The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1901-10-04
A Feasible Farmers Trust.
BY Geo. H. Phillips, of the Chicago
Board of Trade.
Reprinted from the Saturday Even
ing Post, of Philadelphia. Copy
right 1901 by the Curtis Publishing
Company. 3

TDllOh INES .-lne question OF
effective, practical organization OF
the country is as important as it is
difficult of solution. Many schemes
have been urged from time to time
some of which, for while, seemed
to meet all the requirements, but
have all ultimately failed to hold to.
gether under the severe test of prac-
tical application, and the question is
as much an open one today as wheD
first mooted. The following will be
found exceedingly interesting as bear
ing upon the subject, and if we con-
slider that cotton, and other leading
crops Of Southern production, may
be substituted for, or combined with,
the corn crop, it will be found diff
cult to pick out fatal flaw in the
plan advocated. B. X. DAVIS.
No man with half an eye for the
signs of the times" has failed to
understand that industrial combina-
tion is the dominant aud distinctive
order Of affairs at the present mo-
ment. From peanuts and chewing
gum to locomotives and mining ma
chinery, almost every product of
human labor has come under the
hand of the Crust organizer. The
promoter" and underwater" have
made practically every field of indus
trial activity to respond to their sys-
tematized and concentrating touch.
Almost the only exception to this
rule is the greatest and most fundu-
mental CT all industries, that of the
agriculturist.
And now comes the question: Is
farmers trust feasible? Can this
principle of organization, co-opera-
tion and concentration-whic has
brought within it's grasp practically
every product used by the agricul-
turist-be made to apply with equal
| or approximate effectiveness to the
bettermeut of his interests? And if
such movement is feasible, is it
| necessary or desirable?
In an attempt to discuss these
questions and TO suggest what appeal
to me as practical methods for the
farmers to get together and streng-
then their material interests, let me
disclaim, at the outset, any sy mpathy
whatever with the calamity hvwler,"
the professional political reformer, or
any of their kind. Thanks to the
marvellous natural resources Of Amer
lea and her unique agricultural ad-
I vautages-and particularly to the
fact that she alone furnishes the corn
crop Of the world-the prosperity of
the farmer Of the United States does
not depend upon any scheme of Or
ganization, any artificial combina-
tion, or the success of any single pe-
| liticul doctrine.
Nature has given the farmer o.
this country an advantage bigger and
broader and more substantial than
all these things, one able to with
stand the onsiaughts Of all the arti-
fetal devices that can be brought to
Dear by the resourceful tactics Of
those who scheme for the special ad-
vantage of one class at the expense
OF another. Personally | believe that
the real interest Of every legitimate
industry is iuseparable from that of
all other industries in the field that
there Is Il genuine and vital commun-
ity of interest throughout the indus
trial world of America.
This, however, is by no means
granting that agriculture is not af-
fected by what is termed the trust
movement" as it obtains in other
lines-for undenably it is so affected
Nor does it imply that the farmer is
not ut disadvantage in thus far
falling to fall In line with the pre-
vailing movement of combination and |
make the most Of weapon that Is
being used to his hurt
HOW TRUSTS TAKE TOLL OF THE FARMER
On the other hand, / am firmly con-
yinced that he suffers distinct and
continual loss in Q failure to get the
fair and just rewards Of his labor, be-
cause he has not yet awakened to
the necessity for close, extensive and
organization and combi-
nation along lines so similar to that
form of industrial crystuiIz1tion COM
monty called "the trust" that he
reed not quarrel over the offensive.
ness OF the term II the term does
not suit, let him call it by some other
name 80 long rs he grasps the full
advantage OF the principle Of comb
nation.
1t would be an objectionable as.
sumption for ne to presume to iesl
with this problem in br9ad and
comprehensive way, for / must dis
claim any special knowledge Of many
OF agricultural interest--in
fact, OF .auy except that of corn pro
ducti'n and the interests inseparably
allied with it. Outside OF this spec
IA field cannot attempt to speak
but corn production constitutes so
vast part OF the entire agriculture
If America that a" demonstration of
the effectiveness OF combination aud
cooperation in this field would be of