The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1921-01-20
COOPERATIVE MARKETING
AND THE WHEAT FARMER

II any man believes that the farmers
OF Morrow county are not interested
in some better method of marketing
and financing their crop, let him ask
any leading farmer of the county and
be convinced AS proof Of this interest
ID Morrog county farmers attended
the Farm Bureau meeting in Portland
where this was discussed at length and
where the three great farm organiza.
tions Of this state agreed upon a plan
TO put their united strength behind the
movement.
We submit that 1t is some endorse
ment when the Tri-State Company
waive their claim Of priority to the
grain marketing field to what all agree
as the better plan. Mr. Nelson ana mr.
Lavelle Of this company attended the
conference and assisted greatly in the
happy outcome.
When the old conservative farmers
organization, the State Grange, with a
committee Of five, headed by State Mas
ter c. E. Spence. gave the plan their
hearty approval;
When the Oregon Farmers Union,
the pioneer In the grain marketing
field, after careful analysis OF all possi-
BILE points, get squarely behind the one
big idea
When the Oregon Agricultural Col
lege, after Withholding an opinion for
year to permit further investigation
and amendment at last have cleaned
out the final Objectionable feature and
agree to use the prestige Of this great
across;
Where all these great factors agree
that the plan Is safe. sane, sound and
progressive, we submit that the farmer
has right to believe that his interests
are properly safeguarded.
In this happy result let no man or
organization take unto themselves full
credit. 1t is the product of all and only
by the united support Of all can 1t be
put through.
This space Ia too brief to give It full
details but here are some of the high
points.
II seeks TO market all the grain of
the Northwest through one marketing
agency; In so doing to unite with the
similar organizations Of Washington,
Idaho, Montanas and the rest of the
United States.
II plons n ahoo1nfa1v prauapt 40
dumping of the farmers wheat on the
market in the first thirty days after the
harvest but to provide for the steady,
orderly marketing of the crop and con-
sumption demands.
In accomplishing this result 1t seeks
to help the grower meet his annual OBJ
legations by a substantial cash payment
at date Of delivery approximating 10
per cent Of the market value of his
crop. It does not seek in any sense to
supplant the field of the local banks,
but to work with them and in the event
that they are unable to meet the har-
vest situation. as often happens, to
bring outside money to the rescue.
1t guarantees to every member the
same price for the same grade of wheat
during each crop year, thus improving
the credit of the farmer who Is out Of
close touch with the market.
II means for the merchant that ev-
cry customer who Is member, will
have a certain pay day upon grain de-
livery, and this pay day without for
feiture of his chance at fair price for
his wheat
To the banker 1t means the certainty
of collection without foreclosure and its
attending i'll feelings. The Association
is absolutely In position to get all the
commodity is worth and stands as a
trustee between the hard pressed far
mer and his creditor, guaranteeing to
the one the full value of his product
and to the creditors an agreement up
on distribution OF the proceeds.
Trere is positively no place where the
merchant and banker and other hacker
Of wheat production are not afforded
every protection, better by far than at
present, but the credit of every farmer
is insured by the sterilization of his
market,
It recognizes the farmer as q pro-
ducton expert well acquainted with the
conditions OF his farm, but claims that
no farmer can safely run the guantlet
Of the grain speculator, acting as an
individual and avoid occasional disas-
ter.
It is based upon the experience of u
California marketing organizations that
have made their farmers safe and sat
ished. In doing this it will make use
of only tried and proven financial us
age.
VIII use existing warehouse and
storage facilities where possible but is
prepared to build where necessary.
Grades the grain of members with Its
own equipment but guarantees a Square