The Kansas Co-Operator from Topeka, Kansas • 1

THE KANSAS CO-OPERATOR. yDrighte Burdens are the lightest with many hands to bear. Pleasures ar ightest with many hearts to Published Monthly. 25 CENTS A YEAR. ,1901.

TOPEKA, KANSAS, 534 Kas. Ay. YOL.II. NO. 7.

AN IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE. Success To Tie Katy 81 TMr On Grail. Co-operative Grain and L've Stock Association a Success. Gratifying Report of The Last Years Business. Have 2000 Members.

WIIY PATRONS ARE PLEASED- The Association has Shipped Over 1,500,000 Bushels. Efficient Management and Courteous Officials Insure Success and Popularity. More than two years 8go the work of organization the farmers of Kansas into o-operative business associations for the purpose of selling their own products by their own salaried agents was begun. The movement met the approval of all the leading agricultural papers of the United States. After canvassing the field carefully a number of the friends of the new movement met and decided to call a state meeting of those who were favorable to such an organization.

A meeting was called and over 300 farmers and business men met at Sa-lina, Kansas, May 16th, 1901, andor-ganized and incorporated The Farmers Co operative Grain Live Mutual Divide Profits Among In Stock Companies a few Get Them all, During a conversation with the writer recently James Butler, who ia a leader iu co-operative thought and secretary of the Farmers Co-operative Grain and Live Stock stated very clearly the difference between mutual and stock organizations. He said the only difference is mutuals divide the profits among many, while iu stock companies a few get them all. Very true, and the world is full ef millions of good business men wke pay tribute to the exacting few. and this accounts tor the fact that the worlds wealth is so rapidly being concentrated in the hands of only a very small per cent of its population. It is because the people are unable to successfully co-operate and thwart this centripetal tendency.

The Aetna insurance company will soon erect a thirty story building in New York. It will be paid for out ef profits which have accrued to the few and have, been eontribnted by the many. A certain insurance man gets $7S, 000 a year. He is one of the few, and the many policy holders pay bias that amonnt. The steel trust is making a year.

The few stock holders receive this immense profit and the many users of that product are paying the bill. Twelve railroad companies made $100,000,000 last year only a few companies bnt the many passengers and shippers paid it. 3,000 banks made $100,000,000 last year. 3,000 is only a few compared with 79,000,000 people yet the many debtors paid it. All of this immense profit is wrested from the people by force superior intellectual force and much of it by fraud.

The difference between the twe systems is very plain and thousands of business men are learning to retain the profit on their own business by organizing various co-operative associations. Because they are given superior accommodations by this railway. How! Next time yon go east, go via the Katy and then yon will understand. One of the most elegant trains on any road in the United States is the justly famed Katv Flyer. Passengers for the east and south will always find it to their advantage to patronize the Katy.

In the recent official report to the stockholders it is stated that your Company has had its share in the, general prosperity attending tiie transportation interests throughout the United States. The gross earnings show an increase of $2,776,571.22. The expenditures show an increase of $1,363,154.24 in maintenance of way and structures and of $263,382.27 iu maintainance of equipment, with the result that the physical property is materially improved. I The steady growth in efficiency indicated by the latter deserves notice. The policy of continued improvement of the property has been kept steadily in view.

The long contemplated extension into San Antonio has been finished. The mineral branch is being extended eastward and Parsons will soon have direct connection with Galena and Joplin. The report as a whole shows the company be in good condition and that the first consideration of the management safety and efficiency in service. EXECUTIVE BOARD MET. Report of Business of Alliance Co- Operative Insurance Company.

The executive board of the Alliance Co-Operative insurance company met in Topeka, November 21st. All members were present W. B. Gasche, G. A.

Troudner, A. B. Smith, W. D. Gilpin and C.

B. Harman. C. B. Harman reported settlement of the loss of a granary sustained by G.

L. Reed of( Prairie Center. Mr. Reed and family weie awakened at night by a noise and discovered their granary on fire. It was entirely destroyed together with $92 worth of corn, flax and oats insured and two buggies, one wagon, a Beeder and all his harness not insured.

The granary was insured for $150 making the total amount $242.20 which was paid. Mr. Reed is well satisfied and will solicit new members for the company. Thos. Benton of Osage was paid for a 16 month steer, killed by lightning.

