American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-09-02

and unbusinesslfke, methods Of distributing food
products, resulting in an abnormal discrepancy
between the price paid to the producer and the
cost to the consumer.
American farmers are beginning to realize that
by selling comparatively they not only will be able
to offer a standardized product and reduce the
cost of marketing, but they will be able to furn-
ish this better article to the consumer at the same
or even a lower price, thus stimulating consump-
ton. In fact, any system OF marketing that does
not hope to give better service or better prices to
the consumer, and, at the sam time, secure for
the producer a greater net return. is founded on
improper principles.
The producers Of perishable products that are
grown at a great distance from the consuming
markets have been the first class to be driven to
a system of cooperative marketing. This ac-
counts for the fact that the best organized CO.
operative marketing associations in America are
found among the California citrus-fruit and nut
growers and the deciduous-fruit growers Of the
Pacific Northwest The perishable nature Of the
products and the heavy transportation expense
have compelled the growers to organize and stay
organized, SO that they might grow the best,
grade and pack honestly, distribute evenly. aud
market economically.
Something's Accomplished and to be
Accomplished.
The work of the marketing associations includes
the establishing of grades and standards; the
adoption of brands and trade-marks; the secur-
ing OF capital and credit; proper advertising to en-
courage consumption of a meritorius but little
known product; discovery Of new and extension
of old markets: securing information as to crop
and market conditions; the equitable division Of
profits; adapting production to meet market re-
quirements; the use of by-products; securing cold
and common storage facilities; the cooperative
In vipn and nnpufoofuring ~ cunpliac. oonar
tive use of expensive farm machinery; securing of
lower freight rates, more equitable refrigeration
charges, and more efficient transportation SER
vice; the securing of more and better labor and
the general cultivation of a spirit of cooperation
in all community affairs.
A cooperative enterprise is not automatic. Join
ing such an organization is but a start. The
benefits come from making use of the system.
Several farmers might unite in purchasing a
threshing machine, but no benefits would follow
unless the members make use of the machine. If
they continue to patronize other t~hreshing outfits
with part of their grain, the success from their
purchase will be incomplete and the venture may
even result in a loss. No cooperative marketing
association should be attempted unless the pros
pective members feel that it will do the work bet
ter or at a less cost than any existing plan. The
object must be to eliminate or reduce waste.
Farmers must be willing to furnish their pro-
ducts, invest their share of the necessary capital,
and at all times give their enthusiastic and most
loyal support to the cooperative enterprise un-
dertaken. Frequently a member offers to "let"
the association handle a part Of his products,
forgetting that the favor is to himself rather than
to the organization and that the part of his crops
which he holds back furnishes the most difficult
competition for the cooperative effort to face. The
person who lacks sufficient faith in the cooperative
plan IN too In oil nuarp will ON a1ar,apt ~
weakness rather than OF strength.
Strange.
Strange as 1t may seem, there are many who
prefer to ship their products to a distant market,
of which they know practically nothing, to be
handled by some firm, of whom they know less,
rather than to have their property marketed by a
competent manager of their own selection, acting
under surety bonds, and who is directly answer
able to themselves. A person who prefers to
patronize a market lottery, when he knows from
experience that his prospect Of drawing a prize
is very improbable is not ready for a united effort
With his neighbors.
Farming communities cooperate to secure better
churches, better local government, and better
schools. If they are willing to leave their religion,
their politics, and the education of their children
to cooperation, why should they hesitate to leave
the marketing OF their farm crops to a cooperative
system that has passed the experimental stage?
1t seems to be largely due to their training along
individual lines-to their spirit of going it alone"
Basic Principles.
Cooperation is the act Of working with others
for a common benefit. This means that all must
work and all should share in the benefits in pro-
portion to the support given by each to the en-
~terprise. In a cooperative purchasing and mar
keting association a certain amount of capital
may be necessary and those who furnish It must
be paid for its use-usually the legal rate of in
terest But the profits OF the business come from
the patronage, either on goods bought or sold or
services rendered. Profits are therefore divided
on this basis rather than on the amount OF capt.
tai invested. In this respect cooperative associa-
lions differ from ordinary business Investments.
AS In the Nation each citizen is entitled to one
vote, 30 in a cooperative association members
usually stand on a voting equality. To avoid the
danger of cumulative voting. proxies should not
be allowed. Members should be bona fide pro-
ducers. The development Of the enterprise should
be from within outward, as q natural growth, and
eyerv annroach NJ the nrofeaafonaI nronofsr