The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-05-29
FARM COOPERATION.
Loss in Marketing Food and Farm
Products.

We have had much to say about com
munity corporation among farmers be-
cause we believe it to be the first practi-
cal step towards better agricultural con-
ditions. But this question of co-opera-
ton should not stop with the farmer be-
cause all other industries are practically
dependent upon the products OF the soil
for their prosperity.
Commercial clubs and business mems
associations that desire to render service
to farmers with view Of building both
town and country will find the greatest
opportunity in helping establish better
markets. The best advertisement that
any city or town can have 10 draw the
farmers trade is that it is a splendid
market for the farmers products. Nor
should the report be all the story. The
town in question must make good" in
competition with other towns as mar
ket and as desirable place to trade.
Providing good market does not re-
quire that the merchants, business men
and consumers OF farm, orchard and
garden products pay more than the cur
rent market prices; that would be un-
reasonable and uneconomie. What the
people OF the town may do to make
products bring good prices is to reduce
all unnecessary expenses and give the
producer and the consumer the greatest
possible benefit OF economic service.
The towns wealth is contingent upon
the producer dollar more than it is on
the middeman's extortion. 1t is not
the few that the business men Of the
town should favor, but the many.
Let it lie understood that every man
who renders useful service is entitled
to just and reasonable compensation,
whether he be producer, dealer or com
mission man, but no one has just
right to corner the market or hamper
prices by speculation or by wasteful dis
trbution. The town or city that per-
mits wasteful and uneconomic distribu-
ton is injuring itself by driving trade to
its competitors.
The greatest loss In marketing food
products is with perishable products
such as fresh fruits, vegetables, poultry,
eggs, butter and other products usually
marketed in small quantities and under
very unfavorable conditions. Often
these articles of food constitute large
per cent Of the wealth Of the country
surrounding the trading center, and the
loss not only deprives the producer Of
this revenue, but it Injuries the trade
that would 60 to the town. Waste in
jures merchants more than any other
class although all classes Of legitimate
business suffer because OF it. Merchants
and other business men are dependent
upon this class Of trading, and it is good
business to join in an effort to reduce
the waste.
Much can be said Of free municipal
markets, where producers and consum-
ers may meet and arrange terms Of sale.
These also help the dealer, as he is able
to buy direct and sell without great ex
pense, thus reducing his risk and saving
the consumer in unnecessary handling.
A town, like rural community, is
Just what its citizens make it. And it
will be just what the people that make
il are satisfied with So long as there
ire no competitors the town may permit
waste, but sooner or later progressive
will rise, put economy, thrift
and modern enterprise into their busi-
ness, and get the trade. To build the
own and make it desirable place for
he most progressive people it must be
he best town, supplying the needs Of
he country people who support it.