The National Co-operator and Farm Journal (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 33, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 22, 1907 Page: 1 of 8
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Southern
Mercury
United With ^
The
National
Co-Operator
arid
r arm"
journal
□
D
n
Volume 28.
DALLAS. TEXAS, WEDNESDAY MAY 22, 1907.
Number 33.
SIGN THAT COTTON PLEDGE.
Build Warehouses, Not Too Close To-
gether, Store Your Cotton and
Keep the Pledge.
IA
To the Members of the F. E. &
C. U. of A.: Greeting:
The all absorbing, burning question
for several months past with otir
brethren has been the building of
warehouses In which to store our cot-
ton. Quite a lot of nice warehouses
have been erected in the cotton rais-
ing States, but a large percentage of
them were completed too late in the
acason for handling the crop of 1906.
Others are still building and contract-
ing for warehouses which will be com-
plete^ tefove they are needed to care
for our 11)07 crop. I would caution
my brethren in regard to the building
cf warehouses, as in very nearly every
proposition we undertake to handle
by saying, "There is a happy mean,
between the two extremes that is in-
deed hard to attain." J Members prin-
cipally for the sake of convenience
•re likely to build warehouses so very
Bear each other that we can not pos-
sibly raise enough cotton for all to
handle in a way to make each ware-
louse management success'J. Many
>yal members of our Order have
onomized, strained a point in several
ays to raise a little money to pay
subscriptions for shares of stock
our warehouses; others have actu-
ally taken more shares than they
wished to take; and no doubt, some
have taken shares when they were not
financially able to take them. But we
took them, and paid for tlieni, and
have builded our warehouses. What
we have done on this line has inspir-
ed others to do likewise; and you can
now hear of warehouses about to bo
erected in nearly every little town in
our comftry. This is right, this is
what we have been advised to do
by all of our leaders (brainy, loyal
men), and we did it, or are going to
do it throughout the entire country
encompassed by our Union.
So far, so good. But let us go far-
ther; let us as determined Union men
be up and doing; let us all agree to
patronize our warehouses, and let
us all, to a man, sign that "cotton
pledge" for our 1907 crop. In my opin-
ion this is the best thing we can do,
and about the only way we can know
what all of us will do. We have, a
few of us, held our cotton for the
minimum price at a great sacrifice to
our selves; and at the same time a
considerable profit to those who sold
for just a little under the minimum
price, as every cent received for cotton
this last fall and winter above 8 cents
per pound, was, I feel sure, due solely
to co-operation among the farmers who
raise cotton. "Consistency is a prec-
ious jewel;" if we are a fraternal
organization, founded on strictly ethi-
cal business principles, which I do not
think any of our members will attempt
to deny, why not all of us come to a
perfect understanding; and enter into
an agreement upon our sacred honor,
as to What all of us will do. Not a
few of us, but ALL of us. After go-
Ing into this agreement, then let ev-
ery mother's son of us do his part;
by this means the few faithful broth-
ers who have so nobly stood at the
helm of justice for The Farmers' Un-
ion in the past would he encouraged
and would be eager *o renew the light
for our minimum price, that is to be
set or fixed by our National repre-
sentatives duly assembled next Sep-
tember.. From present indications we
the encouraged to hope the minimum
price will not be fixed or set at less
than 12 1-2 cents. Besides, there are
some of us who feel encouraged to
believe the spinners at their confer-
ei.ee to be held after our National
meeting will endorse our price.
With the "anti-bucket shop bill" al-
ready passed In five of the Southern
In all of the cotton producing Suits,
or cotton raising States, and an al-
most sure possibility, as well ns prob-
ability, of its becoming a statute low
and our fight for justice so nearly
won by the poor oppressed farmers.
It is now time for action to make our
victory complete and decisive.
This Is no time for lagging behind
of any of our members; neither In-
deed does the Union stand in need of
timid, weak-kneed members. Had our
forefathers of Revolutionary fame,
whose memory wo cherish, feared their
English enemies, we, their descend-
ants, could not today boast of our in-
dependence. Ours today is a far
more important plea for humanity and
justice than the import duty on tea
was then; ours today is a much larger,
a more numerous party, than vas
the Boston Tea Party.
