Meeting of Cooperative Marketing Associations called by Relations Committee;

              MEETING CO-OPERATIVE MARKET INS ASSOCIATIONS CaLLED BY RELaTI UNS COM.  - MAR. 19 '32
Present:   Jos.   anderson,   Chairman,  Geoii   Stallings,  Mr. Bradley,  W. J.  Thayne,
Jesse W.  Hoopes,  Geo.  E.  Holt,  Wm.   a.   Shuldberg,  J.   W.  Gillman, J.   lt  Weidmann,
David F,   Smith,  J.  M. Macfarlane, Clyde Edmonds and Mr.  Kemp.
President  Stallings stated that  the purpose of  the meeting was    to try and get
together  an a general  agricultural program.    He asked Mr.   Anderson to take the
Chair.
Mr.   anderson briefly outlined  the program adopted by the Farm Bureau Board of
Directors  and also the program of the National ?8rm Bureau and suggested that
every co-operative get behind these orograms and help put  them over.     Said if we
were all working for the same program,  we 'f-ould get  somewhere.
Mr. Stallings stressed certain parts of the program particularly the advertising
program for the use of "Utah products,11 the tax program, weekly or monthly newsletter,     also  read the six points of  the program outlined by   the "Big Three."
Mr.  Beus  spoke briefly on the tax program.
Mr,   Shuldberg suggested  that we get behind a move  to have the   state  refund on
gas used on the farms for machinery that does not  use  the highways.
Motion Mr.- Thayne,   Seconded by Mr.   Weidmann,   that we adopt  the program of  the
state  and national farm bureaus in principle  as outlined  and that details of
cooperation be worked out by a committee-.    Passed.
Mr.   Edmonds explained  the co-operative councils that  are operating in other
states,   particularly in ^regon.     Said  they were very  strong organizations and
had  a great deal  of power in Washington.     Stated that federal Farm Board paid
more  attention to  statements of the Oregon Co-operative Council than to any
other organization.    These councils are  set up by the co-operative marketing
organizations of  the state and each has a membership in the council with a
representative on the Board.    The overhead is not great  as they merely have an
Executive  Secretary who  takes care of  all matters of   the Council and keeps all
the cooperatives who  are members informed of   important matters and  suggests
procedures.    These  state Co-operative Councils in turn have membership in  the
National Co-operative Council,    The Farm Bureau can take out  a membership in the
state co-operative council if it cares to do  so.    Mr*   Edmonds thought  it  would
be  a good idea to  set up  such a council in the state  of Utah in order that it
might  have membership in the national,
Mr,   Edmonds  stated he had another  appointment  and asked to be excused from the
meeting.
Dr.   w.  P.  Thomas,   told the history of  the cooperatives in Utah as  they were  set
up  one by one by the Farm Bureau and the struggle they have had to gain redag-
nition.     Said that when the Farm Bureau had decided to  set up these cooperatives
they had in mind two plans;   one to make each commodity organization a unit  of
the farm bureau and under its control;  the other to  set  each up separately as
an individual  and independent organization.    The  latter course was finally decided upon,.    This has been responsible to a large extent   to the diminished membership of  the farm bureau,   and that now we find it necessary to work out some plan
to get  these forces back again.    Stated he could not  see how two general organizations can survive in the  state,  provided an agricultural council is  set up,-
an agricultural council would be purely a business organization, while a farm
bureau represents all the interests of  the community and has greater appal for
the people.    The ?arm Bureau, because  of  its policy and principles would naturally be  stronger and have more influence than an agricultural council.     Suggested
that  a department be  set up in the farm bureau that would  render  the  same  services  to the cooperatives as an agricultural council.
Recessed for  lunch..
Reconvened at 2 P.M.
Mr*  Beus  spcke on the benefits to be gained by all cooperating.
Said we   should   ail get behind the same general  agricultural program and work for
the good of  the cause and not each one  try and out  over  a separate program regardless  of what  other agricultural organizations were trying to do.    Wondered
if we could afford to  sacrifice the farm bureau and set up a purely commercial
or business organization such as agricultural council would be.    If we  stick
strictly  to a business  administration such as the council provides,   it will
eliminate  those  social and community projects that  are the life of the community