The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-02-14
JUDGE WILSON EXPLAINS THE.
SCHEME TO FARMERS
TALKED THIS Afternoon
Splendid Gathering At Knights
Of Columbus Hall; The
Discussion

JuuSe FRANK L. .WilSOn, Ol SIili'
water, representing the extension de-
partment of the state university, de-
livered an instructive address on the
establishment of community market
at the Knights of Columbus hall this
afternoon to an audience of farmers
and businessmen who are interested
in the establishing of such a market
for Mankato and surrounding coun-
try. The project under consideration
is one of the most important things
of a community nature that has been
started for some time. Farmers for
miles around Mankato are interested,
and businessmen will be as vitality in
1erested as the farmers.
How the project has worked out at
Saltwater, Mimi, where communi-
ty market has been conducted for the
past ten years, was explained by
Judge Wilson, who has been advised to
the promoters since the project was
started by the Civic club of Saltwater,
an organization similar to the Manka-
to Commercial club, and the Equity
society.
lone of the best returns of the
market" said Judge Wilson, lis the
good feeling between the town and
country. The market at Saltwater
has been remarkably successful, and
has done much to create a community
feeling. The market has been a
great help. 1t buys forty products
from the farms during the season,
taking all produce from rhubarb to
wheat, and paying cash. Farmers
comment that wagons that formerly
went to town empty, now carry some
kind of produce to town practically
every trip, as the market buys every
thing.
The Community Market.
"The community market does not
put anyone out of business. 1t deter
mines the price of produce and buyers
must meet that price. There is al
ways a friendly feeling between the
market and the other buyers. AT
saltwater we have warehouse
where the business is conducted, and,
as we also handle wheat, we have an
elevator The saltwater experiment
has demonstrated the success OF the
venture. The success of market
= ds5eRAs absolutely or the manager.
He must be man who knows his
business, ard the directors must per-
NIT the man who knows how to run
it. This has been the secret of the
success of the Saltwater organization,
which is capitalized at $4,000; has
$4,000 surplus, and 4 volume Of
business estimated at $4,000 last
year and with the prospect of d bust
ness totaling 100000 in 1919 By
actual survey there are 1000 farm
homes tributary to Saltwater. There
is no factory that could be started in
a place like that, which would give
a greater source of patronage to the
city than those one thousand farm
homes, which mean about five thous-
and people. 1t has paid the merch-
ants to cultivate the goodwill of
these 1000 farm homes, and to be-
come partners with the farmers.
What the Proposition is.
"This proposition is simply cues
ton of whether thru" hundred men
in the community will do what three
men could do. Three men could o.
ganize such corporation and con-
troll the profits. We can organize a
corporation with three hundred stock
holders, and instead of outside buyers
coming in and making the profits out
of the community every dollar of prof
it will go to the home people, the
money will remain in the community.
The purpose of the meeting this
afternoon is to see if the businessmen
and farmers can get together and
create q successful community affair. "
Judge Wilson submitted to the meet
ing a copy of the constitution and by
laws adopted by the community
market organization in Saltwater.