Woodruff County news. [volume] (McCrory, Ark.) 1901-1910, 1908-12-31
Address to Union by North Carolina
President.

Address to Union by North Carolina
President.
Whatever your money crop may be
market 1t slowly. It is poor business
policy to force any nonappreciating
market. The great bulk Of agricul-
tural products are non-perishable II
kept under shelter. OF course there
Is always the danger of fire, but we
have that risk covered by insurance
for small cost. Feed the markets on
short rations and you will soon see
prices boosted by an increased demand.
Don't let the cry of "big crops" scare
you into parting with your products at
a price that will not give you fair
and just reward for your labor and
the capital that you have invested in
your business.
You don't find men in other callings
disposing Of products which represent
q years work and interest on their
investment at price below cost. The
farmer has often done this by follow
ing the suicidal policy of forcing the
market in four months time, crops
which must meet and supply years
demand. OF course these crops are not
to to be and will not be consumed in
four months. They are bought by
the middle man" and held in storage
until the demands of the markets call
for them at remunerative prices.
We should not quarrel with the
middle man" as long as he conducts
a legitimate buying and selling bust.
ness. We should quarrel with our
for our own benefit in the same bust
ness like way the middle man" has
been handling them for his benefit.
II products were not offered for sale
on the streets of our towns at what
ever price they would bring. the mid
die man" would soon go out of bust
ness. But as long as we follow the
present method of marketing our crops
there will be legitimate field for the
middle man." and in fact he Is a
necessary part of this mode Of mar
keting. In the case of the cotton crop
which Is the principal money crop Of
the South we can we'll believe that a
fair margin is made by the men who
stand between the producer and the
spinner; otherwise there would not be
so many cotton buyers"
Now, how are we to get out Of these
''eld ruts" and upon the highway of
successful business like the market
ing Of our crops? 1t must be done
by extending the selling period
throughout the year so that the supply
will just keep pace with the demand
Also by punching our products ana
selling in such quantity as demanded
by large buyers. This is cooperative
selling.
How is it to be done. Through the
storage or warehouse plan. Go to any
large cotton market town and you
will find the cotton buyers using the
warehouse to store our cotton in to
be held until demanded by the spin
ner. We should do this for ourselves
and save the profits that now go to
the men who have been doing it for
ue.
But you say that you have bills that
are due and that you must realize
money from your crop at once. I'm
fortunately this is true with a great
many farmers. Too many of US are
still following the old ruinous system,
which is the legitimate offspring of
the all cotton system and next to its
parents is the greatest curse ever i'm
posed upon the agricultural interest
Of the South. Well II you owe bills
ID demanded. But do not put all OF
your cotton on the market. Go to
your local banker and borrow on your
cotton just as little money as you can
possibly do with. Leave this money
on deposit and use check book. Your
check may possibly pay several bills
and finally be deposited to the credit
Of some other man without any money
being drawn from the bank.
mention this because I know that
bankers are more ready to loan money
II 1t Is to be left on deposit with them.
Follow this plan and economist in
every way possible until you get out
Of debt then swear that you will
stay. II farmers are ever to attain
their commercial independence they
must raise homo supplies and quit
buying on credit.
II the crop is held of the market
for thirty days we will see a very
material rise in the price.
H. @. Alexander,
Concentration stops competition