The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-11-18
INDUSTRIAL WAR
MAY YIELD TO
.FARMERS--BARRETT
Growing Belief in Washington
That Agriculture Must Be
lnterCessor, Says Leader of
Farmers Union.

In thinking circles in Washington
tnere Is aagrowing conviction that aE-
riculture must be the intercessor be-
tween the warning factions" declared
Charles s. Barrett, of Union City, Ga,
president of the Farmers Educational
and Cooperative Union of America,
addressing himself to the current indus
trial problems before the annual con-
yention of the union Tuesday.
The conviction forming" he con-
tinued, lis that the farmer must sta
billie conditions and that the tiller of
8the soil must in a particularly sincere
and intelligent manner, make his great
anflpence felt at this time.
The convention was called to order by
lIr Barrett at 10 o'clock Tuesday
morning on the sixth floor OF the
chamber Of Commerce. The 200 or
pore delegates from many states Of the
sunion were welcomed by Homer l..
Iilggs, representing the Chamber of
Lommerce.
" Mr.. Barrett stated that "it cannot
be denied that conditions are dis
3ainted'' at this time. Strikes and rt-
naors of strikes" he said, futile eff
&rts Of one class of citizenship to es-
N,bliSh an understanding with another
Wass Of citizenship, acrimonious dis
4usslon In high quarters Of subjects OF
ssternational Importance, having in
tional Misunderstanding have contrib
Nted to the present unrest.
"There Is n feeling that something
III 4wrong somewhere. that somebody or
ebmething has failed and that 1t VIII
reuuire the highest order of statesman
Hhip. united with devotion and loyalty
#n the mart of thinking citizens to
ssHtore the equilibrium Of the coun-
FARMER Stands Firm.
0f the three large productive ele-
N<eTitS 0f the country represented In
III & Industrial conference, agriculture
Nlone obtained something OF value"
tald NJ Barrett. rcapltal went into
st13tBi ef permanent value to itself IN
the shape Of on understanding with la
i5iir but left disappointed Labor also
was 9iSapnointed. 1t Is not too much
10 say that the agricultural delegates
working together created in the minds
cf HE other delegates n better under
RtHnding Of the problems with which
tise farmer must contend Neither is
ii TOO much to say that basis for
more sympathetic cooperation between
the different elements in our country
may be one Of the eliminating benefits
0f the gathering. This would have been
impossible had agriculture been elimi-
ndteu ara tHeTtIoTe ueIllbu participation
IN the deliberations. ,5a
Confronted with the tremendous
problems of reconstruction 'and amidst
the ocean of pent-up human passions
now raging. the farmer Is the only man
who has his feet really on the ground"
lfr. Barrett said. Though dissatis-
fled, though conscious of the fact that
they had not had square deal, though
determined to claim for himself and his
Industry that consideration which has
hitherto been denied 10 both the tiller
OF the soil is calm. He is doing his
|best to steady the ship and bring her
safely into port
Less consideration was given the
farmers than given the other interests
in making up the personnelsof the his
toric industrial conference, declared Mr..
Barrett. deploring the tendencyNstn gov
Ornamental and other quarters t8Sleave
the farmer out of consideration. 1T
appeared to be the purpose of those re-
|kponslble for the composition of that
body to eliminate agriculture" he said
At the morning session Lucian M.
Rhodes, of Tallahassee, Fla, commis-
|sioner of farmers markets, responded
Ito Mrs. Higgs address Of welcome at the
morning session. He declared that pro-
|ducing is only a part of the farmers
business. 1T Is very essential that the
Farmers Of this coantry produce enor-
|mcus crops" he said, ''but 1t is no
Hess essential that they be marketed in
THE most economical and advantageous
way"
Erbie l.. Harrison, president OF the
Kentucky Farmers union. also respond
led to the address of welcome.