The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1921-07-21
Annual Report Of D. E. Lyday, President
State Farmers Union, Nineteenth An
nual Convention July z, 3, A. l92f

and her executive committees were
forced 10 borrow money, sometimes
in considerable amounts, but | am
proud 10 say that during the three
terms | have served, as president OF
our state organization, no official or
member has ever been called on Co
borrow money, not a penny has been
contributed BY any other than the
membership. and there has always
been n substantial cash balance IN
the treasury.
There is to-day greater balance
on hand, than at any time since
have been a member Of the organiza-
ton.
I'm its effort TO establish n great
cooperative marketing system the
Farmers Union has carefully studied
the two great problems Of production
and distribution Of farm products, on
which the nation depends for sub
sistence.
"The problem Of production hav-
ing been largely solved by the intel
ligence and industry Of our farmers,
public attention has been conferred
on those Of our system Of distribu-
ton, which a very casual analysis
soon resolves into its component fac
tors Of preparation for market, pre-
servation, or storage and warehous-
ing. financing and transportation.
The student seeking a real know
ledge Of these problems, must inves-
tigate the intricate details Of trade
practice and commercial customs,
both foreign and domestic. All Of
which subjects are included in the
comprehensive tcrm-'A cooperative
marketing system.
In seeking 70 know why the
American farmer does not prosper
equally with others. it was found that
out Of every dollar paid by consum-
ers Tor agricultural products, the
American farmer gets less than as
cents, the remainder being absorbed
IN distribution. II was further found
that in some foreign countries having
cooperative marketing systems, the
farmers received S. per cent TO 90
per cent Of each dollar paid by con-
sumers.
"In the effort 20 better these agri-
cultural conditions, the President Of
the United States In 1912 appointed
n commission Of one hundred men %
70 abroad and study economic con-
ditione This investigation was par
acuIariy directed 90 rural credit prob
lens. cooperative Land Bank Lcgis-
Iation, for the purpose Of enabling
cur farmers 90 become land owners,
and fo cooperative system Of mark
citing farm products, which had saved
fhe agricultural Interests Of Europe
from disaster. Six members II this
commission were from Texas and
fwo 0f them were appointed at the
special request Of The State Farmers
Onion They spent SID months in
Europe. and came in contact with
authorities on rural credit and Coz
operative marketing They had the
benefit ~ the experience and obser-
vaions Of David Luhin. II Sir Hor-
ace Piunkcft, and others engaged In
cooperative marketing work. and the
Federal Land Loan Bank. which is a
master piece - constructive. co..
operative legislation. was established
az the result Of thoir Investigations
Immediately on their return, the
Texas delegation reported their in
vcstigaiions and conclusions, 20 the
Texas State Farmers Union, then in
session az San Antonio.
Markets and Warehouse Depart
ments established at instance Of
Farmers Union. At The instance and
request ~ the Farmers Union and
with is endorsement and support,
these delegates drafted bin estab-
fishing n cooperative system Of
marketing Tor farm products and
Eucceoded IN getting the second cali
"a session 90 the Thir,y-third Legis-
laturc ro enact IL into law This
.egisiation o. commonly known as the
Markets and Warehouse Law. II
provided Tor the regulation Of gins
In preparing out cotton for the mark
et, for the building and operating a
great system Of cooperative bonded
warehouses for It's storage and pre-
servation. for the issuance Of ware
house receipts giving accurate
weights and grades, setting out the