/9/3 * 
 
 111 
 
 Tke rarmers jEjaucaiioiiai 
 
 and Co-Operative Union 
 
 of America 
 
 What It Is 
 
 and 
 
 What It Is Doing 
 
 
 ^c 
 
 BY 
 
 A. C. DAVIS 
 
 National Secretary-Treasurer 
 
 ■k •— w 
 

The Farmers' Educational and Co- 
 operative Union of 
 America 
 
 What It Is 
 
 and 
 
 What It Is Doing 
 
 WITH AN APPENDIX 
 
 Containing a Directory of the National and State 
 Officials, Excerpts from an Article on Co- 
 operation, and Topics for Dis- 
 cussion in Local Unions 
 
 JUNE, 1913 
 
 four Slates Press 
 
 Texarkana, U. S. A 
 
If you desire to better the condition of yourself and 
 family both financially and socially, read this book. 
 
 If you believe the present system of marketing farm 
 crops through so many middle men exacts too much toll 
 from both producer and consumer, read this book and see 
 what co-operation will do. 
 
 If you are skeptical about the business ability of the 
 American farmer, yet open to conviction, read this book 
 and be convinced. 
 
 If you are a farmer but not a member of the Farmers' 
 Union, read this book, then send your application to the 
 nearest local. 
 
 If the organization is not represented in your commu- 
 nity write for additional literature to A. C. DAVIS, Secre- 
 tary-Treasurer, Rogers, Ark. 
 
-m^^ 
 
 NEWT GRESHAM (DECEASED) 
 FOUNDER OF THE FARMERS' UNION 
 
 A^p.d^i 
 
CHARLES S. BARRETT, NATIONAL PRESIDENT, 
 UNION CITY, GEORGIA 
 
A. C. DAVIS, NATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER, 
 ROGERS, ARKANSAS 
 
PREFACE 
 
 TO THE FARMERS OF AMERICA: 
 
 There is no more useful, more fascinating occupation 
 than that of the farmer. No home is so capable of giving 
 to the world a race of intelligent, patriotic citizens as that 
 of the American farmer. ■ Our high standards and ideals 
 are more nearly preserved in their simple dignity and purity 
 by the dwellers upon the farms. This is due as much, per- 
 haps more, to environments and surroundings than to any 
 inherent tendency to superior honesty and integrity. The 
 charms of nature lend themselves to the development in 
 the hearts of those whose daily lives are touched and soften- 
 ed by their presence, of a love for the beautiful, the good, and 
 the true. 
 
 If these statements are true, which I firmly believe, 
 what can be more natural than the desire to perpetuate con- 
 ditions than make a happy, prosperous, farm home possible, 
 or if obstacles are impeding progress toward a realization 
 of that end, to remove them forever. A great fault with 
 members of our class is to become satisfied with, or indif- 
 ferent toward, existing conditions: rather than to become 
 active for something better. To reach the highest degree 
 of efficiency as a citizen and an agent of civilization, the 
 farmer must become an aggressive worker, not only upon 
 the farm, but also in the channels of commerce. 
 
 There are two great problems with which the farmer is 
 vitally concerned — the production of commodities and their 
 distribution. With the facilities now offered by the Fed- 
 eral and State governments for teaching scientific agricul- 
 ture, and the hearty co-operation by farmers themselves in 
 the demonstration work, the problem of production is be- 
 coming less grave. The public is so much concerned in its 
 food supply that you may rest assured no effort will be 
 lacking to help you secure an increased production from 
 your acres. 
 
 There is one problem, however, with which the public 
 is not concerned ; one that rests with you and you alone to 
 solve, and that is the distribution of your crops at a price 
 
10 PREFACE 
 
 that will remunerate you for the toil and labor of produc- 
 tion. That this question can be settled by the individual 
 fo his own satisfaction is an absurdity. The solution can 
 be worked out only by a system of co-operative marketing. 
 
 Whatever may be the lesser needs of a great farmers' 
 organization, the chief aim and the only one for which it 
 can claim the support of all American agriculturists is a 
 determination to work out the crop marketing problem. 
 This we put forward as our object in claiming your support 
 for the FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND CO-OPERA- 
 TIVE UNION OF AMERICA. 
 
 Farmers must become distributors as well, as producers. 
 The report of the Secretary of Agriculture shows that the 
 farmer receives but 46 per cent of the price paid by the ulti- 
 mate consumer for his product. The Farmers' Union is de- 
 termined to secure for the producer a greater share in the 
 profits. If you are interested in such a movement your at- 
 tention is called to the work already accomplished by this 
 organization in the twenty-one states now organized. A 
 careful reading will convince you that the Farmers' Union 
 is no longer an experiment but that after ten years of active 
 development it must be recognized THE GREATEST 
 FORCE OF THE AGE among American farmers. 
 
 In the preparation of that portion of this volume deal- 
 ing with the results of the union's efforts to secure legisla- 
 tion, I have been ably assisted by T. J. Brooks, Professor 
 of Marketing and Rural Economics, A. & M. College of 
 Mississippi, President C. S. Barrett and others. 
 
 To those State Secretaries who have supplied me with 
 valuable data concerning the Union enterprises in their re- 
 spective jurisdictions, I am deeply indebted. 
 
 A. C DAVIS. 
 National Secretarv-Treasnrer. 
 
The 
 
 Farmers' Educational and Co-Operative 
 Union of America 
 
 WHAT IT IS and 
 WHAT IT IS DOING 
 
 The Farmers' Educational and Co-Operative Union of 
 America is a Fraternal Beneficiary Association of Farmers, 
 the preamble of whose Constitution is as follows: 
 
 In the course of modern industrial development we find 
 it necessary that the farmer not only apply the principles 
 of scientific agriculture, but that he systematize his busi- 
 ness by co-operation and apply the principles of scientific 
 commerce. 
 
 Expensive and wasteful methods of exchange have been 
 a constant drain on the farming class, and speculation has 
 been allowed to demoralize markets and prevent the normal 
 operation of the law of supply and demand. 
 
 To enable farmers to meet these conditions and protect 
 their interests we have organized the Farmers' Educational 
 and Co-operative Union of America, and declare the fol- 
 lowing : 
 
 Purposes : 
 
 To secure equity, establish justice and applv the Golden 
 Rule. 
 
 To discourage the credit and mortgage system. 
 
 To assist our members in buying and selling. 
 
 To educate the agricultural classes in scientific farming. 
 
 To teach farmers the classification of crops, domestic 
 economy, and the process of marketing. 
 
 To systematize methods of production and distribution. 
 
 To eliminate gambling in farm products by Boards of 
 Trade, Cotton Exchanges and other speculators. 
 
!?^' •.* *: :,.:''I)"Be, FARMERS' educational and 
 
 To bring farming up to the standard of other industrial 
 and business enterprises. 
 
 To secure and maintain profitable and uniform prices 
 for cotton, grain, live stock, and other products of the farm. 
 
 To strive for harmony and good will among all man- 
 kind, and brotherly love among ourselves. 
 
 To garner the tears of the distressed, the blood of mar- 
 tyrs, the laugh of innocent childhood, the sweat of honest 
 labor, and the virtue of a happy home as the brightest 
 jewels known. 
 
 FOOTPRINTS OF THE AGES 
 
 By T. J. Brooks, of the A. & M. College of Missouri. 
 
 Problems of Today and Lessons of Yesterday. 
 
 Modern history takes on a new glory in material devel- 
 opment. Brains work with continents as fields of opera- 
 tion and with millions of dollars as capital. Thousands 
 work at one task and move things as by magic. We drain 
 a swamp in the morning and water a desert in the evening. 
 Scientific management and systematization are just com- 
 ing through experience and we see where millions have 
 been wasted and millions are not yet saved. Ores are 
 brought from the earth, fashioned into monsters and a mil- 
 lion whirling wheels do the bidding of man. 
 
 Mountains are tunneled, rivers spanned, and cataracts 
 harnessed as by the magician's wand. The oceans are 
 flecked with floating palaces and racing greyhounds of the 
 seas; the continents dotted with magnificent cities where 
 is focused the commerce of the busiest age of the world. 
 
 The history of civilization is the history of the unfold- 
 ment of the human mind. To break shackles from the 
 brain loosens chains from the body. To master a new force 
 in nature takes a tear from the cheek of unpaid toil. To 
 strike down an infamy adds a smile to the countenance of 
 innocence. An injustice eradicated lifts a sorrow from the 
 heart of the world. 
 
 Fifty-four foreign corporations and individuals own an 
 area in the United States exceeding the States of New 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 13 
 
 Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode 
 Island, New Jersey and Delaware. The holdings of sixty- 
 three owners in the United States exceed the combined 
 areas of the German Empire, Denmark, Belgium, Holland, 
 and Switzerland. Home and foreign land companies have 
 spent $9,000,000,000 for land in this country during the last 
 five years. The feudalism of the Middle Ages was founded 
 on land monopoly. Land values are now out of reach of 
 the poor. 
 
 The indifference of the average citizen to sociological 
 questions is appalling. No outside power or influence will 
 come in and decide questions of statecraft. The common, 
 every-day workman is the responsible party in a Republic. 
 
 The combined industry of ninety-three million people 
 adds $4,000,000,000 to the Nation's wealth annually. 
 
 There are two hundred and sixty-two thousand corpora- 
 tions in the country that have shown by their sworn state- 
 ments that they annually receive in profits $3,125,000,000. 
 
 There are a million corporations in the Union which 
 control eighty-two per cent of the wealth of the ninety- 
 three million people. 
 
 The cost of the municipal, county. State and National 
 Governments is $2,500,000,000. 
 
 So the trusts and corporations absorb all the net in- 
 crease of wealth and the cost of the governments come 
 extra. 
 
 Which means that labor is losing a billion a year of its 
 capital stock and all its net increase. 
 
 There arc six thousand men in the United States worth 
 from one to ten million dollars each. There are two hun- 
 dred and thirty-five w^orth from ten to one hundred million. 
 There are six thousand whose combined wealth equals the 
 value of the entire farm property of the United States. 
 
 By the manipulation of the rise and fall of stocks ma- 
 nipulators are able to siphon into their coffers the profits 
 of the farmer, artisan and merchant. Most of the millions 
 accumulated by the masters of high finance have not been 
 gained by business per se, but by playing the stock market 
 against the investing public. 
 
