When the Pool was formed in 1924, it had $40,000 in debt but not a chair to sit on at its first board meeting . In desperate need of elevator facilities, it ironically received greater co-operation from the line companies than from those that were farmer-owned and operated. Deciding to preserve its facilities for Pool and non-Pool members alike, the United Grain Growers’ rejected a joint offer to purchase from the three Pools but continued to handle Pool grain at special rates. The SCECo was also difficult to convince, only finally agreeing to sell in August of 1926.
“This elevator system is not passing out of the hands of the farmers of this Province. It is only being put to use in a wider field of activity. As an integral part of the Pool Elevator System it will help to serve a much larger number of farmers in this province than could otherwise have been possible.”
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| 1 | 2 Correspondence from Sapiro to McPhail 165 | 1 | 2 | 3 Saskatchewan Co-operative News 167 |
“I am absolutely opposed to buying the Co-op as I think we can get the use of their facilities without assuming such a heavy financial obligation.”
“We do not want to do anything that will hurt the SCECo., but we feel that co-operation with the present officials will be difficult.”
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| Saskatchewan Wheat Pool grain elevator 170 | The Saskatchewan Pool Elevator system 171 | The Saskatchewan Pool Elevator system 172 |
“In spite of the lukewarm, if not hostile, interest of the SCECo, the Pool was established as an organization for handling wheat on a patronage basis.”
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