The Clayton citizen. [volume] (Clayton, Union County, N.M.) 1906-19??, 1916-12-21
FARMERS SOCIETY OF
EQUITY MEET AT K. C.
REPORTS FROM MANY STATES
SHOW AN IMMENSE GROWTH
IN BUSINESS THE PAST YEAR


City on December IA and 15. was
thoroughly representative of the spirit
of real cooperation, and the unbound
ed enthusiasm and earnestness Of the
delegates present was reflected in the
splendid work which was accomplished.
Over 1900 votes were represented
in the meeting, and due to the pres
sure Of extra work the covention held
the better part of four days. Head
quarters for the meeting were estab-
lished in room four of the Muelebach
hotel. Forenoon, afternoon and night
sessions were necessary in order to
finish the work for which the delegates
had assembled.
The report of accomplishment by
districts was an energetic endorsement
of the Equity plan in full.
L. H. Brechman, A. H. Gretchen and
President Bettermen Of the Parkers
Prairie, MINI. organization developed
the 1act that over half million dollars
business was done in their district the
past year. They are thoroughly es-
tablished and have gotten on a jobbing
basis for considerable Of their business
being especially the salt distributors
for their territory. They handled in
their territory over 700 cars of cattle
and hogs. Other commodities claim
large share Of the tremendous bus
mess done.
E. NJ. Sweitzer Of the Pennsylvania
district reported an immense handling
of fertilizer in carlots, also wheat
buckwheat -four, mill products, coal,
potatoes, fruits implements, machinery
twine, sacks, ETC., and stated that
Pennsylvania is alive with the Equity
spirit and ripe everywhere for organ
ization. Pennsylvania's business
reached into the hundreds of thousands
of dollars.
Frank Metcalf, representing the
Oneida Farmers Union, one of the
largest Equity districts Of southern
Idaho, reported the large success of his
section. in handling grain especially.
They have modern elevator plant
costing $4,000, and were successful
in paying their stockholders 10 per
cent on capital stock, and four per
cent to the members in proportion to
the business done by each with their
corporation during the year. The lat
ter is a trade or patronage dividend
and depends wholly upon the volume
of business the past year.
The intermountain district has 80
such clearing houses with the central
power and control vested in the Cen
trail Clearing house at Pocatello, Idaho
David Holmgren, Of Tremonton
Utah, reported the same large meas
ure of success in the Utah district, es-
pecially in the matter Of handling lum-
ber, coal, general farm supplies etc
The farmers in their district have
gained such degree of strength thai
they are forcing the great sugar com
panies to an agreement which is abso-
lutely satisfactory to the greatest com
bnations Of capital in the world, which
fact reflects te greater credit upor
the ability of the equity farmers t.
gain such concessions.
L. F. Yoder, representing the West
ern Idaho Eastern Oregon district
reported a gross business Of over 5000
600. They have attained signal sue
cess in marketing hogs especially. Nh
Yoder stated that their chief concerl
is-to educate their farmers to sell thei
hogs on consignment, taking a com
mission sales account as basis for fl
nal sttlement. In this manner tn,
shipper gets all the profits over ant
above the actual handling cost. The,
have also handled huge quantities o
grain and have made the best poultr,
market in the west by insisting upol
their members shipping only the bes
and getting the top of the market il
return for them. Mr.. Yoder's distric
is in the heart Of the fruit belt, bu
the total loss of the fruit by frost thi
year prohibited them from reaching
the 100000 mark in business trans
acted this year.
H. Danforth of Missoula, Mont
made an extended report of the condi
tions in his territory. They hav
made a good showing considering tn
newness Of that district and are ex
pecting to conduct campaign TO
capital stock in few weeks unde