The saying that all too often we do not appreciate a person
or a service until gone is just as true as it is old. He have come to accept as
commonplace good roads, good schools, and many other advantages that were
something to dream and yearn for back in grandpa’s day.
The same is true of co-operatives. Only in this last issue
of the Progressive Farmer Dr.
Clarence Poe points out that there are a great many farmers who do not realize
their obligations to the cotton co-operative marketing associations. Says Dr.
Poe:
“Many take for granted the revolutionary changes that have
occurred in the handling of cotton during the last 15 years. Do you remember
what it cost you to market a bale of cotton 20 years ago? It didn’t just happen
that the trade is now handling cotton for a small fraction of what it formerly
charged. It came about as a result of the competition of the cotton co-ops.
“Now that the ‘water’ has been squeezed out of cotton
handling charges, cotton co-ops are no longer able to announce the large cash
savings to their patrons as in old days. It is perhaps accurate to say the
present value of co-operatives to farmers is not so much what they themselves
are able to do, but rather what they are keeping the other fellow from doing.”
True, Dr. Poe, true! And we have actual proof of this right
here in North Carolina. Farmers in some counties of the state where the Cotton
Association has not been active this year have written for shipping
instructions for delivering their cotton. Their complaint is that the market
there is not near as high as in other counties where the Association is more
active. Yes, it is good business for farmers to support their own co-operatives
and keep them active. The way to do that is to be strong, active members.
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