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Show They Aust Co-operate or Be Owned by the Trusts Shawnee, Okla., Sept. 5. That tho farmers of America will be owned and controlled by the trusts in the next thirty years, if they do not cooperate co-operate and conserve their offorts, was the warning issued today by Pros ident T. J. Brooks of Tennessee, in his response to the addressos of welcome wel-come at the .opening session of the National Farmers' union. Brooks spoke at length on his theme of co-operation. He declared that tho farmers must immediately change their business methods and assist one another or they will soon be tho playthings of the 'Interests. Brooks points out that the farmers are losing a billion dollars annually in the value of their holdings while the trusts, on the other hand, arc gaining a like sum. United States Senator T. P Gore followed Brooks, and took up the cudgel cud-gel for co-operation and his speech was confined mostly to Amplifying tho -statements of Brooks. "You farmers will be buried deeper In the mire thnn ever. If you do not co-operate," declared the blind speaker. speak-er. "More attention must be given to business, If you are to be successful." success-ful." Former State Senator Campbell Russoll delivered the address of welcome wel-come on behalf of the Oklahoma Farmers Far-mers unlon. Russell emphatically denied a statement recentlv made by the secretary of the State Bankers' association, as-sociation, that the cotton crop of the 'state for 1911 will net the planters 75,000,000. "Every intelligent farmer "knows that this year's crop will do well to bring- In $45,000,000," said Russell "That Is If the present prices arc maintained." Secretary M C. Davis, of the National, Na-tional, Is receiving a number of letters let-ters .and telegrams from farmers in the cotton belt, urging the delegates to pass a resolution to hold cotton for thirteon to fifteen cents Action probably will be taken on this matter mat-ter In executive session tonight. All of the remaining meetings will be executive. Thackery Sterns delivered the welcoming wel-coming address on behalf of the city. More than three hundred delegates are in altendanco Every delegate represents 5.000 members. |
