The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1914-10-08
FARMERS VIEWS
ON COOPERATION

THINKS THERE WOULD BE No
EXCUSE FOR EXISTENCE OF
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE If
FARMERS WERE PROPERLY OR
CANNED.
Editor Independent:
There is being circulated in this
state in pamphlet form what pur-
ports to be History of the Equity
Cooperative Exchange Of Minneapo-
lis" by one j. H. Adams, who appar-
emily is protege of the Minneapolis
Chamber of Commerce.
/ am not member Of the Exchange
nor connected in any way with any Of
its branches, tho am farmer and in
terested in farmers rights. 1t is not
a question with me Of tossing bouquets
nor singing mud at the individuals on
either side. Because of the system
which has prevailed from the time
Father Abraham was farmer in the
Garden of Eden to date, farmers as a
class, when they desire to increase
their income either (D work harder,
(2) earlier and later, or 81 stint them
selves from the necessities of life,
hence they are not skilled in all the
Diplomatic methods to better their con-
ditions. They may at times be rug
ged and even violate the nicely of pol
ished politcness, but conscience and
an honest soul, not always presentable
by outward appearance, ask only fair
ness and equal justice! What is that
that / am referring to in indefinite
terms? The right of farmers to con-
troll their selling prices. 1t is a ques-
ton of political economy, hence the
reason am writing on the issue.
The Issue.
The Chamber of Commerce in that
pamphlet, page "a, states in italicized
words (For emphasis) viz: "The
business of the Equity Cooperative
Exchange during the past seven years
of its existence in Minneapolis, has
been insignificant and in no year has
the receipts of the Equity Cooperative
Exchange in Minneapolis equalled one
per cent of the receipts of the grain in
that market and on this one per cent
the members of the Chamber of Com
merce have made as much or more
than they would have made had the
grain been shipped direct to member
of the Chamber of Commerce" And
on page 35 they also say: "* the
Chamber of Commerce have during
the entire seven years, made as much
commissions on grain shipped to the
Equity Cooperative Exchange as if
shipped direct"
Now if the grain shipped to the Ex-
change is insignificant" and the
Chamber of Commerce has made as
much or more on the grain shipped to
the Exchange as if shipped direct, then
why have they gone to such expense
to collect data, print, employ mailing
clerks, and pay enormous postage on
that pamphlet? It is self evident and
in fact self confessed that it was not
for defense. That it was natural
love" for the farmers, no one will. ac-
cuse them of such irony. Now the
Chamber Of Commerce we'll knows that
the farmers elevators are increasing
very rapidly. Five years ago the num-
Der of such elevators was insignificant
but on Dec. 81 last, there were 2020
such elevators in 81 states. The four
states furnish: Iowa 1872, North Da-
kota 800, Minnesota 268, South Dako-
ia 22O, or more than half the total
number. The Chamber of Commerce
can we'll see that it is only short per-
iod of time when the farmers eleva-
tors will handle the bulk Of the grain.
The members of the Chamber of Com
merce sleep with one eye open watch
ing the progress of the state terminal
elevators. They also know that Secre-
tary of the Treasury McAdoo. in pro-
viding money for the banks with which
to handle the crops last year and
again this year, has set precedent
that will finally compel the government
to issue currency in more direct man
ner to the farmers and at the same
rates of interest that the banks now
pay, in order that farmers will be en-
abled to hold their grain until the
price reaches "cost of production plus
a reasonable profit" And why not?
The banks liquidate their Especial ia
vor currency" with the money obtained
from the sale of the farmers products.
The members of the Chamber of Com
merce look far into the future and
they we'll know that thru cooperation
they have been enabled to harvest a
very ITCH CTedHl DcCWccI Vic ldTHl-
ers and the millers. and therefore. they
realize what the farmers may do for
themselves by cooperation, hence the
Chamber Of Commerce are only work
ing for their self-interest when they
undertook to "nip in the bud" this
farmers exchange move.
Mr.. Farmer, it is an opportune time
to ask: Why is there no Chamber of
Commerce between the sawmills and
the local lumber yards? Between the
packing houses and the meat market :?
Between the foundries and the hard
ware or implement dealer? Between
the manufacturers Of clothes and dry
goods and the local merchant? Be-
tween the millers and the grocery
store? will answer the question. It
is because the saw mills. packing
houses, foundries and mills control
their selling prices. They ACCOMPLISHED
this condition by cooperation. The key
to the farmers remedy is cooperation.
On the day that farmers begin to con-
troll their selling prices, that day will
mark the exit Of the market gamblers,
price fixers, and such organizations as
the Minneapolis Chamber Of Com
rnprcp There would he no fish If there