RETAIL COOPERATION 257 



therefore, obvious that with a proper system of distribution, 

 the entire question of production will take care of itself; 

 but just so long as the producers find it unprofitable to pro- 

 duce food, just so long will they have to figure carefully not 

 to grow too much, or it would be better for them had they 

 grown nothing at all. 



The reason why we have such divergent ideas on this sub- 

 ject is that so many people write about it who have had no 

 experience in farming, while on the other hand there are few 

 farmers who can state the case so the public can grasp the 

 most obvious facts. 



Finally, it is a question of the government doing what it 

 ought not to have done and leaving undone those things 

 it ought to have done. It has granted to a few monopolies 

 transportation and terminal facilities which enable them to 

 hold up deliveries and thus control prices. The remedy 

 lies in seeing that the government attend to its own busi- 

 ness, which is securing equality of opportunity for all, and 

 special privileges to none. 



It follows that cooperation should not stop either at 

 production or at distribution. It must embrace the source of 

 both, nor even stop at governmental plans of small holdings. 



As a business enterprise, combining philanthropy and 

 percentage, capital has an opportunity. 



Accordingly an option should be secured upon a large 

 piece of land not over forty miles from a large city, near a 

 railroad station. The transportation at first is not im- 

 portant, as the new commuters will make a demand for it, 

 and cheap autos will largely fill the gap ; it will improve 

 rapidly. 



If possible it should have a lake or a fair stream on it for 

 irrigation and small water power ; the soil should be examined 



