Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1920-06-10
SECURING CARS


The Duty and the Object Of the Min.
nesota Potato Exchange.
The question has frequently come
up: What are you going to do about
cars. that we may be sure to get our
proportion?
II We for instance enroll 500 Of
the potato growers in q community
In our association. and Is cash buy
ers are loading at the same point,
the rule seems to be that each loader
gets one car in rotation.
Now II cars are scarce. how would
the association come out?
Last year this system worked to
the benefit OF associations and the
large buyers. because the price went
up all the time, but in a declining
market it would work the other way.
TRUE-and we have surely not
forgotten that point. 1t is a big and
important point. and shall be taken
up just as soon as we have the
means. (the means are your men,
bership and your shares paid up).
We will use our influence with all
the weight. the size OF our organiza-
ton possesses, to obtain just and
practical results. 1t is simply our
duty to do this. as it is one OF the
objects for which the Exchange was
| organized, see Bylaws. Article 1.
Section I, (4) which reads: ITO Sc
cure improved conditions and service
in transportation. especially as re-
CARDS the securing OF cars, prompt
delivery etc"
| had some experience on that bat
tlefield some four years ago. when I
bought and sold for cash in Askov.
| went before the railroad and ware
house commission and the different
railroads. and got some relief.
But we want cars in proportion to
our business, and we want to be sure.
When the state encourages coopera-
tive marketing. logically il must take
the second step and furnish or assure
transportation facilities in proper
ton to our business. If we cannot
get cars, then we can not ship our
potatoes. and may finally be COM
PEELED to sell to the local buyers.
Such state Of affairs must be
prevented. A just distribution OF
| cars must be secured. II the rail-
roads are not doing it Of their own
accord. and IL the State is not able
to compel them to do it, We still
have a way open to secure our pro-
portion OF cars. altho it should be
reSOrted to only as an emergency
means. because regular method OF
apportioning cars in proportion 70
amount OF business should be en-
ployed by the railroads.
The emergency way may be ex-
planned as follows: As member OF
the association l am employing tina,
association as my agent TO do the
grading and handling OF my potatoes,
including the loading in cars and
the shipping, and so do all other
members. As long as we do not buy
potatoes but only ship our own. each
OF us is an individual shipper. and
as such has a right To order his
car or cars. and load for himself or
in cooperation wiAh his fellow mem
bers, all acting through their ap-
pointed agent. the association.
Therefore, as many members as
necessary for obtaining cars enough
may individually order cars. each one
to get his in rotation with all other
individuals. ordering cars. including
the private buyers or stock compa-
MES buying. These latter are each
only one person corpus iuris). while
members OF cooperative associations
as such still are each an individual
All employing the same agent, name
ly: Their Association.
But the best way would. as stated
above, be TO have cars apportioned &c
the Association in proportion 10 its
amount OF shipping. compared with
other shippers at the same point.
The Minnesota Potato Exchan &c
VIII spare no effort to have this mat
ter settled in the right and fair way
And the weight Of our effort will be
determined by the membership in
good standing lined up solidly be.
hind the Exchange.
Therefore-step into line and heir
push forward.