ELEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IV. 115 



your interests. I have given you all of my time and the best there was 

 in me to build up your association. As to how well I have succeeded 

 and how near I have met your expectations, I leave it to you to decide. 

 But before I close, I want to call your attention to my expense account 

 for the past year. You will notice when the secretary makes his report 

 that this account is about double what it has been for the preceding 

 years. This increase is brought about by my working all the year instead 

 of just during the winter months, as in the past. And in this connec- 

 tion I want to state that in many localities where I worked, the local 

 men who were boosters in the association had their own autos and took 

 us around, and made no charge, which fact I believe deserves special 

 mention, for they not only saved the association many dollars, but they 

 showed their faith by their works. Others drove us with their teams when 

 the roads were too soft to use an auto. Thus all were ready to do their 

 part in the good work, for which they deserve our hearty thanks. 



Our interstate rate case was won largely through the unselfish devo- 

 tion of our attorney in the case, Mr. Thorne, and I am sure I voice the 

 sentiment of all when I extend in this public way our hearty thanks to 

 Mr. Thorne. 



Then there is that old, staid and true veteran defender of the farmers' 

 rights and interests — Uncle Henry Wallace, and his valuable paper, "Wal- 

 lace's Farmer, that has had a conspicuous part in creating sentiment in 

 favor of your association and building it up; and I wish to make special 

 mention of them and to extend to them our most hearty thanks. 



And also to all other papers — the names of which are too numerous 

 to permit of personal mention — which have in any way assisted in the 

 good work, we extend our thanks. 



Then there is the loyal band of local workers over the state, who 

 have given freely of their own time and sacrificed their own interests 

 in order to perpetuate the association, and to whom your association 

 owes its very existence; and we want to say: Thank you, one and all, 

 and may God bless you all and abundantly recompense you in the 

 future. 



Now, just a parting word from one who loves you and the cause 

 you have espoused, and believes firmly in the righteousness of our cause. 

 Let me say to you all, buckle on the armor afresh, and let us go forth the 

 coming year determined to make this the greatest organization of its 

 kind this state has ever seen. Then, and then only, will we see victory 

 perched upon our banner. 



I thank you. • 



Professor J. B. Davidson, of the Iowa Agricultural College, was 

 then introduced, and addressed the convention as follows: 