The plan advocated by The Nation-
al Co-Operator and Farm Journal, by
which we can, we think, surely get
our minimum price for cotton, has
many features to commend It to the
membership; it is perfectly fair to all
alike; It places the membership on
a true co-operative basis; it cannot in-
jure anyone. Besides, this pledge,
when signed by a sufficient number of
the tillers of the soil, guarantees the
permanency of our warehouse and ele-
vator system. Without something of
the nature of a pledge, duly' signed
by all of the members, there will be
more or less haphazard results in our
warehouse federation, which will be
due to a lack of perfect understanding
among ourselves. If you will only re-
flect back to the time of the building
of the Tower of Babel, you must re-
member that history records the cause
of its failure of completion to a lack
of understanding (confusion) among
those engaged in building it.
Should as many as seventy-five per
cent of the members of our Union sign
this pledge to hold their cotton raised
in 1907 for the minimum price, this
alone would Inspire those doubting
Thomases who have been watching
the Union from afar, with confidence,
and my prediction is, our order would
grow in membership as it has never
prown before, as a result thereof.
We must change our methods of un-
certainty and doubt, which can result
In nothing but disappointment, debt,
and despair, to one of certainty and
independence, which will bring about
freedom of action, lovely homes, well
attended rural schools, country church-
es filled to overflowing on Sundays
with devout people; good roads, whole-
some laws; and last, but by no means
the least, a happy, prosperous and con-
tented populace. There is but one
way that I can think of to bring about
this change, and that is by having
a perfect understanding among our-
selves, and each and every one of us
doing well his part.
The era of Individualism is fast lin-
ing relegated to the past., as it truly
belongs to pust generations, and co-
operation a product of modern Intel-
lect and wisdom, will necessarily take
its place. If we will continue to fol-
low our noble, high-minded leaders,
and practice our Declaration of Prin-
ciples, 1. e„ Equity, Justice and the
Cclden Rule, and havp a perfect un-
derstanding among ourselves, we will
Bureiy win our cause.
The marketing of our crops Ik a
science, and this is one of the keys
which will surely unlock the doors of
success for us. Never before, since
our lamented founder, the illustrious
Newt Gresham, organized the first I vo-
cal Union, have we had such favorable
reports on organization. Before an-
other year rolls around, we will, in
ail probabil.V overreach the two mil-
lion mark in membership. It is so far
as my observation goe« a patent fact
that the membership has acquired
knowledge (due to the untiring efforts
of our beloved editors), which is in-
deed surprising. There Is also mani-
fest with that acquired knowledge, i
zealous determination on the paH of
sr why fmth/ul]
STROKES Wf HAVE J .
MM ME MO M/s our
A
veranc
PPOiHTtft
6or~fHExi
the membership to hold out to tlio
bitter end in this our just demand for
justice.
What I have herein said concerning
the handling of cotton, is equally ap-
plicable to all other farm products,
wheat, <orn, oats, rice, potatoes, tobac-
co, etc.
In conclusion I wish to emphasize
this fact: "United we stand, divided,
we fall." Stand wo must, for we can-
not afford to fall. Our wives, our
children, and our grandchildren, will
ever condemn our memory if we be
not men: true, loyal members of the
most noble, the most important (ex-
cept the church) institution under the
canopy of heaven.
Again, I would say, he consistent
members of the Union; support her
institutions; i-ign that cotton pledge,
and assist, each other in getting our
minimum price, let It be what it may.
Let us be trusting and fully be-
lieving that the Farmers' Educational
and Co-Operative Union of America
must and will forever stand upon that
firm foundation, the rocks of Justice,
Equity and the Golden Rule, which Is
securely cemented together by the
fraternal hands of the tllleis of the
soil. With filial live, I am,
Very respectfully and fraternally,
N. A. CULBERTSON,
Arcadia, La. President.
TJr-memlc'r, that every dollar you
put into a co-operative warehouse,
either in purchasing flock or a- a
loan, means more than two dollars
a year return in the increased price
you w ill get for your cotton.
TWO ARROGANT TRUSTS.
They Prey Upon the Farmers, Inso-
lently Terming Farmers' Union
People "Boll Weevils."
National Co Operator: Your great
paper being a means of communicating
Information, and educating the farmers
t.o the hurtful and destroying powers
of organized greed, I gladly embrace
the means at hand to add my mite
to this educational force.
It is apparent to all reading end
thinking farmers that there exists a
gigantic combination against the fann-
ers known as the cotton seed oil trust,
fed and supported by the gin trust,
which seems to bo auxiliary or a part
In many Instances, of the cotton seed
oil trust Itself. I believe that if a
seat filing investigation was made into
the affairs of these monopolies, there
would he developed facts that would
expose one of the most diabolical of
all the trusts. The words of Attorney
General Davidson In his report to the
Legislature on trusts, which was pub-
lished In your paper of recent date,
asserts that such a trust or combina-
tion exists, and points out the Inade-
quacy of our laws to reach them.