 The volume of money in the Nation is $3,400,000,000, 
 and to control a few hundred million of this at a time will 
 affect the value of every species of property. By control- 
 ling the great banks, insurance companies, and various in- 
 dustries using millions of cash, market manipulation is ac- 
 complished. 
 
14 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 What does all this mean? 
 
 Does it really have a meaning? 
 
 Does it mean that we are building permanently? 
 
 Is it best to sing lullabys and say nothing of these things 
 because they have a tendency to rouse discussion and get 
 people dissatisfied? 
 
 Is a man a crank and a disturber of the peace who 
 mentions them? 
 
 Are these facts not alarming prophecies? 
 
 If so, and we heed not the meaning, we are void of 
 those qualities of good citizenship which are essential to 
 free government. 
 
 What is to be our record in the footprints of the ages? 
 
 THE FARMERS' UNION AND LEGISLATION. 
 WHAT IS HAS DONE AND IS DOING. 
 
 There is not a great industrial organization controlling 
 immense capital that does not have its paid retainers to 
 watch legislation. It is money to those interested, as they 
 have found by experience. There is nothing so strong in 
 human affairs as the personal equation. If you want a 
 thing done, be there in person and see that it is done or 
 know the reasons why. 
 
 Why should the farmer be an exception to the rule? 
 
 No, the farmer does not have to hire men to watch 
 legislation, but he has to take the consequences of not 
 watching and pressing his claims — for the other fellow is 
 certain to be there and keep busy. Non-partisan work be- 
 fore legislatures and congresses is the greatest force in pub- 
 lic life. To persist in neglecting this branch of public 
 privilege by the farmer would be a calamity to agriculture, 
 and incidentally, to the country at large. We have a very 
 complex system of government and this is one of the pen- 
 alties we must pay for living in a republic. 
 
 Yes, the Farmers' Union already has written laws on 
 the statute books of ten states and is effecting national 
 legislation. 
 
 What are you going to do about it? 
 
 If you are "afraid" of this policy you can go way back 
 and sit down — lay your weary head on a pillow of preju- 
 dice and die, for the world will never notice you. 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 15 
 
 If you think the policy a good one, the way is open for 
 you to have as much to say about the measure to be pressed 
 before legislative bodies as any one else. Come in and take 
 part. 
 
 The farmer has three duties to perform and prospers or 
 does not prosper in proportion to the success with v/hich he 
 handles the burden that rests on him : 
 
 He must know how to farm scientifically. 
 
 He must know how to market scientifically. 
 
 He must know how to have legislation in his interest. 
 
 These things the Farmers' Union is helping to do and 
 its history shows that it is making remarkable headway, 
 considering the small per cent of farmers that have helped 
 and the tremendous obstacles in the way. 
 
 No matter how little it has accomplished, it is just that 
 much more than all the unorganized farmers have done or 
 can do in a public way. The individual farmer can produce, 
 and there his function ends until he organizes. It matters 
 not how much he knows he is powerless till he co-operates 
 with other farmers on some definite lines. 
 
 Yes, the farmer must learn how to manipulate the leg- 
 islative plow or never make the acquaintance of the other 
 fellow at the summer resort. 
 
 The Farmers' Union is in no sense a political party, but 
 it has taken a lively interest in public questions, both state 
 and national, since it began its career. 
 
 To give a true index to its attitude on public issues its 
 mode of operation is the purpose of this article. 
 
 It never indorses a candidate. 
 
 It never puts out a candidate. 
 
 It never formulates a political platform. 
 
 It agrees in conventions on a few measures, elects a 
 Legislative Committee which goes to the Legislature, if a 
 State Committee, and to Congress if a National Committee. 
 And this committee argues the case before the committee 
 having charge of the bill pending passage. 
 
 The attiude of the various members of the Legislature, 
 or Congress, is noted and reported to the membership. 
 
 That is all. 
 
 This gives the members a chance to turn down those 
 who turn down their measures. 
 
 The membership is never ordered to do so. 
 
 If they can't take a hint they can just take the conse- 
 quence. 
 
16 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 National Legislation. 
 
 The National Farmers' Union is asking .Congress to 
 ^"pass a law further restricting immigration. 
 
 A law to prevent dealing in futures on margin. 
 
 It helped to secure the Parcels Post. 
 
 A law providing for the physical valuation of railroads, 
 telegraph, telephone and express companies as an essential 
 feature of proper regulation. 
 
 A law limiting the ownership of land by interstate cor- 
 porations to that necessary in the prosecution of their busi- 
 ness. 
 
 A law prohibiting citizens and corporations of foreign 
 countries from buying lands in the United States for agri- 
 cultural purposes; and that land now owned by aliens and 
 capable of cultivation be bought by the government and 
 sold in suitable homesteads for American citizens. 
 
 A law providing for the establishment of a Bureau of 
 Crop Distribution, operated in connection with the De- 
 partment of i-\griculture. The bureau to collect and 
 disseminate information on the condition of domestic 
 markets and the best methods of selling, and this informa- 
 tion to be circulated free as the consular reports are now 
 circulated. This is of the utmost importance to truck farm- 
 ers and fruit growers. 
 
 It is opposing any legislation leading to a central bank 
 that will make it possible for the currency to be concen- 
 trated, and its flow, in answer. to the demands of commerce, 
 controlled by interested capitalists. 
 
 It favors such financial legislation as will wrest from 
 the great financial interests the power now exercised over 
 the money of the country ; causing fluctuations in values, 
 which lead to speculative gains by the manipulators and 
 the bankruptcies of the thousands of victims. 
 
 State Legislation Requested By the National Union. 
 
 At the annual convention of the National Union, held 
 at Shawnee, Oklahoma, September, 1911, the following was 
 passed unanimously: 
 
 "We recommend that the Legislative Committees of 
 the Farmers' Union in the various states work for the en- 
 actment of laws requiring the teaching of scientific mar- 
 keting in the public schools (high school grade) ; that the 
 Legislative Committees wait upon the Textbook Commit- 
 tees and urge the adoption of textbooks which treat of 
 scientific marketing, and such other textbooks as will teach 
 an appreciation of farm life." 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OP AMERICA 17 
 
 THE STATE UNIONS AND LEGISLATION— WHAT 
 THEY HAVE DONE AND ARE DOING. 
 
 Alabama. 
 
 In Alabama the organization was instrumental in secur- 
 ing increased state aid for farm demonstration extension. 
 
 It aided in the passage of a bill giving $67,000.00 for 
 building and repairing rural schools exclusively. 
 
 Also a supplemental appropriation of $250,000 for the 
 common schools. 
 
 It secured an annua] appropriation of $25,000 for farm 
 demonstration work. This is to be supplemented in the 
 counties by county appropriations through the work of the 
 county unions. 
 
 The $20,000 appropriated for county fairs is, through 
 the efforts of the union, to be exclusively for premiums on 
 stock and agricultural products. Each county must con- 
 tribute as much as it gets from the state. 
 
 It helped to abolish the lease system of working con- 
 victs, and provided that they be used upon the public roads. 
 
 Arkansas. 
 
 Although the Agricultural Department of the State 
 University has served a great purpose, the farmers of Ar- 
 kansas realized that additional facilities were needed that a 
 greater per cent of the boys and girls of the farms could 
 be placed in touch with advanced agricultural teaching. 
 The Farmers' Union asked the Legislature to establish four 
 Agricultural Colleges in the four quarters of the state, to be 
 located in the county in each section giving the greatest 
 bonus.. The law was enacted and the colleges are now in 
 operation, practically under the management of the Organ- 
 ization. 
 
 It asked for the submission to the voters of the state of 
 a constitutional amendment providing for the Initiative and 
 Referendum. The amendment was ratified by a large ma- 
 jority. 
 
 It asked that corporations be allowed to reduce shares 
 from twenty-five to five dollars each, which was granted. 
 
 It helped to pass the pure feed bill. A law which re- 
 quires all commercial feedstuff shall have the analysis and 
 the source of the ingredients printed thereon. 
 
18 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 It succeeded in having a law enacted allowing farmers 
 to sell their produce in any quantity in any city or town 
 without a license tax. 
 
 It supported a bill amending the revenue laws, which is 
 now before the people for a referendum vote. 
 
 It helped to get appropriations for the Agricultural col- 
 leges. 
 
 It secured a law regulating male animals running at 
 large. 
 
 It secured a law requiring railroads to furnish cars to 
 shippers of perishable products within twenty-four hours 
 after receiving orders. 
 
 It secured acts covering fertilizer analysis and feed in- 
 spection regulation. 
 
 California. 
 
 The California Farmers' Union is asking: 
 That agricultural instruction in the public schools begin 
 with the primary grades in which its importance to civiliza- 
 tion and why it is desirable to follow as a vocation shall 
 be given prominence. This is to be followed in the second- 
 ary grades by teaching co-operative methods of marketing, 
 contrasting them with the present methods of competition 
 and speculation. Pupils in these grades also to be taught 
 the necessity for careful grading and standardization of all 
 products marketed from the farm. 
 
 National Legislation. 
 
 The California Farmers' Union is also asking: 
 That the National Government furnish the Agricultural 
 Departrnent daily information about markets which shall 
 be distributed among farmers in pamphlet form similar to 
 the consular reports now issued for the benefit of manufac- 
 turers and jobbers. 
 
 Colorado. 
 
 A four years high school course was necessary for en- 
 trance into the Agricultural College of Colorado. This 
 practically prohibited a great number of worthy young men 
 enjoying its advantages. No provision had been made for 
 teaching domestic science. To remedy this and make the 
 Agricultural College a real farmers' institution, the Farm- 
 ers' Union secured the enactment of a law admitting stu- 
 dents to a practical course in agriculture and stock raising 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 19 
 
 from the eighth grade of the country schools. This law 
 also provides for a six months' course of domestic 'science 
 for the girls. 
 
 The Organization assisted in the campaign for the Initi- 
 ative and Referendum amendment to the Constitution 
 which carried by an overwhelming majority. 
 
 It was active in abolishing the "pork barrel" methods 
 in legislation, and placing internal improvements under a 
 state highway commission. 
 
 Florida. 
 
 In Florida the Farmers' Union secured an appropria- 
 tion of $50,000 for farm demonstration work, and $15,000 
 for a plant to manufacture cholera serum. 
 
