LOCAL ORGx\NIZATIONS AND THEIR POSSIBILITIES 



131 



OBSTACLES 



But there are many circumstances which, in different sections, 

 prevent the development of these enterprises. In many places 

 co-operative selling has been tried and has failed. There are some 

 here that know what that means. These failures have been some- 

 times due to fundamental mistakes, and sometimes due to difficulties 

 that seem insurmountable. Among these are, first and most im- 

 portant of all, the lack of the true co-operative spirit — and that 

 means nothing more nor less than the work-together spirit. Selfish- 

 ness of a narrow sort is another. Far-seeing selfishness favors co- 

 operation. Lack of confidence in leaders has occasioned many a 

 downfall. Sometimes that lack of confidence has been justified, 

 sometimes it has not. Half-hearted interest is another obstacle. 

 Then, some downfalls have been brought about by true-hearted, 

 honest difference of opinion. Still another difficulty is of the kind 

 that has hindered the progress of one Erie County organization. 

 As soon as the association was in action, the dealers of the neighbor- 

 hood began to make good offers. Before that association was formed 

 the difficulties were of the gravest sort. Even though prices are on a 

 par, the growers seem willing to sell to the dealer, neglecting the 

 organization that was making possible these high competitive prices. 



In one of the counties of Ontario, an organization undertook to 

 buy fence wire, and secured exceedingly low prices. As soon as 

 these prices were known, dealers in the neighborhood met the quota- 

 tions and were rapidly undermining the business of the society, until 

 it was learned that the competing product was of a much lower 

 quality. This serves to illustrate the willingness of growers to 

 desert the agency that is responsible for the favorable prices which 

 they enjoy. 



There are some fields that are not suitable for large co-operative 

 enterprises — where the growers are not ready. It is doubtful 

 whether, as conditions now exist about most of our ordinary sized 

 city markets, co-operative selling is practical. We are coming to it. 

 There is no question about that. In the course of the next ten or 

 fifteen years, we are going to be selling in a co-operative way in places 

 that are unthought of now. Obstacles that have wrought ruin in 

 some sections are being overcome in others and will be overcome in 

 still others. 



