Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-10-31
To ADVERTISERS.
THE COOPERATIVE SYSTEM.

We spoke yesterday of the modern SYSTEM of
<'Mutual Relief Associations" and to-day pro-
pose 10 say a word or two in reference TO a
cooperative experiment in England, which
has attracted some attention. While the
generally comfortable condition of our work.
ing classes, as We stated, may not lead to
the immediate adoption of Relief Associations
on the plan we mentioned, yet the high prices
OF all the necessaries of life complained of in
England. are as nothing to the rates we are
compelled 10 pay here; and we therefore Law
before our readers some details of the English
cooperative system.
In the beginning Of 1S65, when the increased
dearness of living was pressing severely upon
all persons with fxed and moderate incomes
halt dozen members of the EngI ish pos. o..
nee determined TO try whether by buying in
comparatively large quantities, and dividing
the articles so bought amongst themselves, they
could not get supplied more cheaply than in
the ordinary manner. In order that purchases
might be made upon the lowest terms il was
settled thai all payments should be in ready
money The experiment wa. commenced with
tea, and the price was reduced by about a
shilling per pound. Other articles were pur.
chased In the course OF a month or two a
little society was formed. and after much anx-
Ious deiiberation as 10 whether the expense
could be met, a small store room near TO the
General Post Office was engaged Other de-
partments of the civil service, and eventually
persons not In the civil service at all, were adj
mitteu to the society. a regular committee of
management was formed; and by degrees the
society has grown ID the dimensions now at
tanned by the Civil Service Supply Association,
with large store. al which can be purchased
almost il not quite every article of food which
is not OF pershable character, as well as
most things which are required in house
keeping. Here at the present time upwards of
S1OO,OOO year is taken over the counter OF
tea, about $1,000 pounds wear are sold: eff
coffee, nearly 10000 pounds; of moist sugar.
100000 pounds; OF loaf sugar $4,000 pounds
OF candles 50.CCO pounds; of rice, $1,000 pounds:
and of soap, 10000 pounds. Members may
buy In any quantity SO long they pay in
ready money, for not an hours credit is given
even to the most influential. The prices at
the store are about twenty per cent lower
than the usual retail rates. But in addition to
the store, where necessarily but comparatively
lew manufactured articles are sold. there are
nearly one hundred firms in either wholesale
or retail business connected with the asso-
clatlen Prom the wholesale firms the men,
bers obtain articles at wholesale prices: from
the ordinary shops they purchase at a reduc.
ucn varying from ten to twenty per cent.
The association numbers at present more than
four thousand members, and has professional
men OF Its own, physicians, surgeons, lawyers,
tock-brokers, and architects, who have spe-
claI and low rates of charges for the members.
The finances Of the ass oeiation appear to be
In satisfactory state. At the recent half-year.
ly meeting it was announced that there was
balance in hand of about $1,000. or course
some capital Is necessary for the economical
management of the business, but the rules pro-
vide that any accumulation beyond the amount
require d for this purpose shall be absorbed In
still further reduction Of the price OF the ar,i.
Giles sold al the store
Ii is claimed that by this cooperative sys.
tenn the cost of family supplies may be re-
duced at least 30 per cent, but we think the
experiment has not been carried far enough to
establish that fact. The heretofore expert
ments in this way have certainly proved fail