The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-04-25
CONGRESS URGED
TO TAKE ACTION

was urged IN a reSoluClon adopted
today by the National Farmers
union in convention here to appoint
a joint commission to determine
what is wrong with agriculture" and
to enact legislation to correct the
discovered and established evils"
"The farmers have been branded
as profiteers," the resolution said,
land have been accused Of taking or
threatening measures which would
result in a dangerously diminished
quantity, Of available products.
added that the country was entitled
to know the facts and that congress
was the only agency equipped ITO
ascertain the truth.
On the other hand it charged that
the farmers had been disseminated
against in the matters Of credit and
transportation and that they had
been forced to sell : their products
below. the cost Of production while
residents of the cities had been COM
PEELED to pay ".fve or six times for
their food the amount which the pro-
ducers obtained"
: Agriculture stands in a unique
and strategic position" John Nc
|Sparan, master of the. Pennsylvania
State Grange, told the convention
with capital and labor on either side!
organized and looking after their,
own interests. The farmers, he add
ed, should stand together.
Secretary Wallace urged the vari-
Gus farm organizations to take con-
sentative steps to build up an or
~ganization to protect and promote
agriculture.
In quick succession resolutions
were passed for the appointment Of
committees to report on the losses Of
the farmers and the amount of cred
it extended to- them in comparison
with other industries and also in the
unfair practices and discrimination
against cooperative concerns" .
Members Of the. Farmers union
were said by Mr.. Reed, their ma
-tional. secretary to have $4,000, 900
invested in cooperative organiza-
tons which did a turnover in bust
ness volume yearly of over $780,
100000. When you see boards Of
trade and chambers of commerce
patting any farmer organization on
the back" he continued, "sit's mot
worth a cuss to the farmers" add
ing that 1--WE have blood in our eye
for that crowd"
Representative Upshaw of Geor-
.gia promised to support the resolu-
ton for a congressional commission
to investigate the farm situation and.
Madame Agrest told Of the work of
the institute of agriculture at Rome
with which. she is connected.
Washington, April 21.-Delegates
to the national Farmers union in
session here, accompanied by mem
bers Of congress, will call upon Pres
ident Harding tomorrow to urge an
immediate reduction in freight rates
Leaders tonight indicated that the
president will be asked to call a
conference of labor, capital repre-
sentatives of basic industries, the
railroad labor board and the inter-
state commerce, commission to this
end.
The conference. with the president
was arranged late today after the
farmers had held an informal con-
ference with members of the inter-
state commerce commission for dis
cussion Of lower freight rates. This
conference was described by dele
gates as unsatisfactory. Members Of
the commission, it was said, indica-
ted that several weeks would be
necessary to put into effect any re-
duction, but suggested that the far
mers themselves meet with represen-
tatives of labor, steel and the basic
industries in an effort to. decide up
on some program for reducing the
operating expenses of the railroads
so necessary to the reduction of
rates. The farmers declared they
----1 IN IL --- Il.l 49,