Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-04-26
{Bx.G. s. %strandvold.)

Just now much interest lie again
conferred in the socalled cooperative
organization fathered'in North Dako.
to by tho NonpArtisan league and
known az the Consumers United
Stores Co. twill be recalled that all
dred dollars they invest In the enter
prise, IA the somewhat dubious privi-
legt Of purchasing their goods from
the company store. They get no
share, and consequently are unable to
claim any proprietorship. 40 they
have mt vote, they are-unable to ex-
ercise any control over the MANAGE
nnent OF the store.
This is briefly, the system that has
been described TO an astonfshed ma
ton as North Dakota's successful ex-
pertinent in cooperation!
Frequently the general design Of an
enterprise becomes more apparent
when contrasted to details Of plans
which have worked out successfully
by honesty and efficient management,
and for this reason, among others, 1t
is thought desirable to cali attention
to a cooperative organization that
u al it claims to Do.
A Community Market.
Sons time, ago Judge Frank T.
Wilson spoke In Grand Forks as the
representative Of the agricultural ex.
tension division Of the University Of
Of the saltwater Community Market
Co, whose secretary he IL. AS the
weeks go by, more ana more interest
10 being taken hero and elsewhere in
the saltwater cofhpany because It at
fords Of the most perfect illus
trations Of what the principle OF CO.
operation can do when applied In Z
practical way.
The company was organized ip
1908 and thus y past the stage OF
mere experiment. In It's articles Of
the. business Of the corporation is de-
scrtbed as foliows:- -
Trading in garden. farm. forest
and mine products; also -four and
feed, together with the manufactur-
Ing thereof; and also further, trad
ing with members only, in other
foods, materials, implements and ap.
I pliances of any kind Whatsoever used
In or about the home, garden or farm;
or otherwise of any and all personal
and real property incident and necea-
sAry to the conduct and management
thereof"
How Plan Works.
Judge Wilson explains that the
tsillwater Community Market Co. de.
tsrlmines tho price of produce which
the buyers must rneetl he adds that
there is always 4 friendly feeling be-
tween the market and the buyers,
and that, in nnact, the market has
bee instrumental in bringing about a
sreat deal Of cordially between town
and country.
1.-THE market buys forty products
from the farms during the season.
the secretary says, 1T tAkes.All pro-
duce from rhubarb to wheat, and
pays cash for 1t. We have a. ware
house at saltwater, and as we also
handle wheat, we have In elevator"
The necessity Of employing an ex.
perienced andy efficient manager is
pointed out: .
HE must Be a man who knows his
business. The success /6f the market
depends on the managers ability,
and this is. in few words; the secret
Of the 9 Of the saltwater Or
$4,000, has $4,000 surplus, and q
volume Of business given at the last
annual sae6ting Of the stockholders al
?sso.ooo during elS against ls1s,ooo
for the year 1871"
Partners OF the EArneeA
About M thousand farm homes
are said to b tributary to Saltwater,
20 that It 10 estimated that about s..
900 people living on farsns In the dis
trict come int CLOSE contact. with the
city. The, merchants Of saltwater
have aasiduously cultivated the good
EwM OF the rural population and have
Pbecome actual, partners OF the farm.
Ell. 7: