The Springfield herald., 1912-05-03
COOPERATION KEY TO FAME
Successful Leader of Cooperative AZ
rleuIture VIII Surpass "Cap-
talns Of Industry.
(By c. r. BARNS)

tBy c. r. BARNSD
To the men who, by virtue OF
their exceptional ability to discern the
conditions of success in various large
undertakings. backed by genius tor
organization and the influence which
comes from commanding powers
have become leaders in the various
lines of production and transportation.
the American people are FOND or ap-
plying the name captains OF indus
try" And that to such men. rather
than to knights and warriors as OF
old. We are prone to award the high
est social status, is not the smallest
OF the many indications OF the grow
ing ascendency OF ideals which make
for peaceful progress. over those OF
receding barbarism.
But 1t Is significant that. while ag-
riculture Is the foremost Of American
Industries and the basis of all others.
so few OF the aforesaid captains OF In
dustry are to be found among our
farmers. We hear now and then. OF
peach king" In the east, OF
corn king" In Missouri: of cotton
king In some southern state. He is
usually entitled to place among the
captains. II at all, only from the fact
that he has acquired, and shown him
self able to manage with unusual sue
cess. an exceptionally large acreage Of
land devoted to the crop from which
he takes his royal title. 1t might
seem from this that, If agriculture Is
ever to show its due proportion of cap
tains of industry, 1t must be through
the building up of great estates. to the
sacrifice Of the democracy whose best
exponent Is the small farm.
But the steady growth of the prin-
ciple OF cooperation among farmers.
and its application in an increasing
variety Of forms. would appear to open
before able and aspiring men such op
portunities for conspicuous leadership
as make those offered by the owner
ship and skillful management Of "a
single big estate seem Insignificant by
comparison. The man who can take
the lead In encouraging. directing and
organizing the forces which make for
cooperation in an agricultural commu-
nifty. will not only be at the head Of
larger affairs than any Of the afore-
said kings" but he will perform a
more benefcent work. For. while-as
one Of the co-operators-he may well
share in the individual gains OF CO
operation. the main inspiration for his
endeavors must ever be lofty public
spirit. which kindles everywhere
among his fellows a desire to help
one another" as the surest way Of ad-
vancing ones self.
Prior to 1882 Denmark was a com
paratively poor country: Its farmers
an ignorant peasantry; its lagricultu-
raj resources undeveloped. In that
year agricultural cooperation had its
beginnings; and, In the thirty years
which have since interviewed. 1t has
wrought a complete social and eco
nomic revolution. Not only has Den
mark now become, next to England
population consideredD the richest
country in Europe, but the whole pop
ulation has experienced an education
al and social uplife. Hardly anywhere
has cooperation been developed in SO
many phases. In 1t has been found
the key to universal prosperity.
What has been done in Denmark
can be done. under efficient leadership
in Minnesota. Texas, California,
Maine and every other state in the
Union. American life. 1t is true. is
already on a far higher plane than
that OF Denmark thirty years ago; but
the uplift which comes from the de-
velopment OF cooperation should
therefore be grander in a relatively
long period. And the honor which
shall come to the captains Of co-opera-
ton. who take the lead in such devel-
opment. shall far outshine that which
is bestowed today on the captains Of
industry; who, after all. are only the
best representatives of the selfish in
dividualism We once glorited. but
which is now recognized as inimical
to the best interests of American
democracy.