The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-07-17
Editorial Comment
Cooperative Marketing
A.. MI. kNsA

Secretary Jardne in his address before the "Amer-
lean Institute Of Cooperation in st Paul, Minn, set
forth what it is hoped to accomplish through the
division of cooperative marketing in the department
Of agriculture provided for by this session Of con-
grcss This bureau seemed only as the mouse in the
fable which tho mountain brought forth after much
laundering, but it has promise of real helpfuness
to the farmer, in that it is only to help him to help
himself In the first place, it is to be understood
that it is in sense measure of emergency re-
lief No federal or state marketing system is to be
set up. The plan does not contemplate the entrance
of government to make good shortcomings or to dis
pose of surplus. About all that the department of
agriculture can offer under this law is summed up
in the word research" and about all that farmers
can accept under any theory or practice of pure CO.
operation is advice.
As examples of the kind of assistance which the
department give-has been giving and will con-
tinue to give-under more generous appropriations.
the secretary cites the study of the operation and
costs Of cotton gins. When this study, now ap-
proaching completion, is given to the cotton mar.
keting associations they will have definite advice
from specialists about the best way to form local
cooperative gins. 1t is anticipated that the organ
lied grain growers, the dairymen and all the other
organized groups will be assisted in the same way.
Again. this bureau will give guidance to the COOP
eratives that expanding their functions and
tering the terminal markets, the livestock ship
pers have done, as the organizations marketing
poultry and eggs have done; and as the grain mar
keting organizations are apparently preparing to
do-an advance which can safely be taken only after
careful study of conditions. Another problem is
that Of the disposal Of surplus products Here the
department of agriculture through its division of
cooperatives can 60 to the farmer with advice to
production; for the cure Of lies in production
plans-or, rather plans as modified by conditions Of
soil, wind and weather
Behind all this is service that the department
can give in making Cooperation" part Of tha
studies of the young people who will carry on thu
work Of producing the food and clothing Of the ma
tion. This looks beyond the mere mechanism Of
marketing, the mere transfer Of goods. It leads in.
to acquaintance with the intricate and often far
reaching Of putting products in the hands Of
consumers together with an appreciation Of the con
sumers' needs and Of price factors. Ultimately i
viii bring the consuming and the competitivey pro
ducing world within the horizon Of the farm boy
and girls and, though the secretary nakes refer
ence to this, give them familiarity with the effect
Of the tariff upon their economic life. Dsck d co
operative organization there must b. says the
rotary, = great human development" and how cal
that come without taking humanity generally int,
eonsideration. since nation bo1ger lives eeonon
ically e Itself alone! The cooperative movement
has had : period Of Sound e1ewtA, - = 5sill m
doubtedly play larger paft Il eurs aceqollc W Z
Il accepts ~ advice and xuidanss u
scientific research. FREE y polltesl inf1usaes.