ANALYSIS OF TOBACCO GROWERS' ASSOCIATION 13 



that the solution of the problem lay in getting away from the exist- 

 ing system of marketing and in forming a cooperative-marketing 

 organization. 



On December 15, 1920, another meeting was held, this time at 

 Eichmond, Va. Speakers described the benefits and possibilities of 

 cooperative marketing, emphasizing those of a strong, centralized 

 cooperative organization. It was then decided to submit to the 

 farmers of the three States at mass meetings proposals for the for- 

 mation of such an association to handle the flue-cured, dark-fired, 

 and sun-cured tobacco. These mass meetings were held at Lynch- 

 burg, Va., Kaleigh, N. C, and Florence, S. C. Amid a great deal of 

 enthusiasm, engendered by the hopes of the growers and the opti- 

 mism of the speakers, plans were made to obtain the signatures of 

 enough farmers to the contracts to make the organization effective. 



Many prominent and influential men lent their assistance either 

 directly or indirectly to the organization campaign. Among them 

 were editors of farm and daily papers, State and county agricul- 

 tural leaders, doctors, lawyers, bankers, and others who understood 

 the economic situation of the tobacco grower and its consequent effect 

 upon the prosperity of the area. Probably some of these men were 

 unduly enthusiastic and optimistic about the possibilities of a tobacco 

 cooperative, but there is no doubt as to their sincerity and good 

 intentions. 



MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN 



Before the association could be formed, it was necessary that pros- 

 pective members should sign an agreement providing for its forma- 

 tion with the provision that this agreement should be in effect if 

 signed by growers representing at least one-half of the aggregate 

 1920 tobacco production of Virginia, North Carolina, and South 

 Carolina by January 1, 1922. These agreements were not binding 

 if this required 50 per cent sign-up was not obtained. Sufficient 

 members in time to organize the association were not obtained, how- 

 ever, to handle the 1921 crop as had been planned if the sign-up was 

 large enough by the summer of 1921. The membership campaign 

 was continued, and by January, 1922, over 64,000 farmers had signed 

 contracts which presumably pledged about 57 per cent of the esti- 

 mated production, on the basis of the 1920 crop, of flue-cured, dark- 

 fired, and sun-cured tobacco in the tri-State area. The association 

 was incorporated under the cooperative law of North Carolina on 

 February 9, 1922. 



The result of the State mass meetings was the appointment of com- 

 mittees to supervise the membership campaign in 'the three States. 

 Somewhat different methods of obtaining members were followed in 

 the different areas; these different methods were later reflected in 

 membership loyalty. 



In Virginia a man was placed at the head of the State membership 

 campaign at a definite salary and with an allowance to hire assist- 

 ants. Mass meetings were held at country schoolhouses, at town halls, 

 and at other points where producers could assemble. These meeting's 

 were addressed by county agents, well-known farmers, business men, 

 and State or county officials. After the meetings many farmers vol- 



