The Ocala banner., 1921-08-26


ida Division of the Farmers Union was
convened here Wednesday morning, in
the Court House at 10 o'clock, with
President j. L. Sheppard presiding.
A most interesting business session,
during which number of important
/ talks were made, lasted until 1880.
The ses sion was well attended, the
court room being crowded. The num-
ber of out of town delegates who
registered was smaller than expected.
The number registered was. about 35.
In the afternoon the visiting dele
gates and number of the members
of the Marion County Farmers Union
and number of citizens of Ocala
all enjoyed boat ride down Silver
River and a basket picnic at the head
of Silver Springs as guests of the Ma
rion County Farmers Union and the
Marion County Board of Trade. Mr..
G. S. Barrett, president of the Ma
tional Farmers Union was unable to
be present at the convention, being
detained in Kansas.
The mornings session was opened
with the singing of America" led
by Mr.. H. L. Shearer. president of the
Marion County Farmers Union. III
invocation was offered by Rev. w.
Creason of the Presbyterian church,
of Ocala. President Shearer of the
County Farmers Union welcomed the
visiting delegates. He then introduc-
ed President, J. L. Sheppard as "a
man who has done as much as any
man in Florida for the Farmers"
President Sheppard introduced Col. r.
F Rogers. who welcomed the visitors
in behalf of the city Of Ocala The
response to this welcome was made
{ by Mr. Hiatt, State Agent in Charge of
Boys Work
An address was made by T. j.
Brooks. chief clerk of the State De-
partment of Agriculture on the "Func-
tions of Farmers" He urged the inn
portance of organization among farm
ers and pointed out the necessity for
the farmers having voice in Wash
| ington by means of which they could
make known to the National Legisla-
tors the opinions OF the farmers in
regard to National Legislation. Mr..
E. w. Jenkins, District Extension
Agent stressed the Importance of dis
tribution and production The prob
lem of distribution was the outstand-
ing problem discussed during the morn
/ ing session Miss Agnes |. Webster,
of Tallahassee, spoke on the womans
part in the farm organization; Mr.
G. X. McQuarrie, State Agent of Ex-
! tension Work, on The part The Farm
ers Union has Played in the Fight for
Better Farmers in Florida Mr.. J.
e. burlington, of Gainesville, spoke on
What the Farmers Union has done
| in my Community and how it did it,
Mr. burlington stated that the Farmers
Union in Alachua county had arrang-
I ed to employ a sales agent to sell
all of the products produced by the
members OF the Farmers Union in the
county. Mr.. S. H. Strung OF Juniper,
i spoke on What the Farmers Union
has been worth to Gadsden county.
/ Mr.. H. P. Peterson of West Tocoi, Fla.,
s. spoke on cooperative selling of farm
products. The session closed with
an address by Mr. H M Rhodes, State
Marketing Commissioners. on the "Ac-
Ecomplishments and Possibilities Of the
Farmers Union. Among other things,
Mr. Rhodes stated that the Farmers
Union was largely responsible for the
Rural Credits Act He touched on
the exorbitant freight rates and theif
effect on farmers, and stated that no
headway could be made unless freight
rates were reduced He sighted in.
stances Of where crops shipped had
brought the farmer who produced
them less than the railroads that haul
ed them
81 The second day of the annuaI con.
yention Of the Florida division of the
Farmers Union opened here yesterday
morning with another enthusiastic
and highly successful session. The
features Of the mornings session
! were the annual address OF President
J J. L. Shepard, of Pomona, and q wond.
II <1rf.&I1x< s.<<<~<f...~<. !. i