The San Francisco call., 1898-01-03
Success of the Irish AQri- cultural Organization
 Society.
Developing the Islands Indus tries on the Cooperative
 System.
One Hundred and Seventy Farmers Clubs Already Formed Through
 Its Efforts.
Special Dispatch to the Call.

NEW YORK, Jan. 2.-Right Hon. Horace Plunkett, M. P, chairman of the Irish Agricultural Organization So- ciety, who is now visiting the United States, has contributed to the January number of the North American Review. which will be issued on January 13, an account of the efforts which have been made, since the death of MT. Parnell, to further the cause of Ireland through the development of her commercial and industrial resources. This new move ment. Mr. Plunkett points out, depends for its success upon the cooperation of Irishmen who are politically op- posed to each other, and it has been the means of bringing together in a common endeavor prominent men of the most diverse political factions, unionists and nationalists uniting.
 The conviction out of which the new movement arose was that the Irish difficulty has long been rather econom- ic than political, and that it is so more than ever to-day.
 Solve the economic problem" says Mir. Plunkett, "and in the process the Irish people will be so elevated and strengthened that they will be able to solve the present problem for them selves."
 Being entirely practical in their aims and processes, the patriots who insti- tuted this movement sought sugges- tion and inspiration in countries where similar efforts had already been made. Commissioners were sent to Denmark, To 4o tries on the continent to observe the results of the attempts to organize in- dustries of various kinds and the work of the Irish agricultural society was pursued along the lines suggested by the representatives of the commis- sioner.
 The programme of the reformers is based on voluntary association for in- dustrial purposes, and the attempt made is to give practical effect to this principle by the establishment of so- cieties of farmers for common advan- tage. The success which has attended this work has been most encouraging. The Irish agricultural organization so- ciety, representing almost all classes of 1rishmen, was formed to provide funds for carrying on the movement, and it has been instrumental in establishing 170 of the farmers societies in Ireland
 
 thirty-two counties, with an aggregate membership of some 17,000.
 These societies." says Mir. Punkett ''variously embrace every branch of | the farming industry. They cheapen production by the joint purchase of seeds. manufacturers implements machinery and other requirements of their industry. In dairying districts they erect creameries, which they show a capacity to operate for their own pro- fit. They jointly sell what they produce with a view to saving middle profits They are in many districts applying the principle of cooperation to agri- cultural finance, and are thus securing a great reduction of interest on farm | loans. The advantages derived from combination of individuals is enhanced by joint action between societies." MT. Plunkett says that it is only the lack of funds sufficient to send organ izers qualified to educate bodies of farmers, who are ready to listen tC them in almost every parish in Ire land, which delays the universal adop- | tion of the new scheme, and he calls attention to the fact that in providing | the means to accomplish this purpose a splendid opportunity is open for some wealthy lover of Ireland to confer upor her people an incalculable boon.