A. Wangerein, Vining, wind damaged house $1 50. Pres. Gasche reported no liability in claim of L. F.

Sivey. W. J. Koogle, Roxbury, was paid, aonse by lightning $3.51. J.

H. Mills, Burlingame, steer killed by lightning $38.75. H. L. Beasley, Toronto, claim re-nrned to be itemized.

T. M. Rice, Kensington, house, by ightning $5.30. Wm. Hamilton, Fredonia, steer filled by lightning $8.80.

W. S. Brewer, Almo, house by ightning $2. M. Nond, Wyoming, steer by ightning deferred for more proof.

C. R. Garter, Beloit, house by wind $15.49 and $1 for adjusting. A. O.

Merilott, Pamona, calf by lghtniDg deferred for proof. O. H. Linniger, Lyndon, cow by ightniDg $25. M.

F. Dnecy, Galesburg, 1 steer filled, 1 injured and heifer killed 464. A. Wrample, Yates Center, cow by ightning deferred for proof. Wm.

Campbell, Bronson, steer by ightning allowed. After allowance of regular expense bills, adj us' ing etc, board adjourned about 10 p. m. ROTES. Miss Holmes of Topeka assisted Secretary Gilpin in the office several days this month.

R. H. Irons of McPherson, Vice President of the company sat with the executive board and contributed material aid in settling complicated claims. One director filed an expense bill incurred going to Topeka to attend directors meeting not knowing that there was no meeting. It was referred to directors.

Joseph Hummerickhouse a prominent member of the company from Madison visited the executive board meeting. W. Steeper the all ronnd fraternal promoter from McLouth was welcomed at headquarters. M. F.

Duecy of Kansas City attended and made final proofs of his loss and was promptly paid. rangements with the W. T. Redmon Grain of Kansas City, Missouri, to handle the business. From thubeginqing of our association work, our only enemy has been the Kansas Grain Dealers Association, who have fought us at every step forward we have taken.

We have had the satisfaction of convicting the secretary of that association, E. J. Smiley, of illegal practice un der the anti-trust law of that state, and in one case he received a sentence of three months in the county jail and a fine of $500, which brands the Grain Dealers association as a Trust. The farmers have all power in their hands if they will only use it intelligently and justly. It is bping demonostrated that they are equal to the emergency in this state, and other states will soon be keeping step with ns in this work.

James Butler, Secy. McCoubrie Says It Is Good. N. S. McCoubrie, of Woodson County, was deputy under that fam ous and fearless man, of and for the people, the Honorable Webb McNall.

Acting in this capacity. Mr. McCoubrie became familiar with the operation of all the Insurance Companies doing business in the state. This being the case, his opinions on iusurance matters are of considerable value to all Kansans who are interested in insurance. It is said that practice is worth more than precept, and no doubt it IS.

Where no personal interest is at stake, one may say to another, that this thing is all right, or that thing is all right without being absolutely certain that it really is a perfectly safe and sound institution. Not for the purpose of misleading, by no means, but simply because the opinion has been formed that it is so. Mr. McCoubrie is a careful, conscientious business man. A man whose advice it would be safe to follow on any practical business lines.

being true as a generality, it becomes of double value and force when applied to insurance matters. At a recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the Alliance Cooperative Insurance Company, of Topeka, a claim was found on file from Mr. McCoubrie, for damage to his property by lightning. The claim was carefully considered, and then allowed in the sum of $25 00. With Mr.

McCoubries knowledge of the plans and practises of the different insurance companies doing business in Kansas, the fact that he has selected the ALLIANCE CO-OPERATIVE to carry his risk for him, is one of the best indorsements that company could receive. Raymond K. Tabor. Death has invaded the family of one of the founders of the Oo-Opera-tive Insurance Co. Death ruthless and unrelenting.

The end of all earthly ambitions, the beginning of an existence in the Great Beyond. Raymond K. was the son of Mr. and Mrs. O.

L. Tabor of Osage county. Was just preparing to step upon the threshold of lifes duties, twenty-three years of age having been at Manhattan Agricultural College for three years and one year more would have finished his course. He was a general favorite at College and was president of the co-operative society there an organization pf more than a hundred, members. He came home from college, sick and his sickness developed into typhoid fever which brought to an end this promising young life.

