The National Co-Operator (Mineola, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 52, Ed. 1 Wednesday, January 10, 1906 Page: 4 of 8
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O. r. I'VLK,
tidltor mill Proprietor.
" 1
PutdlNhed Once a Week at Mlneola, Texan.
tkiimh (ik hi'llmi iiii'tkin.
One Dollar a year. In advance.
Board of Director*:
New t (Jri-Nliiiin, I. D. Montiroiuer.v, X. C.
Murray. .Inn. T. tinnier, .'no. II. Hector, It.
II. lli-ilth.
Entered at I'ont Office Mtneola, Texan, an
Meciiml-claHH mall matter.
Advertl«In« rat en will he furnltilieil on ap-
plication.
<union
laSel>
The Home In the hone of the .Nation. When
•very family own* a home free from mort-
gage, then fmleeil, will we hnve a tiroiiperouM
eooutry. To owu a home Id a iluty every
man owe* to hlnmelf, IiIh family and hi*
country.
MINKOLA, TKX.. WEDXKSDAY, .IA.X. 1<>,
TO CORHBSPONDBNTS:
('(■•Operator Ih al waym iflnil tn hear from
you, 11iit you iniiht not feel HliKhtcd If we are
compelled to Htrlke out a part of your com-
tii ii ii leu 11 o ii k. We receive ho many that If
we were to print them Juxt iih they come In
we would have to enlarge the paper Home
weekn to accommodate the correHpondeutH
alone. When writing, he mire to nay what
you wIhIi to kii.v In iih few worilM an poHHllite;
and then, If we inunt Htill cut It nhorter, you
will know the reanon why and will excune iih
for It. Itcmcmlier, that Co-Operator 1h a Na-
tional paper and received commuulciitloiiH
from nil Staten where the Farmei'h 1'nlon In
planted. Don't full to write. t'o-Operntor
In your paper. I.'ne it.
Minimum Prices.
The following minimum prlccH were report-
ed liy committee anil agreed upon liy the
National PnrmcrH Kducatlonal and Co-Oper-
atlvo Union of America at 11h tlrnt annual
hchmIoi), at Texnrknnu, Dec. 5, 1005, for
thin year'n crop:
Cotton, nilddlInK 11c
Corn, per btiHhel 50c
Wheat, iier IiuhIicI #1.00
OatH, jier IiuhIicI 85c
Hroom corn, per ton, from $nr> to $100
Cattle, per cwt <1.50
HOKH, " " 5.50
Hay, per ton 10.00
Alfalfa, per ton 15.00
McIoiih, |ier car 50.00
Sweet potatoeH, per liiidhel 75c
IrlHh 75c
Cotton need, per ton 15.00
Hided, per Hi 12>/jc
Committee:—J. II. Hoyle, (la.; L. X. HolmeH,
La.; N. S. Sherman, I. T.: .I'. Stovoll, MIhh.;
It. H. McCuIIoiikIi, Ark.: J. T. 1'pton, Tenn. ;
II. M. Kay, Mo.; T. H. I'oHter, S C.; H. N.
tiulliH, Kiiiihiih.
Get down to business.
Let men do business, and let
babies "chew the rag."
Never sell below the minimum
price. Don't be a dumper.
Go forward. Do not lean to the
right nor to the left. Go on,
straight on.
Always remember, that, what-
ever is right, can be done by the
American people.
If we would succeed, we must
get down to businessevery where.
This is a national organization,
and all the producers are, or
should be interested in this
great movement.
No, no, we are not going to do
what the producers want done in
a political wav. It is an indus-
trial question, and must be set-
tled that way. Organization,
combination and concentration
will do it.
No man should be permitted
to join the Farmers' Union be-
cause of the fact that be is a
newspaper man. If he has not
the other qualifications he should
be kept out. Farmers cause no
trouble in farmers'organizations.
While in Dallas last week, the
committee gave us part of the
delayed minutes to print. There
is more yet to come. When the
committes succeeds in finding
the other parts they will be
printed. Send thein in as soon
as possible.
Newspaper men who have no
interest in Agriculture have al-
ways caused trouble in farmers
organizations and always will.
