Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-03
j. 5. FARM NEED
COOPERATION
| ENVOY SAYS
Land Credit Society Advocated by
North Carolina Commissioner
Touring Europe,
BY LIEUT.. GOV. {. L. 0AUTRI oGE,
North Carolina Member of the Agri-
cultural Commission,

Ey EtGO J. wv Es 49, INV ~ SSG-s
North Carolina Member of the Asri-
cultural Commission.
Special oabIe 30 The Atlanta Georgian.
BERLIN. July s.--The cooperative
principle IN agriculture Is simply the
leEson learned from the practices 81
big business m which dollars have
combined for efficiency and economy.
Farmers can accomplish the same
results by uniting themselves IN so
e4sEies.
There lie, however this difference:
Industrial combinations seek more
than mere economy and add TO their
profts through monopolist1c control
In agriculture there are too many
producers 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
IL adopted among American farmers,
rather may the consumers hope for
freer competition through the infiu-
@nce Of farmers cooperative organi-
nations upon existing middlemen AMI
trusts.
The operations Of even a highly de-
Veloped type OF Cooperative Sales
Society among the farmers would be
limited to reducing the cost OF DIS
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
foodstuffs, however, can not, / be-
lieve be brought about upon any con-
siderable scale until the farmers are
ulaced upon a better financial basis
through the extension OF their credit
facilities The basis Of the agrtcul-
trral credit system OF Europe under
lies an other forms OF agricultural CO.
operation,
There are many objections raised
against the adoption OF cooperative
credit societies Of the European type
among American farmers. In con-
versation with experts IN the field
dur1nC this trip ] heard II pointed
out that cooperative credit societies
Of the Raiffeisen type are unlikely to
succeed in America because OF the
vrnyvillfnRuess Of the American farm
ey 10 assume liability for MS neigh
Dor and because OF the absence OF
farming villages" in America.
ITnfamiliarity OF our farmers WIN
each others financial standing deters
business transa ctions. don't believe
that snap judgment can be given
mon these questions Although l
recognize the force OF arguments, II
docs appear likely TO the members OF
the American Commission that lanu
credit organization can be established
IN America whereby American farm
ers can secure mortgage loans upon
better terms.
AS TO their short time credit needs,
their money for operating expenses, II
the Haiffeisen banks can not be esthb-
ushed. I believe something can he
gained by forcing the consideration of
farmers needs ae borrowers upon
those who are to construct our cur
rencv banking reform legislation, but
our farmers must interest themselves
in the currency question to do this.
No Monopoly ls Intended.
With credit facilities improved,
believe, through cooperative orsani-
cations. 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 then sales.
Undoubtedly such a business or
ganization among the farmers would
quickly lead to an organization Tor
the promotion Of education for the
stronger presenta ton 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 AgTicul-
ture than now exists.
The success attained along these
lines by European farmers, especially
those Of Germany and Austria, has
interested me greatly. The organiza-
tions 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
propagation necessary to spread the
cooperative movement over 80 large
a country as the United States will
require an organization of great
strength.
The American Commission should
be encouraged to live and broaden its
activities. Only the support Of our
farmers can do this.