 It also succeeded in having uniform text-books for pub- 
 lic schools adopted. 
 
 It favored the law abolishing the convict lease system 
 which the Governor vetoed. 
 
 The Florida division is asking for a tax on ''invisible" 
 property, stocks, bonds, notes, etc. 
 
 It is demanding three agricultural schools, and asks that 
 the tax now collected on fertilizers be set aside for that 
 purpose. 
 
 It wants the office of treasurer consolidated. 
 
 It IS opposed to the fee system. 
 
 It favors the Torrens system of land registration. 
 
 Georgia. 
 
 The Georgia F'armers' Union secured the law reducing 
 railroad fare. 
 
 It was the main factor in securing the establishment of 
 Agricultural Schools. 
 
 It has succeeded in getting quite an increase in the pub- 
 lic school funds— from $800 to $26,000 a year. 
 
 It blocked the movement for an appropriation of a large 
 sum for the purpose of bringing in foreign immigrants. 
 
 The Farmers' Union was largely instrumental in secur- 
 ing the passage of the income tax resolution. 
 
 It secured a law against "bucket shops," and dealing in 
 futures on margin. 
 
 (LET ME SAY RTGHT HERE THAT THE OR- 
 GANIZATION HAS SECURED ANTI-BUCKET SHOP 
 AND FUTURE DEALING LEGISLATION IN EVERY 
 COTTON PRODUCING STATE EXCEPT TWO- 
 LOUISIANA AND TENNESSEE. THE NEW OR- 
 LEANS AND MEMPHIS EXCHANGES HAVE DE- 
 
20 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 FEATED ANTI-FUTURE DEALING BILLS, BUT 
 EVEN THESE STATES HAVE OUTLAY\^ED THE 
 BUCKET SHOPS.) 
 
 The Georioia l"^nion led the fight for putting the con- 
 victs on the public roads. The bill passed and the state 
 now has her convicts at work on her highways. 
 
 It favors the Torrcns system of land registration. 
 
 The last legislature, at the request of the Farmers' 
 Union, passed a fertilizer bill which forces the manufac- 
 turers to sell what they claim to sell under penalty of for- 
 feiting one-half the purchase price. (This is noteworthy be- 
 cause of the fact that the only Farmers' Union fertilizer 
 plant of any magnitude is in Georgia.) 
 
 It secured an increase of $40,000 for Agricultural 
 College Extension work. 
 
 It helped to secure a new State Educational Board. 
 
 Kentucky. 
 
 The social centers of the rural communities of America 
 are the neighborhood chiirches and the district schools. No 
 more fitting place can be found for assembling to discuss 
 questions affecting the welfare of a community than the 
 public school building. Every citizen takes a just pride in 
 the educational institutions that dot the landscape as mon- 
 uments of an advancing civilization. It is right and proper 
 that they should serve as a forum for the enlightenment of 
 the people. It is safe to say that 99 per cent of the thou- 
 sands of local organizations of the Farmers' Union hold 
 their meetings in the public school buildings. Their doers 
 are thrown open for the use of the locals in every state in 
 which we have organized except Kentucky. Despite the 
 fact that the laws of this state refuse the use of the chool 
 buildings to secret societies, the organization, though hand- 
 icapped, as can readily be seen, has had a wonderful growth. 
 R. L. Barnett, who organized the state and has served con- 
 tinuously as State Secretary, together with the Legislative 
 Committee, is working hard to have this law repealed and 
 thus remove a great barrier to the progress of the Farmers' 
 Union. 
 
 Louisiana. 
 
 The Louisiana Division is asking for : 
 
 A Constitutional amendment providing for the Initia- 
 tive and Referendum. 
 
 An amendment to the law relating to the issue of cou- 
 pon checks in payment for labor. 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 21 
 
 The repeal of the Marks school law. 
 
 The repeal of the act creating the office of Registrar of 
 Voters and to place this duty upon the assessors. 
 
 The repeal of the Primary Election La\V in so far as it 
 relates to the registration of party affiliation. 
 
 For a law prohibiting dealing in futures on margin. 
 
 Mississippi. 
 
 Therarmers' Union of Mississippi has worked for and 
 secured a laAv creating the office of Commissioner of Agri- 
 culture. 
 
 It helped to get the High School law. 
 
 It aided in obtaining the Normal Training School for 
 teachers. 
 
 It was very active in defeating the efforts to repeal the 
 law limiting corporate ownership of land to $2,000,000. 
 
 It aroused the people and prevented the creation of an 
 Immigration Commission, the purpose of which was to dis- 
 tribute foreign immigrants and cheap laborers throughout 
 the state. 
 
 It is asking for a reduction of the contract rate of in- 
 terest from 10 to 8 per 'cent. 
 
 It favors exempting money loaned at six per cent, pro- 
 vided the contract rate is reduced to eight. 
 
 It favors the enactment of a law prohibiting individuals 
 from ownmg farm lands in excess of one million dollars in 
 value. 
 
 It is opposed to allowing corporations owning any lands 
 for agricultural purposes. 
 
 It favors a law that will place the convicts at work on 
 the public roads. 
 
 It favors creating the office of County Commissioner 
 of Agriculture. 
 
 North Carolina. 
 
 At the last session of the Legislature the Farmers' 
 Union helped to secured the passage of the Farm Life School 
 bill. It also worked for the adoption of the Torrens system 
 of land registration, but the measure failed to pass. 
 
 The Farm.ers' Union of North Carolina .secured the 
 passage of an act requiring at least a six months' term of 
 the public school, with compulsory attendance. 
 
 South Carolina. 
 
 The Farmers' TJnion in South Carolina advocated all the 
 
22 VHK FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 measures relating to the establishment of the present State 
 Department of Agriculture, Commerce and Industries. 
 
 It succeeded in having all provisions for immigration 
 work stricken from the laws of the state. 
 
 It advocated and secured the passage of nearly all of 
 the labor laAvs, including the factory inspection act. 
 
 It secured the passage of the model commercial feed 
 stuffs act; and the seed inspection law; and a law regulating 
 cotton tare. 
 
 It is asking for a law providing for complete cotton 
 statistics to be reported during the season. 
 
 It wants amendments to strengthen the pure food and 
 drug act. 
 
 It Avants agricultural secondary education in the public 
 schools. 
 
 Tennessee. 
 
 The Farmers' Union in Tennessee helped to secure an 
 appropriation for the extension of farm demonstration work. 
 
 It secured a joint resolution of the Legislature, and 
 signed by the Governor, condemning the efforts of the Im- 
 migration Department of the National Government to dis- 
 tribute undesirable foreign immigrants in the state and in 
 the South. 
 
 It supported the bills for the rigid inspection of stock 
 foods, seeds and fertilizers. 
 
 It opposed the efforts of the big shippers to place the 
 responsibility for the adulteration of seeds upon the retail 
 merchants. 
 
 It secured a law against bucket shops. 
 
 It is asking for a law against dealing in futures on 
 margin. 
 
 It is asking for a law against the white slave trade. 
 
 Texas. 
 
 The Farmers' Union in Texas secured a law separating 
 the Agricultural Department from several other depart- 
 ments and making it an independent institution. 
 
 It had the Commissioner of Agriculture made elective. 
 
 It secured a law requiring the State A. & M. College to 
 teach cotton grading and classification. (THE ORGAN- 
 IZATION HAD CARRIED ON THIS WORK IN VARI- 
 OUS STATES, AND INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS 
 WERE TEACHING IT AS A PART OF THE CURRI- 
 CULUM BUT THIS Vv^AS THE FIRST TIME IT WAS 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 23 
 
 REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE TAUGHT IN A STATE 
 INSTITUTION.) 
 
 It helped secure the law requiring agriculture to be 
 taught in the public schools. 
 
 It secured the passage of the law against bucket shops 
 and outlawed the practice of dealing in futures on margin. 
 
 It secured a law preventing railroads from issuing free 
 passes, with certain exceptions. 
 
 It secured a reduction of freight rates on cotton. 
 
 Washington. 
 
 The Union in Washington has been instrumental in se- 
 curing much needed legislation, most important of which 
 was the INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM and RECALL. 
 
 AGRICULTURAL PROGRESS COMPARISON. 
 
 (From an editorial by T. J. Brooks) 
 
 The Farmers' Union started out on its career fighting 
 the credit and mortgage system. To help in this it urged 
 diversified farming and, better methods of marketing. As 
 a result the states where it has worked longest have pro- 
 gressed faster than others. The organization has been the 
 means of getting the agricultural departments of the states 
 and the National Government and the farmers together as 
 never before in the history of the country. 
 
 The percentage of gain in the value of farm products 
 for the entire country for the decade ending with 1910 was 
 81 per cent, and for the Farmers' Union states 108 per cent. 
 
 The value of the 1910 crop of the entire country was 
 worth $105,102,000 less than that of 1909. In the Farmers' 
 Union states it was worth $183,034,000 more. The percent- 
 age of loss in the non-union states was 3.6 per cent and the 
 per cent of gain in the Union states was 10 per cent. 
 
 Just because some people will put Southern diversity 
 solely to the credit of the boll weevil, I'll take a cotton 
 state that the boll weevil has never reached and make some 
 comparisons. 
 
 Georgia's gain in crop values in eleven years has been 
 188 per cent, rier 1910 crops other than cotton were worth 
 nearly as much as the cotton and all others combined 
 eleven years ago. In 1899 Georgia was surpassed in crop 
 
24 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 value production by Ohio, Minnesota, New York, Kansas, 
 ^, Indiana, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Nebraska in the order 
 named. Now she leads them all. 
 
 The cotton crop of 1899 was worth only $376,566,000, 
 which is little more than the value of the Texas crop of 
 1910. The crop of all the cotton states for 1910 was ap- 
 proximately $810,000,000. This increase of values was due 
 more to increase in price than to increase in production. At 
 the 1899 price the 1910 crop would have brought only about 
 $450,000,000. See? 
 
