Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-03
j. s. FARM NEED
COOPERATION
ENVOY SAYS
Land crsdK Society Advocated by
North Carolina Commissioner
Touring Europe,
BY LIEUT.. GOV. {. l. DAUTRIOoE,
North Carolina Member Of the Agri-
cultural Commission,

BY LIEUT.. GOV. {. l. DAUTRI DeE
North Carolina Member Of the Asri-
cultural Commission,
Special Cable 20 The Atlanta Georgian.
BERLIN. July 3.-The cooperative
principle IN agriculture Is simply the
Lesson learned from the practices Of
big business" m which dollars have
combined for efficiency and economy.
Farmers can accomplish the same
results by uniting themselves In so
c4a41es.
Tnere is however, this difference:
Industrial combinations seek more
than mere economy and add TO their
profits through monoPoliBtfc 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
IS adopted among American farmers
rather may the consumers hope Tor
fneer competition through the inhu-
ence Of farmers cooperative organl-
nations upon existing middlemen ana
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
rrfbution and to eliminating the prof
its Of the middlemen-
Protection for Consumers.
II would mean increased profits for
the farmers without an increased
mice to consumers. Cooperation
among the farmers for the sale or
foodstuffs, however, can not ! be-
lieve. be brought about upon any con.
siderable scale until the farmers are
uJaced upon a better financial basis
through the extension OF their'credit
facilities. Tho basis Of the agricul-
tural credit system of Europe under
lies all other forms OF agricultural CO.
operation.
There are many objections raised
axair1st the adoption OF cooperative
credit societies Of the European type
among American farmers. In con-
verSafion with experts IN the nelq
during this trip ] heard II pointed
out that cooperative credit s9cletles
of the Raiffeisen type are Unlikely to
aucceed IN America because OF the
unyvillingness OF the American farm
eT to assume liability for mis- neigh
bor and because OF the absence OF
farming villages" in America
Trnfapnfliarity OF our farmers with
Zach others financial standing deters
business transa ctions. / don't believe
that snap Judgment can be given
upon these questions. Although l
recognize the force OF arguments, u
does appear likely to the members OF
fhe American Commission that lana
credit organization can be established
IN America whereby American farm
erR can secure mortgage loans upon
better terms.
As to their short time credit needs,
their money for operating expenses. II
the Haiffei9en banks can not be estAb-
llshed, I believe something can De
gained by forcing the consideration OF
farmers needs ae borrowers upon
those who are to construct our cur
rency banking reform legislation, but
our farmers must interest themselves
in the currency question to do this.
No Monopoly 10 Intended,
With credit facilities improved !
believe, through cooperative organi-
zations. our farmers can succeed In
increasing their control over market
ing their produce.
i don't mean control in the munop-
olistic sense. but control 10 effect
economy in distribution and In order
that they may receive a larger share
OF the profits Of then sales.
Undoubtedly such business or
Eanization among the farmers would
quickly lead to an organization for
the promotion OF education for the
stronger presentation Of legislative
needs OF American farmers.
If American farmers could be re-
organized along these lines there
would be found a far closer link with
the Federal Department Of Agricul-
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-
lions 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 50 large
a country as the United States viii
require an organization OF great
strength.
i. The American Commission should
be encouraged to live ana broaden 1t:
activities Only the support Of oul
farmers can do this