Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-08-31
Cooperation.

Inc cooperative principle has been so fre.
thought tnas the general M features @ wnsen % dis. s.
tingutsh the system would be so well under
stood that II would be a work OF supereroga.
tlon to refer to the subject. But although
information upon this subject ls extending,
there is yet sufficient ignorance among per.
sons who might avail themselves OF the co.
operative plan with advantage, to justify
further references to the peculiarites Of this
method Of sharing among many the benefits
which, by the usual business arrangements
that prevail in society, are confined TO q few.
The co. operative principle proposes to give to
consumers the profits which are taken from
them BY numerous middlemen who intervene
between them and the producer Where such
system is carried ont it has an effect in re-
duc'ng the prices and furnishing to the men,
oers OF the associations the supplies which
they need upon the most favorable terms. One
OF these societies, lately established 10 New
Illustration OF the plan. 1t is called :. The
First Manhattan Cooperative Grocery and
PROVISION Association" and is intended to in
clnde among the articles furnished, coat and
wood, SO that. with the exception Of clothing,
the me mbers may be supplied with almost
everything embraced within the usual mean
ing OF the word :. necessaries."
The object is to be gained by purchasing at
the lowest price for cash, by selling to the
members at rates somewhat In advance Of co It.
but, nevertheless, more reasonable than the
ordinary prices Of dealers, and to divide the
plohts among the members Of the association
IN ratio to their pure bases, which may be done
by payment of the dividend in cash, or in
goods, or by placing the amount TO the capital.
stock Of the members 10 become member,
subscription to the stock, which is divided into
one thousand shares, Of five dollars each, is
necessary The subscriber may take any
number OF shares, not exceeding thirty. The
mooe OF payment was at first intended to be
by weekly payments Of one dollar on each
share, until the whole amount was paid in,
out, by subsequent arrangement, it was de.
clded that it should be Eve per cent weekly on
each snare. Members who wish to withdraw
from the association, can take out their capital,
less twenty five per cent; this regulation be-
ing made in order to prevent sudden break.
ing up OF the association by the withdrawal of
many members. But for the benefit Of the
families OF members who die, there is stipu-
latlon mat the widow and survivors shall be
repaid the whole amount Of the share of the
decedent whom they represent. TIE direc-
tors also have right to compel persons who
remove from the city Of New York. and there
fore, cease to participate in the working of the
association BY purchasing, to Withdraw their
shares. which. otherwise, would become in
restments, earning dividends from the dealings
OF others with the association, to which the
owners Of such unused rights would contri.
butte nothing
This society does not seem to be a very large
one In its operations. a capital of five thou
sand dollars is but small one, but it is believed
TO be sufflclent to supply the workingmen, who
are engaged in the association, W ith all thew
over. and it must increase by iud,cious man.
aRement rapidly. The RochdaIe Cooperative
association OF Great Britain, the pioneer in
this movement, was started in 1si3 with far
less capital. the whole stock which the original
members clubbed together being S1iO, vet upon
that small beginning the society has increased
SO much that it now does a business of over a
million Of dollars year, and has many thou
sand mem bers who participate in the adyan-
tages of the plan. For workingmen, this sys.
tenn may be made available. so as to reduce the
annual expenses OF supporting their families
to q very appreciative degree, teaching them at
the same time the advantages of thrift and
economy. The system is one which should
be thoroughly understood and with earnest
members Of the cooperative societies and
faithful ofc GERS it cannot fail TO be success
ful.-Ehiladelphia Inquirer.