 The period between 1899 and 1910 has been one of mar- 
 velous agricultural development in the United States. Its 
 like has never been witnessed in the history of the world. 
 In that short time the value of crops has increased by 188 
 per cent in Georgia, 173 per cent in South Carolina, 140 
 per cent in Texas, 129 per cent in North Carolina, 119 per 
 cent in Alabama, 115 per cent in Arkansas, 126 per cent in 
 Florida, 79 per cent in Mississippi, 226 per cent in Okla- 
 homa, 72 per cent in Virginia, 69 per cent in Kentucky, 47 
 per cent in Louisiana, and 81 per cent in Tennessee. 
 
 Why is it that the Farmers' Union states are forging 
 ahead of non-union states ? Compare these figures and then 
 be good enough to admit that the Farmers' Union has not 
 done these states any harm. Another point. You know 
 the boll weevil ''ruined Texas" (?). Well, the pesky thing 
 has shown the world that the South can flourish without 
 cotton. So if the price don't suit, just quit raising it. 
 
 WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND ARE DOING 
 
 (a) In the Cotton Belt. 
 
 That the reader may grasp the significance of the state- 
 ments to be made under this heading, it may be well to re- 
 iterate some things that were mentioned in the preface to 
 this book. The chief object of a great farmers' movement, 
 and the only one for which it can claim the support of the 
 American farmer, is to work out a solution to the crop 
 marketing problem. Ihis policy has not been adhered to 
 by the FARMERS' UNION with stupid rigidity, to the 
 neglect of weighty matters that from time to time have 
 developed locally and sectionally, as has been shown on 
 preceding pages, but in the main the greater activities of 
 the organization have been devoted to this particular field. 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 2 5 
 
 Originating in a great cotton producing state — Texas 
 — naturally the question uppermost in the minds of the 
 founders of the order was, how can the farmer secure a 
 fair and equitable price for this great cash crop of the 
 South? (Let it be remembered that adversity and not pros- 
 perity gave birth to the Farmers' Union. Prosperous farm- 
 ers have very little inclination to organize. It matters not 
 that other business interests find it expedient, even in times 
 of the greatest prosp«^ly, to co-operate that they may the 
 more easily perpetuate conditions that give rise to their 
 w^ealth — the farmer is too self-satisfied to concern himself 
 with such business tactics. It is only when the iron heel of 
 an oppressive and iniquitous system grinds out the last 
 penny of profit for his labor and leave him and his family 
 with scant food and scantier raiment that he becomes will- 
 ing to profit by the examples of big business and organize 
 for his own protection.) 
 
 The price of most staple farm crops is fixed and con- 
 trolled largely by speculators and middlemen operating 
 upon the boards of trade and exchanges. Upon no crop 
 are the effects of the fictitious price maintained by this 
 system of control more noticeable than upon cotton. That 
 practically no facilities existed for storing and holding cot- 
 ton at interior points has been a great boon to exchange 
 operators, because this lack has forced the sale of a greater 
 portion of the crop direct from the gin and demoralized 
 markets throughout the harvesting season have been the 
 inevitable result. To provide means for storing and hold- 
 ing, that distribution might be made more uniform through- 
 out the year, the policy of building local warehouses to be 
 owned and operated by the membership was early ad- 
 vocated by the Organization. 
 
 It is rather difficult to convey an accurate conception 
 of the rapidity with w^hich this movement spread. Some 
 idea, however, of its magnitude may be gained by the state- 
 ment that within less than five years the organization had 
 spread into practically every cotton producing state, and 
 simultaneously with the development of the Union, ware- 
 houses were built so that at the end of that time nearly 
 every county had one or more warehouses in operation. 
 
 These local warehouses have been the basis of the suc- 
 cess of the Farmers' Union in the South. It has been the 
 policy of the National Union from time to time to fix a 
 minimum price on cotton and to call upon the membership 
 to withhold from the market until such time as this price 
 could be obtained. These holding movements, though en- 
 
26 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 tirely voluntary on the part of the membership, have been 
 uniformly successful because of the strength of the local 
 warehouse system. It must not be understood that these 
 efforts to prolong the marketing period have not invariably 
 resulted in securing the price agreed upon, but the effect, 
 in years when proper determination was shown, has been 
 such upon the market that a much better price, without 
 exception, has resulted than would have otherwise obtained. 
 
 No data is at hand to give the exact saving in dollars 
 and cents to the farmers of the South as a direct result of 
 these holding movements, but that the sum total runs into 
 the millions is evident when we reflect that the price has 
 been gradually forced upward from five and six cents per 
 pound to ten, twelve, and even fifteen cents per pound, and 
 that during each of the past ten years there have been mar- 
 keted from eight to fourteen million bales. 
 
 Time has served to show the strength and also the 
 weakness of the warehouse system. Though very useful it 
 is by no means perfect. The isolation of the warehouses 
 under independent management has hampered largely any 
 effort at co-operative marketing. Working independently, 
 the difficulty of securing sufficient funds to loan on "dis- 
 tress'' cotton has been very great in some sections at least. 
 The determination to strengthen this weakness has given 
 rise to the widespread effort to federate or amalgamate the 
 warehouse interests of each state into one co-operative com- 
 pany under a single management. It may with safety be 
 predicted that within a short time the system of warehous- 
 ing and selling cotton will be greatly strengthened by the 
 federation of interests, both state and nationally. 
 
 (b) In the Tobacco Belt. 
 
 The necessity for organized effort to break the power 
 of the trust that has fastened its tentacles upon them, has 
 long been felt by the tobacco producers of Kentucky, Vir- 
 ginia and North Carolina. The coming of the Farmers' 
 Union offered the opportunity and the farmers of the to- 
 bacco belt were not slow to align themselves with the move- 
 ment. The description of conditions surrounding the cotton 
 producer, tending to circumscribe his influence as an indi- 
 vidual over the distribution of the product of his labor, ap- 
 plies with equal force to the producer of tobacco. For that 
 matter the methods of those who seek to control the distri- 
 bution and price of farm crops of whatever character, are 
 strikingly similar. Whatever the crop, the farmer is given 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 27 
 
 e.very encouragement to increase its output, except the 
 greatest one of all — an equitable price, but the "interests" 
 are careful to see that he has no part in controlling the 
 equipment necessary for preparing his article for market 
 after it has been produced. If he complains of the price, he 
 is cheerfully told to double the increase of his acres with the 
 same labor and the price will be satisfactory. Meanwhile 
 the cotton warehouses, grain elevators and tobacco prizing 
 houses are owned and operated by merchants and jobbers 
 who have no other inteV;st than to buy the raw product at 
 the lowest possible price and sell it for as much as the trade 
 will stand. 
 
 Having no prizing houses nor storage houses, the to- 
 bacco farmer has been forced to sell his crop at whatever 
 price was agreed upon by the interests. No attempt has 
 been made to acquaint the farmer with facts as to the 
 quantity on hands in warehouses, the world's demands, etc., 
 all of which have a direct bearing upon the price of his 
 product, therefore, he has sold his commodity absolutely 
 in the dark. 
 
 These conditions are being rapidly changed by the 
 Farmers' Union. The membership is being urged to erect 
 its own prizing houses, storage houses and tobacco fac- 
 tories. They are rapidly learning the advantage of pooling 
 interests, and wherever this has been done in a business- 
 like manner the results have been very marked. The to- 
 bacco farmer, like the cotton farmer, is learning that our 
 boasted rights of the individual count for but very little 
 when pitted against the cold blooded business practices of 
 this commercial age. As a result, individual sales are giving 
 place to co-operative sales. Through the prizing and stor- 
 age houses erected by them, the tobacco belt farmers have 
 pooled and sold thousands of pounds of tobacco and since 
 beginning these cooperative practices the price has steadily 
 advanced. 
 
 (c) In the Grain Belt. 
 
 With the exception of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colo- 
 rado, Washington and Oregon, that have for some time 
 been organized as divisions of the Farmers' Union, the 
 organization is just beginning to reach the grain belt states. 
 The brief sketches given of the character of work done in 
 the cotton and tobacco belts of the country, had reference 
 to the entire territory embraced in the production of those 
 crops, because the Farmers' Union is well represented 
 
28 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 throughout those sections. In givmg the results of co- 
 0. operative efforts of marketing grain by the Farmers' Union, 
 we shall have to confine ourselves to a very small portion 
 of the grain belt. The demand for the organization has 
 been greater than the supply of available organizers, but 
 as rapidly as possible, all the grain states, from which are 
 coming insistently requests for organizers, will be supplied. 
 Although the efforts to co-operate in marketing grain 
 by the organization have been restricted to a small area, we 
 believe a comparison will show that the results compare 
 very favorably, taking into account the territory covered 
 and the number of members with those secured where the 
 organization is stronger numerically — in the cotton and to- 
 bacco belts. As suggested under a previous heading, the 
 grain farmer stands on a parity with his brothers of the 
 cotton and tobacco sections so far as being able to price 
 the product of his labor is concerned. About the only dif- 
 ference between them is, his product is packed in sacks 
 whereas theirs is packed in bales or hogsheads. The same 
 routine identically is gone through with. The middleman 
 or perhaps a dozen of them step in between the farmer and 
 the consumer. He has sold his crop at harvest time for 
 whatever the market offered and has given some one a 
 handsome profit for holding it until the world needs it. 
 
 In the case of the Northwestern wheat grower, who 
 produces a superior article of export, the interior warehouses 
 and terminal elevators ov/ned and operated by jobbers have 
 kept him at their mercy. About the only thing he could 
 do was to sell outright at his shipping point. The teach- 
 ings of the Farmers' Union, however, opened an avenue of 
 escape and he has laken advantage of it. A policy sug- 
 gested early in the organization of this territory, which in- 
 cludes Washington, Oregon and Idaho, was the erection of 
 interior warehouses by the membership and the leasing or 
 building of terminal elevators at the ports by a joint com- 
 pany. This policy met with the ^ instant approval of the 
 farmers and today they have in operation a number of 
 warehouses and terminal elevators in Portland, Oregon, 
 and one at Seattle, Washington. 
 
