Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-16

is not altogether an agricultural ques-
ton" continues Mr.. Adams.
If some of the economic waste be-
tween the producer and consumer is to
be eliminated the consumer must help
This means some form of consumers or
sanzation to buy the product that the
farmer offers for sale through his asso
citation.
Il think that the Bureau of Markets
should work the hardest on the selling
end, as this seems to be the weak link in
the chain OF organizations. With this
end in view. ! am trying to get all the in
| formation possible in relation 10 the
| farmers organizations III the country
and then apply it to Maine conditions as
much as possible. l want to give what l
believe to be a few general principles
which will apply to farmers organize
tions under all conditions.
The trouble with marketing farm pro-
ducts is, that until recently. although
efforts have been given to increase pro-
duction. no attention has been given 10
| the distribution and selling Of the pro-
duets. Cooperation along right princ!-
pies seems to be the remedy for this.
First. There should be an agreement
setting forth the relation between the
members and association. This agree
ment sometimes provided for by a sigma
! ture to bylaw as a contract between
the members. or by a written contract
/ between each member and thes orsanrza-
( ton. Without such an agreement the
organization lacks stability
| Second. Farm products should be
! graded in accordance with a specified
standard. The manager should be en-
ployed by the board of directors. lie
should give bonds with a surety compa ny
equal TO the stock on trade. He should
secure all the informa ton possible as 70
crops and market conditions. He should
have in charge the grading, packing and
labelling of the products of the members,
and should have charge Of the brands
and labels. He should have charge or the
marketing of all the products which the
members of the association have for saIe
In short, it needs the best man VINO can
be secured. On this m re than any other
one thing, depends the success Of the or
canization, in order to secure and retain
the services of a tirst-class man, the di-
rectors of the association must be willn.
to pay good salary for the efficient
service rendered
| Third. If the organization is a stock
| company and operated for profit, after
the expenses are paid and proper sum
4 set aside for the depreciation Of the
property belonging to the association, the
/ balance OF the seasons profits NAV be
| divided as follows: The stockholders
should receive interest on the par value
of the stock, usually six per cent: one
| hat the balance Should be set aside 70
increase the working capital. or 70
| finance future improvements, and the
balance divided among the members in
proportion to the value of purchases or
shipments Profits should be divided on,
! TINS basis rather than on the amount OF
capital invested. In this respect. CO.
operative associations differ from or
/ binary business investments.
Fourth. The cooperation OF its ,,a,,
bers is most essential The tlisIovai mem
Der is one of the chief elements of failure
I ~ cooperative organizations. The best
safeguards is to have the members bound
+ oy contract to deliver his output to the
/ association in compliance with the rules
ana regulations. or, if he fails to do So
70 pay certain sum in lieu OF liouidated
damages and forfeit his interest in the
association. For failure to do so this
cohtr"c, would practically eliminate
'itose VINO would not be loyal
fi1th. One Of the most serious nro-
oiehS IS that of financing these co..
operative associations. None of these Dr.
e'N'''o"s mas n paid-in capital stock
tSuHiclcnt to meet the expenses III t,o
"u9i''ess' ana 1t is almost impossible for
'o-opera'lVe marketing associations to
secure loans without certain Of the direc
TORS and members assuming persono1 Ii,
| bliltN. l>ccp the stock in trade VOL d,
sufed and the manager and trcas,ror
uil"er bonds, using part OF the profits
every year for working capital, 50 thai
t'ie associations will have capital enoupb
4"'ei LOT 'helr business, and then relea Sc
| 'He directors and members of tho ra-
/ spoflsiblllty of their personal liability"
IN conclusion. | wish to saw that +bs
road to successful co-operation of so,,i,,
- = p'oducts seems to be long hard
one put feel encouraged by the success
lat has been achieved here in Maine
ouri'g the past two or three years
nave attended. during the past ve,r
as a speaker l6 Grange meetings MIN
an average attendance of 9s. q dair,
meetings, with an average attendance !.
4o' IA market institutes with an avarage
attendance Of 36; nine farmers unions
/ Win an average attendance of 30: + live.
STOCK breeder association meetings. with
an average attendance of Is ana o,bc,
meetings, six, with an average attend
ance of lG4'
FOOD CONSEPNA TJnH-