The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-03-24

tried marketing agencies. In other
words, the local elevators slogan
should be "service to stockholders,
patrons and to the community" 1t
should be the policy Of every eleva-
tor board to see that the business
of the company is conducted in
business-like way. Grain. should be
bought on a fair margin of profit.
Profits should be carried into re-
serve fund until sufficient surplus
is built up so that the company may
finance itself and be financially
independent. Speculation in grain
should be discouraged and a mer-
chandising instead of a speculative
business conducted. 1t is not neces-
sary to maintain and operate eleva-
tors if you wish to speculate. The
present fiscal year should prove
profitable one for the elevators of
this state as good crops were the
rule and most elevators had suf-
ficient volume to insure profit if
grain was properly handled. If you
have competitors at your station, do
not get the idea that you can put
them out of business and handle all
of the grain. Such a policy some
times reacts with sad results. Buy
your grain at a margin of profit or
let your competitor handle it. If he
handles enough grain at loss you
will soon have easier competition.
Watch the markets carefully; keep
selling as you buy; keep expenses
down to minimum; clean your
grain before shipping; tend to your
own business and not your competi-
tors; give service to your customers
1sk@1o - fo,r
to the outcome at the end of your
built all successful elevator organi
cations.
However, ! wish to take this OPP
portunity to express my appreciation
of the willing service rendered to
the association by the directors and
various committees. 1t has been a
pleasure to work with all Of you and
am confident with the membership
such as we have, with the support
you always give the officers of our
organization, we can go far in our
service to the members and to the
farmers of this state.
"A special word Of commentator
is due to John Maddox for his SER
vices at Bismarck during the session
of the Legislature; to Andrew Rob-
bic, Ole Serumgaard and Walter
Reed for their services to the organ
ization during the year.
During the three years it has
been NV pleasure to serve you as
president, I have been in close per-
sonal touch with the secretary, p.
A. Lee. To him is due the steady
growth of our organization. He is
always working for the organization;
is we'll qualified for the job he holds,
and is giving the organization eff
ficient and loyal service. 1t has been
a pleasure to work with him.
"a few words IN closing. We have
in the years gone by performed a
great constructive work for the grain
trade Of our state. Let us not rest
on our honors but today pledge our
selves anew to the great unfinished
task before us. Let us as individ-
ual operators conduct our business
in a business-like manner that we
may have the support of the whole
community. Let "Service". be our
slogan. The individual companies
backed by their stockholders can,
thru their membership in the state
organization, secure for the farmers
of this state adequate warehouse
laws and better marketing facilities"
Secretary p. A. Lee submitted his
annual report. He said he was
pleased to report a year Of achieve
ments which are unprecedented in
many ways, and in which the Farm
ers Grain Dealers Association of
North Dakota has played an impor-
ant part. He declared that in no
period of like duration in the history
of railroad operation in North Dakota
was such a large volume Of grain
shipped as was dispatched to Grand
Forks in September, October and
November, 1924, and this was done
without. a single complaint of seri-
Gus car shortage. He averred that
the existence of the Farmers Grain
Dealers Association is justified on
this one item alone.
The secretary reported that the
officers of the organization have
taken an active interest in the Farm
ers' National Grain Dealers Associ-
alton and that the president and
secretary attended the annual meet
ing Of the association at Omaha.
One year ago, Mr.. Lee reported,
association while this year there
are 4O1 members.
The fidelity bond department dis
closed LOG members carrying fidelity
bonds through the association, and
although 1924 was an off year for
warehouse bonds, nevertheless the
association secured 81 additional
bonds and the total amount of in
surance was $125,00O, the report
showed.
The secretary reported that Irvine
sales showed an improvement in
1924 over 1923.
The employment department. is not
sufficiently appreciated by the mem
bers, Mr.. Lee. said. He stated that
there were a number of applications
for positions on file but the men,
bers do not notify the secretary
when they contemplate making
changes.
He reported that the officers have
a few recommendation to make and
urged action on them by the con-
vention. He said the officers desire
a full discussion on the possibility