 The Washington state division and the National Union 
 co-operated in sending a representative of the Farmers' 
 Union to Europe to arrange European connections in selling 
 their wheat. The trip was entirely successful and at last 
 the wheat farmers of the great Northwest are conducting a 
 successful co-operative marketing system. 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 29 
 
 (d) In a Variety of Things 
 
 In addition to marketing the staple farm crops peculiar 
 to the sections now occupied by the Farmers' Union, the 
 organization has, in a number of states, found it necessary 
 to pay special attention to the marketing of fruits and per- 
 ishable products. Especially is this true in California, where 
 practically all of the members are interested in producing 
 one or more of the delicious fruits for which that state is 
 famous. Where the fruit or vegetable interests are of suf- 
 ficient magnitude to w^ant the venture, the method most 
 commonly pursued in disposing of the product has been to 
 form, a special organization or company, in many cases in- 
 corporated, which is given certain duties as an agent, and 
 in consideration for the service rendered the growers enter 
 into specific contracts with reference to the handling of 
 their crops. 
 
 To solve the crop marketing problem is the one great 
 object of the Farmers' Union, but, magnificent as has been 
 the results of efforts along that line and fraught with such 
 tremendous importance as will be the ultimate solution to 
 this question, the usefulness of the organization to the great 
 body of farmers does not end there. It has proven a most 
 excellent means of assisting them in buying their supplies 
 advantageously. A statement made by one of the promi- 
 nent workers in his argument in support of co-operation 
 among farmers will serve to illustrate a condition to offset 
 which the Union has in a large measure turned its attention. 
 This gentleman said: "FARMERS ARE THE ONLY 
 CLASS OF PEOPLE WHO SELL AT WHOLESALE 
 AND BUY AT RETAIL." A moment's reflection will 
 show you the truth of the statement. This method, directly 
 the opposite of that pursued by any other class of business 
 men in the world, has been changed in a number of locali- 
 ties by members of the Union, making purchases by the 
 local rather than mdividually. 
 
 So many and so varied are the uses to which the or- 
 ganization has been put in assisting its members, that rather 
 than attempt to cover them in a general way I shall briefly 
 outline some of the enterprises now being conducted in 
 each of the twenty-one states, omitting any reference, of 
 course, to the handling of the staple crop of that section, 
 as that has been touched upon in a previous chaper. 
 
30 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 By States. 
 
 ALABAMA. — The farmers of Alabama use annually 
 vast quantities of fertilizer. Through contracts made by 
 the state officials with fertilizer factories, the price has been 
 materially reduced and the members have been saved thou- 
 sands of dollars. Great saving has also been effected in the 
 purchase of flour, groceries, implements, dry goods, etc. 
 
 Locally the members have in operation forty-one stores, 
 twenty-nine gins, and five fertilizer factories and mixers, 
 and a number of warehouses erected for the seed trade 
 alone. 
 
 The farmers of Alabama have not hesitated to invest in 
 the things essential to the furthering of their interests. 
 
 ARKANSx\S. — The Farmers' Union Cotton Company 
 of Arkansas has handled very successfully a large amount 
 of cotton for the membership, on the commission basis. 
 The season of 1911-12 has been one of the best years of 
 the company's history. 
 
 In addition to a number of gins and cotton seed houses 
 owned and operated by the members, they have established 
 in a number of localities mercantile establishments, some 
 of which claim to be operating upon a co-operative basis. 
 
 Perhaps the most remunerative enterprise has been the 
 sale, through the Union, of small fruits and vegetables for 
 which certain localities are famous. In quite a number of 
 the shipping centers the Farmers' Union has absolute 
 charge of all packing and shipping and marketing. 
 
 The State Union owns its official organ, the RURAL 
 EDUCATOR, and is now arranging to purchase a press 
 and other office equipment to cheapen the cost of printing 
 the paper. 
 
 CALIFORNIA. — A very successful business enterprise 
 conducted by the members in California is the California 
 Farmers' Union, Incorporated, of Fresno. The organiza- 
 tion in California is confined for the most part to that sec- 
 tion of the state which produces the dried and canned fruits 
 so much in demand by the markets all over the world. 
 These fruits are packed or canned by local companies in 
 their own packing houses and the sale is made by the Cen- 
 tral Company under contract. This company sends many 
 car loads of these fruits to the Eastern United States and 
 to England, Germany and other European countries. The 
 quality of the packing and the safe methods of business 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 31 
 
 employed enables it to do a business of several hundred 
 thousand dollars annually. 
 
 COLORADO. — The State Union conducts a depart- 
 ment known as the buying and selling agency, with offices 
 at 357 Railway Exchange Building, Denver. 
 
 There are several fruit companies as well as a number 
 of local companies that handle melons, canteloupes, etc. 
 
 The Uiiion State Bank at Rifle has a capitalization of 
 $25,000. V 
 
 There "are a numbed of mercantile establishments and 
 creameries located in various parts of the state. 
 
 A worthy institution is- the FARMERS' MINING, 
 MILLS AND MERCANTILE COMPANY, of Glenwood 
 Springs. This company owns a coal mine and flour mill 
 and manufactures the Farmers' Union brand of flour and 
 breakfast foods. 
 
 The membership in Colorado has a greater diversity of 
 enterprises than any other state. 
 
 FLORIDA. — Florida has a number of mercantile estab- 
 lishments that handle the produce of the membership and 
 sells them farm supplies at a great saving. The farmers 
 have shown some activity in procuring gin machinery and 
 other equipment that will reduce the cost to them of pre- 
 paring their product for market. The enterprises of Florida, 
 while not numerous, will compare very favorably in re- 
 sults with those of the other states. 
 
 GEORGIA. — One of the largest and most successful 
 strictly co-operative enterprises conducted by the members 
 of the Farmers' L'uion is the Union Phosphate Company 
 of Georgia, with offices at Union City. This company 
 owns its own phosphate factory and 600 acres of phosphate 
 land. The company is said to have over five thousand 
 stockholders. 
 
 ILLINOIS. — So diversified are the farm products of 
 the portion of Illinois now covered by the organization, 
 that the members have found it necessary to form local 
 associations to handle the products peculiar to their section, 
 and to purchase their supplies. These clearing houses or 
 exchanges have been uniformly successful in i^ecuring fair 
 prices for products and have saved the members consider- 
 able by purchasing supplies at wholesale. A number of 
 mercantile establishments with ample capital for conduct- 
 ing a successful business, are now in operation. 
 
32 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL, AND 
 
 The Farmers' Union Milling and Supply Company of 
 Tamaroa is an incorporated company with $10,000 capitali- 
 zation. This company operates a sixty-barrel-a-day flour, 
 meal and feed mill, and carries a line of farm implements. 
 
 INDIANA. — The County Unions of Indiana have or- 
 ganized county exchanges to handle their live stock and 
 other farm products. Several counties have built elevators 
 to handle their grain crops and the companies operating 
 them usually carry a line of farm implements and other 
 farm supplies. 
 
 '''KANSAS. — Kansas has eighteen (18) Co-operative 
 Associations owned by members of the Farmers' Union. 
 These associations have paid dividends ranging from ten to 
 twenty-five per cent. They handle all farm products for 
 the members and buy supplies in wholesale quantities. The 
 handling of grain through their own elevators has been so 
 successful that some of the associations are now contemplat- 
 ing the erection of flouring mills at convenient points. 
 
 One of the most successful of these associations is the 
 Osborne County Farmers' Union Co-Operative Association, 
 chartered with a capital stock of $10,000.00. It conducts 
 business at three places, Osborne, Downs and Portis. 
 Through operations of this association, farmers have re- 
 ceived seven cents more per bushel for their wheat, and the 
 price of flour has been reduced to the consumer thirty cents 
 per barrel. The Association handles immense quantities 
 of coal oil. lumber, coal, fence posts, etc. 
 
 Possibly the greatest benefit the organization has been 
 to the farmers of the state, members and non-members 
 alike, in a material sense, is the fact that through its efforts 
 binder twine can now be bought direct from the state for 
 about one-third the price formerly charged by dealers. 
 
 The members in Kansas are kept thoroughly posted 
 about Union affairs through the columns of their own state 
 paper, which is sent to every member in good standing. 
 
 *For some reason the Kansas officials failed to get their 
 report of business enterprises to the office in time for this 
 edition, and for that reason we have made excerpts from 
 the former edition of this booklet. This is a source of re- 
 gret to us, because the membership has more than doubled 
 in that state within the past year and we feel sure that 
 many more enterprises of merit are in operation than we 
 have been able to list. 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 33 
 
 KENTUCKY. — Most of the efforts of the organization 
 in this state have been devoted to the marketing of the to- 
 bacco crop, yet they have found time to establish in several 
 counties Produce Stock Companies that have been very suc- 
 cessful in handling farm products and merchandise. Some 
 of the warehouses, in addition to selling tobacco, have ar- 
 ranged to sell live stock and other products for the mem- 
 bership. They also have established at Fulton a flouring 
 mill and elevator under the control of a company capitalized 
 at $13,000. There are fifteen accredited agents representing 
 the Farmers' Union m t^it purchase of farm supplies. The 
 farmers of Kentucky are alive to the usefulness of the 
 organization. 
 
 LOUISIANA. — The state business agent represents the 
 Trades' Association composed of all the cotton warehouses 
 of the state. As these local companies must maintain a 
 local agent through a great portion of the year at least, 
 it has been found practical to have them handle syrup, po- 
 tatoes, peanuts, live stock and other farm products for the 
 members. To greatl)^ strengthen her companies and place 
 them on a sound business basis, Louisiana is now planning 
 to federate them and charter one company Avith ample cap- 
 ital to meet all business requirements. 
 
 MISSISSIPPI. — The State Union has an excellent 
 means of communication with its members by owning its of- 
 ficial paper, which is sent to every member in good stand- 
 ing. 
 
 MISSOURI. — This is another state in which the pro- 
 ducts are so diversified that it has become expedient for the 
 members to engage in a great variety of enterprises. They 
 have established eleven incorporated mercantile houses 
 whose combined capital stock amounts to $150,000. In 
 addition to these there are 125 smaller stores located in 
 different parts of the state. There are in successful opera- 
 tion a large number of creameries, some of which have had 
 to run at full capacity day and night to accommodate the 
 trade. All of them have a ready market for their products. 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA.— North Carolina uses vast 
 quantities of fertilizers and the organization encourages 
 home mixing by assisting the members in buying the raw 
 material at a saving of from $3 to $5 per ton. Co-operative 
 stores have sprung up in different sections of the state 
 that furnish goods to the members at a slight advance of 
 cost. By acting in a co-operative way, business arrange- 
 
34 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 ments have been made for furnishing agricultural imple- 
 ments at wholesale prices. This state has entered upon an 
 active campaign for building warehouses for cotton and 
 tobacco. 
 