Speaking as an humble, working far-
mer, who has felt the sting of these
blighting trusts, I think I have dis-
covered the footprints of this maraud-
ing institution.
The farmers of my coun'.y were op-
pressed and exploited by the "trusti-
fied" gins, and the Union was forced
to build a gin of their own, which nas
been successfully and satisfactorily op-
crated for two years, almost paying for
Itself, giving the farmers good turn-
outs, line samples, fun* weights and
proving to be one of the best Institu-
tions of the county. Wo ginned 3,974
bales last. year. _
The great representative of the trust
who has his headquarters at. Fort
Worth, tried very hard to break us
down, and Is st'll ryii. t. But our giu
kept on humming while the trust gin
was standing idle a good part of tho
time, and they nicknamed the Union
gin an the "Boll Weevil," because It
go- all the cotton.
Now the tight Is sHIl on, and the
trust, ever merciless in Its lnare'i, does
not want to see the poor old larmers
even own a gin, and they are prepar-
ing for a harder fight, on us than
ever, and they boldly proclaim tiny
Intend to put the "Boll Weevil" out of
business.
Now, what, we need all over Texas
Is a general campaign to build Union
gins, and if wo can make the trust
lose as much money elsewhere as they
have lost In this county, the oil trust
will be rendy to treat the farmers
fairly. Mind you, the trust can't stand
a general fight by* the farmers, hut
they can soon lick a few of us In sec-
tions. Now Is the time for The Farm-
ers' Union to begin to build gins all
over Texas, and when the trust sees
that, tbey are being flanked In every
county, they will get tired spending
their slush funds to destroy Independ-
ent gins.
The trust boss came down from Fort
Worth and cut the price of ginning,
aitd with great, swollen dignity said
he would soon put the Union gin out
of business; but the farmers never
wavered nor wobbled on the spindle,
arid paid no attention to th-j trust.
They went straight to their own gin as
a bee to its hive, or an Indian to his
UNION FOR UNIONISTS.
The National Co-Operator: Bradley
County (Arkansas) Union met May
4th t.o settle our warehouse question.
Some outsiders came to the meeting
and wanted to have a hand in the busi-
ness, but I opposed It. The Union and
UifSon benefits are for members of
the Union. J. J. FERGUSON.
I'irtle, - Ark.
. I
Farmers
Union
Password
United With
V' <
The
National
Co-Operator
arid
Farm
Journal
wigwam. Let me urge you, brother
farmers everywhere to build your
gins; you have no Idea how easily it
can bo done. And then, when you get
your gins up and running, pay no at-
tention to the trust gins, if they offer
to gin your cotton at. cut rates, or
even for nothing, let them alone and
back up your own business, for they
only want to crush you in order to
rob you again.
Then, again, let us not sell our seed
for less than $|.'>00 per ton. Begin
the first of September and put your
seed on high ground, coning them up
to a peak, and they will keep indefi-
nitely. By tlio time you let tin*
trust mills rtaurl lor thirty or sixty
days, they will lie ready to treat you
fair and pay your price.
If your cotton seed should rot, they
are then worth more to you than the
trust Is paying. I am a renter, hut
I have helped to build ono Union gin,
and It's a roaring success. 1 am now
helping to build a second one, and our
policy is to get every Union farmer
to own slock, for it soon pays for it-
self.
Anyone desiring our plans for gin
company, write me and I will submit
them to the Co-Operator for publi-
cation.
Yours for unity,
L. J. SPARKMAN,
Secretary Hood County Uuion.
Graiidhury, Texas.
BUSINESS AGENTS.
National Business Agent Parker Cnll3
a Meeting of All State Business
Agents.
To Co-Operator: Business of vital
importance to the entire membership
of the Farmers' Educational and Co-
Operative Union of America now de-
mands Immediate attention, and
prompt actions by the National Busi-
ness Agents' Association Is therefore
imperative. The State Business Agent
of each Slate organized Is hereby
called to meet III Memphis, Teiin., on
Tuesday, June 1X, 1907, at 10:00 a.
in. If there should be any cause why
any State Agent, can not attend in
person, there should be definite ar-
rangements made for some one to rep-
resent the businescs interesis of such
State.
