The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1904-05-12
'aeuxh Said.

'assgh Said.
When We attended the meeting Of
the farmers who started the farmers
elevator movement, We had the cout-
esY OF the 6Dor for = few minutes,
and stated that We did not expect to
say anything that would influence
them against the building Of an ele-
vator. But We knew from our own
experience that the Car situation wss
such that they couldn't handle all
their grain, that We would like to
outline our way Of doing business al
Hannaford, which, while it might
not be very good way, yet resulted
in our handling very near one-half
Of the grain that was marketed there.
That if we did not do anything else,
We would at least get little free
advertising. We seem to be getting
it all right. Now We are free to ad-
NIT that We do not want to see 8
farmers elevator 60 in at Coopers-
town. Why should we? We feel
that we are buying grain on as small
a margin as is consistent with good
business principles, that we are try
ing to give the farmer square deal.
that We are neither thieves nor rob-
bers, that We do not want nor expect
to ever charge Mr.. Butler 5 or 6
cents for handling a bushel of grain.
Neither Of US had : to put in the
Cooperstown plant. 1t has got to
earn expenses, $4,000 90 and the
Lord only knows how many years
interest thereon. We do not think
that Mr.. Butler would welcome with
enthusiasm proposition to establish
a farmers Co. having for it, object
the distribution of thorough bred
Shorthorns at the price of common
stock. Nor would he offer much of
q bonus to have them locate in his
neighborhood. Such q company
could make money and be of meal
culable benefit to the farmers.
Thorough bred stock can be raised
cheaper than scrubs, yet no one be-
grudges. Mr.. Butler his profits, or.
doubts that he has done much to i'm
prove the stock Of the County. 1t
seems to US that Is long as We run
our business a. we do, giving the
farmer the privilege Of shipping his
own grain at small charge, giving
him state weights and dockages if he
prefers, cleaning his grain and re-
turning the screenings, making con-
tracts for future delivery when the
price suits, advancing money to en-
able them to hold for higher prices,
that even the most strenuous rider Of
hobby could credit as with being
opposed to the farmers interests,
tho opposing the farmers elevator.
..Since Hyde joined the elevator
combine" This is the s'unklndest
cut of ALL" Pray when did that
happen, and how? We will he as
charitable as We can and take it for
granted that he speaks in ignorance
and not in malice, and turn back
few pages of the grain trade history
| for his benefit. Commence with
few years before the Letter deal when
we paid SC. above list. To the Letter
deal when we paid 14c. above list,
the dry year when we paid Soc. more
for fax than on tie 500, and 10 to
zOc. more than at any station on the
branch, except Cooperstown and Nc.
Henry. To only last year when the
old line Cos. raised the price 2 to &c.
above list for 8 long months in an
endeavor to do US up. To the fact
that 3 separate times have they
raised prices to a losing point, pay
ing the farmers at least an extra
$4,000 in an effort to force US off the
track. That within a month we have
been threatened with trouble at
c ooperstown because we dared to
pay above the others for 1000 bu-
obo1o ~ Aov on1 hovo haon ,,n<;Eod