Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-04-04
Points On Cooperative Farming
Associations"

Associations"
The annexed article was written by the
Professor of Agriculture at the Sandy
Spring High School and was read before
the Pigeon Club at the Lyceum at Sandy
Spring March goth, 1918:
In entering into discussion on co-opera-
ton it is necessary that we consider several
factors which are essential in order that
we may first determine whether there is
any real necessity for special cooperative
effort, and if there is, just how to proceed
to insure success.
First, therefore, let us consider lust what
is meant by cooperation. The word itself
simply means to work together, to labor
together. We really see from this that
when two or more persons work together
to accomplish any result it is cooperation.
Our whole social life is based on co-opera-
ton. as is the family, church, school or any
other of the hundreds of ways men work
together for a common purpose, and its
success is just in proportion to the perfec-
ton with cooperation applied.
We as farmers have looked ON and seen
the great banking interest, railroad interest,
manufacturers. doctors. lawyers and nearly
all other interests combined either to bet
ter perform their part in the great social
world or take advantage Of conditions which
could be turned to their profit, sometimes
honestly and sometime dishonesty. We
have, however. failed to recognize the fact
that it was simply cooperation which was
giving them results.
have spoken of the abuses of co-opera-
tive privilege. They exist. of course. but
shall not attempt to explain where they
exist, but shall confine my effort to ex-
planning. as well as can. how. as see it,
the farmer may also better his conditions
and make himself more useful factor in
our social system by entering into the great
questions of agricultural production and
distribution, assisted by an honest COOP
erative effort
LOOK Our For WEAK PLACES.
There are some very noteworthy exam
pies of farmers cooperative associations
doing business in this country, and
such associations are very common in Eu-
rope. There have also been some very
bad failures, and so the student of co-opera-
ton is afforded the opportunity to draw
some comparisons and thereby determine
just which methods to adopt and which to
avoid in order to be successful.
AS 1t will not be possible for me to give
explicit directions to fit all cases, l will give
what seems to me to be some very impor-
tant rules which it will be necessary to
observe in all kinds of cooperation If sue
cess is to be attained:
To cooperate is to work together. Let
every person connected with the associa-
ton understand that that means you.
Don't ask others to do the work or pay
the expense and you stand back. Do your
part.
Don't trytO take advantage of your fell
low-co-operatives in any way
Let every advantage be mutual.
II you are selling produce. keep your
goods TO the highest standard, and il that
is not possible. let them be sold for Just
what they are and take your returns ac-
cordingly.
Let every member ask just the same adj
as the others and no more, and
stand his portion of all losses or inconven-
fences equally and without complaint. You
have to in private matters. why not when
cooperating
Nor ALL SMOOTH SAILING.
do not think that can urge too strongly
on the part Of all members the strict COM
pliance with the suggestions as given, and,
further, would suggest, or impress upon
them rather, that there will be obstacles
to overcome. Don't expect too much on
the start, and remember there will be mis-
takes made and losses to stand lust the
same as there are in other lines of bust
ness in private life. When such things
happen. don't treat the institution as If il
were some foreign thing. Just remember
that it is yours as much as anyones. Don't
tear down, but help to build I'D. Don't
be a knocker.
have laid down some rigid rules for
the members to follow. Now let us see
what the qualifications are for successful
manager. He has hard task He must
be conversant with the line or lines of bu-
siness which are to be handled. He must
be strictly honest and temperate. He must
be person who can meet all members on
equal grounds. whether rich or poor, black
or white; their rights are the same. He
must be of such a temperament that he
can adjust all questions arising with the
reasonable and unreasonable without fric-
ton. He should be able to sympathize
with the members and understand their
needs.
Don't look for cheap men for the position.
The right kind of man can and will get
good pay somewhere else IL not with you,
for, gentlemen, such trained men are in
great demand.
(Cidnadl G N CRAX