Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-03
j. s. FARM NEED
CO-OPERATION
s--
ENVOY SAYS
Land Credit Society Advocated by
North Carolina Commissioner
Touring Europe,
BY LIEUT.. GOV. {. l. DAUTRIDGE,
North Carolina Member of the Asri-
cultural Commission.

North Carolina Member of the Asri-
cultural Commission.
seseisi Cable 70 The Atlanta Georgian.
BERLIN. July 3.-The cooperative
principle IN agriculture Is simply the
lesson learned from the practices Of
big business" tn which dollars have
combined for efficiency and economy.
Farmers can accomplish the same
results by uniting themselves in 50
c1s4aes.
There f. however, this difference:
Industrial combinations seek more
than mere economy and add 20 their
profits through monopoiistic control,
In agriculture there are too many
uroducsrs scattered over TOO wide an
area 10 permit an organization that
could control the market.
American consumers need have no
fear upon that score II cooperation
is adopted among American farmers,
rather may the consumers nope ior
fnser competition through the lnnl-
enee Of farmers cooperative organl-
Katiyns upon existing middlemen AMI
trusts.
The operations Of even a highly de-
vaioped type Of Cooperative Sales
Society among the farmers would be
limited to reducing the cost Of dls-
tribution and TO eliminating the prof.
its Of the middlemen.
Protection for Consumers.
II would mean increased profits for
the farmers without an increased
price TO consumers. Cooperation
among the farmers for the sale OF
foodsfuffs, however, can not ] De-
lieve. be brought about upon any con-
siderable scale until the farmers are
placed upon a better financial pass
through the extension OF their credit
facilities The basis Of the agncuI-
tII7-al credit system OF Europe under
lies All other forms of agricultural CO.
operation.
There are many objections raised
aRsinst the adoption OF cooperative
credit societies Of the European type
among American farmers. In con-
Versat1on with experts IN the neia
during this trip ] heard II pointed
out that operative creult socletlts
of the Raiffeisen type are Unlikely 70
succeed in America because OF the
yrnvyiilinRness of the American farm
or 10 assume liability for MS neigh
Ipor and because OF the absence or
farming villages" in America.
ITnfamiliarity Of our farmers with
each others financial standing deters
business transactions. / don't beheNe
that snap judgment can be glven
upon these questions. Although
recognize the force of arguments, II
does appear likely to the members OF
fhe American Commission that land
credit organization can be established
IN America whereby American farm
ers can secure mortgage loans upon
better terms.
AS 10 their short time credit needs,
their money for operating expenses II
the HaiffeiSen banks can not be estAo-
nshed, ] believe something can ne
gained by forcing the consideration OF
farmers needs as borrowers upon
those who are to construct our cur
rency banking reform legislation. but
our farmers must interest themselves
in the currency question to do this.
No Monopoly 10 Intended.
with credit facilities improved
believe, through cooperative organi-
za4ions, our farmers can succeed In
Increasing their control over market
Ing their produce.
don't mean control in the monop-
olistic sense. but control TO effect
economy in distribution and in order
that they may receive a larger share
of the profits Of thsT sales.
Undoubtedly such a business or
eanization among the farmers would
quickly lead to an organization for
the promotion Of education for the
stronger presentation of legislative
needs OF American farmers.
-.- II American farmers could be re-
organized along these lines there
would be found a far closer link with
the Federal Department of Agricul-
ture than now exists.
The success attained along these
lines by European farmers, especially
those Of Germany and Austria, has
interested me greatly. The orgauiza-
lions OF European farmers for CO
operative purchasing are also OF
great benefit; they are very simple in
principle. but to carry on the work OF
propa gation necessary TO spread the
cooperative movement over so large
a country as the United States will
require an organization Of great
strength.
The American Commission should
be encouraged to live ana broaden its
activities Only the support of Dur
farmers can do this.