The Ocala evening star., 1922-03-06

Our Senior Senator is Working for a
Law to Authorize the Association
Of Producers of Agricultural Pro-
ducts.

vi VI 90
ducts.
Senator Fletcher knows the farmers
are the backbone of the nation, and
no matter what other interests de-
mand his attention, he always keeps
theirs in view. He has recently in
troduced into Congress bill to facili-
tate their associations to market their
produce. In introducing the bill, Mr..
Fletcher said:
"Mr. President, for a long while we
have generally appreciated the fact
that We have no well-established sys-
tenn of distribution of farm products
Fl in this country. 1t is one of the great
where are vitality interested. 1t is a
question affecting the well-being not
only OF the producers but also affect
ing very greatly the highest interests
of the consumers of the country.
"We have done very little toward
solving this problem, toward estab-
fishing some system of economical
distribution of farm products. The ef
fort now being made is in that direc-
tien. | do not know that this meas
ure, if enacted into law, will cure the
evils which we have experienced ow-
ing to lack of system or that it will
accomplish all that we would hope it
might accomplish. 1t is, however,
certainly a step in the right direction
and one which we might, without a
moments delay, to take, in my judg-
ment.
'It provides that the producers
may organize into associations, may
incorporate, if they like; that they
shall be privileged to cooperate for
the purpose of processing, preparing
for market, handling and marketing
their products in interstate and for
eign commerce.
"The feature about it especially in
teresting to my mind is that it is
based upon the true principle of CO.
operation. If there are associations
formed or if there are corporations
organized, they will not be controlled
by those having the largest interest in
the capital produced and furnished for
the use of these associations or cor
porations. A member of such asso-
citation or corporation is allowed one
vote. No member is allowed more
than one vote. That feature itself
would prevent a large amount of cap
ital being handled so as to control
such corporation as may be formed,
or such an association, and thereby
create to a certain extent a monopoly.
So, say, the bill is based upon the
true principle of cooperation, and it
does not by it's terms or by implica-
ton, and can not be made to, estab-
lish monopoly or an association or
organization in restraint of trade.
see no possible danger of the farmers
of the country organizing in any way
so as to establish a monopoly in the
distribution of their farm products.
"The farmers are in violent compe-
tition with each other at all times
and in competition with the world
and you can not change that situation
All you can do is to provide facilities
whereby they may cooperate in the
matter of marketing their products
assembling them, preparing them, and
that sort of thing. for their own bene.
fit, and which ultimately would be
likewise for the benefit of the con.
suming public. This system woulo
result in advancing the interests OF
both the producers and the consumers
of the country.
81 am cordially in full sympathy
with the idea and the plans which are
back of this bill. do not agree that
it is necessary to amend the bill az
proposed by the committee in order te
avoid the establishment of a monop.
oily and, / think it is advisable tc
place these associations or organiza
tions outside the provisions of the
Sherman antitrust law.
"In my judgment there could be NJ
monopoly established under the bill
and sufficient safeguards are provided
in the original bill to protect the pub
lie against any sort of tendency to-
ward monopoly that would be in
furious to them or unsound in princi
pie.
"Mr. President, whether this sys
tenn, if established, will result in al
we hope for it or not will depend {;
very great deal upon the management
of the associations or organization
and upon their proper operation"
The bill itself is as follows:
Be it enacted by the Senate an,
House of Representatives of the Unit
ed States of America in Congress as
sembled, That persons engaged il