Some of the Pool’s more “radical” advocates believed that their organization could drive up world grain prices. The Pool’s failure to do so was blamed on its control of only 50% of all Canadian wheat deliveries. The argument over whether a compulsory Pool in Canada could influence world markets preoccupied farm leaders for 4 years but, forced into the courts by its opponents, the 100% Pool movement died in 1931.
For those in favour of a 100% compulsory Pool, the evils of speculation could be overcome through co-operation and hard work.
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| Anti-pool cartoon 173 | Anti-pool cartoon 174 |
“But what is the matter with the poor fool farmer? Now he is opposed to 100% control of his produce. The only salvation, he is trying to kill (…) I think the farmers have to start from business men, and before the farmer will do that he has to starve. So God help us."
Andrew Nyquist, Pike’s Peak, SK, nd.
The 100% Pool was a contentious issue amongst producers, dividing even the Pool leadership.
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| Telegram from R.B. Evans to Aaron Sapiro, 1931. 175 |
“At the delegates’ meeting in November, 1928, the demands for a compulsory pool were more insistent.”
“The agitators want the non-Pool man’s rights to sell his own wheat in his own way taken away from him. They also want the rights of the Pool member taken away from him (…) They are tired of a Pool. They want a Puddle!”
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| Public Meeting Notice 176 |
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| Anti-pool cartoon 177 |
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| Advertisement 178 | 1 | 2 Correspondence from Maclean to Robertson 179 |
“If you have 100% Pool, there is far less danger of harm from mediocre heads. There will be no clever competition in Canada to cut the ground from under your feet and to help build up a financial or commercial situation in opposition. Even second-rate men might be able to do well with a great 100% Pool (…) I support without any reservation the plan for a 100% Pool by co-operation supplemented by legislation.”
“I was greatly disappointed with the apparent support in the meeting for a compulsory pool. It will kill the organization if it becomes the policy of the pool to seek compulsory legislation.”
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