New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1916-03-01
SLEEPY. EYE FARMERS ADOPT
COOPERATION IDEA

~ A new cooperative shipping associa-
5 tfon has been formed by the farmers in
the vicinity of Sleepy Eye for the purpose
of eliminating the profits of the stock
buyer and if possible the commission
merchant.
Agitation for a farmers shipping asso-
citation at Sleepy Eye has been growing
for some time, in fact it is an outgrowth
OF the farmers club activities, and is an
advance step in the perfection of farmer
organization. When it appeared that
the time was ripe for putting the move
ment across G. C. Beech, wealthy
farmer living near Hutchinson, Mimi,
secretary-treasurer of the Hutchinson
~Co-operative Shipping Association and
himself in the employ of the extension
division OF the State University was
engaged to come to Sleepy Eye to explain
the ms and outs of a shipping association
as he knew them from his own experience.
About sixty or seventy farmers from
every direction around Sleepy Eye at
tended the meeting and for the most part
trey We're interested in the proposed
project and came with the intent of
organizing shipping association. James
Petersen, president of the Eden Com
munity Club was selected as chairman
of the meeting, and Ed MCGOWAN, secre-
tary of the same club was chosen as the
secretary of the day.
Mr.. Beech explained how the farmers
cooperative shipping associations in
other parts OF the state have proceeded
and made success of their business.
Cooperative associations have always
been success at Hutchinson. Thirty
three years ago cooperative insurance
company was begun, twenty-five years
aso cooperative creamery, twelve
years ago a cooperative elevator and
four years ago a cooperative shipping
association. They have all been sue
cessful, especially the latter. The first
crack out of the box they shipped two
carloads of stock; the first year 100 car
loads; the second year 179 carloads; the
third year 2O2 carloads; the last year, the
fourth, 221 carloads of stock, representing
an aggregate money value of $276,00O.
Farmers from distance of twenty-five
miles are now bringing their stock to
Hutchinson to sell, and the business men
Of the city are doing greater volume of
business now and over greater territory
than was ever the case before. The
association, when it organized, hired a
farmer for manager. He has made good
handling the stock at six cents pound;
last year his income was $4,000 and he has
to have stenographer to help him with
his work.
Merits of a shipping association were
taken up and reviewed in rapid success
sion by the speaker. He told how
farmer got just what his stock was worth
when it was sold, all bartering is elimi-
mated, sinking fund is kept to provide
for losses, every condition for economy
is taken advantage of, mixed carloads of
stock are not shipped because it costs
more, good manager who is paid good |
wages makes the association a success,
and now no one would go back to the old |
1ystem.
Following Mr.. Beech's talk the meet
ing decided to organize shipping asso-
citation under the title of Sleepy Eye Co.
operative Shipping Association, adopting
the same bylaws as are used by the
Hutchinson association. The following
board of directors was chosen: George
Berkner, Arnold Hillesheim, Frank Rom
berg, Ed. MCGOWAN, Frank Crumlett,
Charles Remmele and VIM. Cutting. OF
these George Berkner was ck osen presi-
dent, Arnold Hillesheim, vice president
and Frank Romberg, secretary and
treasurer. The matter of electing a !
manager was left to the directors.