Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1933-02-23
COOPERATIVE BODY
HAS BIG MEETING

The twelfth annual stockholders
meeting of the Central Cooperative
Association was held at the st. Paul
Hotel Feb. Z and 8. which was at
tended by fully 5000 stockholders and
representatives of member shipping
associations from Minnesota. Wiscon-
sin, North and South Dakota and Mon
tana.
The Central Cooperative Associa-
ton is strictly cooperative organi-
cation, owned and controlled by live
stock producers.
The Central has as member stock
holders, six hundred and fourteen
livestock shipping associations in
Minnesota, wisconsin, North Dakota,
South Dakota and Montana, which
own common stock costing $500 per
share, and 6,814 individual farmer
members who are owners of preferred
stock costing $1.0O per share. The
Central has saved its patron members
on the average around $1,000 per car
in handling charges. records show.
The presiding officer at the meeting
was C. B. Crandall of Randolph, who
opened the meeting with word OF
welcome and short resume regard
ing the plants of the Central for the
coming year. Mr.. Crandall stated
that unfair distribution of the ma
tons income is the sore spot of agri-
culture. The responsibility for bring
ing about change rests squarely
upon the farmer himself"
These were among the pungent OBJ
servations of c. B. Crandall. president.
Central Cooperative Association, at
the opening of that body's twelfth an
nual meeting at the St. Paul hotel
last week.
Until we have availed ourselves
and the sale of our products through
united effort as other groups are do
ing, or until we cease to place our
confidence in false leadership which
will betray us, we will continue to
be on our knees pleading for mercy
from our enemies declared Mr..
Crandall.
In suggesting suitable legislation
which will put the farmer on an equal
basis with other industries, Mr.. Gran
dali pointed out four major PROPOSE
tions: to stop the wholesale foreclo-
sures of farm lands and homes; a
change in our monetary system to ap-
proXimate a truer measure of the
value of commodities; fair taxation in
the support of county, state and fed
eral government; cancellation of for
eign government bonds to restore for
eign agricultural exports.
According to Mr.. Crandall, the last
named proposition is most important,
since American farmers shall be
forced to curtail production unless
foreign markets are restored.
Commissioner r. A. Trovatten, one
of the principal speakers of the con-
vention, presented a very interesting
talk on the organization of the Gen.
trail Cooperative Association.
The Central Cooperative Associa-
tion, Commissioner Trovatten said,
has shown an increase in handling
of stock in South st. Paul from
$3.50 in 1922 to $3.50 in 1892, of
the entire handling of stock in South
st. Paul. The Central's determine
tion from the start in 1921 has been
to return to the farmers annual pat
rOnage or savings. The report of the
Central shows return of 81, 169,-
934.17 in actual cash to its patrons,
in the form of patronage dividends.
During the year 1882 the Central has
succeeded in returning to it's patrons,
$139, 391.17 as patronage dividends.
Another interesting feature accom-
panying the Central's successes"
Commissioner Trovatten stated, sis
associations activities, spreading a
wholesome and stimulating influence
on all plans and purposes of Mime
sofas 1920 co-operatives."
Commissioner Trovatten stated that
it should be constantly borne in mind
that the successes of the Central have
not just happened" This success
has been the headwork and handiwork
of few carefully chosen farm direc-
tors.
The Central was fortunate in secur-
ing many other prominent speakers,
as: DR.. Paul r. Fosum, Department
of Economics, Carlton College; VIM. F.
Renk, Commissioner, Department of
Markets, State of Wisconsin,; Clarence
A. Cushman, General Manager, Swift
& Co., South ST. Paul; Clarence Hen
ry, Chicago, ILL.,; Edwin Johnson, De-
partment of Economics, University of
Minnesota; John Haw, Agricultural
Development Agent, Northern Pacific
Railroad; o. z. Rensberg and Wilfred
E. Rumble.
threat of infection and permanent dis
disability"
Following are four good rules for