THE FARMERS' UNION 239 



rantings of politicians" nor "the cultivation of the esthetic tastes of in- 

 dividuals," but only by "the application of practical business methods," 

 meaning, mainly, cooperative buying and selling. 44 



Information about the earlier business activities of the Union in the 

 western Middle West is fragmentary. But in 1913, Union-sponsored co- 

 operatives were operating in the states of Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas. 

 In Illinois, business associations catered to the diversified agricultural 

 interests of the farmers. Kansas reported eighteen cooperative associations 

 that handled farm products for Union members and purchased supplies 

 in wholesale quantities; they paid dividends that ranged from 10 to 25 per 

 cent. In Missouri, there were n mercantile houses, with a combined capi- 

 tal stock of $150,000, in addition to 125 smaller stores located in various 

 parts of the state and an unspecified number of creameries. 45 In South 

 Dakota, during 1919-20, there were reported seventy cooperative eleva- 

 tors, stores, telephone companies, flour mills, and creameries. 46 



The cooperative movement in Nebraska achieved more sizable propor- 

 tions. In 1917 there were a total of 75 elevators, 15 stores, i creamery, 

 and about 125 buying and shipping associations. By 1928 the number 

 had increased; there were 250 cooperative elevator associations, 200 co- 

 operative stores, and an unspecified number of cream and produce sta- 

 tions. Most of these were still functioning, even though a number had 

 fallen victims to deflation, inexperienced management, and the failure 

 to adopt cooperative principles. Their practice was to charge the prevail- 

 ing prices. At the end of the year, after paying the interest on capital 

 stock and setting aside a sum for the sinking fund, the profits were re- 

 turned to the members in proportion to the trade that they had given 

 the association. 47 



One of the first business agencies to be established by the Nebraska 

 Union was the Farmers' Union state exchange, which began business 

 operations in May, 1914. This business association was owned and con- 



44. 48th Annual Report, The Missouri Year Boo^ of Agriculture, p. 317. 



45. Farmers' Educational and Cooperative Union of America, What It Is and 

 What It Is Doing (n.p., n.d.), pp. 31-33. 



46. F. E. and C. U. of America, Supplement "A" To What It Is Doing (n.p., 

 [1917]), pp. 21-24. 



47. F.E.C.U. Nebraska, The Farmers' Union, p. 4; F. E. and C. U. of America, 

 Supplement "A," pp. 21-24. 



