Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-01-28

payment of their deposits.
at is sought to provide an organi-
zation in which the producer, the
middle man and the consumer can
all join in promoting the general
welfare along the lines of agricul-
tural production and profitable dis
tribution and marketing in such
manner that there will be an equit-
able division of returns. We be-
lieve our plan is unique in this re-
spect.
Nom Competitive
"It is not our purpose to COM
pete with nor to supersede market
ing of agricultural products. 1t is
rather our purpose to aid these or
CARNATIONS in every way possible
and to fill in the gaps left by made
quacy of existing agencies, co-ordi-
mating them all so far as we can in
common effort to accomplish
common end.
1.-THE bankers do not intend to run
the Georgia farm market federation.
We expect to organize it, raise the
initial capital to put it on it's feet,
turn it over to it's duly elected board
of directors, urge them to select the
very highest talent to be secured for
the purpose of handling the situa-
ton, and then retire from active par
ticipation in it's affairs except such
as may come to us as individual
members of the organization. We
expect further to use every means
in our power to promote it's efficiency
and aid in it's work. We are not ex-
perts in marketing nor in produc-
ton. We feel, however, that we are
in position to advise our patrons
with reference to the value of CO.
operation in production and market
ing and in assisting them to so
change their methods as to secure
for themselves and the state the
very highest standard Of living and
financial reward.
eve have submitted this plan as
whole to the secretary of agricul-
ture Of the United States with re-
quest that he criticize and make
suggestions of any changes that
may be necessary to meet the situa-
ton in the best possible way and at
the same tinle conform to the anti
trust laws. AS soon as a report is
had on this, we expect to call
statewide meeting to finally adopt
the plans and formally organize.
How Banks Help
Discussing the functions and ca
pacities Of banks, Mr.. Adams said.
'At the risk Of trying your pa
thence, I shall digress a moment to
speak of the popular misconception
of the functions and capacities Of
bank with respect to the farmer.
While it is true, perhaps, that banks
functions are not wholly financial
and that they have other duties with
respect to the community, yet they
must, not adopt a paternalistic at
titude toward agriculture, but must
stay within bounds. Nor can they
force the adoption of their views
upon reluctant clientele.
I'VE often hear complaint that
banks have not discharged their full
duty to the farmer, and that the
farmer suffers for lack of adequate
financing. We must take issue with
the statement that banks as now
constituted have not gone the full
length of their ability in assisting
the farmer though freely admitting
his need of additional financing. But
how often have you heard of the
farmers duty to the banks? When
the subject is given any considera-
ton at all, it is unusually consid-
cred that the farmers only duty
to the bank is to pay his note, not
at its due date, but at his conven-
fence. That is fer from true. There
is another duty which should rest
upon him with equal weight, and
that is the duty to deposit his avail
able funds at all times with some
bank and to influence his neighbor
to do likewise.
80
is a depository. Banks may exist
usefully without borrowers but they
cannot function with4 ut depositors.
1t takes ten depositors to give
bank the capacity to accommodate
one borrower. Did you ever think
Of that? Too many people regard
banks as mere lending shops, forget
ting that for one to borrow, many
must deposit. When man asks
a bank for an extension on his note,
he seldom thinks Of what would hap
pen if the bank asked him for an
extension of time for paying his
check. Banks must pay on demand
or close, and their lending power is
largely controlled by their deposits.
Banks are like bushel baskets--you
cannot get more out than has been
put in.
Idle Funds
"I mention this because there is
today in Georgia more money IN
safes, trunks, coffee pots, pockets
and tin cans than Their. is in all the
banks, and if it were deposited as
it should be the lending capacity of
all banks would automatically be
more than doubled. ~
when you see a man carrying
more money around than is suf-
ficient for the days needs, you put
it down that he is injuring himself
and the community thereby.
'City banks require commercial
borrowers to maintain average free
balances with them equal to 20 per
cent Of their loan lines, and thereby
enormously increase their lending
capacity. How often have you ever
heard of a country bank enforcing a
similar requirement Of their farmer
borrowers? And yet if it were done,
it would increase greatly the banks
ability to care for the community's
needs"
To Adopt Farm Program
A committee will be appointed
Thursday, stated DR.. Sou1e, for the
purpose Of submitting before the
convention adjourns tentative pro-
gram to be followed by Georgia farm
ers and business interests in accom-
plishing what the conference was
held for, namely, putting agriculture
in Georgia on a sounder basis. In
this committees report will no doubt
be recommendation that the coun.
ty agents of the State College of
Agriculture work in conjunction
. with the farm market federation in
making it possible for the farmers of
the state to market in an orderly
manner and with profit the products
of Georgia soil.
The men and women who are at