We can not afford to miss this op-
portunity of perfecting our plans In
time to meet, the great. Issues that are
confronting us. Our (National and
Slate officers are doing their parts
wisely and well, and It now devolves
upon the National and State Business
Agents to bring out a complete plan
for united action. Alabama has sent.
G. T. McElderry to Vienna, Austria,
to confer with the foreign spinners,
lie will also look Into the jute bag-
ging situation and be prepared to re-
port to us In Memphis.
Ilro. W. C. Moore attended the meet-
ing at Boston and Hon. ('has. S. Bar-
rett. attended the great meeting at
Philadelphia. Alter hearing their re-
ports we will he prepared to adopt a
definite plan and report, to each State
TJrilon during the summer, and there-
by secure uniformity of action. Look-
ing forward to the most important
meeting In our history, I am,
Yours for success,
P. F. PARKER,
National Business Agent.
Pell City, Ala.
CALL FOR STATE MEETING.
• ~
Of the Farmers' Educational and Co-
operative Union of Texas, in
August, in Fort Worth.
Dallas, Tex., May 1!0, 1907
Dear Sir:
In compliance with Section I, Cenen-
al Provisions of the Constitution of
the Texas S:alc Union of the Farnii iV
Educational and Cooperative Union
of America. th Executive Committee
of the Texas'State Union has selected
Fort W 'ltli as 11 m> place for holding
ilie regular annual convention, ..ml la
accordance therewith you are hereby
called to nie< t In delegated form at
Fort Worth, Texas, on Tuesday, ths
tith day of \ugust, 1907, for the pur-
pose of electing State officers for an-
other year, electing delegates to tlie
National Convention of The banners'
Educational and Cooperative Union of
America ami for the transaction of all
other business pertaining to the affair*
of the Texas State Union in any fornt
whatsoever.
The basis of representation will be
as provided iu Art I, Sec. 1, of the Cob*
stitutlon of the Texas State Union.*
Ono delegate from ea^h County Un
Ion and one additional' delegate fo
each one thousand members or ma-
jority fractfein thereof.
You will |)lease take notice of this
constitutional provision and elect dele-
gates iu accordance-tlwrqwit.h.
A County having a County Union la
entitled to one de|e;ate at large. If
it has as many as five hundred and OtiH
members it Is epulled to two-dei^
gates; | BO I members, fljrce\lolcgnt'es|
ar.01 members, four delegates; 3f>0|
mouthers, five delegates, and so on.
In determining tile nuujbor of dele-
gates timt your County Is entitled to,
only paid up members for the quanof
beginning July 1st, 1907, must he
counted. All Local Secretaries will
please take notice and remit all duel
for the quarter beginning July 1st,
1907, promptly to County Secretaries,
so that each County may know before
the last of July how many delegates It
will he entitled to. I sincerely hop#
that all members will pay up their
dues promptly, so that, your repre-
sentation will be as large as possible
and make this the greatest convention
ever held in Texas.
When your County elects delegates
to the State Union, the County Secre-
tary must report names and addressei
of delegates to B. F. Chapman, Sec*-
Treas., immediately, ho that he can
compile the list and have it ready by
the time the Stale Union meets, lion't
fail to do this.
This Convention of the State Union
will be a grand encampment, the great-
est of its Kiml In the history of the
South. As many of the delegates as
can possibly do so are urgently re-
quested to come to the convention iu
private conveyance, bring your fami-
lies with you and camp on the grounds.
The meeting will be held at Cotno
Park, near Fort Worth, where there
Is plenty of water and shade for camp-
ing purposes.
Fort Worth has offered nice Induce-
ments for this meeting, a detailed
statement of which will be given later.
Railroad rates will be reported just as
soon as arrangements are made. Let's
all co-operate In making this the great-
est Farmers' Union meeting ever held.
Wishing you all unlimited success,
and hoping that fraternity and broth-
erly love will abound throughout the
proceedings of this meeting, 1 beg to
remain. Fraternally yours,
K. A. CALVIN,
President Texas State Union.
I
<
A•
I
I
]>et them sell their clialk majki
if tlicy fan. We will build a new
system and watch tlic old one tum-
ble down of its own weight. It il
now fulling.
' ■ .
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Pyle, O.P. The National Co-operator and Farm Journal (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 33, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 22, 1907, newspaper, May 22, 1907; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth186291/m1/1/?rotate=90: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .