Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-11-23

oHtAuAlNt luaIhcl-
ing idea aims to, and does give, the
farmer an opportunity to meet group
action by other industries on a basis
Of equality.
The pltiful plight Of the potato
grower today is an excellent example
of what may be expected to happen
to any group of producers that rely on
an unorganized and basically individ-
ual marketing plan. During the last
few months sellers of potatoes-fnd-
ing high market at a given point
have been rushing cars to that mar
ket. The result has been glut and
a slump in prices, despite the fact that
there may have been a shortage at
other points.
California Plan Works.
Since the California Fruit Growers
have been in operation no one has
heard of a glutted market on oranges
or lemons. On the wall of the main
office of that organization is great
map, so arranged that every hour tie
position of every car in transit is
shown. 1t is a daily occurrence for
the growers sales agency to re-route
cars so as to have the supply just
meet the demand in all sections of the
country, diyerting them from centers
where a surplus exists. T.
In the non-perishable field the Co
operators problem is first one Of
finance and then of storage Finance
is required because growers usually
are not able to wait for all their
money until the whole crop is sold.
An advance, or part payment is neces-
sary. Additional payments are made
during the course Of the selling sea-
son
In the development of cooperation
farmers have come to realize that they
must recognize those practices that ex-
perience in business has proved sue
cessful. Any marketing plan first
must have the approval of the grower.
for his interest is vital Then It must
have the approval of business men,
to prevent flaws which their expert
ence will discover. 1t must be APP
proved by bankers for financing is
vital, and of lawyers, else it might be
torn to pieces in legal difficulties.
1t takes just as big men and just as
much brains to set up any commodity
marketing organization, on a co-opera-
tive basis, as it does TO build and OPP
crate flour mill or a large packing
plant. There is no patronizing or
philanthropy in successful cooperative
marketing, There is no room for in
competence and amateurs.
Cooperative Idea Sound.
The time has come for business men
to concern themselves with this CO.
operative idea. Farmers have been
suffering for years from economic ills.
No fair-minded man will deny that
cooperation, under correct leadership.
offers a solution for the agricultural
problem. There may be some phases
that have a political aspect, but in
the main the trouble lies in the fact
that the spread between the price the
producer receives and what the CON
sumer pays is excessive. That spread
is so great as to discourage produc-
ton on one hand. and consumption
on the other.
This does not mean that all middle
men are to be eliminated The man
who is rendering a needed service has
nothing to fear from cooperation. but
the man who is purely a Spectator.
taking a toll in excess Of service rem
dered, must correct his practices.
There is another phase of the sit
uation which should concern us all.
The plight of the farmer rapidly is be-
coming unbearable. For mutual well
fare, right thinking business men as
well as farm leaders, should recog-
nize the justice of this program.
The American Farm Bureau Fed
Grafton has set itself to the task Of
actively promoting the cooperative
marketing idea in this country. Its
duty, first is to stimulate cooperative
marketing. and second to unity. cor
relate, expand and strengthen those
agencies now in the field, so that all
may be welded together for common
good.
Successful, well founded co-opera-
tive marketing means more to Amer
ica today than any other issue. Group
distribution of our products Will be
long step toward REIMBURSEMENT of the
social foundations of this country;
foundations that have been and are
being threatened by the inability Of
individual farmers to cope with group
activities in other industries.