The bereaved family have the hearty sympathy of all. INDIANS TEACH US A LESSON. StockJAssociation. The Kansas Grain Dealers Association had been bearing very hard on the price paid to farmers for their grain, and many attended, to enter their protest against the workings of the Grain Trust and they had little conception of any practical plan by which they conld secure relief. The plan adopted was to incorporate under the laws of Kansas with a capital stock of $20,000 in shares of $10 each, limiting stockholders to ten shares each.

The corporation un-? tier this plan is in brief a state com- mission company organized by the producers for tha sale of their own surplus grain and live stock." The plan contemplated, the organization and incorporation of local shipping associations to act as auxiliaries to the state association, and more than 40 such associations have been formed, that are now conducting a grain business and the members hre getting the full market value of their grain less a small margin for handling the same. These auxiliaries or local associations take stock in the state association and find an outlet for their grain through the state association. The state association chargps the same commssion as other commission companies and from these commissions it derives its funds for pro-poganda, and work of organization. The plan has been very successful and the organization is daily becoming stronger. The state and local associations hove up to this date handled more than a million and a 'half bushels of grain, and have beert the means of compelling the trust to pay on an average, fully three cents more per bushel for all the grain bonght in this state than they would otherwise have paid.

The members of the association now number over 2,000 and they own and operate 16 elevators in the state which have been managed in a successful manner, entirely satisfactory to the members. Before the association was formed a farmer conld not get a car to ship his own grain and grain dealers had him at their mercy. Now the farmers can get cars without discrimination; this has been brought about by the work of the state association. In every instance where a local shipping association has been form- ed by the farmers it has proven a success and is the pride of its members. So successful have these cooperative associations been that it is now estimated that more than 100 farmers elevators will be built in this state the coming year.

BefAour I state association had placed client stock to enable us to cond A business in bur own name made ar- It May be Too Cheap. At the meeting of the Kansas State Association of Mutual Fire In-surrnce Companies at McPheison, the state president in his annnal address laid special stress upon the wisdom of maintaining an amply high base rate upon which to levy assessments to provide funds with which to meet losses and expenses. His position is certainly correct, and the present distressed condition of one of the fraternal life insurance associations with headquarters in this state shows that the advice of President Gasche relative to fire insurance would apply with equal force to life insurance. Had this life insurance association been established upon a correct and scientific basis it wonld not now be in this condition. Experience is said to be the best teacher, bat as often demonstrated, it is frequently expensive and sometimes a hard and unsympathetic one.

In the light of events, past and present, it wonld appear to be the manifest duty of all persons upon whom devolves the responsibility of conducting or maintaining any mutual or fraternal life or fire insurance, to follow the advice of President Gasche and provide a good broad safe base upon which to stand. This will not necessarily mean any increased cost, bnt it will mean safety. Mr. Dorr, whose advertisement of Duroe red swine appears in this issue of the Cooperator, has' recently shipped some nice Durocs to several states, two of them going to Ohio. GiveTheir Inheritance to Those who Befriended Them in time of Many things occur to the unbiased observer which render the story of onr boasted civilization and our assumed superiority over all other nations very stride and insipid.

Here is a wholesome and much needed lesson in gratitude from the Mna-see Indians Back in 1838 the Munsee Indians, then huntsmen in the New York forest, made peace with the United States. In consideration for their leaving their native woods the government gave them lands in Kansas. They moved west, and in their new home suffered the ravages of disease and drouth and famine. The white settlers elbowed them out of the way and a generation ago they moved southward. They fell in with the Delaware tribe and were received with open arms.

They became as brothers of the blood and shared equally with the Delawares themselves in tribal matters. Now at last the government has righted matters and almost two mil lion dollars is to be paid to the 2St survivors of the Munsee tribe in lieu of the Kansas lands once given them. When the Munsees learned their good fortune they delegated their chief, John Brown, to go to Washington to see the great father. Aud in Washington a day or two age Chief John Brown asked that the government pay the money to the Delawares, the Mnnsees benefaotort as a token of their gratitude fov the servlet of long ago. Old line insurance companies are mostly located in eastern states or in Europe, consequently their profits are all sent back to these money centers.

Just think of up-to-date Kansas paying tribute to the nobility of London and Liverpool for something that is not as good as the home product. H. F. Haubaugh, Concord. Yocae rob a Guccis 160 acre improved farm.

Address, Appeal to Reason, Girard, Kansas. if. I Consign hay and to J. A. Menefee Grain Co, Kansas City, Ho.

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