Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1933-10-05
SHOULD RUTABAGA GROWERS
ORGANIZER

ORGANIZE?
Editor Askov American:
In last weeks issue of the Askov
American "Gratino" (whoever that may
bel voices his or her doubts about the
feasibility and possibility of the ruta-
baga growers being able to perfect an
organization. The reason limited at
was that such attempts have been UNI
successful in the past. Well, such an
attempt was made year ago ana
while it is true that no organization
was set up, it is also true that what
work was done had very wholesome
effect on the price farmers received
for their roots, and viewed from TINS
angle the efforts put forth were very
successful and l presume this Is part
ly the reason why another attempt is
being made to organize. The fact that
attempts to organize have in the past
been unsuccessful does not prove that
the plan is not sound. 1t simply
prOyes that some mistakes were made
in the procedure. If we have profited
by these mistakes we should be able
to avoid making the same ones this
time.
The question which naturally arises
i'm the minds Of the growers is: can
such an organization be set up ana
made to function and actually beneht
the grower?" The best answer to this
question lies in the statement made
hot no
have lost money on potatoes, cabbage
and rutabagas during the last few
wears. In other words they have
failed to set up an orderly marketing
system which would allow them a
profit to say nothing af what they
have been willing or able to pay the
growers. Now in the first place L
! fail to see why the grower should give
any consideration to the Spectator
as such. He is in business to get
something for nothing. To buy as
cheaply as possible and hold for
higher prices. There is no evidence
to show that this has in any way
benefited the grower. The legitimate
dealer performs a valuable service
and is entitled to his just compensa-
ton for the service and a reasonable
profit for the risk he assumes. The
Spectator performs no service and is
a parasite on the market. l can see
no reason why the grower should
stand aside and let the Spectator re-
cuperate his past losses. The grower
has taken losses in the past and is as
much entitled to regain some of his
losses as any dealer or speculator.
There is perhaps no commodit!
market in this country in more dis
rupted form than the rutabaga mar
ket. The aggregate quantity of roots
placed on the market is so small IL
comparison with other cOmmOditie:
that there is not even daily market
report available for the general pub
lie. Freight rates are in several case:
discriminatory and the advent of the
truck dealer has added new compiled
tions. Renegade dealers are cutting
, sales prices to obtain orders. competl
tors are forced to follow suit and thu
result is lower prices to the grower
|
sales price, his competitors must fol
low and again the grower foOtS thu
bill. | believe even "Gratino" will ad
NIT that these are facts.H How to remed.
the present defective marketing sys
tenn is another question. l maintain
that the right and only way to d.
this is for the grower to set his owl
price. If we can get good ma
jority of the growers to join an or
ganization and stick" to their or
: ganization the grower will have tn
power to decide what the marke
price shall be.
Last season we had very larg
crop of bagas, potatoes and cabbage
Bagas were sold at higher price pc
cwt. than either of the two other com
modities. This year we have short
age of all three crops. Potatoes an
{ cabbage on which there is some sor
l of an established market are niue
D higher than last season, while ruta
: bagas on which there is no estat
4 lished market were fast heading TO
t $500 per ton to the grower when the
l decided to do something about i
e Now l should like to ask every grove
t if he thinks that the. Spectator
interested in raising the price to TIN
o grower? Is there not much NOR
o reason to expect this to be accom-
: plished when a majority of the grow
e ers get together and decide not to Sc
S for less than cost of production. Thi
e is a question for the grower to poi
I der and if he will do this l know a
: organization can be set up which wi
o obtain cost of production to ever
" grower and without any discrimini
p ton against any individual. This di:
e elimination is another abuse of tn
5. present marketing method q will M
d call it marketing system) which
n serious and should be dealt with
II an organization. There is somethin
e wrong when one producer can sell h
t entire crop while his neighbor ca
= not dispose of a root. Individual
t. the grower is unable to cope wit
e this situation; through an organic;
It ton it can be eliminated.