Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-11-04
The Necessity of Organization-Co- operation Means Community
 betterment.
By w. C. Lassetter, Director, Exten- sion Division, University of
 Arkansas

nfty betterment? National and con- mercial organizations have, in every instance, been for a well defined pur- pose. Far too many so-called com munity organizations have lacked a purpose, and for that reason have been short lived. National and com mercial organizations seek the strong est leadership. Leadership has often times been lacking in community or ganization. Why not apply these two fundamental principles of organiza- ton to community life and thereby establish desirable community organi- xations.
 NeighborIiness First Step in Co.,
 operation.
 There is no community where there has not been some cooperation in the form of neighborliness. For example. in the exchange of farm products, in the loan of farm animals for work, in the loan, perhaps, of tools. in the borrowing of small quantities of ma- terials for consumption that can be returned at the convenience of the , borrower. These are the first steps in cooperation. They represent to the average person a spirit of neigh borliness.
 Organize For a Purpose.
 Why not extend the spirit of neigh borliness within the community through organization for a purpose? Why should every farmer within a community keep an inferior head of the herd when by cooperating he and two or three of his ne;gh5ors could dispose of the inferior animals and purchase a pure bred animal of su- perior quality to head the herds uf several farmers? Thiss would be or. ganization to purpose. Why shouldn't two or more neighbors CO., operate in the purchase of q grain drill if one would be sufficient to do the seeding of these several farms :? This would be cooperating to a pur- pose
 Cooperation Necessary For Profitable
 Marketing.
 Probably the best feI for organiza- tion to a purpose lies in the field of marketing. Why should small farm. CTS with ten or twelve head of fat hogs sell them at from to 5 cents per pound less than the market price when through cooperation with two or three of his neighbors he could ship in car lots to the regular market and secure market price for his stuff? Why not organize for purpose?
 Irish potatoes have proven profita. ble in those several sections of the state where the smaller growers have been willing to organize for the pur- pose of marketing these potatoes in car lots. Sweet potatoes, so we'll adapted to the soils of Arkansas, can be produced at a profit in communi- ties where the growers are willing to organize for car lot shipment. Organ ization for the purpose of marketing strawberries. peaches, and such per- ichable fruits has already been dem- 'onstrated very successfully in num- her of important points in the state. Many examples of organization for a purpose might be cited, but it seems sufficient to point to the many examples the country over where or anizations with purpose have suc- ceeded and those without purp0se have failed. It can be pointed out further that efficient leadership is es- sential for the success of those or ganizations created with the best of purposes. sE
 Must Have Leadership in Or | oanization.
 | The time is ripe for organization of individuals within communities, of Communities within counties, of coun- ties within states. but all of this or ani1ation must be done with a pur- pose. Efiicial leadership is abso. lutely essential for the develop ment of cooperation along effective lines. Without a purpose in mind and without the guidance of a compe- tent leader this organization will re. suit in little gain.
 fl A County Agent tho Logical Leader There is good leadership in practi- caliy every community in Arkansas provided this leadership is properly I guided. Every citizen needs to con. tribute portion of his time to leader ship in community activities. These untrained leaders, however, require the guidance of person skilled in problems of leadership and organiza- ton. Today county agents, men who are trained in qualities of leadership, are serving the communities in their I counties in this capacity. Under | their guidance neighbors become bet, l ter neighbors. communities cooperate 1 for their own good, purpose of or ganizatiin is defined and organiza. tions live, that spirit of. cooperation expressed in ordinary neighborliness is extended in the many ways possI. blA for the benefit of all communl' ties. In other words the county l agent becomes leader of leaders. di.