The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-06-23
A Successful Farmers Co.

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erative associations shall go and prove
successful, must depend somewhat
upon the knowledge OF and capacity
for cooperation of those taking part.
There is little doubt that the Zine
system" put in force by the Butler
company is superior to the indepen-
dent local concerns-if those taking
stock in the big company are edu-
Gated In cooperation.
But cooperation is something farm
ers are obliged to learn. Their en-
vironment produces in them an in
tense individualism and independence
and suspicion as well-which re-
quire the modification which actual
experience in cooperation brings
about.
Hence, the large number of indepen-
dent concerns, having nothing In COM
mon but their state association. or
ganized simply for mutual protection,
are the primary schools of co-Opera-
ton which will eventually pave the
way for an advance to the cline sys-
tenn"
The financial success of the new
association. showing net profit OF
80 1-3 per cent on it's entire capital,
| is the sort of vindication that prob
ably will comfort Mr.. Vincent, since
| it demonstrates beyond doubt the cor
rectness of the plans he has adyo-
Gated.
| On the other hand, the adoption OF
| the Hoffman policy of n-expansion,
will leave himself and some other or
ganizers without employment in ex-
tending the association they labored
SO hard to build.
But The Independent believes this
will finally operate to the advantage
Of Nebraska, for it will serve to unity
all Nebraskans in the formation OF
Nebraska company. The withdrawal
of Mr.. Hoffman from the field will
open the way for all advocates OF CO.
operation in Nebraska to get together.
The Independent is not advised as
to how successful the different indie
pendent concerns operating in NebraS-
ka were the past year, but II they did
| as we'll on the average as the Butler
company, 1t is not probable that any
change in plan would meet with ap-
proval However, If the profits OF the
Butler company are greater than those
of the Independent companies in Ne
| braska, it would seem that some move
toward adopting the more modern
j method of cooperation would meet
i with approval, for it is undoubtedly a
fact that one large company, COM
posed of the very men who now make
up the many little elevator companies
over the state, and owning the same
property they do now, could, under
proper management, effect a number
of economies and thereby increase tie
net profits, over what are now en-
! joyed.
The Independent suggests that this
lis an opportune time for movement
looking to the cooperative ownership
and operation of terminal facilities in
Omaha. A grain market is being built
in the Nebraska metropolis and now
is the time for farmers to enter the
field with their own terminal elevator
and to own membership on the grain
exchange or give adequate support to
Mr.. Vincent who, we understand, has
procured a seat in that body for the
purpose of enabling farmers to come
in touch with the worlds market.
"A meeting of the farmers elevator
associations should be held before
harvest, if possible, to the end thai
some plan may be adopted on which
all may work to the profit of all con
cerned.
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