The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-28
FIRST SESSION
OF INSTITUTE.
HELD AT SCHOOL
Frank /. Mann Of Gilman Addresses
Members-Cari VroOman De-
tanned at Washington.
Especial Correspondence.)

I
stone and Phosphate Probably al
Present Farm Prices?" Frank 1
Mann of Gilman, ILL.,, gave prac-
teal talk on The value of fertiliz-
ers at the first session of the Hen
ry County Farmers institute held
at the Geneseo Township high
school yesterday morning at IL
O'Clock. Mr.. Mann is a very sue
cessful farmer who has consistent
ly followed the practice of phos'
| phate and limestone fertilization
| for period of Sc years.
He really continued the address
of the morning in his afternoon
talk on Results on Bots D'Arc
Farm" This is his own farm and
is considered one of the best ex-
amples of correct fertiliZing prac-
tice in the state He invariably
raises corn crops of 80 bushels per
acre with wheat averaging 40 bush
els. Mr.. Mann appeared on the
program this morning and closed
his appearance at this institute
| with his address on Movement of
Plant Food from Soil to the Plant
and from the Plant Back to the
Soil" In the evening a. series of
moving pictures were shown ct
1880, presenting methods of hand
ling horses, especially in the man
ner of breaking colts.
YrOOman Not Here.
Because of the fact that mail for
former Assistant Secretary of Ag-
griculture Carl Vrooman failed TO
reach him at the point at which it
was sent, he was unable to arrange
his affairs to leave Washington,
D. c., to permit him to be present
last evening as announced on the
program. In his absence Harold
c. Kessinger of Aurora, was obtain
ed and delivered a very entertain
ing and helpful talk on The Farm
er in Changing World" Mr.. Kes-
singer is a senator in the upper
house of the Illinois legislature
and by his support of measures of
benefit to the agricultural interests
and his extensive information
thereon, is well qualified to speak
to his audience on his topic.
Asks Fair Prices.
His first plea was for fair prices
ed that never in the history OF this
country have the prices Of farm
products been so low and the cost
of the things he must buy so high
as at present The percentage of
variation is the widest on record
in Americas history To correct
this he feels that great progress
can be accomplished by the coop
Grafton of the farm institute and
the farm bureau.
Senator Kessinger feels that in
the process of Gefation the Federal
Reserve bank made a grievous err
ror in picking the farmer and his
products. In the process of re-
adjustment the farmers burden has
undoubtedly been out of proportion
in comparison with practically ev-
cry other line of activity. This
was due, in no little degree, to the
fact that the farmer found himself
unorganized in an organized world
All large interests were and are
represented in legislation with
strong organizations except the
farmer I'VE live" said Senator
Kess-nger, 'in a day of large or
ganization but of little individual
worth"
AS manufacturer and producer |
the farmer is the only business man /
who does not know what his pro-
duct will bring On the market while :
in the process of production. He |
lacks a cost system and then finds !
himself compelled 10 sell in some |
other fellows market at that mans
price. THE time is coming" said |
the speaker, when the farmer will |
have a word to say in fixing market !
prices on a fair basis. Neither the !
Lantz bill at Springfield nor the
Capper-Tincher bill at Washington
will put the board of trade out of
business. The fight today really
is Main Street VS.. Wall Street.
Therefore, in a world of organiza-
ton the farmer, to protect his in
terests must also organize"
Boosts Farm Bureau.
Senator Kessinger made a strong
appeal for the farmer to remain in |
and retain his membership in the
farm bureau. He recounted several !
instances of great benefit already
derived through the county, state
and national organizations of the !
farm bureau. IF the purposes of
the farm bureau are defeated, they
can only be defeated by the farmers |
themselves by permitting them
selves to be led from their inter
ests by outside influences" said
Mr.. kessinger
The farmer, the laboring man
and the small town merchant are
not IN any sense opposed to each
other" he stated. Their interests
are mutual. AS the laborer pros
pers and is enabled to buy the ne
cesslties of life readily. so is the
farmer in turn prosperous" Re-
.err1ng to. the proposed sales tax,
Senator kessinger stated that it
will prove to be an added burden
20 the common people, who are the
consuming element in the
nation Every retailer will become
4 national tax collector. Its oper- f
alton in Canada is not the success
{ is pictured IN the subsidized
press. 1t failed IN
France, raising only one-thfrd of
he needed taxes. He asked eyervi
,ne to study this question. and then
instruct the representatives in
egisla1ion accordingly.
Senator Kessinger stated that in
he affairs Of Illinois he stands for ;
wo things especially in the matter
II drafting a new constitution, the +.
of intangible property aad
he Limitation of Chicago in both {
lOuSeS OF the legislature