Imperial Valley press., 1924-11-05
MANY ATTEND
ERDMAN LECTURE
WILSON SCHOOL

Over - people of FL Centre and
the valley attended the lecture on
Cutting Farmers Marketing
Costs, given by Prof II. +. Erd-
man, eminent marketing specialist
of the agricultural college of the
University of California, held last
night at the Wilson school. ProfeS-
sor Erlman presented the subject of
cooperative marketing from every
angle in Il most matter-of fact, prac
teal manner that was easily under
stood by everyone and was of the
utmost value TO all local farmers.
That il is impssible for the pro-
Queer to deliver his products direct
ly to the consumer and make any
profit, was shown Dy Professor Erd-
man, in illustrating the ease with
which the cooperative association
handles the products, and the say
ing Of time and money. More money
is made by the cooperative asSocia-
tion distributing the goods through
the so-called mlddlemen, Professor
Erdman stated.
Reasons for Failure
The failure of cooperative aSso-
citations in many instances is due to
the fact that many members fail to
understand just what the asSocia-
tion is doing, according to Profes-
sor Erdman. They fail to realize
that the supply and demand of the
products alone fix the prices. An
other major reason for the failure
of some of the associations is poor
management, and on occasion faulty
organization can result III the subse-
quent failure of the cooperative as
sociatiOn.
con the other hand Professor
Erdman stated, cooperative mar
keting associations can accomplish
wonderful results. The standardized
tion of products insures better prices
and improved production. Farmers
realize better through this system of
marketing that hign grade products,
bring higher prices. Also the grade
and pack of the products are i'm
proved and standardized, and pre-
scented in better shape for sale than
the average farmer woald accom-
plish, and sold to the place most
advantageous to the FARMER.
stabilize Production
Another big feature Professor
Erdman stressed was the stabiliza
ton of production with cooperative
Accomplishment
BY the advice of the association
farmers are able to regulate their
.rOps so that the markets are not :
Hooded and also so that there will /
,e no great shortage, as has been !
he case in so many instances.
The control of the flow of pro-
luce to the markets, may also be
by the cooperative mar
keting association, it was pointed
out, since the goods may be order
ed sent at a time when the demand
is the greatest. Also since the as
is posted the goods can
be directed to the right markets
without cutting down the prices.
The association is big enough, ac-
rording to Professor Erdman s state
ments. TO advertise and open up
new markets if necessary and is
able to sell at Il loss in order to
bring about a demand for the pro-
duct. Collective bargaining is an
other advantage which the associa-
tion may make use of.
The grower can be financed and
his crop heidi until the market is
profitable for him through the as
sociation Professor Erdman stated
and protection may be given the
farmer in the passage of laws that
are not tos his advantage.
Following, Professor Erdman S
speech. delightful program was
presented, Miss Margaret Mason
giving n vocal selection.
s