Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1919-02-12
ENTHUSIASTIC FARMERS i
INSPECT PACKING PLANT
J. S. Christensen Writes For The
kandiyolns County Delega- =.
ton That Attended.

A number OF leading friends OF
practical cooperation among the
farmers Of Kandiyohi county
attended the large meeting Of the
stockholders OF the Farmers Co-opera-
tive Packing Company of Newport,
Mimi, near South St. Paul The meet
ing was held at the Ryan Hotel at st.
Paul, Feb. Sc. There were the lead
ing cooperative spirits from among
the farmers of Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Iowa, North and South Dakota. and a
most enthusiastic meeting they did
have.
Among those attending from this
county were A. O.. Nelson, Martin
Swenson, Andrew P. Johnson, Ernest
Swenson and Swan Nelson of the
called on for a speech at the meeting.
]. S. Christensen of Lake Andrew
was a participant and he has sent us
a seven page communication giving
vent to his enthusiastic feelings re-
garding this meeting, with the re-
quest that we publish it this week on
the first page of the Tribune. We will
publish few paragraphs of the let
ter giving the essence of the article,
as follows:
"To describe in detail the doings at
this convention would mean the writ
ing of a book or probably books. The
treasurer's report showed that this
great cooperative corporation owns
164 acres of ground at Newport. It
has upon this ground the most up.to'
date concrete buildings for packing
plant with capacity of 1000 hogs
and 500 beef cattle daily. Nearly all
the machinery is on the place, INSTALL
ed and paid for. It has on hand a
surplus in cash, liberty bonds and
notes amounting to about $525,00O.
"An excursion was arranged on the
morning>of the 9Th over the M1lwau.
kee railroad from st. Paul to Newport,
and hundreds of farmers availed them
selves of the opportunity to inspect
their plant, and found everything to
their entire satisfaction and in many
cases beyond their expectations. Even
the State Legislature adjourned to
permit their members to attend the
convention of these cooperating pack
ers and a legislative committee head
ed by Senator Gandrud was appointed
to accompany the excursion and in
spect their plant.
"Mr. Brooks, the designer and sup
erintendent of construction, a man Of
over twenty-five years experience in
the packing plant business addressed
the meeting. He announced that the
plant would be ready to operate In
next September.
"Upon motion it was decided to
raise by sale of stock from now until
Sept. /, funds so that the surplus will
be at least $1,O00;000.
"FelloW farmers, who have read this
and have seen what cooperation is
doing in other lines-elevators, stores,
shipping associations, etc.-let me tell
you that firmly believe that the CO.
operative packing plant at Newport
owned by at least 10000 shareholders
residing in the states named, has come
into existence to stay. have regard
ed it as my plain duty to join with
my fellow farmers not only in taking
stock and paying same, but to ship
my stock to it when it opens it's doors
for business. Some time before Sep
tember you will be given chance to
cooperate with your negihbors in
establishing more firmly this great
cooperative packing plant at Newport
Successful plants of this kind are now
in operation in Australia and Denmark
Are you going to do your share IN
helping to reach the goal set at the
| St. Paul meeting or are you going to
leave that to your neighbor and simply
reap the benefit of a more fair market
for your stock? I have faith that
these lines will not be read by any
one who wants to ride on his neigh
boris back to that degree"