48 BULLETIN 1392, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
work exclusively with bankers and business men in furthering the | 
interests of the ‘association. A department of community programs 
is also provided for to give direct encouragement and assistance in 
the organization of rural communities. 
The uniform field-service plan is not in effect in its entirety in 
the different associations, but is being developed so far as condi- 
tions permit or warrant. Eight associations maintain their own 
rather extensive field-service or reanizations with from 6 to approxti- 
mately 40 employees; the Alabama and Louisiana associations have 
agreements with the farm bureau federations in their respective 
States whereby these organizations conduct or contribute to field 
work; the Mississippi staple, the Arizona, and the Missouri asso- 
ciations each have one man for this work; and the farmers’ union 
association depends on its parent organization. 
COSTS AND PRICES 
A thorough analysis of marketing costs is beyond the scope of 
this discussion, and ‘without such an analysis the publication of com- 
parative figures is likely to be misleading. Comparisons of market- 
ing costs are of little value, except for organizations rendering a like 
service under like conditions. Even then detailed explanations are | 
often necessary. One association may show a higher marketing cost 
than another, which may be more than offset by the price received, 
the increased expense being necessary to obtain the higher price, 
Comparisons of net proceeds to growers in different associations 
and to members and nonmembers are also inadequate in determining 
the value or efficiency of an association or of the cooperative-market- 
ing plan unless they take into consideration the service rendered. 
In some instances association costs have been relatively high, re- 
sulting mainly from inexperience in this type of enterprise, unusual 
expense incident to beginning operations, smaller volume of busi- 
ness than was anticipated, and inefliciency in management. As @ 
group, however, the costs under present conditions appear to be com- 
mensurate with the service rendered. ! 
Undoubtedly further economies in operation are possible, and the 
associations may reduce their costs from time to time without im- 
pairing their service and they may find it advisable to improve or 
extend their service. In any case the kind and degree of service 
rendered should be the basis in determining whether operating costs 
are high or low. 
In general, the cooperative associations, despite the mistakes and 
difficulties in their first few years of operation, have demonstrated 
many actual and potential advantages in cooperative effort in mar- 
keting cotton. Organized primar ily to render service to their mem- 
bers, ‘they have been, directly and indirectly, of economic benefit 
to the industry. 
o) 
