The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1913-08-12
DISTRIBUTING farm PRODUCTS

). Distributing FARM PRODUCTS
Action Of Express Company In Offer
Ing Service Of Prime Importance.
BY Peter Radford, Texas Farmers
Union.
The recent action Of the Wells
Fargo & Co. Express in rendering the
good offices ofthat powerful organiza.
ton to the producer In the distribu.
ton and sale Of farm products, is in
my estimation the most Important
single event of it's class In the indus
trial life OF the country during the
last quarter OF century. At least II
4 will reach that dignified zone when
their precedent is followed by other
common carriers, which have reason
to believe will be done at a very early
date.
When the marketing plans, as form
ulated by the Farmers union, are
adopted by the transportation compan-
les, 1t should move at least two bill
lion dollars worth of perishable farm
products that now annually rot on the
ground, or Is dumped at destination
and 1t will increase the efficiency in
distribution of non-perishable pro-
ducts at least 80 per cent. 1t is the
most weighty economic project now
before the American people and the
most gigantic cooperative plan that
has ever been submitted in which the
prosperity OF the producer, carrier,
dealer. consumer and all the people.
Is mutually and equitably involved
While the detailed plans announced
by the Wells Fargo people are consid-
cred only first aid to the producer and
are subject to such modification as
experience may dictate, they contain
two cardinal principles Of co-opera-
tive marketing which should be care
fully studied by carrier, shipper, and
buyer, to-wit: Information and as
sistance. To express the plans in the
language of the farmer, they will,
First, establish a market bureau which
Will estimate production and consump-
ton and keep check on market con-
ditions for the information of their
patrons; second, they will assist in
securing the best market for farm pro-
ducts.
To handle this new feature of their
business, the Wells Fargo people have
established an order, commission and
food products department, and in
circular issued from their New York
Headquarters August 1, signed by F.
8. Holbrook, general traffic manager
and approved by B. D. Caldwell, pres
ldent, they announced that they will
make a speciality Of the distribution
OF food products through assistance to
growers and producers In finding
suitable location, soil and markets,
and by aiding them in securing to best
advantage, sanitary packages or con-
tainers in which to ship their pro-
ducts, particularly perishables. Cor
responding efforts will be made to
serve the dealers and consumer in
placing them in direct touch with the
source of supply" and the president
OF the company has instructed all en-
ployees to cooperate with the new de-
partment,
The Wells Fargo will make itself
factor in distribution by lending as
s1stance without charge, and where it
1s possible to do SO, will send cash
buyers to the producer They will in
struct the shipper in the kind Of pack
ages desired by the markets, how to
pack and crate their products and
the size packages to use in order to
secure lowest rates.
The common carrier has, in many
Instances, been satisfied to look upon
the distress of the farmer with indif-
ference and has given small concern
to glutted market. He usually gets
his before the stuff is dumped and
sends glib-talking agent to express
sorrow to the producer and collect
any balance due on the freight and
then sets about to encourage an in
crease in farm tonnage next year, but
now these mighty agencies of COM
merce are looking toward the mar.
keting side of the farmers problems
and the common carrier never faced
more golden opportunities for useful
ness than now confront him.
The common carriers are public SER
wants and like all faithful laborers,
should endeavor to render more than
mechanical service. The servant
who does only what he is compelled to
DO Will never gain favor with his en-
ployer. To be worthy of esteem and |
merit promotion, our public servants
must do something more than work |
out court sentences. Ability, effici- |
ency and vision will always receive
prompt reward.
The common carrier can make no |
better financial investment than to |
establish market bureau for the in
formation of the producer and he |
could not do more to popularize his
services than by bringing the buyer
and the seller closer together. Hell
possesses the MACHINERY. the facill- |
ties and the ability for rendering a |
most useful service to associate in
dustries. The farmer asks no favors,
but is seeking only cooperation ON a
basis profitable to all parties engaged
IN the transaction. On no other foun-
dation can business be permanently
built.
The nations business is suffering
from industrial selfishness. We need
to study each others problems and