Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1911-03-31
c, F. whistler Tells Of need OF
COOPERATION IN HANDLING fruit

It has come to be recognized that
cooperation is the basis Of good bus
iness, and the more centralized in
the effort the greater is the measure
OF success attained.
But to attain this result good bus
lness principles must be the basis OF
organization.
Organized effort may be as futile
OF desired results, as Is individual
effort, and will be unless the prin-
ciples of the organization are fol-
lowed, and the better the understand
ing OF those principles, together with
the knowledge OF the difficulties en-
countered, both within as well as
without the organization, on the part
OF those who are attempting to CO.
operate the more Is the assurance
that these principles will be followed.
To help to a better understanding
OF the principles OF cooperation. as
well as to show the need for the
same, is the purpose OF this article.
1t has been long understood that
I'm Union there is Strength, but
why? How does union promote
strength? This is the day OF big
business. The larger the accumula-
tion of business under one head the
more cheaply 1t can be done, as well
as being done with more efficiency,
provided always that good methods
are followed.
In the matter of fruit producers
organizations 1t is believed that as
many, II not more, difficulties pre-
sent themselves for adjustment than
In an organization for the handling
of any other product, The compli-
cations arising, owing TO the nature
of the product handled, are much
more acute. For instance, the val
ues OF the product are more varied,
as well as being subject to more
rapid changes in quality; also sub
iect to more rapid changes OF mar
ket value than almost any other pro-
duct. This being true, It is essential
that provision be made to meet these
varying conditions, which, of course,
become the basis OF organization
Without II each grower must act as
agent for himself, both In buying
his supplies and in selling his pro-
duct. In the buying Of his supplies
II has long been established that
purchases on a large scale can be
made much more cheaply than on a
small scale.
First, because 1t enables the large
concerns from whom supplies are OBJ
tained to handle the same amount
of goods much more cheaply. Thus
by purchasing box material, wrap
ping paper, nails, spray material,
ETC., in car lot shipments the price
OF the supplies are greatly reduced.
Secondly, because by handling In
large quantities It enables them to
handle a greater amount OF goods
with the same labor, That makes It
possible, by cooperation, to purchase
supplies In large quantities at reduc-
ed prices and by dealing these out to
the consumer It is possible, with
small fee, to cover handling and ex-
pense charges. for him to obtain his
supplies at greatly reduced prices
from what he would have II pay were
he purchasing direct.
In the selling OF his product he Is
stu at much worse disadvantage
Again the large concerns handling
his product prefer to deal with large
concerns, for the same reason that
the dealer In his supplies offers big
business.
Again, the individual shipper can
not 80 readily obtain that lnforma-
tlon needed, both with regard to
prices and the supply on the markets
OF hat food product with which is
fruit comes the mos; directly into
competition, all OF which entails
labor and expense and is essential 70
successful operation. The same re-.
Qulrements enter into both sides OF
MS transaction, namely big bus
lness".
It is, therefore, evident that the
smaller the grower the more ne feels
the need Of organization and co.
operative organization can only ius.
tl'y It's existence by securing for him
his supplies az the best minimum
price. This is the milk OF the coca.
NUT Aud TO obtain this result re.
1ulres the application Of good bus. |
ness principles on the part Of the |
operators as we'll as patience and for
bearance on the nart ot the producer
As the purchase Of supplies is a |
simple matter and ~ minor lmnort.
anco compared 10 the bardii,r -,