The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-06-29

publication:
June %. 1897.
W. B. FLEMING, Esq,
Ridgeway, N. @.
DEAR FRIEND AND BRoTHER:-I have
had your two letters of the 18th and
10Th some days. and had hoped to be
in better condition to reply.
In answer to the former, will say
that to make a formal report of pro-
gress with shoe factory partners, or
manager, would be q task almost be-
yond my capacity. You have had all
Tor about alp of the letters received
and q few of my replies. OF course |
have sent them to youfor information.
Find others enclosed herewith, all OF
which please return to me when you
have examined them. You must I'm
derstand the awk Wardness OF the sit
uation in which I am placed, in writ
ing to any of these parties. I know
absolutely nothing definite as to the
intentions of the committee yet, l
trow, I know fully as much as theythem-
selves). Will you pardon a s~uggestlon3
I am very adverse to expensive meet
ings of Boards" for small matters
when n man can do work better.
Why not designate member or
your board Gf Business Agent is not a
suitable person. and turn the whole
matter over to him with certain in
struction and limitations7 / am sure,
absolutely sure, that you would get
better business done. Take the Agency
guano contract for instance, the only
way it can be done is for one man to
make it, as-has always been done. 1t
has usually, but not always, been sub
mitted to the executive Committee for
approval, for the simple reason that
the Agent making contract wanted
someone to share responsibility and
wanted to be sure that he had the
sympathy and CO operation of the om-
mittee; and the Committee has always
been kind enough to endorse it when
submitted to them. Now, when you
make a man responsible for anything,
if he has any honor, pride and capac
ity, you will see him put his best efforts
into it and may expect superior results.
After all, If you have a business Agent
elected by the Alliance and pay for his
services and talents, you are not going
to go directly opposite to his opinion,
You will not regard this as egotistic.
1t is not meant in that way. Nor is it
criticism, bat is a point in business
about which business men of expe
rience r agreed. Besides, when no
body is authorized to act, nothing is
done, as per evidence now before you.
Rsverting to responsibility, who is
responsible, now, for the shoe factory's
standing idle9 May not the old mem
bers of the Committee say with a feel
ing of relief to the mselves for
presant conditions, I'VE have been
hampered, broken up, driven eff from
our purpose, or the factory would be
running to day, turning out, at aprofit,
hundreds of pairs of shoes daily; the
brethren would be interested, the
Alliance building up and instead of
having only a few thousand mem
bers, we would have ten times
as many :" On the othexhand,
may not the new members be
shrinking responsibility and saying,
The old committee got US into this
trouble, and now we are dying and un.
able to do anything9" The secret is to
put a man, or a set Of men, where
there is no opportunity to say ''the
woman gave me-" or 1.-The serpent be
guiled me" and say, "ACrI" and you
will get something done. It may not
always be the right thing, but you will
neither rot out, nor rust out. +.
Thank you for your favor of the 18Th
and note that you agree with oil my
suggestions, except one, which you
perhaps misunderstood. I had no
such idea as urging you to pay for the
peas to be planted otter harvest, which
you had formerly declined to do, but
simply to express the view that the
farm here ought to be made to pay, or
be disposed of. In my judgment, it
can be made useful to the brethren of
the Alliance ever the State and at the
same time not only not be a burden,
but yield a small profit.
Fraternally,
T. IvEY, 8. B. A.
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