Arizona republican., 1916-02-06
Mesa News Notes
FARMERS OF VALLEY :
 PLAN CORPORATION
Will Form Organization for Successful Marketing of Crops-Manager to
 Be Employed

The farmers of the Mesa section, With thler wives, gathered at the Mesa opera house yesterday for an all day session to discuss the advisability of organizing cooperative movement Tor the more profitable marketing of crops. About 150 people enjoyed the fountiful dinner prepared by the la dies of the assembly, after which the meeting was called to order and Elijah Allen selected as chairman. Edmond Ellsworth was the first speaker, the purpose Of his address being to set Defora the meeting the cooperative rlan by which the farmers of Idaho marketed their crops to best advan- tage. He explained their clearing tGuse system and the consequent abil- ity to hold their products for satis- factory market, and likewise ena bling them to make purchases of implements etc, in car lots at reduced prices MT Ellsworth was given close attention and the satisfaction of his audience was marked by the applause given.
 After this address there wasia round table where question were asked and one gentleman after another was called on by the audience. First came Bert Winger in a fOrceful argument for organized work among the farm CTS. He said that individual farmers in the valley had contracted their hay at six dollars per ton and received one dollar down on the sale and in some instances the balance was still owing them. That they were thus taking all the risk and letting the hay buyers have the use of five hundred and fifty dollars on the sale of say 100 tons. lie argued that the wheat, barley and maize crops were handled by the strongest combination in the valley and that the price was dictated to the farmers. MT. Winger said that the schools were sending out people to teach wheat growers how to grow wheat something that they already know. when what the farmer needed for the schools to do was to furnish information as to the marketing of the crops. That they were starting to do this but had much to learn and in the meantime the farmers were suffering
 
 the Cattle Feeders of the state as an example of what should be done by tho farmer The speaker paid his re- spectI to tho government experiment farm here. saying that it cost S32, ,000 and that We had date farm also and if the balance against the date farm V ere made public 1t would make the s32 O00 look like 90 cents.
 iIis concluding remarks urged that the organization secure a thoroughly competent man at a good salary and have him attend to the securing of market prices and the general manage ment of the details of the work.
 Mir Paul Beville spoke next regard ing the buying power of the collective body. '"Two year old roses at 9 cents each are cheap. in dozen lots little cheaper, but in lots of 1000 very muct. less. The retail mechant has to sell to the indiviual, he gives credit and loses some of the accounts. It is necessary for him to make a large profit where he rctais and credits and it should be recognized that while he is thus
 
 continues in business. make sufficient profit to protect himself.
 He could quote very much cheaper prices if a collective body of men bought in very large quantities from him and paid cash. Thus said MT. Beville, there are two sides to the question, but there is absolutely no doubt that farmers should organize and endeavor to handle their crops to the most advantage"
 A number of others present made short talks, after which the chairman T I read 9 proposed plan of action, which | was adopted by the audience. It in- | cluded the idea of incorporating witl l $500 capital, with a board of direct DTS composed of members who should represent each farming interest in the valley, and that competent manager should be employed. A committee vii l be selected to draft articles of incOr 1 poration and meeting similar to tn, one held today is. called for Saturday Tabruary 10th