 O'KLAHOMA. — This state is interested in the produc- 
 tion of wheat as well as cotton, and the membership has 
 erected mills for -manufacturing their own flour. Several 
 stores and co-operative associations of various kinds have 
 been established. 
 
 OREGON.^The Oregon division includes the south- 
 ern counties of Idaho. Reference has already been made to 
 the work done by this division co-operating with the Wash- 
 ington State Union, in handling the grain of the North- 
 west. The Secretary assures me that the saving on grain 
 alone has run into the millions of dollars. 
 
 Old line companies have been forced to handle their 
 business on a margin of one-half cent instead of from 5c 
 to 10c, as was formerly the case. Through the Terminal 
 Warehouse Company, counties that do not raise wheat are 
 enabled to buy a first class grade at the actual market in- 
 stead of about 50 per cent above the real market — a condi- 
 tion that existed for a number of years. 
 
 Three flour mills are in operation that not only secure 
 better prices for the wheat, but materially reduce the cost 
 of flour to consumers. 
 
 Oregon has three Exchanges handling almost all farm 
 products and buying such staple goods as are wanted by 
 the members. 
 
 The two general merchandise stores operated on the 
 Rochdale plan report a very large volume of business. 
 
 Most of the locals act in a co-operative way in buying 
 wood, coal, salt, binder twine, grain bags, posts, dried 
 fruit, etc. 
 
 A very satisfactory business has been built up by buy- 
 ing co-operatively the fruits and raisins sold by the Cali- 
 fornia Farmers' Union. 
 
 SOUTH CAROLINA.— South Carolina has three 
 banks, two brokerage companies, and a considerable num- 
 ber of warehouses. 
 
 There is a movement now on foot to build more ware- 
 houses and federate them after the plan adopted by the 
 Mississippi Union. The charter has been applied for and 
 the capital stock is being raised. 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 35 
 
 There are numerous county business agents who have 
 saved a great deal of money to the farmers of the state. 
 This has been especially true in the purchase of fertilizers. 
 
 TENNESSEE. — From an agricultural standpoint, the 
 state of Tennessee occupies a unique position. Its staple 
 products are cotton, grain and tobacco, and therefore, it 
 cannot be classed as belonging exclusively to either of the 
 groups of states producing these articles. In addition to 
 these crops, there are great sections of the state devoted 
 to the production of p^i^uts, still others to live stock, and 
 others to fruits and vegetables. The methods employed 
 by the membership in storing and selling the more common 
 staple crops do not differ materially from those employed 
 by the organization elsewhere. Cotton belt farmers have 
 their warehouses, and in a number of instances operate 
 gins owned co-operatively. Tobacco belt farmers have 
 their tobacco warehouses and prizing houses. 
 
 Farmers of the peanut belt have, heretofore, sold their 
 peanuts in the rough just as they came from the vine. 
 When members of the organization began to offer them 
 direct to wholesalers instead of the local buyers and re- 
 cleaners, they were at a disadvantage because the nuts were 
 not recleaned. This" has spurred them to erect a large re- 
 claner, costing $4,500, at Johnsonville, on the Tennessee 
 River, which is now in operation. 
 
 Members of the Farmers' Union have taken active in- 
 terest in organizing and financing country banks, and at 
 least two banks are owned outright by members of the 
 Union. These banks have made loans to farmers to help 
 them hold and market their crops. The Secretary reports 
 them in splendid condition. The deposits of the bank at 
 Ripley average $175,000. 
 
 Tennessee has a business agent who has saved the mem- 
 bers thousands of dollars in the purchase of their fertilizer 
 and farm supplies. 
 
 Many counties that do not grow cotton have erected 
 warehouses for the special purpose of storing fencing, 
 wagons, implements and other material bought in quanti- 
 ties, from which distribution is made to the membership. 
 
 Among the business enterprises of the organization in 
 Tennessee may be mentioned the ownership, exclusively 
 by them, of two river landings. 
 
 TEXAS. — The members in Texas have built more cot- 
 ton gins than any other state. They have 136 in operation. 
 
36 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 costing many thousands of dollars. Among other industries 
 may be catalogued an oil mill, an electric light plant, and 
 several flouring mills. Many clearing houses have been 
 built to handle the produce of farms and to buy supplies. 
 
 Texas maintains a State Business Agency to assist the 
 members in disposing of their products at remunerative 
 prices, and to purchase for them farm supplies. 
 
 The iniquitous system of mortgaging growing crops to 
 merchants for supplies, a practice very common through- 
 out the south, has been reduced in Texas, it is claimed, since 
 the advent of the Farmers' Union, over 59 per cent. 
 
 Members of the U,nion in Texas have been very active 
 in a campaign for the greater consumption of cotton, with 
 the result that in many instances the Federal Government, 
 packers, wholesalers, and refiners, agreed to use cotton 
 sacking instead of jute. 
 
 The activities of the organization to secure better prices 
 for cotton seed by bulking in quantity, have been uniform- 
 ly successful. In some instances they have more than 
 doubled the price in a few months. This was due in no 
 small degree to a general participation in interstate com- 
 modities and cotton seed rates by the railroads of Texas 
 at the urgent request of the Farmers' Union. 
 
 VIRGINIA. — The members in Virginia own many fer- 
 tilizer and mixing plants and stores are operated for the 
 handling of farm products and supplies. 
 
 WASHINGTON.— The Washington division includes 
 the northern or pan-handle counties of Idaho. Washing- 
 ton, Oregon and Idaho have organized a Tri-State Termi- 
 nal Warehouse Company, reference to which has been made 
 under a previous heading. The principal office is at Seat- 
 tle, Washington, with a branch office and leased docks at 
 Portland, Oregon. Daily market quotations are wired by 
 this company to the interior warehouses. 
 
 Many of the local warehouses, besides handling grair 
 at a great saving to the members, handle coal, wood, posts, 
 flour, feed, oil, lumber and many other articles at a small 
 margin above cost. 
 
 The Farmers' Union Exchange and Produce Company 
 of Spokane, incorporated and capitalized at $25,000, as the 
 name implies, transacts a general business for the mem- 
 bership. 
 
 The Lincoln County Mutual Fire Insurance Company 
 was incorporated in May, 1911, and is now doing business 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 37 
 
 throughout the state for members of the Farmers' Union, 
 exclusively ; no applications are accepted except from mem- 
 bers in good standing. , 
 
 The organization has reduced the price of grain bags 
 one-half, and has, by co-operating intelligently with the 
 railroads, secured material reductions in freight rates. 
 
 Oregon, Washington and Idaho have adopted as the 
 official organ the Pacific Farmers' Union, published at 
 Pullman, Washington. 
 
 A commendable feature of the work of the Secretaries 
 of Washington and Oi^on is the listing of products for 
 sale by each local union and the articles which the local 
 desires to buy. These lists are sent out periodically in 
 order to promote a co-operative exchange of products. 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND CO-OPERATIVE 
 UNI(^ OF AMERICA. 
 
 National Secretary, A. C. Davis, Gives Some Views on Co- 
 operation and Says the Time Is Ripe to Begin 
 Applying Co-operation to Business. 
 
 (Excerpts from an article which recently appeared in the 
 Union's papers.) 
 
 TO THE MEMBERSHIP:— 
 
 Co-operation has become almost a household word in 
 the homes of America. In it the producer sees a panacea 
 for the ills that beset him, and to it the consumer looks for 
 relief from the exorbitant tribute he is constantly paying 
 to the ''middlemen." So much has been said and written 
 upon this subject that it would appear the general public 
 should be thoroughly familiar with its teachings. But 
 after carefully observing the workings of numerous insti- 
 tutions, presumably based upon co-operative or co-opera- 
 tion principles, I am forced to say that the theory has been 
 but remotely approached, and the practical application al- 
 most nil, as a factor in the business. This is not said to dis- 
 count the value of numerous enterprises controlled by our 
 membership, that have made a success financially, and 
 have saved thousands of dollars to those interested, either 
 by forcing competition to lower the price of supplies, or 
 by saving the cost of the "middleman" in selling products 
 to the consumer. None appreciate more than I the value 
 of these institutions, and it is not to reflect upon the busi- 
 ness acumen of the men in charge that the above statement 
 is made, but rather that we may work out a system that 
 
40 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 will make them more efficient by incorporating the co- 
 operative idea. 
 
 Co-operation, aside from any generic significance it 
 may have, has a specific and technical sense. It occupies a 
 middle position between the doctrines of the communists 
 and socialists on the one hand, and the private property 
 and freedom of individual labor and enterprise on the 
 other. It departs from communism at a very definite point. 
 While communism would extinguish the notion of individ- 
 ual gain and possession in a reign of universal happiness 
 or good and remodel all existing rights, laws and arrange- 
 ments of society upon such a basis as would promote this 
 end, co-operation seeks, by working consistently with the 
 institutions of society, as thus far developed, to remedy 
 the social condition by a concurrence of ever increasing 
 numbers of individuals in a common interest. 
 
 Co-operative societies springing from this idea have 
 increased in number and in amount of business transacted 
 in recent years. Most of those have taken one of three 
 principal forms that ma)- be classified thus: 
 
 FIRST: Societies of consumption, the object of which 
 is to buy for the membership the necessities of life, or the 
 raw material of their industry. 
 
 SECOND : Societies of production, the object of which 
 is to sell the product of the membership. 
 
 THIRD: Societies of credit or banking, the object of 
 which is to open accounts with their members and advance 
 them loans for industrial purposes. 
 
 These three kinds of associations have attained marked 
 success in three different countries of Europe. England 
 stands at the head in societies of consumption ; France in 
 societies of production ; Germany in societies of credit. The 
 masses of laborers in the factories and other great works 
 of England have attained their greatest co-operative suc- 
 cess in societies for the purchase, and in some degree, the 
 production, of the necessaries of life. The passion for inde- 
 pendence in their handicraft has given France a greater 
 number of artisans who work in their own homes than any 
 other country, and their greatest co-operative success has 
 been in collectively selling the product of their labor. The 
 less abundant capital, and the lack of banks and other in- 
 stitutions of credit in the remote parts of Germany may 
 explain in some degree the development of societies of 
 credit in that country. 
 
