The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1921-03-11

H SLdIllIZcu I'll SpCSulatloIl III "
The committees recommendation
agency controlled by farmers. 1t
export and finance departments. |
would maintain sales agencies at TIL
terminal markets and branch agen
cies at others. 1t would be a non
profit organization with the member
ship limited to actual grain growers
Existing cooperative elevator compan
les would be made a part of the new
system. The organization of cooper
ative elevator companies at additional
points would be encouraged.
Ready Now 1000 Elevators
There now are more than four thou
sand cooperative elevators in the
wheat belt. They market from 80 pei
cent to 40 per cent of the crop grown
in that territory. 1t is possible that
40 per cent may be marketed through
the national sales agency this year. In
that case farmers who sell under
the usual marketing method possibly
would benefit indirectly as a result OF
the competition.
The magnitude of the task, how
ever, prevents its being put into oper-
alton general enough to handle all OF
this years crop. Rather it is a foun-
dation on which to build for next year,
the year after and those to follow.
The plan calls for handling grain
by purchase on consignment or by
pooling as the farmers in AMI local
ity may decide.
To Check Unfair Practices
By handling a large volume of grain
through their own sales agencies it is
hoped the farmers can check and fin
ally stop speculation by nonproducers
and any unfair practices in market
ing grain that may now exist.
Through the national sales agency in
marketing grain, it is planned to do
these things:
Maintain a steady flow of grain to
market throughout the year.
Finance the grain movement, hand
ling warehouse receipts through the
farmers w finance department.
Maintain farmers own sales agen-
cies on the grain exchanges.
Export their own surplus.
By doing these things stabilize pric-
es and prevent the great daily, week
ly and ~seasonable fluctuations.
The committee points out fixing I'M
fair prices by farmers is impossible as
unduly large profits would result in
over-production which would reduce
the prices.
Rests on Cooperative Elevators
The entire structure would be built
upon local cooperative elevator COM
panies. Such companies are to be
owned entirely by grower members,
The elevators are asked first to con
f-.nnt with ~ ~. 70 ,.4t oil tI1 49,,
plus grain sold for five years. Their
the local elevator companies are tt
contract with the national sales agen
through the agency for the same per
iod. A reasonable time would be al
lowed local elevators to reorganiZe to
come within the plan.
Commission to Provide Funds
The initial working capital of the
national sales agency would be pro-
cured through the membership sub
schiptions of the growers. That would
provide money needed for the immedi-
ate handling of grain. Subsequent
funds would be obtained by charging
a certain percent of the sales value
of grain handled through the agency.
The financing corporation would be
provided capital by subscriptions to
stock by grain growing members of
the agency.
Saves Profits for Farmers
In short, the national sales agency
would operate in the world markets
the same as the cooperative elevator
company has operated in the COM
munity. The handling of grain by
others than lt1CHlIrAyS nnnlf la ,p+in,
~ done away with until the miller,
who grinds the wheat into flour for
the consumer, was reached. The eX-
portable surplus would be sold to the
foreign buyers, who are spectators,
by the tanners, instead of by other
spectators.
III issuing it's proposed plan the
committee called attention 10 some
farm and marketing facts.
SIX and one-half million farmers
produce the to0d for 10 million
people.
1Ie farmer mas a right TO enjoy the
same standards of living that prevail
an other occupations, the same com
penAa~lon To- skill and management
as ovher enterprises pay.
1Ae business Of farming does not
~" JIGlu suLll4enl returns TO meet
these requirements, restore and main
tain SOL Ter l.i,y, enable the purchase
OF machinery and equipment neces.
s2ry = a1Iv economical production on
ollet ~.s.an..sl inducements to keer
boys ard girls on the farm.
h 1...St!2g System 30 Plane
In esti"atioa conyinces us the fun
dan -rtal reason for this lack of ade-
qua.e profits Is a faulty system of
rno,l-at1r>r nrOlr,t- ~ IL,