The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1913-03-20
GOVERNOR URGES
A MARKET BOARD
MESSAGE RECOMMENDS PLAN
FOR PROFITABLE SALE OF
FARM PRODUCTS.
COOPERATIVE PLAN Is RIPE
Assistance Requested to Protect the
Agriculture ist Against Unfair Busi-
ness Practice Executive Says Con-
sstant Policy Is Required.

Madison a message sent tc
the Wisconsin legislature on March
II, Gov. McGovern recommends the
passage of a bill creating a state
market commission to enable farm
ers to sell their products to better
advantage and at the same time low
er the cost to the consumer. Ac-
companying the message was bill
drafted by the governor which he de-
sires enacted into law
The measure was submitted to the
legislature because of the insstent
demand from the rural communities
of the state for assistance in organ
izing and establishing cooperative
enterprises to protect the farmer
against unfair business practices and
methods of competition. The bill
also seeks to improve conditions sur
rounding home life in the country
and prevent the constantly increas-
ing influx of persons from the rural
communities to the cities
The proposed law creates a state
market commission composed of the
dairy and food commissioners as eX-
Offico members and two others mem
bers to be appointed by the governor,
Purposes of Commission.
The purposes of the commission
summarized are
To prevent monopoly. contracts
and combinations in every form det
rimental to the people.
To promote the interests of the
public. including consumer and pro-
iducer alike, economical and efficient
production and distribution of all
commodities.
To promote development of the
natural resources of the state and
its proper agricultural, industrial
and commercial interests, so far as
such development is consistent with
public welfare.
To improve country life and to
provide equally of opportunity for
the people of the state
To perform the duties heretofore
performed by the dairy and food
commissioners, the state board of
immigration and the state board Of
agriculture.
To aid in the organization of CO.
struction by correspondence and bull
letins regarding the practical fea-
lures of production, distribution, eff
ficient business methods and to es-
tablish market news service, in
Guiding information regarding crops,
freight rates, commissions and such
othe- matters as may be of service
TO producers and consumers.
To devise economical systems OF
marketing and the best methods OF
establishing markets.
To establish city markets and place
the consumer in close touch with
the rural producer
To encourage competition without
fixing prices
To Investigate and consider com
plants of the producer and con
sumner.
Cities Outdistance Farms.
In his message Gov McGoyern
said among other things
Like older communities, the
farming sections of Wisconsin re-
Gently have failed to keep pace with
the cities in wealth and population.
One reason is there has been little
coordination of effort or concert of
action among them It is no ex-
travagance TO say that farmers as a
rule are not good business men
When the farmer needs money he
throws his product on the market
at whatever price it VIII lring He
has neglected the CONNIE raIal side of
farming Better business methods
are therefore his most urgent need.
Here Is where the principle Of CO.
operation Is likely to prove most val
liable 1t permits OF specialization in
agriculture The time has come in
Wisconsin to give practical effect TO
the cooperative idea But we must
act with our eyes open to the OBJ
stacles to be encountered and the
difficulties to be overcome. What
is needed Is the establishment Of a
broad, consistent public policy in
harmony with economic conditions
ut In al IL.