, but
all will do what they think necessary
to further the interests of their coun-
try.
( Mr. Bryant said that many of the
members of the organization were
picking fruits, and were employed on
farms where they can be utilized. He
thought that if members of his asso-
citation could be used here it might
mean great saving of crops to the
farmers of this valley.
Mr. Bryant urged that his men be
tried out He thought that the wealth
er here at this time might be too hot
for some of them, but, if properly
housed and cared for, and not made
to slave too hard until after becoming
seasoned, his men would do the work
they set out to do.
Over three thousand of the Half
Century men could be sent to the
Valley, Mr.. Bryant thought. He said
there were many men from the South
ern states in the organization, and
that these men We're mostly expert
enced in handling cotton, and, while
the others would know nothing about
picking it, they could easily be taught
in a short time. In the matter OF
other crops, such as milo and forage
crops, his men would have more or
less familiarity with them, Mr.. Bry-
ant stated.
At the meeting the prices to be paid
for farm labor were gone into some
what, although nothing definite was
accomplished in this regard. For pick
ink short staple, $3.50 per cwt.; for
Durango, 50, and for Egyptian. $3.50,
were suggested. Picking will begin
in earnest about September Is, but
there is some volunteer cotton COM
ing in now.
Mr.. Bryant left this morning for
San Diego, where he will form a
branch order, from which branch this
Valley will secure it's help if wanted.
He thought this more convenient for
the local farmers.
The Press representative, in talking
, to Don Bitter this morning, learned
, from that gentleman that it will be
necessary for the local growers to
, prepare suitable quarters for host
> of the Half Century men. A central
location will be necessary, where tho
conveniences necessary to comfort
o may be obtained, and where good, sub
stantial food is served to them. An
, other vital thing will be regarding u
way to get the men to and from
their labors. Mr.. Bitter thinks it far
better to have the men all centrally
: located in preference to lodging them
: at various ranches.
: The committee named at last nights
S meeting will thresh all these natter
! out within a few days, il is expec-