The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-21
Farmers Union Plans $4,000
Building Here.
Referendum to Members For
Advance in Dues.
INDUSTRIAL COURT is FAVORED
Farmers Unions Oppose Diyi-
sion of Present Body.
Register Further Dissatisfac-
tiOn Over Roads Amendment.

Farmers Educational and Co-opera-
tive Union of Kansas has decided to
send a referendum to all members
calling for an advance of so cents a
year in dues for the next two years
for the purpose of raising $4,000 to
build or buy a building in Topeka that
will serve as state headquarters of
the organization. This was decided
today at the annual convention of the
union in this city.
To r. c. Obrecht, president of the
Shawnee county local of the Farmers
Union, is due the credit for the en-
thusiasm with which Topeka has got
ten behind the movement. The city's
hospitality and its promises to make
every effort to aid the organization
went thru the Obrecht channel. Never
has an organization received such
genuine support in its conferences as
that extended the Farmers Union in
convention here. Obrecht is a farmer
of scientific training. he is man of
education and experience and has
been q leader for years in farm actlV-
ity in shawnee county and Kansas.
Last spring the Farmers Union
voted to move the headquarters to To-
pcka. On a referendum vote this de-
cis'on was taken. Now comes the
referendum for the construction or
purchase of a headquarters buildiI {;
in the. ca Dital city.
The Industrial committee of the
Chamber of Commerce. in charge of
tho plans for the invitation of the
Farmers Union included c. P. Buck,
q. i. Adams. c. r. Merriam. c. H
'""np. George T. McEntire and S. F.
Cobb.
No Court Division.
Any division of the court of indus
trial relations will not be approved
hY the farmers who belong to the Kan
sas Farmers Educational and Co.
Operative union, it was made plain by
the organization in the resolution re-
ported this morning by the legislative
committee opposed to any new
hnNrds. commissions or bureaus in con-
nection with the state government"
Reconsider Farm Tenantry.
The smoldering opposition to the
land tenantrN amendment and the good
roads amendment adopted at the gem
eral election in. November gave out a
healthy puff OF smoke this morning
with the resolution which said that
"inasmuch as the governor asks for
the resubmission of the tax amend
iuent, we suggest that the voters also
he given another opportunity to con-
slider the farm tenantry and the good
roads amendments" Pronounced ap-
plause was given the reading of that
res 1luton.
A reflection on the state educational
system as applied to rural schools was
contained in the resolution asking that
'''Ne school authorities give us a plain
comprehensive course of study for the
rural schools
Want Co-Operative Banks.
Cooperative banks, fruit companies
and credit unions were asked for in
II" legislative committees report.
Further dissatisfaction with good
rods methods of the state govern
IT'"pt was registered in the legislative
committee resolution asking for
amendments to the roads laws that
win require submission of project
T'ans to n vote of the interested tax
payers before bonds are issued.
Asks Increased Salaries.
Increases in salaries of county su-
perintendents were asked by the COM
Dlittee; the governors recommends
ton for the creation of a state de-
partmcnt of agriculture made up by
the consolidation of all boards, agen-
cies and commissions related to agri-
culture was approved.
Senator Alfred Docking of Manhat-
tan addressed the morning meeting
You farmers must not think be-
cause you go oyer to the legislature
and suggest things that the legislators
are going to pass laws to please YOU"
he said. They wink at each other
and suit themselves. But if each one
of You will give us key names or names
of special persons in your communi-
ties to keep in touch with your repre-
sentatives some effective work might
be done"
Capt. MacLean Talks.
Capt. w. p. MacLean, superintendent
of the Boys Industrial school. told the
farmers of conditions at the school
and the need OF larger appropriation
for the institution's use. He also
stressed the need of homes for the
boys after their terms have expired
at the school. Many of them, he said
had no place to go from the institu-
tion. and would appreciate being
placed in good farm homes.
The fourteenth annual convention
of the Kansas Farmers union will
close today with Maurice McAuliffe of
Salina as president for another year;
John Tromble of Beloit reelected to
the office of vice president; Dan
Bliss, Rocks county, treasurer; W. G.
Swanson. Vliets. lecturer. and NJ. P.
Gates. doorkeeper.
At the open meeting Thursday night
Hon. John McSparran, master of the
Pennsylvania State grange, was the
was c. A. Davis. national secretary of
the Farmers union. McSparran's
KEYNOTE was cooperation, emphasiz-
ing the value of it in farmers activi-
ties.
devoted to the installation of officers.
hearing of additional committee re-
ports.
Meet in Salina Next Year.
Salina will be the next meeting
pIace of the Kansas Farmers Educa-
tional and COOPERATIVE Union. EN-
poria. Junction City, Wichita. Par
sons. and other cities gave urgent in
vita tions thru their farmer delegates
for the convention to come to their
respective localities for the 1922 con-
vention. IN the years of legislative
sessions 70 convention always comes
to Topeka
Delegates chose. to atten., rs ma