Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-23

TO ASSOCIATION
IN LEAN YEAR
Northwestern Grain Dealers
Organization Keeps Grow
ing, Says Watkins.

Signs Of renewed activity in Tie grain
business is being shown in increased
interest in the affairs Of the Northwest
Grain Dealers association, according to
]. Watkins, secretary and treasurer OF
the association, who made his report
in the morning session of the annual
convention.
The report follows:
Following the usual custom it is for
me. as secretary treasurer of your as
ISOLATION, to make an annual report OF
our financial condition covering the
period from the last report to the cur
rent month. This will. therefore. cover
the period from July 1. 1921 to June 1,
1922. I am SURF you will be pleased to
know that we have come through the
year without having to make an as
sessment. which the accompanying
statement will show. This has been
accomplished only by keeping our ex-
Penses down to the minimum.
Small Increase in Membership
II will try to outline a few things
which the association has accomplished
and perhaps make a few suggestions as
to what should be done. For want of
funds. it has not been possible for
your secretary to do much travelling
about the state visiting members or
making personal solicitations for mem
bership. In spite of the adverse condi-
tions, we have a small increase in
membership; and we have the assur-
ance from several who have not felt
able to pay their dues the last two years
that they will come back into the fold.
ut has been very difficult to hold
the organization together the last few
years because of the light volume of
business at many points in the state
and also because of the stringencr j n
the financial situation. I might say also
that for the same reason. perhaps.
there has been a decided lack Of
enthusiasm among some who have
previously been considered the active
members of the association.
This should not be so. The object
of our organization is to create har-
mony and confidence many abuses in
among dealers. a lack of which causes
loss to all. Through this spirit of har-
mony and confidence many abuses in
the grain trade have been corrected,
and if I read the signs Alright there is
much work TO be done along these lines
in the near future. There. is an old
saving that a rough sea makes a good
sailor The last few years should have
made good sailors out of all those con-
nected with the grain business in Mon
tana. and doubtless has; so you should
now be in good trim to sail any further
rough sea- which may be encountered.
Storage and Handling Changes
1.-THE matter of storage and handling
charges has been the paramount one
all through the year. This is still under
consideration by the commissioner of
agriculture. and we may expect changes
from the charges now in effect, before
this new crop moves The commits
sioner and active members of our as
ISOLATION have discussed it fully; but
we believe it should come up for
further discussion at this meeting. for
there are with us at this time many
from the eastern part of the state
who have not attended previous meet
ings and may not be familiar with the
situation. It is a matter of vital i'm
portance to every dealer and at this
meeting is the opportune time for all
to express their Sviews.
II have within the past month heard
many encouraging things said for our
association. and I am looking forward
to a year of activity and accomplish
Of much good for our association
and for the milling and elevator in
of Montana"