ORGANIZATION OF PRODUCERS 99 



followed the same course there would probably be no citrus 

 industry. The cooperator has the fairness of mind to see 

 that if the whole crop is to be sold the market must be 

 maintained even when prices are not attractive, and that 

 it is no more than right that he bear his part of the burden 

 as well as reap his share of the reward. He realizes that 

 his own welfare depends ultimately on the prosperity of 

 the industry as a whole, and he is willing to make his 

 equitable contribution to the support of the industry. In 

 numerous talks with growers these ethical considerations 

 have come out clean cut and with an enthusiasm that was 

 refreshing. Not only do these cooperators adopt the prin- 

 ciple of fairness for themselves, but they soundly berate 

 those who seem not yet to have reached the same plane of 

 industrial morality. 



Membership in a citrus association continues only during 

 the pleasure of the member. As there is no pressure to 

 bring a grower into the cooperative relationship, neither 

 is there any pressure to continue the ties after he desires 

 their relaxation. This is one of the most attractive features 

 of the whole cooperative movement in California. Those 

 who have worked out the system have had the good sense 

 to realize that weakness and not strength would result to 

 the organizations if member-s should be retained against 

 their will. In these organizations the only formality to 

 withdrawal is the filing of notice with the secretary during 

 a specified period or before a certain date of any year. 

 Withdrawal of fruit from the association need not com- 

 pletely sever relations between the member and the associa- 

 tion. He may retain his equity in the corporation (though 

 not his voting power) and merely not avail himself of its 

 facilities. At any subsequent time he can resume his full 

 privileges simply by stating that he will ship through the 

 association during the following year. Some afsp^^g^y 



