The Benson signal., 1918-05-18
secure RESULTS
IN COOPERATION
Special Farming Encourages
Work Together Methods
Among AgricuIturists.
FAITH IN PRINCIPLE NEEDED
United States Department of Agricul-
ture Will Aid Communities De-
string to Form Organizations
Some Good Suggestions.

Every cooperative organization
should result from a widespread de-
mand based on well-felt need.
A community which specializes on
one or few products offers a more
promising field for cooperative mar
produces small amounts of a large
number of different products. A farm
er naturally will devote more attention
10 an organization which markets his
principal products than one which han
dies products which are raised by him
as side lines.
If the service rendered by existing
marketAg agencies is unsatisfactory,
a cooperative marketing organization
is likely to receive heartier support
than if the farmers are satisfied with
the existing system. An association
should be formed only when it can
perform proftably some definite serv-
ice, for an organization without def
mite purpose is not likely to accomplish
very much. Prejudice and misconcep-
IlOu ludhc q NCIy AIOCSulC z AOUhNAIAOA
for cooperative effort.
Democratic Institutions.
A cooperative organization is DEM
ocratic institution in which it is custom
ary for all members to have equal
voting power, while in a nOncO-Opera-
tive stock company each share usually
has a vote. Thus the basis of repre-
sentation in one is men, while In the
other it is money. Another principle
usually followed by cooperative organ
izations is to limit the financial inter-
ests of individuals as a further safe
guard against allowing one member to
gain control of the organization. 1t is
customary for cooperative associations
to admit as members all who desire
and are qualified to become members
and agree to abide by the rules. While
homeopathic stock companies dis
tribute their profits in the form of divi-
dends on their capital stock, co-opera-
tive organizations having capital stock
make a practice of limiting the divi-
-dends to a fair rate of interest on the
capital invested and distribute the sur
plus, if any, on the basis of the busi-
ness done through the association.
These suggestions by specialists of
the United States department of agri-
culture are given in Yearbook Separate
1888 Just issued from Washington.
There is a close relationship between
cooperative marketing organizations
and the more general associations
formed for educational and social pur-
poses. Many communities are not
ready for cooperative marketing activ-
tiles, and frequently social or educa-
tional organization in such a neighbor-
hood is invaluable in teaching its men,
bers the value of cooperation and how
to cooperate. Just as a child creeps
before it learns to walk and run, so a
community has to understand the fun
damentals and the requirements OF CO.
operation before. great results can be
obtained from organization. An edu-
cational or social association, when
properly directed, furnishes an excel
lent place for full and free discussion
of organization and marketing prob
lens and in this way lays the founda-
ton for future cooperative marketing
activities.
Preliminary Survey.
When the organization of co-opera-
tive purchasing or marketing associa-
ton comes up for consideration, it is
advisable to conduct preliminary sur
vey of the local situation in order to
ascertain whether or not conditions are
ripe for cooperative work. Since or
ganizations founded on a well-felt need
are more likely to be successful than
organizations which are not, the need