The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-06-07
POINTERS IN
WHEAT POOLING
Salient Features in COmmOd
ity Marketing
Outlined

his business colleagues, or tneir
whims and fancies, but demands
written understanding Of terms and
conditions even with respect to
minor matters. He in turn expects
his colleague to exact the same re-
auirements from him. This prin-
ciple of the written word and the
name on the dotted line, is SO we'll
understood and accepted in the
business world, as to. cause no COM
ment whatsoever. It is not a mat
ter of suspicion, distrust nor doubt,
hut a matter Of plain business. Be-
fore manufacturer begins his sea-
sons production, he already has
written orders (contracts) from
the bulk of his prospective clients SO
that he may govern his operations
accordingly; when firm rents bust
ness quarters, it secures a long
time lease (contract) for the land
lord, instead of merely taking the
landlords word for the time, terms
and conditions. Only in this way
can business be conducted without
confusion and chaos.
The contract is the protection OF
stone Of cooperative marketing, but
the dissenters and enemies have
fostered prejudice against it, as
something wherein the individual
gives up his independence and free
dom of action. Freedom of action
and individual effort has been the
ruination of farmers and opened up
avenues of exploitation for preda-
tory middlemen that is shaking agri-
culture to it's very foundation.
The contract is the protection of
the individual businessman against
dishonest or irrespons ible colleagues
or clients, and the marketing agree
ment (contract) is the protection Of
\ the honest and loyal individual men,
Der of an association against the
''welchcr" members.
Why a Five Year Contract?
There is some element of risk in
every form of business venture.
Therefore every goodA businessman
MAKES SURE Of his resources be-
fore starting in to invest his capital
! and energies. That is why you have
: been asked to join in five year
contract pool, instead of one year,
to make sure of success. So much
must be done the first year or two
in building up trade connections
and otherwise becoming recognized
as trade factor, that big returns
cannot be expected. On the other
hand enemies Of cooperation, the
private dealers are ready to take
losses by offering bride prices over
and above what the marketing
agency can legitimately return to
members in order to discourage
members from delivering to their or
ganization, that something, besides
loose promises are necessary to pro-
tcct the rank and file of the mem
bership from having "white
elephant" on their hands.
Every farmer is convinced that the
present system of wheat marketing
puts too much of his thard earned
money into the exploiters' pocket,
and that the ONLY way to beat the
exploiter is to MARKET HIS OWN
WHEAT.
No business can successfully plan
for the future except on basis of
contracts. A pool without con-
tract is not contract at all, it is
gamble.
If a years contract is good
Ching, five year contract should be
five times better. The Raisin Grow
crs started a five year contract and
now have fifteen year contract.
The difference is one of mutual
faith and confidence against dis
trust.
Faith has the power to move the
mountain of exploitation, high cost
of marketing, low returns, hope de-
ferred and disappointment.
Mutual distrust will not even
scratch the surface.
To operate successful pool. You
will need the most Qualified ex-
ecutives, the greatest experts in the
trade to. work for you.
You can not get them on loose pro-
misses or even year contract basis.
You can not invoke the interest
of banks for financing. or miller to
purchase your wheat in "fly-by-
night" scheme based on whims and
fancies. ~
You will need to build up pernian-
cnt machinery from year to year.
You will have to perfect your or
ganization until it yields you the
highest returns for the smallest ex-
penditure. That takes time, not
less than five years.
Just "trying out" the pool means
only PLAYING WITH "A BIG IDEA,
like mouse attacking lion.
"A voluntary pool or a one year
pool is faint hearted squak
against the present system of wheat
exploitation. =
Y "A five year pool ispa bold, cour-
ageous bid for supremacy in the in
dustry that is your very life.
Your choice is q long term con-
tract with your fellow growers, or
life sentence with the spectators
Fundamentals Of the Contract
The contract provides that the
\gsOwers Of wheat in North Dakota
Njoin or pool their wheat for per-
jod of five years to be sold by an
agency provided for that purpose
owned and controlled by themselves
so as to control the %sales to pro-
mote orderly marketing direct ia
millers, in other words follow their
wheat farther than the local ship
ping point, farther than the termin-
al market, in fact to the ultimate
source of demand. I.
The members agree to deliver ia
the association all their marketable
wheat, except that sold for seed OF
feed, and to accept therefore the
average seasons price, based or
quality and quantity (More de.
tails in Part III. Questions and
Apswers.)
Like all other business contracts
it.sis legal and binding. and has heen