The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-02-07
TWINE QUESTION.
The Alliance Must Act At Once.
And Save the State Factory,

CROOKsTON, Mimi, Jan. 20, "a.
Mr.. EDITOR:
Permit me to give some suggestions
through your valuable paper, to the
officers of the farmers alliance, in
bearing upon the Saltwater twine
question. 1t seems that there is
some difficulty in disposing of the
twine, or in other words, it is difficult
to get the farmer to patronize the
industry. / understand that the
twine is as good as can be had for the
money, and if that is the case GER
tainly the farmers ought to patron
ize it; as the plant was in fact start
ed by their request and should receive
their patronage.
am satisfied that the farmers are
general believers in the industry and
mean to give it their support. The
only trouble, ] think, is neglect and
Indifference: which / believe is
caused by the alliance having failed
to adopt system whereby it could
be handled through or under it's con-
troll
If the alliance would establish
agencies in each county, can see no
reason why the twine could not be
Opposed Of. If | had the exclusive
contract for Polk county, with a
pledge, from the alliances that they
would take all their twine from me,
/ could dispose of 100000 lbs next
summer. | believe l would be will
ing to take the contract and become
responsible for it's twine to the state,
at commission of one cent per
pound which / understand is the diff
ference in the price when taken in
carload lots in this manner the
agent would have something to work
for, and would naturally push the
twine on the market; and thereby
make more sales as rule. The goods
offered for sale are generally sold
quicker than goods that are kept till
the customer comes and takes them.
/ believe the alliance should take
some steps in this direction, l may
be mistaken however, as there are
undoubtedly men in the alliance
that have more experience in such
work than l; and possibly have ex-
perience that shows, that such an
arrangement cannot be successfully
carried out. 1t however looks very
practical to me. What do you say
boys. Very respectfully yours,
ELIAS STEVENSON.
k
We publish Mr.. Steenerson's letter
with pleasure. 1t is practical and to
the point; and even if it's suggestions
are not the best, it will provoke
thought and create discussion.
The erstanding with the State
Prison Board, at the annual meeting,
was, that the twine this year should
be put down to the lowest notch,-to
the cost price;-and that that price
should be uniform to all purchasers,
whether they bought carload or
100 lbs.
But there will have to be, in every
county, an agent who will handle the
whole business in the county; and it
seems to me that it would be wise if
he was selected by the county 'alli-
ance, at a meeting called for that
purpose. If this agent is man of
means, and able to buy a car load, and
pay the cash for it, or give good bank
able paper for it, that would simplify
the business. The state prison
board, l understand, are willing to
wait until the first of October for
their pay, or even later, if necessary,
if the state is made safe.
l would suggest that now, while
farm work is not pressing, the county
alliance convene in. each county, and
select their agent. Then let each To-
cal alliance meet and pick OUTFITS
agent, who will work under the
county agent. In counties where
there are no county alliances let one
be formed at once.
The compensation of the agents
becomes a serious question. The
state prison board, if they put the
twine down to the lowest figure can
not very we'll pay commission to
the agents; and yet they ought to be
compensated. 1t would seem as if
the county and local alliances should
be willing to pay small per centage
on the sales of twine, provided it is
furnished to the farmers at cost, plus
transportation The farmers are rea-
sonable beings, and will not expect
any man to put in his time and mon
ey for nothing.
The alliance should require that
members should pay up their dues
for this year, 20 cents each, before
obtaining the twine of the alliance
oroptc This will preatlv helm the