Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1920-07-15

W1Oe margin In the OIIcTS we nave
and there is a still larger difference
OF the offer for service we got from
the North American Fruit Exchange
when we tried to contract for a
business before we knew that we
had any business, and the offer we
have today when we are In a po-
sition to figure the size of our busi-
ness. This means that now we can
contract on a business basis. !
don't know that this meeting will
gain very much by discussing de-
tails either to terms or who we might
ultimately contract with, as the ne
gotiations are not concluded yet but
can be closed in a few days II wanted
and needed. I have repeated time
and again at the meetings to which
have been invited and have at
tended that all these points would
be decided on business principles and
not on sentiment.
Headquarters.
7 am satisfied that we followed
business principles when we finally
decided to select Minneapolis as our
headquarters. dare say the senti-
ment prevailed at our Little Falls
meeting and long after with all of
US that we would live in the midst
Of a happy family and among friends
II we located at Brainerd or Little
Falls, but after thorough investiga-
ton and weighing the advantages
and disadvantages we came to the
conclusion that Minneapolis was the
logical place. Even II II does cost
us more in office rent and so on we
found we could protect our potatoes
so much better and carry our whole
business more effectively on in Min
neapolis, than at any other place.
We also found that practically all
of the potatoes would pass through
Minneapolis, and that we could have
the services OF the Federal Inspec-
tors office practically next door to
our office and near to where all
the cars would stop for diversion and
for orders.
Also that by placing our office in
the midst OF the market district
where buyers come daily from all
parts of the United States in season,
looking for potatoes we have a chance
to get acquainted with them and
they with us and our principles of
fair play.
| And Furthermore we realize we
will have to contend for some time
with the sale Of more or less mixed
varieties in cars until our members
| have had time to agree on one or
two varieties in community and
standardizing the output. Therefore
1t will be desirable as far as possible
to sell such cars on track to the
distant travelling buyers for spot
cash after mutual inspection. ra-
Their than run the risk of having
them rejected at destination on ar
rival.
Credit From Banks.
Another point in regard to loca-
ton was what service we could get
from the bankers. We were assured
at the Little Falls meeting that the
large banking institutions in the
Twin Cities would not give us the
service we would want; that they
were too big to recognize a farmers
marketing association on business
principles, but that the bankers in
the smaller towns would sympathize
with us and that sentiment would
induce them to do things we could
not expect to get on business ba-
sis from the big banking institutions
in the Twin Cities. However, I am
more than pleased to state that after
several OF these large banking insti-
tutions had investigated the princi-
pies and basis upon which we are
organized from the grower and up
to the Exchange with the written
agreements and guarantee OF bust
ness that not less than FIVE banks
want our business and are eager to
extend their credit practically up to
million dollars II wanted regard
less OF the fact that we have very
little naid up capital stock. They
realize that we mean business and
that we are organized on business
principles. II we had not been bound
together as we are I am quite sure
they would not extend their credit
beyond the capital stock paid up IL
they would go that far.
Manager.
| We have also for a time been in
| clined to settle the question OF man.
ager on sentiment. Naturally we
| want a man We know personally and
are willing to trust with our pocket
book II necessary. a man of acknow-
lodged moral character that is the
man We want and we have years