Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-03-09

which group II farmers can buy
given article IL large quantities. there
by effecting Considerable SAVING III
the expense of handling. commissions
etc. Sometimes when This method =
adopted warehouse is added Nh;ch =
owned or rented comparatively. and in
which the goods are stored until the
associated purchasers need them.
II these TWO methods have been tried
ana found successful. it may be daz.!-
able to carry them out 10 their loGIca,
development and conduct 4 co-ofz.a-
tive store which renders the same ser
vice 10 its customers that a private
enterprise would. This. however. inev-
itably leads u complications and
should only ne undertaken after SONS
experience with simpler methods cf co.
operation.
With the committee on farm finance
and accounting. the first duty is TO as
certain what farm enterprises can
safely be financed. This is only posi-
bic when accurate accounts are kept
and carefully ana!yzeG. After this has
been done. The next step is To Secure
the most favorable terms for Ironcln-
proper and sound enterprises. This is
frequently not difficult if the committee
has thoroughly mastered the subjec:
and is able 10 put it clearly before local
bankers. Where the local bankers are
unwilling TO finance genuinely I,rciuc-
tive enterprises at 2 reasonable rate If
interest, the committee must consider
other ways of securing capital. One Of
the simplest plans for accomplishing
!,
credit association. The essential fea-
lures Of this plan are that a group Of
farmers organize themselves 10 receive
deposits and make loans. BY keeping
the expenses down 70 q minimum, il
has been possible in some cases for
such associations to pay interest on
deposits that is within one per cent Of
the interest il charges on loans.
The committee on communication
and transportation should deal prirna :
riiy with the roads and telephones. The
keynote of the work should be organ
lied self-help. not appeals 10 get Gov
eminent help.
Just as the five business committees
are to grapple with the fundamental
problems of producing and selling in
mittees should direct their efforts to
the Improvement Of living conditions in
the country
To increase the farmers income is
not the only thing needed 70 make ru-
raj life what it should be. AS matter
of fact. says this article. it is the pros
porous farmer who IS more inclined to
move to town than his less fortunate
nelghbor. Having accumulated a COM
petence he wishes to enjoy il. and there
are five principal reasons which lead
him to believe that he can do this bet
ter in the city: First, there are usually
better facilities for educating his chill
dren; second. the sanitary conditions
are frequently much better in towns
and the time does not seem TO be far
distant when the cities will be actually
more healthful than the country. Again
household conveniences such as hot
and cold water. heating and lighting
systems, etc, are more abundant in the
towns and add greatly ito the comfort
of living. Finally, there is more oppor-
tunity for recreation in the city, and
frequently. strange as it may appear
more to appeal TO the sense of beauty
that is inherent in practically every
man.
Cooperation on the part OF rural
communities can do as much to alter
these conditions as il can to increase
the average cash income. The commit
tees that have these matters in charge
should. therefore, be regarded as quite
as important as those which deal with
business questions, and they should re-
ceive the same support from the entire