Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-11-22
Delegates and Visitors Ex-
pected From Forty-Six
States-Matters of Impof-
lance to Be Taken Up

ance, the third annual convention
of the American Farm Bureau fed
Grafton was officially opened Mon
day morning at 10 o'clock in the
auditorium. The convention is to
be in continual session through
Wednesday, with meetings each
morning, afternoon and evening.
DIR. Andrew M. Soule, president
Of the Georgia State College OF Ag-
riculture, delivered the principal adj
dress of the opening session, which
followed addresses of welcome by
Governor Hardwick and Mayor Key
James w. Morton, of Athens, MEM
Der of the executive committee, de-
livered the response.
Approximately five hundred peo-
pie were in the auditorium when
James r. Howard, of Chicago, pres
ident OF the federation, called the
initial session to order. Farm bu-
reau leaders declared that at least
five hundred more would be here
before the beginning of Tuesdays
meetings.
Rev. S. R. Belk, pastor Of Trinity
Methodist church, delivered the in
vocation, after which Mayor Key
presented an address Of welcome on
behalf of the city of Atlanta.
Mayor Key, during the course of
his remarks, took occasion to de-
clare that until the bankers, bust.
ness men and industry in general
supplied the farmers with a ready
market, there could be no solution
of the present farm difficulties. He
stressed the need of diversification
Of crops, but declared the establish
ment Of marketing facilities was Of
greater Importance.
Mayor Key Lauds Ford
Mayor Key touched on the agri-
cultural and mineral resources of
the state, declaring that it was rich
in everything needed to make it the
commanding agricultural state of
the south. He deplored the lack of
adequate markets for handling
Georgia-raised foodstuff, and de-
clared that until the time came
when markets were ready and ca
ger for everything the farmer
raised, there could be no delivery
from the slavery of a one-crop pfo-
duction.
He told the delegates the state
was rich in latent water power, but
only a small percentage of it had
been developed. He also called att
tention to the fact that Georgia im-s
ported most of it's foodstuffs, where
as it's soil was capable of producing
everything that was needed in the
way of food. He blamed this main
ly on the lack of markets for farm
commodities.
Mayor Key declared he hoped the
government would turn over the
Muscle Shoals nitrate plant to Hem
ry Ford, which declaration was re-
ceived with cheers and applause by
the audience.
"I like the way that man Ford
does things" the mayor declared.
land while am no agent for Ford
cars, I believe that if he is given
the plant he will put nitrates in
the reach of every farmer and will
supply adequate power at rea-
sonable rate to those who want
power"
Mayor Key told the delegates that
the city of Atlanta was proud to
welcome them to it's midst, and that
he hoped their stay here would DO
enjoyable
Tells of Bureaus Advance
Mr.. Morton, in responding to the
mayors address, took occasion to
point out some of the accomplish
ments of the American Farm Bu-
reau Federation. He read a detailed
report from the secretary, showing
how in two years, the membership
had obtained IAN enormous growth.
He also outlined some Of the things
that the federation had done which
were of great benefit to the farmer.
Governor HardWick, after well
coming the convention on behalf of
Georgia, took occasion to discuss the
present agricultural system, as we'll
as the remedies needede He stressed
above all things else the immediate
need of closer cooperation between
L. 1n
innate consumer.
Governor Hardwick said he be-
lieved the federal reserve system
had a great deal to do with the
present situation of the farmer by
its sudden withdrawal Of agricul-
tural credits.
eff the reserve system had ex-
banded it's credits on Agriculture
rather than have expanded them inn
the urban centers, where the stock
farmer would have been a great
deal better off than he now u.s." the
governor declared.
He also took occasion to declare
that the present freight rates on
farm commodities were entirely too
high, and said the railroads were
cutting off their noses to spite their
faces by not lowering freight rates
right now.
High Rates Cause Tie-Up
''With rates high" the governor
continued. farm commodities are
not moving. Therefore. the farmers
PRODUCTS ard rottiEg, and the rail-
roads are not getting any freight,
and consequently no revenue.
Freight rates have got to come
down.
Railroad labor, already reduced.
must be reduced still more. The time
has come also when capital must
hear it's burden in the general reor
ganization of things. We must help
the farmer, for, after all is said ard
done, unless the farmer prospers.
nothing else twill prosper. When the
time comes that grass begins to
grow in country fields and roads.