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Container
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Title
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5/19/78
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Tape/Side
23/1
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
23/1
Time
00:30
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BALANCING INTERESTS OF VARIOUS MEMBER COOPERATIVES
: WAC concentrated on common problems of members, e.g., the tax situation and educational interests. No serious internal disagreements; WAC did not get involved in internal problems of members.
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Tape/Side
23/1
Time
02:50
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LITTLE FACTIONALISM AMONG DIRECTORS
: Some board members more liberal than others but differences talked out and no factions developed. Very few roll call decisions.
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Tape/Side
23/1
Time
05:55
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IMPACT OF REGIONAL COOPERATIVES
: No serious conflict over fact that regional cooperative associations didn't have voice in cooperative federation that Minnesota regionals exercised. WAC used one man, one vote rule regardless of dues schedule, revised periodically to accommodate cooperatives which had cash shortages or had suffered unusual losses.
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Tape/Side
23/1
Time
08:35
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EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN SOLVENCY OF INDIVIDUAL COOPERATIVES
: WAC advised cooperatives to limit personal credit to maintain favorable ratio of sales to accounts receivable. Referred financially-troubled cooperatives to Bank for Cooperatives if eligible, or advised merger or dissolution. Both Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and regional cooperatives had auditing services available to local coops.
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Tape/Side
23/1
Time
15:00
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LIBERAL IDEOLOGY OF CENTRAL COOPERATIVE WHOLESALE (CCW) OF SUPERIOR
: Originally a Finnish cooperative with some communist members. From early-1920's to 1948, communists attempted to use the cooperative for political purposes. Apolitical position favored by most cooperative members. CCW evolved to a moderate, liberal ideology.
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Tape/Side
23/1
Time
20:00
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COOPERATION BETWEEN URBAN AND RURAL WAC BOARD MEMBERS
: No ideological strife on the board; WAC urged labor unions to start consumers' cooperatives and offered to assist them.
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Tape/Side
23/1
Time
20:55
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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WAC AND ORGANIZED LABOR
: While Kyle was executive secretary, WAC and state labor groups (AF of L, CIO, UAW, and Railway Brotherhoods) had “friendly relationship.” Had mutual contacts; maintained neutrality in regard to their respective legislative programs. WAC offered to mediate 1948 dispute between a striking union and Consolidated Badger Cooperative, Shawano, a strong WCAC member.
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Tape/Side
23/1
Time
26:55
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END OF TAPE 23, SIDE 1
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Tape/Side
23/2
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
23/2
Time
00:30
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COMMENTS ON WILLIAM SANDERSON
: Sanderson originally a farmer, went into office management, later elected secretary of the Farmers' Union Central Exchange board of directors. “Bill was a natural leader,” had good solid judgment, and was a cooperative director with more business experience than any other WAC director.
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Tape/Side
23/2
Time
02:35
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WAC POSITION WHEN SANDERSON RAN FOR U.S. SENATE
: While Sanderson had many other connections and it would have been good to have WAC director in U.S. Senate, Kyle and others also saw hazard that WAC would become directly involved in politics. Some WAC board members had unexpressed feeling against Sanderson running as a Democrat.
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Tape/Side
23/2
Time
05:05
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SANDERSON'S SENATE CAMPAIGN
: Sanderson not red-baited; “he was regarded above that.” Primary campaign between Sanderson, Tom Fairchild, strongly supported by the Young Turks (former Young Progressives), and Dan Hoan, still a power in Milwaukee. Sanderson openly supported by cooperative-labor people, which wasn't enough. Sanderson especially handicapped by lack of name recognition.
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Tape/Side
23/2
Time
08:10
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WAC POSITION DURING WALTER UPHOFF'S GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN ON SOCIALIST TICKET
: WAC board not concerned because Uphoff known as a long-time socialist, “everybody knew he wasn't going anyplace in the campaign,” and he didn't have WAC leadership position held by Sanderson.
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Tape/Side
23/2
Time
09:05
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UPHOFF'S CONTRIBUTION TO WAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
: Uphoff respected as “a good, level-headed thinker with a thoroughly liberal and coop philosophy.” His socialist leanings meant a great interest in cooperative health legislation.
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Tape/Side
23/2
Time
11:05
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BOARD'S REACTION TO KENNETH HONES
: Most board members aware of Hones' abrasive manner from working with him prior to his election as WAC director. Respected by other directors but not a power on the board. Commitments to Wisconsin Farmers' Union and Farmers' Union national board resulted in irregular attendance at WAC meetings.
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Tape/Side
23/2
Time
13:45
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HONES' VIGOROUS ANTI-COMMUNISM
: Publicly red-baited those in Wisconsin Farmers' Union who opposed his presidency, sometimes with supporting evidence but most often not.
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Tape/Side
23/2
Time
18:45
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COMMENTS ON MELVIN MASON
: Kyle long acquainted with Mason, who was “a good, level-headed farmer.” Substantiated by his election to the Pure Milk Products Cooperative presidency.
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Tape/Side
23/2
Time
20:20
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BILL RABE'S CONTRIBUTION AS A WAC DIRECTOR
: Rabe, as long-time director, president of the Camp Douglas Farmers' Union Cooperative, president of the Oakdale Electric Cooperative, and officer of Wisconsin Rural Electric Coop, the logical successor to WAC presidency. Rabe's complete integrity and devotion to cooperative movement far outweighed his difficulty in expressing himself effectively.
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Tape/Side
23/2
Time
22:35
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COMMENTS ON JERRY F. SHEA AND LYNN PINGRY AS BOARD MEMBERS
: Pingry, Shea's son-in-law, elected from the northern-most Wisconsin district, while Shea served short term as Midland's representative. Both good businessmen, largely nonpolitical. Pingry succeeded Uphoff as board secretary; later became a Midland fieldman.
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