The Monticellonian., 1915-11-18
PROGRESS IN COOPERATION
Attention of Farmers Turning More and More to Marketing Associa-
 tons-A Promising Field.

paid to the producer of food and the | price paid by the consumer has turned the attention of American farmers more and more to cooperative market | ing associations. Producers of perish able products have advanced the far thest in this direction and the best 1 organized cooperative marketing as- sociations are now to be found among | the California citrus fruit growers and among the deciduous fruit growers of 1 the Pacific Northwest. In general 1t may be said that the most promising | field for such associations is in the marketing of highly specialized and | localized crops.
 The work of the marketing asso- citations includes the establishing of grades and standards; the adoption of l brands and trademarks; the securing of capital and credit; proper adyertis- ing to encourage consumption of a meritorious but little-known product; discovery of new and extension of old markets. securing information as to l crop and market conditions; the equitable division of profits; adapting production to meet market require ments: the use of by-products; seeur- ing cold and common storage facili | ties; the cooperative buying and manufacturing of supplies; co-opera- tive use of expensive farm machinery; securing of lower freight rates. more equitable refrigeration charges, and l atfinipnf the securing of more and better labor; and the general cultivation of a spirit of cooperation in all community af fairs.
 These objects cannot be achieved without strong, capable management. If farmer has not sufficient faith in the cooperative idea to go into the enterprise with his whole heart to hold up energetically the ,hands of l the manager and work disinterestedly for the success of the association as whole, he had better not become a member. for he will be far from source Of comfort to his partners
 The manager should be employed by the board of directors and should have large powers. He should employ and discharge all labor; he should se- cure information as to crop and mar ket conditions and furnish same to the members on request. He should encourage the production of the best varieties of products demanded by the trade. He should conduct packing schools, in order that growers may be- come trained in the best methods of grading. packing and labelling their products. He should have charge of the grading. packing and inspection of all association products. and should have control of the brands and labels and their use on the association pack ages. in accordance with the rules of the association. He should enter into contracts for the sale of the associa- tien goods. He should have entire charge of the marketing of all assoeia- tion goods. subject only to the action of the board of directors and the by laws and rules of the association He cannot be held responsible if he is to be dictated to at will by each member or the officers are constantly to med dle with his work. This does not i'm ply that the manager should be a die tator. He takes the suggestions of the officers and members and, from those of his own experience. he constructs a business plan. Whenever a manager loses the confidence of the members, it Is better to replace him with a man. ager who possesses that confidence.
 But no manager, however compe- tent he may be. can lead co-ope- rative association to success unless he has real cooperation from the mem- bers. In cooperative circles the dis loyal member is the chief element of failure.
 It would appear that owing to the very fine principle of mutual help in volved, those forming a cooperative organization would be consistently loyal in their mutual relationship. But. on the other hand. unless exceptional care be exercised by the leaders, an organization from the beginning will be burdened with drones. cheats, dead beats and traitors.
 " lth o Sip"'i Joiiio q to-opCi dlifc V organization and then refuses to pat ronize it, he is a drone. He cannot excuse himself even on the ground of bad management. for it is his duty to secure proper conduct of the business.
 If in selling through his organization a producer endeavors to pass off shod- dy. poorgrade products. which injure | of h. he Is a member. he is a cheat
 The member who uses the special and private information of the asso- citation in making sales outside, with out contributing to it's support. is a deadbeat
 The man who joins cooperative enterprise and then through subtle ways endeavors to obstruct it's prog ress and defeat it's purposes is a trai- tor.
 Those experienced with cooperative | organizations have known all these types They are to be found in prac- tically every community. They are the greatest enemies of agriculture and agricultural cooperation If al. | lowed to dominate with their dshon- est practices. they will sap the energy, brains and spirit of the officers. ex- haust the moral and financial strength of the undertaking and reduce the whole to state of miserable failure | and ruin.
 
 The man who dissipates to prove his iron constitution conclusively proves 1 his wooden head