The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-05-08

has altogether received over three
cents quart for his milk, almost one
cent more quart than the person
selling to the private distributors.
But this is not all. The farmer has
invested absolutely no money in this
cooperative concern. Yet at the end
OF the 20 years the 100 farmers are
In possession OF plant which is prob
ably worth 100000 and which has
been accumulated out of the profits OF
the establishment. This is the prop
erty OF those who have delivered the
milk to the concern. II belongs TO
them In proportion to the amount OF
milk which they have delivered, taking
into account, in every case OF course
the quality OF the milk as well as the
quantity. The average farmer has
then from his milk, in addition to the
price which he has already received
made a profit Of $4,000 for the ~
years.
Cheap to the Consumer.
On the other hand, the prices paid
to the cooperative concern by the pri-
vate taker Is extremely moderate. For
the ordinary quality Of milk, which
corresponds to our certified milk, he
pays about six and one-third cents
per quart. For the special milk, the
infants milk and the hospital milk
which is OF a quality seldom found In
American cities, the consumer pays
seven cents per quart.
Capitalized Without Money.
Twelve years ago when the Tri-
folium was organized, not a dollar
was furnished by the members. One
hundred farmers got together and au-
thorized a few of the leaders to bor-
row $125,000 at the bank. 1t is to be
remarked in this connection that the
banks of Denmark consider a loan to
a cooperative association which has
no capital stock and no tangible prop
erty as a perfectly good loan. II has
been demonstrated again and again
that these associations are planned in
such a way that they are worthy OF
credit II is considered as safe az
any American industrial bond. In this
case as in all others, only few or
the leaders signed the note at the
bank, although Of course the entire
number who were in the organization
agreed to stand back of those who
borrowed the money. The bank was
safe, both because the 100 farmers
represented we're responsible tinan-
cially, and because they knew a CO.
operative concern such as this was to
be was a sound business venture.
The arrangement with the bank
was that the money was to be paid
back out of the profits in annual in
stallments running over 20 years.
The rate of interest was low.
The association has been in opera
ton u years. A larger sum than the
original S125,OOO has been advanced
because the volume of business has
been so great that it was necessary
to make additional investment. The
concern has now 100000 invested.
Nevertheless the entire indebtedness
will be wiped out within the 20 years.
The big plant, which will then have
been paid for will represent a sur
plus of profit made out of the busi'
ness. 1t is to be remembered, too,
that this will be owned by the mem
bers in proportion to the amount OF
milk each has delivered to the coop
erative milk association during the 20 |
years.
How They Run the Society.
The 100 farmers who own this big |
concern have 1900 COWS, and all
have entered into agreement binding !
each member to deliver all his milk
or so much as is needed, to the COM
pany. Over 5000 COWS are mllked
each day Some of the members own
600 to 500 acres, and this particular
association has few members who are
small farmers
The association is controlled by
board of directors. These directors
are elected by the members at an an
lual meeting each member being en-.
titled to one vote, and one vote only,
of the proportion of his
interests in the concern. A man who
las two cows has the same voting
power as has the man who has 500
COWS. This democratic system of
,oting is common to all cooperative
in Denmark, and in fact 1t is
he universal rule throughout Europe.
Quality First.
It is to be noted that this co-opera-
i've milk company succeeds, not be-
,ause 1t is cooperative, but it sue
leeds because it stands, as do other
cooperative concerns, for the highest
possible quality in its product. 1t
trictly enforces rigid rules relative
0 quality and takes every precau-
lon to insure cleanliness and purity.
'ome Of the requirements which it en-
orces upon those who furnish milk
o it are as follows:
First, there must be monthly In
pection of the cows by the veter-
nary representing the distributing
second, all unhealthy or de-
ective cows must be instantly with
rawn; third, any slight sickness be
ween monthly visits must be reported
0 the company and the milk kept sep
rate fourth, all sanitary directions
S to ventilation, cleanliness, etc,
must be followed; fifth, milk from
ows others than those inspected and
nder control must not be mixed with
he milk furnished to the company;
ixth milk intended for infants use
r hospital use must be produced
rom cows from which are excluded
Il feeds and folders injurious to the