THE LAW OF CO-OPERATIVE MARKETING ASSOCIATIONS

By John Hanna '14. Associate Professor in the Columbia Law School. Ronald Press Co. New York. 1931. pp. xxx, 509.

The preface states "this book aims to describe the nature and functions of Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Associations and to state the American law in respect to them. ... If, as seems not unlikely, incorporated agriculture will ultimately control the marketing of farm products, it is highly desirable that the essential characteristics and powers of these Corporations be defined as accurately as possible."

Notwithstanding the breadth of the above statement, this book is intended primarily, rf not exclusively, for lawyers. It is a compendium and discussion of state statutes, and a manual showing how to organize such associations, draw up their contracts, and run their business. There is thorough citation of the decisions on these topics. Thus the emphasis of the book is strongly on the internal aspect of such associations, and not on their relations to the government, to the public, or to the individual, be he consumer or competitor. The very important constitutional case of Frost vs. Corporation Commission, decided by the United States Supreme Court adversely to the Co-operative Contention in 1929, is dismissed in a footnote referring to a magazine article by the author, and the later case (1930) of Corporation Commission vs. Lowe, which looks in the other direction, is not even cited.

The decisions in regard to the standing of the Co-operatives under the Anti-Trust acts are satisfactorily, though briefly stated. Only a few pages are devoted to the history of the Co-operative Movement in America.

But for the fortunate lawyer who one day finds a group of farmers or dairymen in his office, saying "we want to form a Co-operative Marketing Association," this book will be absolutely invaluable. Some day Mr. Hanna will supplement it by one on "The Public Relations of Co-operative Marketing Associations." Nobody is better equipped to do it.