The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-02-14
w. Merrill, Agricultural Organizer
in Missouri, Speaks to the
Commercial Club Last
Night.
COOPERATION NEEDED
Interesting Discussion Of co-opera-
ton Between Farmers and
Businessman is Held
at Meet.

- have never realized before tha'
w onaration is necessary among the
u coon,a Of America This was the
,ovpote of the address made Dy F
W Merrill, agricultural council or
aorizer for northeastern Missouri, be
Fore the Commercial club last night
NJ Merrill is a forceful speaker and
carries convincing weight with all
Not he says. He pointed out the
necessity of helping the farmer to
ra;se more grain and hogs, because
tha life of the nation Is depending on
pood crop for the coming year.
Mr.. Merrill began by saying that
tbe war would be a benefit to Amer
ica even though 1t would cause sor-
row. privation and misery. because 1t
would show the people the value OF
cooneration. In the past we have
been too prone to lead solitary ex-
istence. Each man has been for. him
self and the devil for the hindmost.
We are beginning to realize that 1t is
absolutely necessary for the farmer
10 raise a bigger crop this year than
aver before because we need more
food and the rest of the world is
,aising less. How is he going to do
4 il we don't help him? We must
help him; we must make him see the
aecessity of better work. 1t is the
business of everyone to see that his
,eighbor does what is right and
what will help the world progress
We have passed the time when we
IAN do as we please and defy anyone
10 stop us.
The only wealth we have today is
TIL Ia
nom this city or this state and what
IS left is worth nothing. Therefore,
the development of a place depends
IS much on the progressiveness OF its
people as it does on natural re-
sources and indeed great deal more.
Mr.. Merrill pointed out that pro-
duction of foodstuffs is of greater
Importance right now than anything
else. He said that the business man
must cooperate with the farmer to
any extent, even to that OF shutting
up shop for two or three days week
and helping that farmer by actual
physical labor during those days, if
necessa,E. He said that we have
reached the stage where we must
make the farmer do more, where 1t is
our business and duty to do SO and
II he is unable to do SO we must
pitch In and help him.
In this age, no one man is sufficient
to himself. and no one can live
without his fellow men, no matter
how much wealth he may amass, &C
cording to the speaker. and the
actions of our neighbors have vital
bearing on our own lives. We can
not afford to let one man pull one
way while we pull another, but we
must all pull together, that is CO.
operate. We must have cooperation
OF mind and resources. He also
pointed out that no one Of us could
40 much toward winning the war but
that all of us pulling together could
DO great deal.
After he had finished, several ask
ed him questions and he brought out
me statement that the soil of south
eastern Iowa and northeastern Mis-
souri, had been farmed to death and
mat cooperation and leadership
would be necessary to bring back the
SOIL to its old fertility. II each man
pulls for himself. he will accomplish
nttle, but If the business man and
.dilher get together they will be able
70 make this corner of the country
one OF the greatest in the world.
short speech on the thrift stamp
sy w. G. Blood opened the program.
VT. Blood spoke very forcibly of the
leed OF saving the pennies and show
~ mat a great deal could be ac-
sompllshed by buying thrift stamp
very few days, and by changing 1t |!
- baby bond every two weeks or
After the speeches, discussion of
cooperation was begun by the mem
'eis OF the club. The bylaws were |
- to take in farmers instead |!
:, restricting membership to retail |
nslchants alone. A committee was |
llppointed to make arrangements for
.ee semi-annual dollar day. The
service was discussed and
:. was decided to do nothing for a
i n, The question was tabled. The
,ne OF closing was also taken up
'Nu lett Just as it stood.
h. -. Hollingsworth then reported
va county agent had been elected
r rh. would soon be on active duty.
,o Nc new agent is John Clare of Mont
- y, City, Mo-. The headquarters
,a,, the farm bureau will be at Don
i