The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-07-08
AESADA RANGE AND IT'S INDUSTRIES

! to organize their own stores for the
simply reason that there were no
stores within their reach, so the CO.
operative idea was the logical solu-
ton. These cooperative associa-
tions answer every requirement of
the farmer. There he buys his farm
machinery, flour, feed, ETC., in word,
every commodity he and the family
require.
All these various stores have
formed an organization, called the
Mesaba Range Cooperative Fedora
ton. The members of the federation
consist of boards of directors ana
managers of the cooperative stores.
This federation meets once or twice
a month to discuss joint buying, joint
picnics and business matters of VAR,
GUS kinds. About twenty associations
have thus far taken active. part in
the work of the federation. This or
ganization in some respects resem-
bles farmers union.
Cooperative Creamery.
In the course of a few years Of
the existence of the Cooperative
Federation, cream buying and selling
was often discussed. These dehbera-
tons brought plan TO establish a
central b'Itter-making plant. After
several meetings about year ago, a
small committee was placed in charge
OF a survey of the entire range conn
try and It's cream production. The
survey showed that these t5-opera-
tive stores handled several thous-
and gallons Of cream weekly, which
is shipped out to various creameries
in Virginia, Duluth and Hibbing. The
outcome was that at a meeting, two
months ago, concrete step was
taken to organize a new institution
called the Mesaba Range Co-opera-
tive Creamery Association, embrac-
ing the several thousand farmers liv-
ing In the northern half of st. Louis
County. An organizer was employed
for one month, who would cover the
entire district. Meetings were held
in each community. Shares were is
sued for sale and share-seiling conf
mittees were organized in each of the
20 to Is different farming localities
within the Mesaba Range Country.
The combined Mesaba Range Co
operative Creamery Organizational
Committees met at Virginia Monday
evening, June 9th. The organizers
report was heard and discussed. New
life and enthusiasm was evident
throughout the meeting. Nearly half
of the needed sum Tor building the
creamery is already in sight. Far
mers LETT Tor their respective homes
with a feeling that new step in the
cooperative field has been taken in
this territory. An institution of their
own is being born, which in the future
will take care of all their farm pro-
duee comparatively. sThis will in
time do away with the private pro-
fiteer. who today is burdening the al
ready over-worked farmer every
where.
This organization viii be patterned
after the 400 Cooperative Creamer-
les already in operation in the North
west. Farmers have finally realized
that through Cooperation, it is pos
sible to efficiently fight the private
owner and competitor and through
their own cooperative organization,
receive the full value of the products
that he produces. To wipe specula-
ton, adulteration, and all forms of
exploitation off the face of the earth
and In the final analysis transform
oil f,ao,,a b.
into the hands Of those who produce.
The farmers throughout are keenly
interested in establishing their own
Central cooperative Creamery. They
saw the rapid development and sue
cess III their own local store organi-
zation, which proved TO them the logic
OF Cooperative effort, The Co
operative In each community is the
center OF all social activity. There
the farmers and workers meet to dis
cuss their daily problems, and thak
is where the Mesaba Range Co-opera-
tive Creamery Association was act
ually born. There one finds it's roots
and foundation. Here the producers
discuss their marketing problems, and
the necessity of all the producers join.
ing hands and uniting against the
price fixers, spectators and all the
elements, who are today taking a
lions share Of the farmers products.
Here we find the farmer urging his
neighbor to join this gigantic move
ment of the Producer, and become
builder of the Cooperative Common
wealth.