The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-02-08
MR.. POWELLS VIEWS.
A 10 HOW tho Grain Growers Should
Organise-Let the Debate Go on ana
the Truth Come Ont.

A. to How tho Grain Growers Should
Organi.e-Let the Debate Go on ana
tho Truth Come Out.
Saltwater. Mimi. jan 9. 80.
Hon. Ignatius Donnelly Hastings. MINI.
chairman Of tho committee on oonstitution
and bylaws Of the Grain Grower Coop
erat1ve Association Of Minnesota:
Dear Sir and Friend-1t seems to me ths
main object to b attained by the above
named association 10 to give tho man that
grows the grain a voice In fixing the price
Tor which 1t shall be sold. In Mr. Hopkins
plan can see nothing tending toward that
end. Mr.. ]. c. Hanleys plan is still worse
He would enrich the few at the expense
OF the many; II his plan could be success
FULLY worked would in q short time turn
one-third Of the wheat that now finds its
commissions would amount to 81 400 or 81. 500
per day. and one-half would 60 to tho AL
lance to be enjoyed by a few and tho other
half would 80 to tho firm, who would have
no scruples in giving tho parties or party
that was instrumental in turning that enor-
nous trade to their house 500 or $50 per
day, and tho condition Of the farmer would
remain the Same or grow worse. You will
find Enclosed herewith a sketch Of a plan
that VIII give the man that grows the grain
the key to the situation.
NO elevators, local or terminal, will be
required. Tho Same men that buy and
handle the grain now will continue to do
DO. Tho only difference, the farmers OF the
several states will make the price instead
OF the speculative clique that knows moth
Ing Of the cost of growing and marketing
grain and care less.
You Will soc at a glance that thu local
association is the most important because
there ID whore the grain will come from
The constitution and bylaws should ba
30 framed as to compel its members to re-
port the number OF acres Of grain seeded.
the number Of bushels threshed and the
number Of bushels for sale to the local
secretary, who will report to the state seq
rotary and he to the national secretary 80
that all may Be fully advised at all times.
l would have no secret in the association.
yet every man would be expected to keep
q close mouth In regard to the business
priced fixed, etc. For instance, the board
OF directors fixes the price Of grain at Hast
1ngs: 100 for wheat. 60c for rye soc for bar
ley and corn, and 30c for oats These prices
should Do q secret to its members and no
member will be allowed to market any
grain until he receives these prices but
should he need money he VIII draw from
tho local fund and be required to pay a
small 1ee for the accommodation until
prices are forced up. I have presented this
plan to several Of my naighbors and thew
all appear to be enthusiastic and think
every farmer will join, as 1t presents a
solution for the ills that confront us. OF
course some Will say 1t won't DO to form
hardship to tho poor. To them we can say
when the farmer Is prosperous and gets
fair price for his produce everybody is
prosperous. For instance two years ago
man came to me and wanted to help We
husk corn. Yes, I told him, I would give
him two cents per basket. which was in
reality four cents per bushei. He sad That
ID not enough. You used to pay me four
cents per basket or eight cents per bushel"
I said. Very true. Then got 80 cents for
I mt AN~y>k
for husking I had A cents left Now I
pay you four cents for huskin1 and sell
my corn for II cents per bushel. which
leaves mo only % cents" When paid him
ana board. now he can make only q. said
to him. When I paid you four cents per
basket we had cheap dollars and dear men.
Now we have dear dollars and cheap men,"
:! further said to him. when I paid tho
former price our governors salary was
5000 per annum Now 1t Is 5000. and other
state officers in proportion; likewise county
officers" said. This dear dollar buys
twice al much Of my produce and twice a.
much Of your labor as tho cheap dollar
We used to have: Notwithstanding these
1acts tho salaries Of our state and county
officers have increased about e0 per cent.
and they glory in the dear dollar that buys
so much of everything"
Now. friend Donnelly, 1 am OF the opin-
Ion this plan will meet tho approval Of nine
farmers out Of ten through tho entire
Northwest and also think that they can
be organized in a short time.
In conclusion I Will say II tho Grain
Growers association can BE- organized along
these lines 1t will carry tho national cleo
ton for the Peoples party In 1900. II these
three branches are organised we will en-
deavor to elect You president Of tho Ma
tional association. which will give you great
prominence among the farmers that have
been benefited by your efforts
remain your friend
g. w POWELL.