The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1917-03-02
THE TRUE SPIRIT
Of COOPERATION

ton thai should be occupying the
minds of the rice farmers at this
season. We say this because this is
the time when the Southern Rice
Growers association is gathering up
the contracts with its members for
the coming season.
You will not overlook the unpre-
cedented success Of the association in
handling the difficult marketing prob
lens of the season just passing. You
will not overlook tn further fact
that although the battle has been
won, conditions may arise again at
any time which will have to be COM
batted, and which you, as individuals,
! fighting Individually, can not handle,
but as big concrete body with
competent head, you are in posi-
ton to dictate to the dictator, to
subdue the subduer, to conquer the
conQuerer, to acquire a big success
where failure would otherwise be in
ovitable.
If you are rice planter, the asso-
citation is your association, and you
should care for it with the same good
grace as you would if it was your
own personal business. If you had
very valuable horse, you would not
wait for the authorities to come 10
you and say: Jones, you must feed
that horse or he will die No, because
you know that if the horse dies you
will be the loser. Then why should
you wait for the head of an institu-
ton that is working full time for
your financial protection to come to
you and say: Jones, your best inter
ests the coming year need your sup
port, won't you assist in protecting
yourself from financial loss.
The money that you pay in to the
association is for it's running eX-
penses, and a good part of those run
ming expenses is included in the cost
of getting you to sign up with the
association for the coming crop. Yet
you bark at the toll the association is
compelled to charge you for protect
ing your own interests. If a man
were to drive from town in an auto
to tell you to feed your horse. would
you pay for the auto hire, and then
tell it as joke on the man who want
ed you to save your horse. No, you
, would not but will let the same thing
happen with yur association member
ship.
When the farmers maintain the cor
rect attitude towards their associa-
ton, the mills and speculative inter
ests will take due notice and they
will not then make the attempt to
disrupt it's ranks.
We are publishing herewith a copy
of letter received by Mr.. j. F. Hoke
of Welsh, from the Beaumont office
of the association which casts true
light on this phase of the associa.
toms work among the farmers:
Beaumont, Texas, Feb. rs, 1911
Mr.. j. F. Hoke,
Welsh, La.
Dear Sir:-Your contract for the
season of 1918 has been forward
ed to us by our Mr.. Abbott and we
take pleasure in again including yot
among our members for the coming
5 ason.
You are one of our members whC
realize that by signing contrac
e at this time of the year when the
\ agent is completing your deliveries
5 you are saving the association none!
n with which they can accomplish mor'
y for their members. When contrac
l. is not taken at this time, and it i
necessary for the agent to make
special trip later on in the season II
sign member up, it adds consider
g ably to the cost of handling rice t.
your association. This is an unnec
$ essary cost which great many o
;, our members are beginning to real
;, ize as they are signing up for ~
next year at the time of completin
:, the present years business, KNOWN
. that all money saved this way can b
spent to better advantage in advertl'
ing and other ways to promote tn
sale of rice which will benefit tn
= farmers conditions.
This is the true spirit of co-opers
!. ton. and we believe that the exampl
- you set will be followed by others
"a your district.
y Yours very truly,
Southern Rice Growers ASS