§ % National co-op attorney asks unity, action, cooperation
CENTERVILLE - A
united front and some solid
political action are required
if farmer cooperatives are to
continue to serve their
members.
That’s the feeling of James
S. Krzymmski, associate
general counsel for the
National Council of Farmer
Cooperatives in Washington,
D.C.
Speaking at the 16th an
nual meeting of the Atlantic
Breeders Cooperative,
Krzymmski traced the
history of the farm
cooperative movement in
the United States and told
farmers what he feels has to
be done to keep co-ops
running smoothly.
National Council of
Farmer Cooperatives was
formed in 1929 by farm co
ops so they could present a
united voice. NCFC first was
called upon to defend the
% xm co-op system in World
War II when their growing
size was pointed out.
Later, the Washington
attorney said, small
businesses charged the co
ops enjoyed unfair tax ad
vantages.
Today taxes, anti-trust,
energy and trade are the
prime issues, Krzymmski
said.
#
He said the 1978 amend
ments to the investment tax
credit laws saved $lOO
million in taxes to co-ops of
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all types the first year it was
put into effect.
But, he said, the benefits
do not come automatically.
He pointed out that
legislation such as the
Revenue Act of 1962 settled
the single tax treatment, but
noted that a change in
Section 521 of the IRS code is
being introduced to change
that.
He predicted continued
attacks on co-ops, especially
in the dairy field where
consumer groups and dairy
middlemen are coming down
on the provisions of the
Capper-Volstead Act.
“You can’t hope to suc
ceed against such attacks
without a favorable political
climate,” the attorney said.
He said this extends far
beyond Congress. The
Congress enacts about 3000
laws per year, he said, but
30,000 regulations are
promulgated annually by
bureaucrats.
While noting the overall
government climate with
respect to farmer
cooperatives is good, he said
much of that political sup
port is based on favorable
pubhc image.
He predicted doom for
farmer co-ops if their base of
public support is eroded.
While dairy co-ops
presently are the targets of
change, he said any co-op
could be affected.
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James S. Krzyminski, associate general counsel
for the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives,
told farmers that co-ops need to develop better
political clout if they are to survive.
“Any exemption from the
anti-trust regulations is
regarded with suspicion by
the bureaucrats, ’ ’ he said.
He said this is becuase
such exemption gives power
to the Department of
Agriculture and takes it
away from the Justice
Department or the Federal
Trade Commission.
Because of this tender
point of public opinion it is
necessary for all co-ops to
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maintain a good image, he
said.
The cooperative
movement in general still is
suffering from the harm
done by the milk fund
scandal a few years back, he
said.
He noted that farmer co
ops can work m concert with
other organizations and said
the NCFC has a fine
relationship with several
diverse groups, even m
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eluding Ralph Nader’s
people.
He said farmers should
build their political power,
and said the way to do that
was to support a politician’s
campaign financially.
He made an appeal for
individuals and Atlantic
Breeders to support the
NCFC political action
committee.
He encouraged co-op
members to bring their
directors to Washington and
tell the farmer story to the
legislators first-hand.
He said farmers should
contribute to political
candidates. It is the man
who gives money to a
campaign who will be
listened to when the
politician is in office, Kr
zyminski indicated.
He said he saw no problem
with larger farmer
cooperatives.
He defended the need for
LANCASTER - An
organizational meeting of
the Lincoln Community 4-H
Club will be held Monday,
March 24 at the home of
Elmer Boyd at 7:30 p.m.
"Projects available for
youth ages 8 through 19
"ASCS FINANCING"
P. E. HESS, BUTLER MEG. CO.
Box 337, Oxford, PA 19363
I’m interested in more information on Butler products
Name
Address
County
City
Phone
Uncaster Farming, Saturday, March 22,1980—A21
Lincoln Community
Club to meet
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larger co-ops and pointed out
that the seven largest far
mer co-ops had combmed
sales less than those of
Cargill, one of the firms with
which they must compete.
He said cooperatives in
crease competition when
they are big enough to
compete with privately
owned firms.
He said he had no fear of
cooperatives growing to
monopoly size so long as
they do not abuse their
buying or marketing ability.
He said the Capper-Volstead
Act allowed such growth.
“Farmers’ cherished
ideas and obvious truths are
going to be challenged in the
coming years,” he said.
Logic, merit, justice, and
public feeling must be on the
farmer’s side so they can
obtain the needed political
power and carry the battle,
Krzyminski concluded.—CH
include: swine, capon,
strawberries, field com, and
tobacco.
Parents are encouraged to
attend. For more in
formation, contact: Elmer
Boyd 717/626-4297.
BUTLER
.State,