Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1916-09-19

generous living, and those who cul-
tiyate an acre or two as side issues
have abundant spending money. But
President Paulhamus doesn't let them
spend it ALL He believes that thrift
is the true basis of prosperity. 30
he encourages thrift by using the
members money to run the associa-
ton. In the beginning he had to bor-
row money from the banks to conduct
the cannery; now he borrows from
association members. He pays them
eight per cent interest. For the con-
venience of depositors interest is de-
clared monthly, and any deposltor
can withdraw his money at any time.
The result of this policy is that the
association has on hand thousands OF
dollars belonging to its own members.
It is financially independent. The
1915 report shows membership de-
posits of more than $91 900.
Better than that. even, the mem
bers of the association are closely
drawn together Therein is the final
purpose of the association fulfilled
For it was intended, as we have seen,
only as an instrument to hold the
people together. The corporation pays
no dividends. But it eliminates con
Aict between stakeholder and ship
per-
Nor has the principle of co-opera-
ton been allowed to stop here. Dis
covering the advantage of selling to-
gether, the association was not long
in learning to buy together. The first
article purchased in this way was bal
ed hay, which is costly in Washing
ton. Then came other kinds of feed
corn, wheat, meal. Flour and food
for humans naturally followed, and
coal and other fuel. From time to
time new articles are added to the
cooperative list. These are furnish
cd to the members at cost. This elm
ination of middlemen makes the prize
es of these commodities much less
than the average retail prices. Flour
For instance, was sold by the associa-
lion to its members at 81 sack. The
average retail price was $1,35 a sack
One unexpected result of this has
oeen a lowering of prices for associa-
ion members elsewhere. 1t has now
become a practice for merchants in
5he region to ask customers where
hey live. If they are from the happy
valley of Puyallup, they get one price
IF they live elsewhere, they pay an
other. Thus has cooperation twice
blessed Puyallup. Tt has brought them
more money, and it has brought them
more for their money,
In still another way has co-opera-
lion affected the village life. The
'annery has become a sort of medium
for exchange. A great blackboard has
been erected in one of the buildings
for posting notices. This is really the
town center. Here one reads such
signs as there:
John Smith wants to exchange a
bone-cutter for a harrow.
William Jones wants to buy twen-
5y-fve loads of wood.
Henry Robinson needs three dozen
eggs for setting.
In short, the village life centers
around this remarkable factory. and
lmcng the villagers themselves there
IS unit of feeling and interest of
The most unusual sort. Thus the Pu-
Iallup Cooperative Association is
tar more than merely commercial
corporation. 1t has become in very
ruth "the tie that binds.''
As for the man who created it all
le is a stocky, ruddy, jolly sort of
nan; who fairly radiates kindliness
md good feeling. That he is a hus-
.ler goes without saying. But he hus-
les IN kindly way. In politics he
S a Bull Mooser. He wants every
nan to have a fair show. and every
'ody to have enough to eat. His
deal of prosperity is one in which
everybody shares. President Paul
Janus has rare business sagacity and
Executive ability. Yet it is doubtful
I he will ever be exceedingly wealthy
lie spends too much of his time work
ng for the common good. In what
'stlmation he is held by his fellows
nay easily be guessed. They make
Inn president of almost everything
lie gets into. Like Washington. he
S first in the hearts of his country
men, Dean Swift, gave it as his opin.
on that "whoever could make two
ars OF corn or two blades of grass
o grow upon a spot of ground where
My one grew before would deserve
'etter Of mankind, and do more es.
entlal service to his country. than
he whole race of politicians put to-
ether" Judged by this standard
dr' Paulhamus ranks high. He has