Unless they are engaged in agri-
culture, they should not be per-
mitted to join any farmeas or-
ganizations.
The extra blade must not be
dumped on the market. If it is
going to be dumped it is some-
times best that the extra blade
was not produced at all.
Don't fail to get Co-Operator
into the hands of all vour mem-
bers. It will make them live
members all the time.No trouble
where Co-Operator goes.
Let nothing get vou off the
main track, the sidings are not
safe. Better prices are what we
want. The selfish ambition of
no man must get in our way.
If there is a man in your com-
munity who does not belong to
the Union and who should belong
to it, go out and get him. We
need him and he needs us.
An uniform price for produce
will settle the matter of distribu-
tion. Let's take the produc-
ers everywhere, into this agree-
ment. Do this, and the work is
done.
Let us raise bumpers, but let's
never be dumpers. We can
handle a bumper, if we will re-
fuse to be a dumper. The bump-
er and the dumper cannot keep
house together.
The people in their sovereign
capacity have spoken, and, their
command is to go forward. Let
no man sulk in his tent. Let us
all go to the front where all brave
men should go.
The Farmers Union is greater
than any man or set of men. A
man who will allow his selfish
ambition to get in the way of the
onward progress of this move-
ment will be remembered only to
be despised.
Co-Operator will go one farther
than anyone has yet gone. We
do not believe that professional
newspaper men should be per-
mitted to join the Farmers'Union.
He should have the other neces-
sary Qualifications, to member-
ship, and all constitutions should
be so amended.
The cotton mills of the world
are consuming more than one
million bales of cotton per
month. At that rate more than
12 million bales will be consum-
ed in a year. Don't get scared
if you are holding cotton. Sure-
ly you are in no danger.
No, no, it cannot be that the
copy tor the minutes of the Waco
meetingtwere purposely delayed
in order to injure anyone. They
were lost and that is all there is
to it. When they are found they
will be printed. They cannot
be printed, 'till the copy ia
found. Let us hope it will be
found.
Get down to business and quit
"chewing the rag." "The rag
chewer," disorganized should get
out and let this great work pro-
ceed as it will proceed. It can
not now bestopped by designing
politicians. The politician will be
sorry that he ever joined the
Farmers' Union. The Union is
already sorry of it.
Never forget that we are not
gamblers. The minimum prices
are carried at the head of the
first editorial column of Co-Op-
erator. If it suits to sell for
these prices, all right, if not use
your own judgment. This is all
that can be said 'till we get ab-
solute stability of prices.
While some other people have
been "chewing the l'ag," the
Alabama Farmers' Union men
have built 50 fine warehouses,the
past year. South Carolina is
also building them. In both of
these states the loyal Union men
are buying the cotton from the
brethren who are forced to sell
and are holding it 'till the price
suits them to sell. That's busi-
ness.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEETS.
The National Executive Com-
mittee, elected at Texarkana,
met in Dallas, Texas, January
4th, and Remained in session un-
til the 8th. The Acting National
Committee, the so called Texas
Committee, was also in session.
The matter of the transfer of the
Franchise, or rather, the acqui-
escence in the Texarkana meet-
ing, by the so-called Texas Com-
mittee, was fully discussed in
joint session. Before the'ar-
rival of the two committees, the
so-called Texas officials had em-
ployed legai counsel, and his de-
cision puts matters in a very pe-
culiar condition. From his de-
cision, we learned that there has
been no State Union in Texas
since August, 1904, at which time
the Texas State Union began
parforming the functions of a
National Union. Texas haying
no State Union, was entitled to
only one vote in the Texarkana
meeting, under the call, as all
states having one or more locals,
but no State Union, were enti-
tled to one vote only. Also, his
decision was that the Texarkana
meeting was not legal because
the call was not worded right.
If the call had been made for the
election of officers instead of sub-
mitting it to the people to see if
they wanted to elect officers,
which was done, the call would
have been legal, the Convention
would have been legal, and, the
officers elected at Texarkana
would have taken charge of the
offices at Dallas, Texas, and the
old officers would have retired.
