CHAPTER XVIII 

 A FINAL TEST 



We iometimes had those little rubs which 

 Providence sends to enhance the value of its 



f * TOrf - Vicar of Wdkefield. 



WHILE developing co-operative purchasing of 

 farm supplies the pioneer business organiza- 

 tion of the farmers had continued its policy 

 of expansion in the grain business. The ideal of the 

 farmers had been to reduce to the lowest possible point 

 the cost between the producer in Western Canada and 

 the Old Country consumer who bought most of the 

 Western grain. By engaging in the export business 

 they hoped to become an influence in keeping export 

 values the price at Fort William, in other words at 

 a truer level. 



Prior to 1912 the export activities of the Grain 

 Growers had been restricted necessarily to an experi- 

 mental basis; but on January 1st, 1912, the "Grain 

 Growers' Export Company," as it was called, was 

 organized for business on a larger scale. 



It now becomes necessary to record a final test of the 

 Grain Growers' Grain Company inasmuch as it demon- 

 strated the mettle of the farmers in a significant 

 manner the test of serious internal disagreement. Of 

 all the threatening situations through which this 

 organization had passed none was more critical than 

 this later development. 



The trouble was a brew which simmered for some 

 time before the steam of it permeated beyond directors' 

 meetings. It began early in 1912 as an aftermath of 



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