The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-09-03
Living Issues
FEASIBLE FARMERS TRUST.

OA0O bOAhD III &hADN'
Reprinted, by permission, nom the Saturday
Evening Post, OF Philadelphia. Copyright 1901,
by the Curtis Publishing Company
No man with half an eye for the
fssigns of the times" has failed to
understand that industrial combine
ton ia the dominant and 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 FFtrust" organizer. The
"promoter" and underwater" have
made practically every field of in
dustrial activity TO respond to, their
systematized and concentrating
touch. Almost the only exception
TO this rule is the greatest and most
fundamental of all industries, that
of the agriculturist.
And now comes the question: Is
a farmers trust feasible? Can this
principle of organization, co-opera-
ton and concentration-which has
brought within its grasp practically
every product used by the agricul-
turist-be made to apply with equal
or approximate effectiveness TO the
betterment of his interests? And if
such a movement is feasible, is it
necessary or desirable?
In an attempt to discuss these ques-
tions and TO suggest what appeal TO
me as practical methods for the
farmers TO get together and strength
On their material interests, let me
disclaim, at the outset, any sympathy
whatever with the calamity
howler," the professional political
reformer, or any of their kind.
Thanks to the marvellous natural re-
sources of America and her unique
agricultural acknowledgement par
ticularly to the fact that she alone
furnishes the orr crop of the world
the prosperity Of the farmer Of the
United States does not depend upon
any scheme of organization, any
artificial combination, or the success
of any single political doctrine.
Nature has given the farmer of
this country an advantage bigger
and broader and more substantial
than all these things, one able TO
Withstand the onslaughts of all the
artificial devices that can be brought
to bear by the resourceful tactics of
those who scheme for the special ad-
vantage of one class at the expense
Of another. Personally I believe
that the real interest of every legiti-
mate industry is inseparable from
that of all other industries in the
f6ld; that there is a genuine and
vital community of interest through
out the industrial world of America.
This, however, is by no means
granting that agriculture is not
affected by what's termed the "trust
movement as it obtains in other
ines-for undeniably it is so affected.
Nor does it imply that the farmer is
not at a disadvantage in thus far
failing to fall in line with the pre-
vailing movement of combination
and make the most of a weapon that
is being used to his hurt.
HOW TRUSTS TAKE TOLL OF THE FARMER.
On the other hand, I am firmly con-
WINGED that he suffers distinct and
continual loss in a failure TO get the
fair and just rewards of his labor,
because he has not awakened to the
necessity for close, extensive and
business. like organization and com,
bination along lines so similar tc
that form of industrial crystaliZa.
ton commonly called ''the trust
that he need not quarrel over the
ofensiveness of the term. If the
term does not suit, let him call it by
some other name so long as he grasp'
the full advantage of the principle Of
combination.
It would be an objectionable as
sumption for me to presume to dea
with this problem in a broad ant
comprehensive way, for I must dis
claim any special knowledge of many
branches of agricultural INTEREST,"
fact, of any except that of corr pro
duction and the interests inseparably
allied with it. Outside of this specia
field 1 cannot attempt to speak bu
corn production constitutes so vas
a part of the entire agriculture o
America that a demonstration of tn
effectiveness of combination and co
operation in this field would be O