Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1909-03-13
So Says Chairman J. L. Bar
ker Is Ruling of Di-
reCtOry.
CONTRACT OTHERWISE.
Differences of Opinion and
Some Feeling Arising Over
Recent Loose Sales.

To Loyal members Of the Association
In view Of the fact that there does
not seem to be a clear understand
ing of just where we are at, nor
why we are there, / am attempting
to explain; thereby fulfilling my
promise, made when l became chair
man, to keep you posted to the best
of my ability as to the conduct Of
the affairs of the Association, be-
lieving that in so doing | should rem
der the best service to the Associa-
ton, realizing that the best and
most effective service and the great
est loyalty could be expected from
those who know the condition Of af-
fairs, and those who at the sane
time were willing to make some lit
tie personal sacrifice to uphold the
institution, which was designed to
operate for the good of all.
The two points which seem to need
explanation, judging from my tele-
phone communications, are the pro-
hibition Of any further loose sales,
and why the Longview pool was al
lowed to be sold to other buyers
than stemmers.
AS to the loose sale, there seem:
to be very little difference of opin
ion among those who think for them
selves and who really have at heart
the welfare of the Association, rep
resenting the organization-the &C.
operation of the farmers, in that
the loose sale is a dangerous pro-
cedure, a disorganizer, and thor
oughly impracticable if we wonld
maintain our organization. Those
who don't think or don't care a rap
for the organization are ready to
say at once, But it is expedient;you
don't have the expense of prizing,
insurance, etc; you get your money
soon and all at once, etc" F." Very
good arguments for the fellow who
doesn't think any farther ahead than
today or this year. But the argu-
ments have been gone ever time and
again; it is not necessary to re-hash
them at this time, as am reminded
that am addressing these remarks
to our loyal membership.
But there is one phase of the loose
sale system which directly concerns
our own loyal members. They feel
that they have been Disseminated
against, in that the Longview peo-
pie have been allowed to sell their
tobacco loose, while we, who sup
ported the market for them, have
been left with the bag to hold, so
to speak. Another thing; they had
been led to believe (and l was a par
ty to it, that after these pools had
been opened up, they could go ahead
and sell to the purchaser of a pool at
Association grade price or better.
Now they have been shut down on
by the Board of Directors prohibit
ing any more loose sales. Gentle
men, this is a matter rather difficult
Of explanation, and | fear / can not
do it satisfactorily save under one
condition, viz: That you are really
loyal, want to do what is right and
best for all and believe that l, as
your representative, and the other
members Of the Board of Directors,
want to doithe same and are in a
better position to know what is best
for all. The fact is, gentlemen, the
line had to be drawn somewhere,
and it seemed best to limit the loose
sales to those to whom we were OBJ
llgated.
But" you say, you ought not to
have let the Longview poolers sell
loose then"
Perhaps am too optimistic (and ]
am glad see that way rather than
the opposite) butt feel like the
Longview episode, Notwithstanding