His decision was also to the
effect that, the officers elected at
Waco last August are not legal
officers, because the call for the
Waco meeting was not legal, as
it was called for a State Union
only, when it should have been
called for a National Union, that
Texas alone elected the National
officers when they should have
been elected by all the states,
that J. D. Montgomery is the
only legally elected officer, as he
was a hold-over from the former
legally elected officers.
His decision was further, that
the old, National Committee,
composed of W. T. Loudermilk,
W. A. Shaw, O. P. Pyle, W. D.
Lewis and B. F. Holcombe, and
the other state officials, N. C.
Murray, President, Newt Gresh-
am, Secretary, C. M. Compton,
Lecturer, could enjoin the pres-
ent officials from further per-
formance of the duties of the va-
rious offices, step into the offi-
ces and take charge as if the
Waco Convention had never been
held. Had this been done, the
old Committee would have rec-
ognized the action of the Texar-
kana meeting, and, by acquiesc-
ence in it, would have been legal,
according to the opinion of their
lawyer.
If the committee, composed of
F. W. Davis, J. D. Jameson, J.
R. Luce, M. A. Clifton and G. M.
Garner, had voted to recognize
the action of the Texarkana meet-
ing, it would have made it abso-
lutely legal, and the officers elect-
ed at Texarkana, would have ta-
ken charge of the offices at Dal-
las.
The contention of the Com-
mittee elected at Texarkana was,
that the Texarkana meeting was
altogether legal, regardless of
the slight irregularity in the call,
because it was endorsed by the
members of the Union, the stock-
holders of the corporation in all
the states. The Committee be-
lieved, and still believes, that it
had a right to proceed with the
work of organization, but, we
were informed by Pres. Calvin,
that if we attempted to proceed,
that we would be enjoined. We
had heard these threats before
we reached Dallas, but paid no
attention to them, but when it
came from Pres. Calvin, and be
was very positive it would be
done, the Committee, rather than
have a lawsuit and bring the Far-
mers' Union into reproach, mak-
ing it a hiss and a by-word the
country over, decided to wait un
til next August, the so-called
Texas Committee agreeing to call
a National Union for that date.
The National Committee elected
at Texarkana. fully believe that
they are the legal committee
and haye the advice of the very
best counsel to be had in the
state. Not one lawyer, only, but
four of them. And, if we were
not legally elected, we could go
into court, turn out the old offi-
cers, take posession of the offices
at Dallas, recognize the Texar-
kana meeting as legal, which
would make it absolutely so, ac
cording to the opinion of counsel
employed by the so-called Texas
officials. But, for the sake of
harmony, and to keep out of the
courts of the country, the com-
mittee decided to wait the pleas-
ure of the so-called Texas com-
mittee, and wait until August to
begin the work which is so
necessary to be done, to form a
great national compact for the
mutual protection of the pro-
ducers. We are making a very
great sacrifice but we were re-
peatedly assured by President
Calvin that we would be enjoined
if we attempted to proceed.
While not fearing the decision of
the courts, for both sides agreed
that the Texarkana officers had
an easy route to obtain the offi-
ces by law, yet for, we hope,the
good of the cause we have step-
ped aside rather than to have
our noble order dragged into the
courts. The cause of the Farm-
er's Union should be first with
all Union men. No man can af-
ford to let his selfish ambition
get in the way of the onward
progress of this movement. If
any man should do this, he ought
to be sent to the rear and to be
remembered no more forever.
We call upon all Union men every-
where to go to work with a re-
newed zeal and see to it that
nothing is left undone which will
be for the advancement of our
great industrial business organi-
zation. When we meet in Na-
tional Convention again, let us
hope that we will work under a
call which will stand the test.
Let us then elect officers who
will represent the nation and no
particular section; men, capable
of leading this great organization
from victory to victory, until fin-
ally the producers shall be placed
on the high industrial and finan-
cial plane to which they are so
justly entitled. We have tried
to give a plain statement of facts
concerning the legal muddle
which we are in, and in these
statements all will concur. With
malice toward none but with love
and charity to all, these explana-
tions are made.
Fraternally yours,
O. P. Pyle.
County Union to Meet.
