The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-22

sidering this subject. We see that the
Business Mems league are to wear
Coop button, whatever that may be-
Whatever that Is we believe we are the
people to wear 1t. or to whom II be-
longs, because we think the plan we have
formulated will be the first and only plan
which is practical and will secure the
desired results
We have decided that to be stable, we
must have an organization with an abid-
ing place and a name. This organiza-
ton in order to be effective, must nave
a staff of competent and energetic OF
ficers, each of whom win be paid suf-
ficient salary to enable us to get good
men. All of the ornamental positions will
be filled by women.
ITO secure the interest and co-opera-
tion of the farmer, and the farmers wire,
more than letter writing and the dis
tribution of literature Is necessary. We
propose to send good, active agents into
the country to acquaint the farmer ana
particularly, the farmers wife, with our
plans and enlist their interest. These
agents will also organize centres in towns
and villages by means of which the small
producer will be encouraged. This de-
partment will cooperate with farm DEM
onstrators, experts and agricultural
schools in helping the farmer to grow
crops for which we can furnish them
market
Right here we can put a finger on
one of the weaknesses of purely spectacu-
lar Improvement of the farmers condi-
ton A little experience of getting some
thing for the stuff now raised would
much encourage him in using improved
methods to raise more. Farmers do not
keep on raising cotton for fun. 1t is the
only crop some know how to market
The avenues of trade in cotton are open
and systemized. Even the most ignorant
man can understand the terms of a cot
ton trade.
Market Limited
There has been no such market for
other commodities and no system has
been perfected by which the producer
can know even approximately what his
produce will net him, even If he finds
a market. We propose to supply this
market and to open and chart avenues
cf trade for all commodities which we
use.
I'VE propose to penetrate the highways
and byways of this state and find out
what the farmer and his wife are pro-
ducing and not only get them customers
to whom they can ship direct, but we pro-
pose to carry on a campaign of education
as to the articles which suit the market
and the best way to pack and ship these
articles. For this service we propose
to charge a small percentage on sales.
IN Ofdef TO insure confluence on potli
sides, we collect the farmers bills and
on the other hand, we stand between him
and the customer, and insure the GUS
toners getting what she contracts Tor,
We have almost completed the plan for
listing each day the articles each pro-
ducer can supply. We may never elab-
crate our system for an honor roll. but
we will have a black list on which we
hope no name will ever be enrolled. We
would advertise in all the papers, CIV
ing list of what we can supply each
day After a certain hour agreed upon
By the housekeepers, who compose the
organization, we would take orders from
dealers, hotels and restaurants.
These agents of ours would not only
make the acquaintance of the farmer
and sell his products, but would, in
making that acquaintance, introduce Bir-
fhingham made goods to him. We would
sell for Birmingham merchants, at a
small commission, everything from har-
row-tooth to steam engine, from a city
lot to the wife's best Sunday bonnet
stipulating only that a satisfactory
guarantee would go with all our sales
The longer we dwell on the possibilities
OF such an organization the more enthused
we become. We see the state enriched
by the increased earning power of the
land, and Birmingham made goods intro
duced into every town. hamlet and farm
house. by the universal law of success
in cooperation. In pursuance of our plans,
to tighten instead of increasing the bur-
dens of women, we intend that men shall
90 the work of this organization. We