The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-02-17
Sec. F. A.L& I:U.. Minnesota.


There seems to besome confusion with
regard to the request sent out some
couple Of weeks ago in this paper, calling
for the names OF mills which were not
controlled by the solitbine" We have
received some correspondence suggest
ing the practicability of the farmers
grinding their own wheat and shipping
the flour in to us, to be sold bv us for
them direct to the consumers at prices
that would mean saving to both prod
ucer and consumer. The information
asked was the name of the mills and the
locality where they are situated" We will
then try and secure from those millers
such Information as would be Of value
to us, and by this means we can reach
at once for the detailed information
which vii enable us to place the same
before our readers and ascertain whether
we can put this plan into practical oper-
| alton for the benefit of the producers and
consumers, or not.
We would most earnestly urge our
friends to furnish us with this informa-
ton, as on it depends to a great extent
the success OF the practical benefits to
the farmer, for the reason if we can and
hope to our city friends that they can
obtain flour direct from the farmer by
going to the Exchange Depot, they will
also call for other produce from the
farm, such as potatoes, hay. butter, eggs,
iced, oats, bran, etc, and by this means
offer an immediate outlet for great
deal OF the products of the farm direct
to the consumers. that could now be
| taken advantage OF instead Of sending
same in to city commission men, at
whose mercy the farmer often finds him
sell. Let us get this flour matter started
at once, and it will offer solution to
furnishing market for most OF the
produce from the farm. We find our
offer to furnish Depot for the storage
o, farm products has been largely taken
| advantage OF by farmers throughout the
| state. The only conditions we impose
| upon our farmer friends is that they be-
| long to their local Alliance. and prepay
the freight charges on their hay wood,
| iced, butter, eggs, &C., and we give them
| free storage for the present from 80 to
! 90 days on those prepaid goods and act
as their agent. and dispose Of same to the
best advantage, while the goods remain
the property OF the shipper while in our
care, and the cash will be returned at
| once to the shipper as soon as same has
been sold There can be no loss in this
| method of doing business. as it at once
prohibits the agent to sell the goods on
time Or credit. We either have the
farmers goods on hand or their value in
cash We would also desire that any one
in the country wishing to investigate our
plan Of doing business can have free &C
cess to our books and methods. as we
firmly believe that d system of the ut
most confidence must be established be-
tween the shippers and their agents to
| make the substantial, advantages which
our organization insures to its members
practical success. We have been asked
by numerous correspondents if we in
| tend to have only the1bne Exchange De
pot i'll operation in the state. We would
answer that the very moment that we
have this Depot in successful operation
we intend to put one iii every populous
city and town in the State and direct the
same through the Central Depot. This
will be OF vast beifefttoithe people of the
state. We would therefore ask our
friends again to give us the desired in
formation covering flour and grst mills
throughout the state. The Exchange
Depot accepts produce that has the
freight prepaid only, in order to secure
the advantage Of free storage.