The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-06-18
NORTHWEST FARMERS
STATE THEIR WANTS
BIG CONVENTION AT SPOKANE
GOES ON RECORD AS FAVOR
ING MANY THINGS


Return to the observance of laws
of nature and of the Almighty in the
hours of labor and discontinuance of
the daylight saving plan.
More good roads and the bonding
of counties for the purpose of better
roads.
Erection of temple of agriculture
in Washington, D. G.
Vigorous prosecution of the land
settlement policy of the state and ma
ton.
Reduced railroad and express rates
on seeds.
Establishment of a branch animal
industry office in the northwest.
The teaching Of animal husbandry
and domestic science in public and
rural schools.
The securing of better livestock
laws.
Establishment of a 1920 wheat
price which will prevent loss and pos
sible disaster to the agricultural in
terests of the county.
Three thousand farmers and their
friends from Washington, Oregon and
Idaho in the first annual convention
of the Pacific northwest farmers held
in Spokane June lib went or rec
ord at the closing session of the con-
vention as favoring the resolutions
mentioned above, and adopted them
as policy of the northwest farmers
by a unanimous vote.
Federation of all farm organiza-
tons was the keynote of discussion
through the entire convention. A
resolution amalgamating all farm
units, including the state Grange,
Farmers Union warehouse companies
and small associations of farmers was
presented to the farmers Friday and
received a unanimous vote.
sThe federation to which all of us
look forward is certain to come" said
John A. McSparren, president of the
Pennsylvania state grange, in speak
ing on Federation" before the farm
ers' convention. "It is possible; it's
necessary. it's important. it's essen
tial. We must get together in order
to meet the problems of reconstruc-
ton as one united unit and not as q
disintegrated mass of Individuals"
Another movement which the farm
ers "got behind" last week was one
for reduced freight rates and the
adoption Of the long and short haul
rate system, with demands for legis-
lation against unjust discrimination
against inland points.
"AlI we want" said w. S. McCrea,
prominent Spokane leader in the
freight rate fight which has been in
progress for many months, sis the
elimination of unfair discrimination in |
freight rates. We are enjoying fair
rates now but the roads are trying |
to put back the old system where
it costs town a short distance away
more to get freight than it does some
others longer distance away"
For Temple of Agriculture
The farmers also fell in line for
the establishment of headquarters for
the farmers consolidated organiza-
lions in Washington, D. c., and the !,
erection in the national capital of
temple of agriculture. Contributions
of Inland Empire farmers toward the
building fund reached more than $780,
900 during the convention.
To establish home in Washington
for farmers of the national until the
new and permanent home is construct
ed the agricultural men in Spokane
last week purchased building in
D. c., to be used as ma
tional headquarters of the American
farmers until the temple of agricul-
ture is ready for use. The building
was purchased at a cost Of $4,000,
which is being met by farmers and
their friends in Washington, Idaho
and Oregon. The building purchased
is four stories high, and was formerly
of John R. Wanamaker
when he was postmaster general of
he United States.
.yA Will Hold Autumn Meet
Beforn the convention closed Fri
lay Afternoon it was voted to hold a
delegated farm convention in Spokane
turing October or November. The
purpose of the meeting will be to per-
ect and effect a real organization of
1t is expected the autumn
invention will be larger than the one -
yhich closed last week. tn
"The purpose of the after-harvest tn
onvention will be to perfect our or
anization called for by the fedora +
on resolution" A. A. Gilmore, pres +
ling officer of the convention, stat +
l. each of the farm units in the I.
orthwest will be represented by del +
gates, but we expect to bring all of +