Rusk County, Texas, Jan. 6.—
The Rusk County Farmers Un-
ion meets in regular session at
New Harmony, January 11th and
12th. It is earnestly requested
that every local union of the coun-
ty be represented, because this
being the first meeting of the
year, there will be some very im-
portant business coining before
the body, and we would be glad
that the locals of the county,
which are not in good standing,
and which have ceased, it seems,
to take an interest in the Union,
would come to the January meet-
ing and pay up their dues and
join us in our onward march.
J. W. McCune, Pres.
Clifton Crim, Sec.
UNION J40TES.
Organizer II. M. Ray is push-
ing the work along in Missouri
at a rapid pace.
* * *
Bro. B. F. Earle, organizer in
South Carolina is making rapid
progress in organizing that
State.
Texas State Organizer, J. D.
Montgomery, reports 125 char-
ters issued to local unions during
the month of December.
* « *
Bro. J. P. Fraley, Dublin, Ark.,
wants to know where he can get
the "genuine green cotton seed"
for planting. Write him.
* * *
Organizer E. S. Ethridge is
doing tine work in Florida.
There are no better men in the
field than Bro. Ethridge. Much
success to you.
* * *
"In the South Atlantic States
the organization has been lately
begun and is spreading rapidly.
Each of the locals has from fif-
teen, the minimum membership,
to more than 150 members,
* * *
J. T. Upton, Thos. E. Knight,
T. J. Brooks, J. G. Babb and S.
J. Mustain, are among the earn-
est organizers in Tennessee.
They are to be commended for
the good work they are doing in
that state.
* * *
The State Executive Commit-
tee of the Farmers Educational
and Co-Operative Union of Amer-
ica, of Georgia, will meet at the
Williams House, No. 1, at Atlan-
ta, Ga., Monday, January 15, at
10 o'clock, a. m.
• # *
The Farmers' Union's growth
in Indiahoma has been unprece-
dented. It was organized less
than a year ago and now has a
membership of over 100,000. This
comprises 2,000 local unions and
at the headquarters, Shawnee,
Okla., it is reported that applica-
tions for new unions average ten
a day.
* * *
The total number of locals
formed in the several states thus
far amounts to 8,667, distributed
as follows: "Texas, 3,312; Okla-
homa and Indian Territories, 1,
600; Arkansas, 1,600. Louisiana,
400; Georgia, 350; Alabama, 600.
State Unions have those locals.
Missouri, 86; Tennessee, 93,
South Carolina, 63; North Caroli-
na, 10; Mississippi,[131; Kentucky
3, Virginia 3, Oregon 1, New
Mexico 3, Florida 3.
* *
The Arkansas State Committee
abolished the system of super-
visor districts, and established
two lecture districts with the
Arkansas River as the dividing
line. H. B. Lewis, of Holly Grove
has been appointed for the North-
ern, and Dr. Wm. E. Biggs of
Antoine for the Southern dis-
trct. County Union secretaries
and presidents are requested to
communicate with their respec-
ive state lecturer, outlining
their wants and condition in ref-
erence to lecturing so that a
systematic route of work may be
judiciously laid out with the least
possible travel and expense.
Fannin County Union.
Bonham, Tex., Jan. 9.—Fan-
nin County union met in regular
session Jan. 3, at Bonham, Tex.,
and elected the following officers:
L. B. Tefteler, president, Wolf
City; W. A. Baxter, vice-presi-
dent, Leonard; Henry Hudson,
secretary-treasurer, Bonham; F.
C. Melton, chaplain, Savoy; J.W.
Fenter, lecturer, Honey Grove;
J. F. Jack, conductor, Wolf
City, and P. E. Cline, door-keep-
er, Wolf City.
Henry Hudson,
Sec.-Treas.
Appreciates Co-Operator.
Thunder, Ga., Jan. 9.—The
Co-Operator is the best paper I
have ever read. If all the union
men would take and read Co-Op-
erator all unions would be live-
lier. Hoping you and your paper
great success, I am
Yours fraternally,
R. D. McFarlin.
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Pyle, O. P. The National Co-Operator (Mineola, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 52, Ed. 1 Wednesday, January 10, 1906, newspaper, January 10, 1906; Mineola, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth254304/m1/4/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Mineola Memorial Library.