The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-18
MISSOULA FARMERS
TOCHANGE METHOD

People at Parkers Prairie declare that
this farmers movement has put the
village on the map. At first the local
business man were fearful of the ef-
fects of the organization upon their
business and attempted TO discourage
the efforts of the farmers. But now
this has all changed. In spite of op-
position. the Equity has progressed
and developed. The local commercial
club has dissolved and in place of it,
farmers with their Equity having ac-
quired the charter of that institution
and with the people of Parkcrs Prai-
RTE and surrounding country districts
have formed community Cuba
purely social arrangement. This COM
munity club gave the convention
guests a fine banquet Wednesday even
ing and attended to the entertaining
of the convention. The band and or
chcstra furnished several musical en-
tertainmcnts. In every respect har-
mony seemed to prevail and the bust
ness interests of the village have joined
to boost the Equity. a 100000 con-
Germ for Il village the size of Parkers
Prairie deserves consideration. The
merchants also secure much of their
supplies. such as salt sugar, flour and
fruits through the Equity. The Equity
buys in such quantities and ut such
| favorable prices that they compete
with the best wholesale house compe-
ti,ion Of the Twin Cities. Their last
shipment of salt consisted of five ear
loads.
! Market Found.
Before the organization began work
| there had been no market for vcgcta-
bles. Now, we are informed, if a farm
| cr has more carrots. onions caDbagcs,
pumpkins, cucumbers, etc. than he
needs for personal use. he brings such
| to their warehouse and in time the
management makes up Il shipment to
the city markets and secures returns
for the farmers. In this way the
Equity has enabled farmers to turn
their surplus into cash. Before, this
surplus was wasted.
As Il result more money is brought
into the community: the farmer buys
more goods from the local merchants
The wife gets a better grade of goods
for herself and children: the men us,
higher priced suits and shoes than be-
fore The result is an increased bust
ness for the mcrchant--and nearly al
on a cash basis. The result is that
the mail order business out of Park
| .,,,
during the past couple years. This OK.
plains the change of attitude of tn,
local merchants. The same viii be the
, result in other places. IT the business,
men of other villages would reason this
out-takc time to investigate this mat
ter--there would be less fear of re-
suits and much of the feeling between
businessmen and farmers avoided.
Some business men fear this move
mcnt will Kill the town" 1t might b
, well to note in this connection that tn
country around the villages Is becom
} ing more and more thickly populated
| The farmers produce more and NOR
!, goods. \ market must be provided
: | Their demands for merchandise in
crease and must be met. The business
must he done. There is 40 chance I
| kill the town. ON the contrary tn
town is bound to grow. But II ma
effect some who have been Conncctc
: with spectators and enjoy Spccia
l ! privileges. If that were all there
to a town then the movement Woul
hurt 1t. but no community Is IN an
serious need of such a class and /
most instances any town is better OF
with that element eliminated. And
) will not kill the town" either.