The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-03-24
Annual Meeting
OF Farmers Grain
Dealers Association
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Dealers Association
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to protest against measures detri-
mental to our business, or to lobby
for measures needed to protect our
customers, and the owners Of our
business. However, we were unable
to secure the passage of ware
house act to control and supervise
the handling Of grain. Our organiza-
ton represents $4,000 farmers, own
ers of the largest single industry
save farming itself, within the state.
Still certain members of our Legis-
lature introduced legislation tending
to give unfair advantages to certain
interests, that have found that they
cannot compete with the service and
marketing agencies now afforded the
farmers through our local elevators.
"Perhaps we as grain dealers have
educational program, we have failed
to give our farmer customers the
means of acquainting themselves
with all angles of the grain business.
We should explain to the farmer the
working of the great marketing ma
chine we use in selling the grain we
buy. The farmer should know that
here in America we have today Il
marketing organization exacting the
smallest margin between producer
and consumer, exacted in any coun-
try by any trade. We have given to
the producer an open market where
buyer and seller meet. Where they
can buy or sell in any quantity. for
any delivery, at any time. Where
the producer can get cash for his
product when it is delivered. Where
contracts are enforced and safe
guarded, in such way that it has
been easy to establish credit. Where
grading and weighing are done under
state authority, and checked so there
is little chance for error or dishon-
esty. We are not saying that there
is no chance for improvement in
this system; to the contrary>it is
the belief that improvements cal,
and will be made. BY doing away
with duplication Of effort in selling
and distribution, waste can be eli
minated and savings affected for the
producer. We need to study and in
troduce more efficient operation of
country elevators. Transportation
can be simplified and perfected,
thereby reducing freight charges.
The use of waterways where avail
able and the digging of Great
Lakes, st. Lawrence deep waterway
should have our support.
"Let JUS bring about changes in
our marketing system after careful
study on the part of men familiar
with marketing and not through poll
ticians who are self-seeking. In fact,
changes and improvements are con-
stantly going on!
"Therc is today a great need for
the establishment of a course in ele
yator management and elevator ac
counting, grain grading and the
study of propagation of varieties of
grain. Such Il course should be es-
tablished at our Agricultural Col
lege. Let our educational institutions
in this state follow the example of
the University of Washington. Let
them make a study of the only sue
cessful marketing organization hand
ling farm products within the state.
Help our organization perfect bet
ter and more efficient handling me-
thods; help create new uses for the
products we handle; create and cul-
tivate new markets for these pro-
ducts and train young men for posi-
tions in elevator management. we
will pledge our cooperation to such
an effort.
"Our legislators, both state and
national. seemed to have gained the
impression that the passing of laws
may be cure for any>economic ills
we may be suffering from. They es-
tablished bureaus and commissions
and add additional burdens on the
already over burdened citizenship, in
stead of abolishing. existing Bureaus
and freeing business from the
shackles of too heavy taxation. What
we need is qualitative instead of
quantitive legislation. The great
English historian Buckle in his "His-
tory of Civilization" said that for
five hundred years all advance in
legislation has been made by repeal
ing laws and we are heartily in &C
cord with this statement.
"Just few words as to the work
performed by the association the
past year will not go into detail
as our secretary will give you a
complete report of our activities.
"Early last summer we helped In
making survey of the car needs
for North Dakota. This information
forwarded to the American Railway
ASSOCIATE was used as basis for
demands On eastern roads for cars.
These cars were furnished almost
100 percent where needed. In fact,
the service given by the railroads
was such that our terminals, were un-
able to unload the grain fast enough.
There was then established termin-
al committee; part of the North
west Regional Advisory Board. Mr..
Lee, our secretary, was in charge at
Grand Forks. The establishment Of
this Committee alone saved the sit
uation. Without the work they per
formed, we would have seen one of
the worst tieups of transportation
we have ever experienced. together
with resulting disastrous break In
the market. AS it was, the flow of
grain was not interrupted to any
great extent. Prices were maintain
ed and terminals were enabled to
functiOu Our AcSnCiafiOn dOcs not