 It will serve no very great purpose to give an elaborate 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 41 
 
 review of the history of co-operation in the United States. 
 There have been many attempts to install the English sys- 
 tem of co-operative stores, but with few exceptions, these 
 have met with failure. There may be any number of rea- 
 sons assigned for this, such as higher wage scales making 
 the necessity for co-operation in buying necessaries less 
 apparent in America than in England, but the reason that 
 suggests itself to me as having more direct bearing on the 
 matter than any other that may be advanced is, the un- 
 willingness of the average American to engage in an enter- 
 prise that does not offei^to exploit his capital. The idea, 
 though having met with many rebuffs, will not down. The 
 trend of prices skyward during the past few years, making 
 the cost of living a very serious question, has forced this 
 idea to the front, and another wave is sweeping the coun- 
 try. Especially has this been marked since farmers organ- 
 ized the Farmers' Union with education and co-operation 
 as the slogan. Attempts at forming societies in this coun- 
 try have not been confined strictly to either of the forms 
 outlined above. Most of them combine the principles of 
 the organizations of consumption and production. This is 
 very marked in those institutions operated by members of 
 the Farmers' Union. Authority for this is given by the 
 preamble of our Constitution, which says that one of the 
 objects is to assist the members in buying and selling. 
 The German idea of co-operation has been given but little 
 attention in this countr>^ outside of some of the cities and 
 towns which have associations based upon this idea to en- 
 courage and assist their members in owning their own 
 homes. Producers, and especially farmers, have given but 
 little thought to this matter which, to my mind, deserves 
 some consideration. 
 
 Combination among farmers for the purchase of sup- 
 plies has never appealed to me quite so much as has the 
 idea of combination for the sale of farm products. Not- 
 withstanding our Constitution states specifically that its 
 object is to assist its members in buying and selling, the 
 great mission of the Farmers' Union is, in my judgment, 
 to assist its members in securing remunerative prices for 
 the products of their labor. Beside this great central 
 thought all others sink into insignificance. This object 
 should be constantly in the minds of every leader, and 
 frequently be presented in a forceful manner to every lay 
 member. Unless we do keep this thought foremost, our 
 organization is apt to be buffeted about by every local 
 
42 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 problem that offers itself, and we shall present the ludi- 
 crous spectacle of a great Union being handicapped in its 
 ^ work by the members of one locality running after one 
 thing of but local importance, and those of another engross- 
 ed in an affair that has but little bearing upon the great 
 question at issue. Bear in mind also, that according to. the 
 principles of the order, the solution of crop marketing is 
 to be worked out along* co-operative lines. It is very evi- 
 dent that co-operative endeavor to secure this result must 
 take the form of societies of production, and while some 
 latitude may be allowed to cover some features not em- 
 bodied in this idea, the principles of this form must pre- 
 dominate. Attempts thus far made by the organization 
 to market farm products have fallen far short of co-opera- 
 tive ideals. A great majority of the warehouses and ele- 
 vators built, owned and operated by the membership are 
 in no sense co-operative. The success of some of these 
 institutions has, in a financial way, been indeed phenome- 
 nal, but the results have been those of a private stock com.- 
 pany rather than that of a co-operative institution. 
 
 The kind of crop, whether or not it is competitive, also 
 the percentage of such crop actually grown and controlled 
 by the membership are factors which must be considered 
 before attempting to formulate a plan for selling to the 
 best advantage. Most of the products of the American 
 farm are competitive ; that is, they are grown in other sec- 
 tions of our own country where the organization has not 
 yet reached. So long as the membership does not control 
 a sufficient percentage of a crop to empower them to dic- 
 tate prices, the object of the society handling such should 
 be to sell direct to the consumer, and while no more than 
 the prevailing market price may be obtained, the producer 
 will gain by saving the "middleman's" profit. The inter- 
 change between the organization in different localities of 
 such products as are grown in one section and consumed 
 in another may be made profitable to producers by elim- 
 inating the "middleman's" profit at both ends of the line. 
 The spirit that possesses some to demand more for a com- 
 modity from a brother member of the Union than can be 
 obtained upon the open market, should not be encouraged. 
 
 Such local organizations as are developing trade with 
 the consuming public in other localities, and are reciprocat- 
 ing by using products of other sections direct from the 
 grower, should be given hearty support. Nothing will so 
 impress upon farmers of all sections the necessity for or- 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 43 
 
 ganization as these examples of successful co-operation, 
 and the result of this will eventually be the spread of the 
 Farmers' Union into every section of the United States. 
 
 The scheme for handling these crops that are but slight- 
 ly competitive, or those crops over which the organization 
 may, by reason of their numbers, hope to exert a controll- 
 ing influence, may be more far-reaching in its intent. The 
 nearest approach we have in this country to a non-com- 
 petitive crop is cotton, so we may be pardoned for discuss- 
 ing its handling somewhat in detail, because it will be used 
 merely as an example of what may be accomplished when 
 the producers of any given crop are thoroughly organized 
 and equipped to handle it. 
 
 There is so little world cofnpetition in the production of 
 this crop that there is absolutely no excuse for it not bring- 
 ing each year its full economic value to the producer. Some 
 of the principles about which we preach so much, and upon 
 which our organization is supposed to be based, are equity, 
 justice and the golden rule. In keeping with these princi- 
 ples, the first step before beginning moving the crop of 
 any year, is to determine upon the equitable price. There 
 are a number of elements that enter into the calculation. 
 It must be considered in its relation to the entire social 
 fabric of the world. The demand for it as a necessity, to- 
 gether with the standards of living and general level of 
 the consuming public must have consideration, and a 
 fair understanding of these, coupled with a knowledge of 
 conditions which surround the producer, tending either to 
 diminish or increase the cost of production will give a basis 
 upon which to fix a fair valuation. The price of no crop 
 can be fixed upon what it was worth last year, nor what 
 we hope it will be worth next year, but must be determined 
 
 by its economic value this year. 
 
 * * * ♦ 
 
 The urgent need of vast sums of money to loan to the 
 membership who expect to hold a portion of the crop would 
 seem to show a co-operative society for handling the crop 
 should be a combination of the first and third forms sug- 
 gested in the beginning of this article — e.g. — a society of 
 production and credit. It does not follow that such an or- 
 ganization must have sufficient funds of its own to loan 
 its members, but it does mean that such an organization 
 must have sufficient facilities for storing and handling the 
 product as will insure abundant credit in the money mar- 
 kets. Our attempts to eliminate competition among indi- 
 
44 T^Hl!] FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 viduals by building local warehouses, was laudable, but if 
 each bale of cotton was sold through the local warehouses, 
 «o long as they remain as at present, having no relation 
 one to another, competition is as evident as in the days 
 when the individual sold at auction on the streets. Some 
 of the State Unions, recognizing this, have federated their 
 warehouses under one management, which is evidently a 
 step in the right direction. There are but two more steps 
 to take and the goal will have been reached : put these fed- 
 erated warehouses upon a co-operative basis and form an 
 organization capable of handling the entire output. 
 
 Co-operation carries with it an idea that seems to have 
 been overlooked by the majority of our members. To bring 
 the point out clearly, I shall briefly refer to those societies 
 formed for the purchase of supplies for their members. 
 Agents or officers are elected with full authority to trans- 
 act all the business, and the individual accepts the price put 
 upon the goods without question, having, of course, the 
 right, through the Executive Committee, or otherwise, to 
 investigate the books of the concern. In other words in 
 joining a society of this kind he surrenders the right to 
 barter as an individual for his goods. It will logically fol- 
 low that one who joins a co-operative society based upon 
 either of the forms enumerated, must surrender to some 
 extent his individuality. This is the key-note to the whole 
 proposition. Upon the proper acceptance of this depends 
 the success of any co-operative enterprise. It is useless to 
 talk about the co-operative handling of cotton or any other 
 crop, ai the same time allowing the individual to have ab- 
 solute authority over the disposition of his portion. This 
 surrendering of all rights to an authorized agent, with au- 
 thority to sell when and where he pleases, may seem radical 
 to some, but that is exactly what co-operation contemplates, 
 and whether or not we are ready for it, the membership 
 must decide. 
 
 It IS noticeable that organizations which have been uni- 
 formly successful in handling perishable products, such as 
 fruit and berries, for their members, have insisted upon 
 this principle. 
 
 The reasons for insisting that societies formed to handle 
 farm crops should be co-operative, are obvious to most 
 thinking people, but it may be well at this point to discuss 
 the relative merits of private stock companies and co- 
 operative companies. In the very nature of things the stock 
 company measures its success by the earning capacity of its 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 45 
 
 capital, and naturally expects to secure for its stockholders 
 all the profits that the trade will stand. A company of this 
 character, though organized by members of the Farmers' 
 Union, and for the primary purpose of assisting all mem- 
 bers, whether stockholders or not, in the sale of products, 
 has no reason to hope for the patronage of such member- 
 ship except as it can demonstrate superior ability for selling 
 that which it handles than its competitors upon the same 
 scale of charge, or can make sales for a smaller fee. It is 
 very clear, that the company will not, so long as it repre- 
 sents the whim of individual producers, become a strong 
 factor in fixing and maintaining prices. 
 
 To insure success in fixing equitable prices, and making 
 sales at a minimum of cost, every producer, or a sufficient 
 number of them at least, to control the bulk of the crop, 
 must be given a direct personal interest in the organiza- 
 tion. Many have held contrary opinions, I am aware. The 
 impression was at one time general that if an institution 
 was founded by some of the members, others would sup- 
 port it because it was a Farmers' Union concern. But his- 
 tory has clearly demonstrated the fallacy of such an argu- 
 ment. It shows a weakness in calculation when we rely 
 upon sentiment alone to insure the success of an enterprise. 
 We have omitted an important element — the individual and 
 his pocketbook. Little it matters whether a private com- 
 pany is operated by his brother members or outsiders, so 
 long as they remain independent and there is no concerted 
 action among them in the same direction ; he may be ex- 
 pected to buy service wherever he pleases. The Farmers' 
 Union started out to change the old order of things and 
 substitute a plan of its own. It has always been possible 
 to ship products to large centers, and secure an advance of 
 money pending the sale, but this carried with it no pooling 
 of interests in the sale. If we have any mission at all to 
 fill, it is to pool the interests of our members and sell 
 products through our own agencies. 
 
