Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1903 — FARMERS TO COMBINE. [ARTICLE]

FARMERS TO COMBINE.

Plane Perfected for • National Cooperative Association. Organization of the farmers of the country into a vast co-opera Uion association was successfully effected in the find meeting of the “advisory board” appointed by the convention which held e session in the Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago. The board, which at present consists of six members, representing three societies devoted to the agricultural interests of different sections, will begin a recruiting campaign among other organizations of a similar character, planning to enlist every farmers’ society in the work. According to the motion under which the advi.iory board was appointed, each organization which throws its interest with the co-operative association is entitled, while maintaining its distinctive individuality and membership, to two representatives upon the central body, called for the present the “advisory board.” Since the announcement of this intention nine other organization in tbe middle West have applied for membership. The headquarers of the board will be In Chicago during tilde preliminary stage, and the work of enlisting the sympathy of the nation’s farmers with the movement will be continued, with Chicago as e center, until the first of December, at the opening of the annual live stock show, at which time every society which has manifested its intention of joining will send two delegates as members of the board. From this number an executive committee will bo elected which will take in hand the working out of tbe details of co-operation. Fifty farmers’ associations are expected to be allied to the' movement by that time. The avowed object of the association is to regulate distribution, placing this function in tbe hands of the farmers themselves instead of the “middlemen.” This will make necessary the construction of elevators and warehouses throughout the country. Discussion of capitalization, so that this would be possible, occupied much of the time of the convention. State representatives or correspondents have been appointed by the advisory board in every State In the country to assist in the task of enlisting the farmers aa individuals and the farmers’ associations in the movement.