The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1921-07-15
COOPERATIVE
movement IS
GAINING FAST
ALL-ANiI,RICAN COMMISSION RE.
PORTS ON ACHIEVEMENTS OF
PAST FOUR MONTHS.
~

InSss report just rendered to the
executive board of the All-American
Cooperative Commission, the acting
secretary of the commission points
out the remarkable progress made Dy
the cooperative movement in Amerl-
ca during the past few months. The
report covers achievements in coop
Grafton since the second All-Ameri
can Cooperative Congress held in
Cleveland last Lincoln's birthday.
Among the most important activities
OF the cooperative commission the
following are especially mentioned:
The direct trading campaign ur-
dertl's,en by the cois.ss .ssa,un is bring
ing the farmer-producers and the
city consumers together in country
wide movement to stop profiteering
and climate economic waste in the
| distribution Of the food necessities
Of life. Information sheets have been
sent out by the cooperative commits
sion to several thousand cooperative
societies, labor unions, and farm or
ganizations, and from the replies re-
ceived direct trading roster-thc
first Of its kind in America-will be
complied for distribution to all CO.
operators. This roster will enable
each group Of consumers to connect
up with the nearest producers, who
will sell to them direct at saving
Of from 80 per cent to so per cent
under retail prices for staple food
neeesRAfies raised on the farm. The
returns already received denote the
eager interest of both the farmers
and the city workers to get together
and save for themselves the millions
of dollars in commissions and prof.
its now exacted by useless middle
men.
Cooperative Banking
Cooperative banking has awaken
ed greater interest during the past
few months than ever before. The
commission is in continuous receipt
of letters from groups Of workers and
farmers in every part of the coun.
try asking its advice in the organi-
cation of cooperative credit institu-
tions. The model cooperative bank
ing bill drafted by the commission
was submitted for enactment in d
number of State legislature.
Gov Sproul Of Pennsylvania Veto
ed the Norton cooperative banking
act passed by the legislature. The
Nebraska bill was rendered almost
useless by vicious amendment; and
the Iowa banking interests prevent
ed the enactment OF the cooperative
banking bill when introduced by the
Senate of that state. But substan-
tial progress has been made, and the
cooperative commissions coopera-
tive banking bill will be demanded
by the progressive farm and labor
organizations when the State legis-
latures again convene.
Meanwhile the commission is aid
ing in the formation OF cooperative
banks under existing laws. The CO.
operative commission now has on file
the most complete data on coopera-
tive banking in America and Europe
obtainable anywhere in the country,
and it is now advising organized Ia
Dor bodies In a dozen Americacn Cit
les which are working to mobilize
the money of their members under
their own control.
Put Stop to Fake Schemes
One OF the most valuable services
rendered by the All-American CO.
operative Commission has been the
giving Of dependable and impartial
advice on cooperative matters to
union labor and farm organizations.
1t has doubtless saved thousands Of
dollars for various labor organiza-
tions that have sought its judgment
about certain stock selling
schemes for fake cooperative ente--
prises. It has given helpful advice
to organizations already established
in solving their problems Of man
lagement and business methods. One
large cooperative store OF the North
west has secured its aid in seeking
an abatement Of an $4,000 income
tax unjustly imposed ON accrued .o-
CONTINUED on Pa9e8)