 Co-operation is not at all complicated. Its workings 
 are very simple. Necessary working capital is paid a fixed 
 rate of interest for its use and all products are handled for 
 a fixed charge. The stockholder's interest in the affair is 
 not greater, except of course, the interest on his money, 
 than that of a non-stockholder, who furnishes the commodi- 
 ty to the company, because after paying interest for capital 
 used, salaries and incidental expenses, and providing the 
 necessary sinking fund, any surplus is returned to the pat- 
 
46 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 rons in proportion to the amount of patronage. In my 
 humble judgment this is the only way we have hope to 
 enlist a sufficient number of producers of corn, wheat, oats, 
 cotton,, tobacco, or any other farm crop in an effort to 
 handle the product. 
 
 TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION. 
 
 At the last National convention of the Farmers' Union 
 the Committee on Topics, by W. H. Moore, presented the 
 following report, which was, upon motion, adopted: 
 
 To the Members of the National Union, here assembled 
 at Chattanooga, Sept. 5, 1912: 
 
 We, your committee appointed to arrange topics for 
 discussion, for the locals during the ensuing year, realizing 
 the importance of stimulating interest on important sub- 
 jects, herewith submit the following report: 
 
 October. 
 
 What can farmers do towards systematic marketing to 
 increase their prosperity? 
 
 WYmld it be wise for the government to fix the price 
 of farm products? 
 
 Of what value is the Farmers' Union Press? 
 
 The need for better trained teachers, better school 
 buildings, better equipment and longer school terms. 
 
 November. 
 
 To what extent are middlemen necessary in the distri- 
 bution of farm products? 
 
 What effect will a close study of the Constitution and 
 By-Laws have upon the membership? 
 
 What effect has corporate ownership of land in Amer- 
 ica? 
 
 Are the people in America powerless to control trusts? 
 If so, why? 
 
 December. 
 
 How has the organization already improved the farm- 
 er's condition? 
 
 Is it practical for our government to protect its cotton 
 and tobacco industry by government control? 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 47 
 
 What community of interest has the farm and town? 
 What is necessary to make the local meetings more 
 
 January. 
 
 If you have been benefited by half co-operation, sup- 
 pose we try one year whole co-operation and note results. 
 
 Has the alleged dissolution of the trusts accomplished 
 the desired results? 
 
 How can the American farmer secure the establish- 
 ment of a rural banking system that will furnish him money 
 at as low a rate of interest as the commercial interest? 
 
 What is the bes-t system of crop rotation for the im- 
 provement of our soils? 
 
 February. 
 
 Are the farmers an asset of the banks or banks an 
 asset of the farmers? 
 
 The need of conservation of our natural resources. 
 
 The need of bonded warehouses and elevators. 
 
 Has any investment paid you better for the amount of 
 time and mone}'' put in it than joining the Union? 
 
 March. 
 
 Are your boys and girls on the farm because of its at- 
 tractions and possibilities, or because they are unfitted for 
 other positions? 
 
 Who controls the volume of money? 
 
 Are there any trusts that are beneficial to the people? 
 
 What position does the farmer occupy in relation to the 
 high cost of living? 
 
 Is the agricultural press as it is now conducted working 
 for the best interests of the farmers? 
 
 April. 
 
 How may the public school houses be used as social 
 centers? 
 
 Who are more responsible for the success or failure of 
 the Farmers' Union — the Officers or the Members? 
 
 Co-operation and what is offers locally. 
 
 What sacrifice have you made to strengthen the Union? 
 
 May. 
 
 The importance of the Boys' Corn Club work, Domes- 
 tic Science work, Girls' Tomato Clubs and Farm Demon- 
 stration work. 
 
48 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 The advantage of local taxation in public education. 
 
 What is the best method of promoting civic pride in 
 your community? 
 
 What can we do to increase our lady membership and 
 how will it effect our locals? 
 
 June. 
 
 The need of rural libraries in our public schools. 
 
 Will representation in proportion to occupation be 
 beneficial to our government? 
 
 If capital has seen the wisdom of co-operation, why 
 not the farmers? 
 
 Why couldn't the government appropriate money to 
 improve our roads? 
 
 July. 
 
 The propriety of a Bureau of Information as to amount 
 of acreage of farm products, also amount of live stock on 
 the farm. 
 
 What effect has foreign immigration upon the future 
 of the American people? 
 
 What effect has gambling in farm products upon the 
 prices ? 
 
 Which is the best policy for public improvements — 
 direct taxation or bond issues? 
 
 August 
 
 Wliat effect will proper marketing facilities have upon 
 the volume of production? 
 
 Is the crop lien beneficial or detrimental to the welfare 
 of the farmer? 
 
 In what way are we benefited by the use of agriciul- 
 tural text books in our public schools? 
 
 How can I manage to adopt a cash system? 
 
 September. 
 What does the Farmers' Union offer to the tenant? 
 Is the use of a low grade cotton seed meal as made 
 now by most mills as economical as the higher grade man- 
 ufactured heretofore? 
 
 What effect will personal letters to legislators and con- 
 gressmen have on legislation? 
 
 What is the most practical plan to abolish the tenant 
 system ? 
 
 W. H. MOORE, Chairman. 
 JOHN McKINNEY, 
 M. S. KNIGHT. 
 
CO-OPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA 4& 
 
 OFFICIAL DIRECTORY, YEAR 1912-13. 
 
 National Union. 
 
 President — Charles S. Barrett, Union City, Georgia. 
 Vice-President — J. D. Brown, Arlington, Oregon. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — A. C. Davis, Rogers, Arkansas. 
 
 Board of Directors. 
 
 Chairman — L. M. Rhodes, Huntington, Tenn. 
 Secretary — O. F. Dornblaser, Cleburne, Texas. 
 ]\.Iembers — P. W. Cox, Colfax, Washington. 
 
 C. C. Wright,- Hunting Creek, North Carolina. 
 
 T. J. Douglass, Kennett, Missouri. 
 
 STATE DIVISIONS. 
 
 Alabama. 
 
 President— O, P. Ford, McFall. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — T. J. Kennedy, Birmingham. 
 
 Arkansas. 
 
 President — H. S. Mobley. Prairie Grove. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — J. B. Paine, Russelville. 
 
 California. 
 President — Wm. McNaught, Morgan Hill. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — ^Fred IMillard, Los Gatos. 
 
 Colorado. 
 
 President — Fred Gaylord, Riffle. 
 
 Secretary-Treasurer — R. M. Winston, 357 Railway Ex- 
 change Building, Denver. 
 
 Business Agent — Louis Roether, 357 Railway Exchange 
 ^Building, Denver. 
 
 Florida. 
 President — M. S. Knight, Lake City. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — R. M. Bush, Jennings. 
 
 Georgia. 
 President — I. A. Smith, Tennillc. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — ^Tohn T. McDaniel, Union City. 
 
 Indiana. 
 
 President — W. H. Brown, Spencer. 
 
 Secretary-Treasurer — Stanton Johnson, Vincennes, R. F. 
 D. No. 3. 
 
50 THE FARMERS' EDUCATIONAL AND 
 
 Kansas. 
 
 President — M. McAiiliffe, Salina. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — E. B. RoacUiouse, Osborne. 
 
 Kentucky. 
 President — L. Thomas, Melber. 
 Secretary-Treasurer-— R. L. Barnelt, J'aducah. 
 
 Louisiana. 
 President— I. N. McCollister, Many. 
 Secretary-Treasurer— Miss Minnie Carron, Eunice. 
 
 Mississippi. 
 President — T. W. Carter, Jackson. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — Miss Emma W. Smith, Jackson. 
 
 Missouri. 
 President — E. W. Solomon, Bernie. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — Elmer E. Clinton, Steelville. 
 
 North Carolina. 
 President — H. Q. Alexander, Matthews. 
 Secretary -Treasurer — E. C. P'aires, Aberdeen. 
 Business Agent — J. R. Rives, Sanford. 
 
 Oklahoma. 
 President — O. W. Taylor, Roff. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — J. O. Butler, Walter. 
 
 Oregon. 
 President — A. V. Swift, Baker. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — V . A. Sikes, Miltpn. 
 
 South Carolina. 
 President— E. W. Dabbs, Mayesville, R. E, D. No. 1. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — J. Whitner Reid, Columbia. 
 
 Tennessee. 
 President — L. M. Rhodes, Huntingdon. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — C. W. Brooks, At wood. • 
 
 Business Agent — W. R. Arnold, Pinson. 
 
 Texas. 
 President — Peter Radford, Port Worth, ]^)Ushong Bldg. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — C. Smith, Et. Worth, Bushong Bldg. 
 
 Virginia.. 
 President — D. M. Gannaway, Guinea Mills. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — D. M. Blankinship, Naruna, 
 
 Washington. 
 President — L. C. Crow, Pullman. 
 Secretary-Treasurer — A. D. Cross, St. Andrews. 
 Business Agent — C. W. Nelson, Seattle. 
 
INDEX 
 
 Newt Gresham (Engraving-) 8 
 
 Charles S. Barrett (Engraving) 5 
 
 A, C. Davis (Engraving) 7 
 
 Preface, by Secretary A. C. Davis 9 
 
 What It Is, and What It Is Doing 11 
 
 Footprints of the Ages, by T. J. Brooks 32 
 
 The Farmers' Union and Legislation 14 
 
 National Legislation 16 
 
 State Legislation Requested 16 
 
 State Unions and Legislation 17 
 
 Alabama 17 
 
 Arkansas 17 
 
 California 18 
 
 Colorado '. . 18 
 
 Florida 19 
 
 Georgia > 19 
 
 Kentucky 20 
 
 Louisiana 20 
 
 Mississippi 21 
 
 North Carolina 21 
 
 South Carolina 21 
 
 Tennessee . 22 
 
 Texas ' 22 
 
 Washington 23 
 
 Agricultural Progress Comparison, by T. J. Brooks 28 
 
 What We Have Done and Are Doing: 
 
 In the Cotton Belt "... \ 24 
 
 In the Tobacco Belt 26 
 
 In the Grain Belt 27 
 
 In a Variety of Things 20 
 
 By States .' 30 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Article by Secretary A. C. Davis 39 
 
 Topics for Discussion .- 40 
 
 Official Directory, 1912-13 •. . .48 
 
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