Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-01-11
It remains for us to examine and recon-

mend to tile most Careful, uhDitscu anu
! unselfish consideration of our own mem
bers. and MI friends Of cooperative trade,
IL plan which has been completely matured,
in goodfaa faith, at considerable labor and ex-
Dense, in our negotiations, last year and
this. with English co-operators. 1t is no
hastily gotten up scheme. 1t has been
formed, examined and REVISED, under most
favorable circumstances, for more than
eighteen months past. It comes to lis III
the hands Of oar own commissioner, q
brother of our order; it comes to us with
the sanction of some Of the most experience
ed and soundest leaders OF cooperation in
England.
WHAT'S it, and what does it propose to
doP IL rests on certain facts, which need
but to be stated to all thinking farmers
throughout our land, to have their full as
sent. A large part of the surplus wheat.
corn, cotton, wool, bacon, cheese. tobacco.
etc. the products of our fields, find their
way, through somc channel Or other, to
European consumers, chiefly to those in
England. Numbers of people are steadily
amassing wealth by the various transact
tions concerned IN the mere transfer from lis
the protucers-to these distant conSura-
ers of this vast surplus. See how lit is turn
ed for them into huge storehouses, palatial
homes and luxurious living. while the farm
er, who receives these gifts from mother
cath as the reward OF his labor-labor
without which the world would not be
clothed and ted-receives for his share a
sum which rarely exceeds, and too often
falls short of, his yearly expenses.
The plan under consideration seeks q
more equitable distribution Of these inter-
mediate profits between American producers
and English consumers, and those engaged
in the transfer. 1t, in the long run, it will
prove mutually profitable to traders, itstanus
to reason that, in the long run. it will prove
mutually profitable to the producers, and
consumers, If they can only manage to
make a more direct transfer, and to control
the products during transfer.
Now, it is just this Kind Of direct trans
fer that the Anglo-American Cooperative
Trading Company proposes to secure, by
applying to part of this necessary inter-
national trade the sound and equitable prin-
cip1es OF a Rochdale Cooperative Society.
This is but the ultimate, legitimate and com
plete result of our direct trade principles.
And tell lis who have more right to control
the sale of these products, and to have some
voice in fixing their value. than the farmers
who produce them? AS mere local coop
erative efforts correct many evils Of local
trade. SO can this international cooperation
be made, an important corrective for inter
) national trade. Think of the heavy sam
: ping. frequent handling, incorrect weigh
: ing, exorbitant warehouse. wharf and freight
charges, we can eventually avoid, when
Q this business is gradually developed to its
i legitimate results. between those on botl
sides Of the Atlantic, who sincerely believe
!, and wish to live up to this true co-opera-
t tive faith"
S Whatever expense can be saved by this
more direct trade OH this cooperative plaf
4 is to be divided cquitahly between the pro
ducers who look after the transfer on this
side. and our cooperative friends who con.
!; troll it on the other. TO Illustrate Sup
posing a cargo Of wheat or cotton transfer
o red on the ship chartered at moderate rate,
= through the cooperation of our English
friends-many useless expenses having beer
s saved in transit-shows, after paying ex
penses, a margin Of say $4,000 between tn,
market price at which we would otnerwis,
sell at home andthey would pay in England
Il how would VIC manage it? Why. S 3,00
would be divided between tho owners o
:. the cargo on this side. and q like an,oln