The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1921-06-16
BURLEY 'SIGN-UP'
STARTS IN RUSH


h'~iC mum isocosVoO pOui'eo VI DuiiSS
tobacco signed the contract of the
proposed Cooperative Burley Tobacco
Marketing Association, at the opening
meeting of the active slgn-up campaign
here today.
Acreage represented by the sigma
lures was more than 1,400, with an
average production of about 1000
pounds to the acre. Two hundred and
thirty-five growers signed the contract.
Many more were forced to go homo
without having an opportunity to sign,
on account of lack of clerks to a1fend
to them.
Growers from three counties in
Indiana and four IN Kentucky were
among those who bound themselves by
the provisions of the iive-year contract
of the association.
Three farm organizations in Carroll
County made the day special one 70,
their members, and held special meet
ings on proceeding days to urge them
to sign the contract Immediately. The
Farmers Union was represented by 40
per cent Of its members. Approximate
figures indicated that the percentage
of the Farm Bureau was about the
same. The Eurekas, a secret society
Of farmers, had held special meetings
to bring the benefits of the plan before
its members.
Signing began with the arrival of the
first printed contracts from Louisville,
and continued all morning without in
terruption. BY noon more than 80
growers had signed, and others were
crowding TO the tables faster thar
clerks could prepare the papers for
signature. HfN
Curtis Montgomery, Client, KY, was
the first grower to sign the contract
He is one of the largest producers of
Carroll County, and owns about 600
acres of land suitable for raising to-
bacco. He stayed in Carrollton all
night In order to have the opportunity
to sign first.
Despite the fact that rain the night
before the meeting had made a perfect
tobacco setting season, hundreds of
farmers dismissed the chance in order
to attend the "sign-up." BY 10 o'clock
in the morning, the square around the
courthouse, where the signing was In
progress, was crowded with farmers
and their families. A constant stream
continued to pour into the town during
the entire morning and early after
noon, as the districts more remote
from the town sent In their contin-
genrs.
AT noon, after the arrival of Judge
Robert w. Bingham, Louisville, CHEZ
speaker Of the day, and chairman Of
the organization committee Of the pro,
posed association, a procession Of
growers, headed by band and group
of growers who had signed the con-
tract marched from the courthouse to
the scene Of the barbecue and burgoo
feast and the afternoon speaking. 1t
Is estimated that 1000 farmers took
part. In addition to these many had
gone ahead on foot and In cars.
Following the burgoo feast at 80
O'Clock. Judge Bingham addressed the
crowd in one Of the towns warehouses.
Ralph NJ. Barker, member Of the Or
ganization committee, In introducing
Judge Bingham, read telegram FROM
NJ. o. Wilson, campaign secretary OF
the association being formed by Yir-
ginia and Carolina growers, expressing
congratulations and good wishes.
Prolonged applause was given Judge
Bingham's prediction that an adequate
cooperative association law would be
readily passed by the next session Of
the Kentucky legislature.
At the conclusion of Judge Bingham's
address, James c. Stone, Lexington,
member of the organization committee,
speaking Us representative of the
growers of the Bluegrass, thanked the
growers of this section for the impetus
they mad given the campaign, and as
sured them that the growers of his
section would not be slow to follow tile
example. He said that without excep.
tion every man he had consulted in re-
gard to the formation of the proposed
association, had been in favor of the
movement without reserve.
Other meetings at which the con-
tract of the association will be offered
to- the growers for signatures will be
held the week of June 13, at Shelby
vile, Lexington, Maysville, Danville.
Richmond, Cynthiana and possibly
other points. Aaron Sapiro, attorney
for twenty-five California cooperative
associations and considered to be one
of the greatest authorities on coop
erative agriculture in the world, will
address these meetings.
The following names were an.
nounced as members of the organize,
ton committee:
Judge Bingham. Loulsville MIR.
Barker. Carrollton Edward Bassetl,
Desha Breckinrldge, Harry Giovanoli,
Shelby Il. HARRISON, Charles N. Man
ning William A. Mcdowell, DIR. Frank
L. McVey. James G. Stone and Miss
Sunshine Sweeney, Lexington; 4. S
Burnam. Richmond; johnson N. Can.
den and W. T. Slmms. Versailles !;