New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-06-03
cn-npER1TIYE HOMES.

The principle of cooperation has, In Europe,
been proven to be practical in reducing the
cost of living to the Nottingham, and pro-
portionally increasing the rewards OF his labor.
The immense economy which the consumer Is
able to effect, by saving to himself most OF the
profits generally realized by the retailer, is
worth far more TO him than any increase of
wages possible for him to secure; and the day
has already dawned which Will clearly show
the American laborer the infinite superiority OF
this remedy for his complaint over any pos
sible system of Strikes While inaugurating
this mercantile reform what need prevent its
extension to his home itself
The association of capital is generally sue
cessful when managed with intelligence and
fidelity. Even when abused by mlsmanage-
ment, the practice often results in general
good. And if it be wise for thousand men
to unite and furnish ten thousand dollars each
to build a railroad costing ten millions OF dol
lars, which no could have built alone,
why should not five or ten families unite to
build house, costing ten to twenty thou
sand dollars, which shall be adapted to the
wants of all, shall save them from the extor-
ton of landlords and the perils and losses and
anxieties of May -day, and create for all
useful property of constantly increasing value
The idea will strike nine men out of every
ten as impracticable because of our national
preudices in favor of isolation and independ-
ence But these prejudices, incident to a new
and sparsely- settled country, must be aban-
doned under the pressure imposed by popula-
ton. That pressure is already driving our city
families into boarding houses and hotels; and
the American character with its ingenuity and
adaptability will be untrue to itself if it can
not devise plan which shall at once combine
the privacy and independence of housekeeping
with the economy of lodgings.
In fact, the task is one of the easiest ever inn
posed. 1t is only to apply the principle of CO.
operation in such Il way as to save the profits
now paid to the hotel or boarding house keep
err and his landlord, as well as those wasted on
the retailer.
We will suppose five families, pecuniarily
unable To encounter the expenses of separate
housekeeping, and now filling moderate-sized
house as boarders. Each has its rooms, but oc-
cupies a common gdining-room and parlor, and
pays for the accommodation and for its board
a stipulated price. A sixth family keeps the
house, and out of the profits derived from the
other five secures an equally generous support,
pays heavy rent, and, in course of time, ac-
cumulates competence. And, after all, the
five families, paying literally for all they get,
have, in return, only the shifting and unsatis-
factory accommodation of boarding house.
But let us suppose these five families, know
ing and liking each other as neighbOrs, shall
form a joint-stock company and build them
selves house ample for their needs. or
course, its size and appointments will depend
ON the means and tastes of the association;
only it will be built with the direct design OF
convenience and comfort for the whole. Each
associate can subscribe as much or as little
stock as he chooses, and, if the joint means are
insufficient the balance needed can easily
be borrowed at low rate Of interest
on long time. The house completed,
the rooms, singly or in suite, will be
appraised at rates which will aggregate a sum
equal to legal interest on the investment, and
the taxes, insurance, and cost of annual re-
pairs. These rooms at these minimum rates,
will be let to the members of the association,
who will select by any mode agreed on, per-
haps by lot, or the purchase of the right OF
choice. The furniture for the parlors din
ing-room, kitchen, and other apartments, for
general use, will be owned 10y the asso-
citation; whilo that of the private rooms
each family will supply for itself. house-
keeper will be employed and paid for
her services, and allowed the necessary
servants for her assistance. A system OF
purchases will be practiced, which will give
the household its supplies at a minimum cost
the general financial management Will be
placed in the hands of the appropriate officials
of the organization; and all the inmates Will be
charged a fixed price for their living, so grad
uated as to give each the largest liberty OF
selection by paying for all he gets. These
prices will be placed high enough to insure
their meeting nj nypenses; and, at the end of
the year, all ssomte profit will DO divided