Morris tribune., 1922-10-27
MINNESOTA A LEADER
In FARM COOPERATIVES
Senator Cliff and Deputy Commis-
sioner Hay Point Out Wonder
| full Progress

The predominating issue in this
campaign as in the previous one is
the condition of agriculture, and that
condition being solved by the won
derful success of cooperative market
ing in this state. Cooperative mar
keting has been made possible by the
laws which the legislature Of 1919
and 1921 put on the statute books.
Such was the information given in
the able and instructive addresses
given by Senator F. L. Cliff and De-
putty Commissioner of Agriculture J.
H. Hay at the armory Tuesday even
ing.
Senator Cliff told how the State
Department of Agriculture had been
established for the purpose of aiding
in the establishment of cooperative
marketing agencies, how the coopera-
tive laws of the state had been en-
tirely rewritten. The chambers of
Commerce and boards of trade had
been declared to be open markets,
the sale of futures had been prohi-
bited. and legislation favorable to CO.
operative selling agencies passed. AS
a result stock shipping associations
had been organized all over the state,
and the stock selling association had
saved 100000 to the farmers which
use it. There are $50 creameries in
the big cooperative creamery associa-
tion which will rebate 100000 to
100000 annually. A potato ship
ping association is handling a great
volume Of business and grain sell
ing agency is being formed.
Even tho so per cent of the grain
is handled by farmers elevators, yet
the farmers elevators are helpless in
competition with the line elevator be-
cause the farmers elevator must sell
a car of wheat subject to it's defects
while the line elevator with a great
terminal prepares the wheat ready
for the miller and get the highest
possible grade.
He told how the state inspector had
caized his attention to two cars of
wheat one of 81 pound wheat which
was graded No. 4 because 1T had Is
per cent of moisture and one of 54
pound wheat containing, IL per cent
moisture. One terminal elevator
bought the two cars, mixed them and
had So pound wheat with IA per cent
moisture, and thereby made 20 cents
on each bushel. -.
The farmers elevators can never
meet this competition except by unit
ing and having their own terminal
elevator. The terminal elevator
knows just how to prepare wheat
for the miller, and the farmers ele-
vators must do the same. The prob
lem can be solved under the coopera-
tive laws which the Minnesota legis-
lature has provided. -
Senator Cliff also called attention
to other legislation in which he took
an active part, the wonderful state
road system, and the law that not
more than 20 per cent of the money
should be spent for hard surfacing,
the tonnage tax, the woman's suf-
frage amendment, and the state test
ing mill which furnishing reliable
information to ascertain the true
milling value of wheat. .-.,. ...,.
Deputy Commissioner of Agricul-
ture j. Fl. Hay was introduced and
complimented Senator Cliffs speech
as decidedly practical rather than
political. He said the Department of
Agriculture was established three
years ago to administer the coopera-
tive laws, the weed law, etc. He
said they were the policemen Of agri-
culture,
There are 1000 local cooperative
associations in Minnesota, more than
in any other state, and other states
are constantly Investigating Mime
sota's success in cooperation. o.. ..or~.
Cooperatives are not to put the
business man out of business be-
cause there will always be distribu-
tors. Cooperatives must be run on
the same business principles as banks,
railroads and other concerns.
Farming is an enormous business.
The farmers of Minnesota have an
investment of four billions while in
dustry has only $500, 900, 900. The
iron mines of Minnesota are worth
$172,00O, 600, while the cows are
worth \ 100000, 900. The. capital
of all banks is equal to only one-third
the value of dairy products, 3 tF4 +
The department establishes ac-
counting systems for cooperatiYes,
and gives advice and service. ~ -
He spoke of the wonderful saving
of the creameries association, and Of
the live stock association which is
handling 40 per cent OF the live
stock at South st. Paul, and that it
may eventually handle all the busi-
ness. He spoke Of the potato associa-
tion and the wheat selling agency.
To be successful, the latter must con-