The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1921-07-14
CONTINUED from last week.

keting organizations are q permanent
economic institution and are destined
to have far-reaching effect upon the
farmer and the general public. They
enable the farmer to participate in the
profits of distribution and at the same
time open up a more direct road from
producer to consumer. But develop
ment in this direction must be based
ON the safe foundation of economic
laws. Plans must be sound and work
able. It is easy to draw up an ideal
cooperative marketing plan on paper
It is quite q different matter to put
it into successful operation. Many CO.
operative organizations whose opera
tions begin auspiciously 60 on the
rocks with discouraging promptness.
Success in cooperative marketing de-
ponds quite as much upon capable
management and competent leader
ship as upon the plan of organization.
Many believe the protest against legis-
lation legalizing cooperative market
ing organizations is a measure of the
potential possibilities of cooperation
in the marketing program.
Marketing Costs Must BE Studied
z. Development Of cost of market
ing information. on the
cost of marketing and studies of mar
keting methods must furnish a basis
for public information and education
as we'll as point the way to improve
ment in present practices. The con-
sumer wants to know what part of his
dollar reaches the producer, and he Is
entitled to this knowledge. Meanwhile
the farmer is increasingly anxious to
know what becomes of that part of the
consumers dollar that he never sees,
and he is entitled to the knowledge.
In fact, an accurate knowledge of the
costs Of marketing by the various
methods, and the costs of the different
steps in each method, must constitute
one of the basic planks in the market
ing program. We must know what is
a fair price for each step or service
In the various processes and we must
be able to compare intelligently and
impartially the efficiency Of the diff
ferent methods.
s. Agricultural tariff.-An agricul:
tural tariff policy is dependent upon
the general tariff policy Of the Nation
with respect to other industries. Agri.
culture must be placed upon the same
basis with other industries in our tar
If laws. II industry is protected by
tariff; agriculture must be accorded
the same protection.
3. Development of financial pol,
icy.-A definite agricultural financial
policy, however, is essential to mar
keting program. The financial re-
sources of the farm must be modified
and long and short term credits pro-
vided. Development Of warehouse IA
cilities for farmers must be part O.
this policy. The most promising plan
Is the development of warehousing
system which will provide a ware
house receipt readily acceptable as
collateral for loans, both in local banks
and in large money centers. The Unit
ed States warehouse Ace, now in oper
alton, provides the basis for a bonded
warehouse system. The farmer. in
order to place his business on an equal
basis with other businesses, must not
be forced to liquidate in order to OBJ
tain money. Like any other business
man he must be able to use his re-
sources freely as collateral.
10. Transportation. - Agricultural
development must be given adequate
and thorough consideration in the
formation of future transportation
policies. BY transportation in this con-
nection is meant transportation In its
broadest sense, a well-devised, sound
plan that shall coordinate highway
and water transportation, as far as
possible, with existing rail facilities.
BY building adequate highways to
meet branch railway lines and reach
water routes as feeders, many COM
munities will be given transportation
facilities that no single railroad could
furnish under existing conditions, and
for which the highway alone would be
insufficient. The building Of many
such highways in the more densely
populated East has made it possible
to pull up branch rail lines which, un'
der charter provisions. must be operat-
ed but, by reason Of the highway COM
petition, are Improbable to operate.
The rails and locomotives can be used
elsewhere to the advantage OF the
whole country.
Coordination Of Transportation
Transportation by the rivers OF this
country can and should be coordinated
with the railroads, to the advantage
OF both, and certainly 10 the advantage
of the thousands Of farming commun-
tiles along our rivers with elimination
of that cutthroat competition that has
in the past been harmful to each, but
more harmful to the communities serv-
ed than to anyone else. Such transpor-
tation can not be of great value for
the perishable products Of our farms
In most cases, but It Gun be Of immense
advantage in the handling OF nonper-
ishable products.
IL. Regulation of potential monopo.
lies.-Finally. potential monopolies OF
all kinds producing, handling, or man
ufacturing farm products or farm sup
plies should be subject to reasonable
OA-Az tfOvp ond 0llnor-