A FINAL TEST 221 



That this had been accomplished the shareholders 

 of the trading company were convinced. Therefore, 

 instead of losing their heads as well as this large sum 

 of money, they examined the situation coolly and 

 sanely, making up their minds that the loss was due 

 to the grain going out of condition because of the 

 unusual weather which had characterized the season. 

 No doubt the executive and directors had been handi- 

 capped by their lack of knowledge as to the methods 

 and manner in which the export business was done; 

 but that was to be expected and only by experience 

 could they learn. 



" Can the export part of our business be developed 

 successfully with a little more time?" asked the 

 farmers. 



" Yes, we believe so," replied their officers. 



" That's all we want to know. Write a cheque to 

 cover this loss, reorganize the Export Company and 

 stick to it." 



This faith in their officers, in themselves and in the 

 cause they had at heart was justified within the next 

 two seasons when success was achieved with the 

 subsidiary concern and the farmers were able to con- 

 gratulate themselves that they had been sufficiently 

 level-headed not to allow themselves to be stampeded 

 from the*" exporting field altogether to the great 

 weakening of their influence. 



The accomplishments of the Grain Growers in 

 marketing their own grain cannot be dismissed with 

 careless gesture. Their severest critic must admit that 

 the manner in which the farmers conducted themselves 

 in the face of the situation that threatened entitles 

 them to respect. 



