Fanrins, Saturday, July 12,1380 Letters To The Editor Dear editor; Unfortunately for all Pennsylvania fanners and for “Lancaster Farming” in particular Editor Curt Harler, has demonstrated a gross lack of understanding of co-ops in his editorial, “Independent dairymen need a voice”, m the June 21 issue. He is talking out of both sides of his mouth when on one hand he seems to sympathize with the un fortunate plight of the dairyman who does not belong to a co-op and on the other hand is recommending that they join together to form an organization (co-op) to speak for them His shallow understanding is illustrated by the three issues he raises First SB 1287, the non-co op farmer has to “live with the law”. He can count his blessings. It will benefit him as much or more than anyone - thanks to the co-ops and others who worked for it. Second is the truck bill Are his interests any dif ferent than that of any other Pennsylvania dairyman 9 Third - the “rough” handling by a co-op who notified a group of producers that they must join if their milk is to be marketed by them Mr Harler thinks that is opportunistic 9 It is only fair for them to belong in return for services provided by the co-op If they left earlier, it was probably because they did not want to pay their fair share of the cost of marketing their milk After making that decision, anything they get or do not get, they deserve. He then speaks of milk processors and dairy co-tips as if they are one He speaks of co-ops as “they”. Come now, co-ops are “we”, Pennsylvania, Maryland and other dairy farmers who have already done what you are recommending the others to do and that is banding together to do what none of us can do as in dividuals, and that’s the only sensible thing the editorial says But why organize another group to do what is already being done by existing co ops 9 There are several suc cessful co-ops with Penn sylvania members where most any farmer can find marketing services and an able spokesman for problems Those not belonging to co ops would do well to consider what more could be done if they joined with their coop neighbors and helped with their support, both morally and financially. I don’t think any farmer really intends to free-load off his neighbor and if he has the correct information, he would not. Lancaster Far ming can help Herbert W. Wessel, Jr. President Maryland Cooperative Milk Producers, Inc. Dear Editor Your editorial in the June 21 issue was one of the finest testimonials to the need for cooperatives that I have read in some time To quote from your last paragraph, ‘‘The in dependents would be well ad vised to consider banding together. Such ties may, in the long run, assure their in dependence.” May I substitute the word “sur vival” for the word “independence” 9 Again to quote you, “There was no single organization to go knocking on doors.” This is exactly why, some 60 years ago, dairy farmers founded the Inter-State Milk Producers’ Cooperative and other cooperatives Inter- State’s three thousand members have banded together for the very reasons you stress in your editorial - to work for their interests, and to do those things they cannot do as individuals This is the reason for the existence of cooperatives The members, in turn, must see that the cooperative meets their objectives Thank you for your timely editorial But, you raise a question Do we need another cooperative 9 , which you really suggest, or, do we need more effective cooperatives, with stronger support from dairy farmers 9 A cooperative is as effec tive as the members, through their Board of Directors, are determined to make it Lester C. Jones, President Inter-State Milk Producers Cooperative Dear editor To say I was disgusted with Pete Hardins ad vertisement m the June 28 issue of Lancaster Farming is putting it mildly. To such members of Eastern Milk Producers Cooperative that do not take the time and effort to read the Eastern magazine and also the newsletters sent from the mam office from tune to time, it would seem as if Eastern is operating by some big, dark secrets that only Pete Hardin “hap pended” to reveal I don’t think Pete Hardin’s “guts” is revealing any more secrets to us then what we have heard at Eastern meetings we have attended or have been told by news letters we received. I have a copy of a letter dated May 6, 1980 from the Secretary of Eastern Milk Producers Cooperative, telling us all about what he claims the May “Milkweed” revealed. Also concerning the wages “Mrs. Tewksbury the presidents wife, received each week” - before you jump to conclusions that it was out of line, be sure you know the facts and then compare it with what any other secretary would have been paid for doing the book work or secretarial work of a nearby milk plant The part about the clauses in the Leprmo contract, if the Co-op is unable to supply the contracted amount of milk as far as I am con cerned, I knew that long before the May Milkweed was ever printed more like about the time May 1978 issue would have been printed if Milkweed was around at that time That clause was by far no secret We heard that at the first meeting the Leprmo con tract was discussed I am wondering if Pete Hardin might have a per sonal grudge against Eastern Milk Producers Cooperative - like maybe he might have been formerly employed by Eastern and is out for some kind of revenge? If I remember correctly Pete Hardin also attacked Eastern through articles in the Farm Journal It seems to me some SMUCKER'S SALES & SERVICE We Have SR2 12 h.p. Lister Diesels, as is or rebuilt. • Good used diesel engines Install a blower fan for better diesel & refrigeration cooling. Longer life on diesel. LET ME BREATHE! WE ARE NOW ALSO AN AUIHORIZED DEALER FOR DEUTZ DIESELS 3 h.p. to 450 h.p. FOR PROMPT SERVICE CALL 717-354-4158 OR IF NO ANSWER CALL 717-354-4374. people are trying hard to tear Eastern apart and would enjoy seeing it fail, but if they succeed what would anyone benefit by it? I am not happy either about these costly assessment, neither is any other member and I feel certain the officials of Eastern at Syracuse are not happy about it either, but maybe if Pennsylvania had a milk security fund it would be different, and who worked harder & longer to try and convmce the officials at Harrisburg we need a milk security fund 9 I think if other co-ops would have worked with Eastern, instead of dragging their feet as long as they did, we would have had a security fund sooner L - fdrtniiuj RD #2, BOX 21 NEW HOLLAND, PA 17557 DISTRIBUTOR FOR: LISTER, PERKINS & SLANZI DIESELS M. Martin R 2 Annville Fj • New Sputnik wheels and parts We mount diesels on balers, crimpers, cornpiclcers, etc. i For lower cost per hour power, rely on JjsteSr) DIESEL POWER r 4 r 4
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers