Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-09-30

ceivers of grain in the central market, as
well as exporters, that they refuse to
handle grain from parties who were not
regular dealers. They even went to so far
as to include those who operated elevators
Independently, and who would not comply
with the demands of the trust. This placed
the trust dealers in a position to exact
margins from the farmers. limited only
by their selheshness.
Something Practical Needed.
Something more practical in the way of
| farmers organization became a neces-
sity. A conference was held by those who
had taken an interest in eftecting farmers
| organization and It was decided to hold
state meeting for the purpose of organi-
zing on business lines, with a view of
securing relief
A meeting was held at Salina, Kan, and
an organization was effected on May is,
/ 1901. This organization was known as the
Farmers Cooperative Grain. and Live
| Stock association. The plan adopted en-
bodied the organization of local coop
erative elevator companies, operated on the
independent plan. And the central com
pany referred to above was incorporated
and 1t was expected that all the local in
| dependent associations were to federate
with the central company and take stock in
the same and transact their business
through the central company. In the I'M
organized, chaotic condition of farmers at
that time it was the only plan that would
| command support.
The cooperative movement among farm
| ers has been one Of continued growth and
advancement BY actual test the independ-
emit plan proved to be inadequate and i'm
| xlra c4f "a -.
most practical men In the movement that
closer organization was an absolute ne.
cessity. 1t was found that the Grain trust
could confuse, divide and prevent the locals
from consolidating their business and pre-
vent them from associating together in a
way that would insure success,
At the annual meeting of the stock
holders of the Farmers Cooperative Grain
| and Live Stock association it was decided
TO adopt the corporation plan of line
system of elevators adding to II the prin-
ciples of cooperation. This plan was unan-
| imously adopted by the board of directors
Of the old association and unanimously
confirmed by the stockholders in annual
session
Operating Successfully I'm Three states
The Farmers Cooperative Shipping as
ISOLATION, now so successfully operating in
Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma, orig
mated with the board of directors of the
old association, and was adopted by the
| stockholders Of that company, and was
promoted and established by the authority
| and direction of the stockholders of the
| old association in their annual meeting
The funds in the treasury of the old as
ISOLATION were directed by the stockhold-
ers to be used in propagating and estab-
fishing the Farmers Cooperative Shipping
| association.
BY resolution of the stockholders of the
Farmers Cooperative Grain and Live
stock association the board of directors
OF said association was authorized to use
such funds as were necessary In promot-
Ing and establishing the Farmers Co
operative Shipping association.
The board of directors OF the old asso-
citation authorized James Butler, secre-
tary and manager OF the old association
to proceed with the organization work
OF establishing the Farmers COOPERATIVE
Shipping association. This action was
taken at an annual meeting of the stock.
holders, December 2, 1908. While the
plan OF the old company was weak and
did not accomplish all that the farmers
wanted, yet II laid the, foundation for
the company that is now operating Sc
successfully. 1t prepared farmers for
the progressive step and took the lead
in establishing the present company. I,
was the parent Of the present company
Hence II would be unfair and unjust ia
say that the old association was a fail.
ure, for had II not been for the work OF
the old association in propagating and
producing the Farmers Cooperative Shin
ping association, the great work that is
being done today would never have beer
accomplished. II should not be forgot.
ten that the old company furnished the
means to pay the expenses. and done the
work of successfully launching the new
| association.
The Farmers Cooperative Shipping as
ISOLATION was chartered May 2s, 1908
This company began business, operatins
one elevator and handled it's first erair
July 8, 1908. The association has mad,
wonderful growth. II owns and oper,
ates elevators in Kansas. Oklahoma and
Nebraska, and many new stations ar,
preparing TO line up with our association
We have over 4,9O0 stockholders In tn,
Farmers Cooperative Shipping associa