Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-14
Polish Hebrew inspires and
Pushes Work of Farming
Cooperation and UpIift.
WINS THE CONFIDENCE
OF ITALY'S SOVEREIGN
Story of First Inception of Great
International Institute of
Agriculture.
BY HERBERT COREY.

BY HERBERT COREY.
NEW YORK. June 1T wasn't that
David Lubin didn't know better He had
been told that he could have but two
minutes of King Emmanuers time. The
court stage managers had told him in ad
vance. trailing the left leg. bow. swallow
his tonsils and wait until he was spoken
to. But Lubin was badly rattled-oh.
very badly ratified. King Victor Emman-
uel of Italy entered the room.
How are you, king" said Mr.. Lubin,
taking the monarch by the imperial right
hand and shaking it heartily.
It's wonder l didn't ask after all the
little kings" Lubin said afterward, with
grimace. Before l got through talk
ing l had explained to the king that l
couldn't buy d silk hat to hit me and so
had to break through the court regula
lations by wearing black sioucn, ana
that had perhaps the rottenest hired CAB
in all Rome
Emmanuel. He talked with this I'M
conventional American for thirty min
uteS, instead of two And then ne took
Lubin to the front door of the pa.ace-
II palaces have OOorS-and SHOOK hands
with him again, while court chamber
lains died IN the windows. Ana as d
direct result OF that falkland the
thought which had inspired 1.-THE In
ternational Institute of Agriculture is
meeting in Rome now.
Every one admits that the |. L. Of A.
is a big thing Delegates have been
sent to it from every European coun-
try. except those in which the kilt
thought in sartorial architecture is
still adhered to. The South American
republics have all Clipped in. The
United States lately paid the freight
on half a shipload of delegates. includ-
ing those who wear whiskers and
frockcoats, as well as those who know
all about farming.
And not many people are paying any
attention to Lubin. He only invented
the institute and bullyragged kings
and potentates into accepting it, and
patted it's plans into shape. Then he
let others have the spotlight.
Lubin's Great Purpose.
The I. I. of A. will be a clearing house
for every sort of information about the
farm It's accurate crop statistics will
it is hoped-put an end to gambling in
food futures. It's periodical reports will
inform those interested of the condi-
crop conditions. crop diseases and cures,
freight costs, farm machinery, intensive
Misunderstanding which may serve
farmer or merchant.
Especial attention is being paid 10 the
agrarian credit system of Europe. Lu-
bins NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. by tho I.
!. of A. and other organizations-have
attracted worldwide attention among
thinkers.
Chairman Yoakum of the Frisco sys-
tenn recently reported that the American
dollar cannot buy as much as the Eu-
ropean dollar until the American farm
er can borrow money upon the terms
possible to his down-trodden brother of
Europe. Ambassador Herrick in Paris
and Minister Egan in Denmark and
Half a dozen members of the United
States Senate are trying to devise pan
by which the American farmer-especially
the farmer Of the granary states of the
south and west-can borrow money at
the rate offered to bankrupt merchant
with stock of pasteboard boxes filled
with last years shirt waists and po-
tential arson. ..ubin started all this
He saw it first.
Lubin was born in Poland Of Jewish
parents in 1919 AS a youngster his
mother-who had remarked after his
fathers death--came to New York.
Young Lubin was given a job dipping
watch chain links in Il plating solution.
In
chine which did that loathsomely mo-
notonous job better than he could. In
three weeks he had lost his job, and the
other fellow had patented the machine.
He hoboed to California, and landed in
Sacramento because there was no one at
the railroad yards to keep him out. BY
and by he had enough money to rent
storeroom-on credit-and buy a case of
overalls-also on credit. That was all he
needed. In few years he was rich
man. Most of his trade were farmers.
and Iubin was disguised with the hope
lessly unbusinesslike methods of the
average farmer. He buys in the highest
market and sells in the lowest. So Lubin
went to Europe TO study the practical
workings of the cooperative societies
there and in England.
First Cooperative Society.
When he returned he organized the Cal
ifornia Fruit Growers Association. which
now maintains an exchange in San Fran
cisco Every other cooperative fruit
growing association in the west-and
there are coolies Of them--is modelled on
the plan he devised. Then it occurred to-
him that the farmers of the world could
profitably cooperate, If the farmers of a
community could. He worked out plan
for such cooperation, which is largely
an exchange of informa zion, and in 1904
began travelling with his idea.
He travelled all over the United States
and Europe, talking to prominent men,
leaders of thought and politicians-t;ree
separate classes, 1t will be observed. He
spent his own money freely. There can
be no doubt that his plan has cost him a
neat fortune, although he is still rich
man. And he has not profIted by it to
the extent of dollar. He was not even
a delegate to the first session of the In
ternationai Institute of Agriculture. He
did not attend its meetings, but remained
at his hotel working out other plans for
the future
He has been named as the delegate
from the United States to the present in
stitute. but not at his suggestion. 1t was
Lubin who obained from the King OF
Italy the palace in which the institute
holds its meetings, and not a stamp has
ever reached his pocket. His work has
been wholly unselfish.
THE day that practical agrarian
credit system is established in the United
States. that day the cost of living will be
lowered and the profits of farming in
creased said United States Senator Dun
can T.. Fletcher not long ago. But David
Lubins work has not been for the United
States only. He has tried to better the
condition Of the farm, and the farmer In
every country of the world. And he has
easurably succeeded
SEVEN THOUSAND MAY STRIKE
n