New-York tribune., 1868-06-04
COOPERATION.
PRACTICAL HINTS.

classes omitted TO mention the TACT that the mon
led and fashionable dlcTs of London have, within
these last few months, adopted the principle, with
view to secure cheapness their provisions and also
that the principle has been applied in the formation of
middle-class and even arstocratc clubs, and work
ingmcn's clubs are, as a matter of course all CO.
operative institutions, and vast amount of good
they are doing. BY their agency, wOrkingman can
for two cents per week go into Teading-TOOm well
stocked with English and foreign papers and all the
leading magazines. He have the use of splendid
library; he If he prefers play at chess draughs'
dOmnocs, billiards, bagatee. &c; he can go INTO
separate room to smoke, or talk; he can attenu
classes for singing. reading, writing arithmetic
drawing or discussion; he can take part III noiu
sports; hc procure cup Of tea OF coHee io'
cents dinner for 10 tea for the sahe' uo can oC
almost everything but sleep; and many thouSanuS VI
workingmen avail themselves of these institutions
TO spend their nights in, instead OF resorhg 10 ,no
public houses or moro disreputablc places for that
relaxation which even home. with all It's charmed
associations cannot afford to overtaNed labor
Suppose there to be a desire on the part OF few
earnest men 10 make start, would suggest as 'he
wisest plan the calling of public meeting Select
for a chairman man with wellearned reputation
for philanthropy, and who is above suspicion; let
your speakers be- chosen from all classes OF society
men who understand the political as well as the
social and domestic bearings OF the question: ouo-
nit resolutions to the meeting in favor OF the lorna
tion of provsion-stores as an experiment-they are
more easily managed and can he more accurately
checked than any other. After the public meeting
take the Gnmes of all those who willing to JOIN.
Form q Provisional Committee for the purpose oil
drawing ND rules; select some solid responsible man
"a treasurer who has sympathy with the movement;
if such cannot be conveniently found, apply 10 some
of the bankers TO act in that capacity FIX the shares
at ten dollars per share let each member take not
less than five and not more than 2OO Let the Ia
bty be fixed at five shares, and extend over two
years from the time of withdrawal
Let the shares be paid by nstallments If the mem
bers prefer it, at as low sum quarter-dollar
per week but do not pay interest on these small de
posts until one whole share of $40 shall have been
duly paid up Get your rules printed and have their
legality tested so that there may be no after dis
nutes Let each member be supplied with a copy
and have bound up with them several blank leaves
to enter deposits and check accounts ln Alter you
have proceeded thus far appoint local committees 10
wait upon few houses each night, in various streets
near to each other to explain to the tenants what
YOU are doing, and try to induce them 10 become
shareholders. These stores are always better man
aced when the shareholders live to the place OF
business: therefore look ont for place as cen
trail as YOU can procure, for q moderate rent. II
vour success is not what you deem sufficient TO Justify
vou IN taking premises either large, or small
LET one of the members become temporary sOrekeeper
fora small consideration. When you have accumu-
lated about 500 or $780, go to market, and purchase
to the best of your ability necessary articles Of first
ratio quality You will at once perceive that you
have a large profit in proportion to the amount
spent Pursue this plan each week. and at the end
of the first three months without paying
A single penny additional into the store
at
ground Let your dividends remain in the store to
add to your share-captal. The canvass will increase
your numbers and the dividends will increase your
capital. until, in 10 months YOU may obtain 400 or
500 members. Then you may venture on renting
good premises especially if you give dividends to
non-members equivalent to the half Of the net
profits obtained the business; for this plan VIII
draw a large amount of casual custom to the store
will act as an incentive to them to join it while, if
they do not the profit you realize upon their pur-
chases viii help to pay working expenses and keep
your men fully and proftably employed over the
counter INSTEAD of entering into a book list of
the articles bought by the members, which Is a te-
dious process give them tin or metallic check rep
rcsenting the amount in cash paid, from cent TO
dollar The member keeps these checks until the
end of the quarter when they sent into the store
wrapped in bag or paper, with his name and num-
Der attached II You have spent $50, you Will have
$50 in checks and if the net profits amount to SIX
cents for every dollar you will have to receive Is as
your share Of the profits which you can either with
draw or leave in the store TO add~tO the amount OF
your capital already invested. This is trans
ferred to your book as so much paid IN, and
viii bear interest at the rate Of five per cent.
from that date. Great caution is required in taking
stOek.A A due amount should be allowed for deprec
ation especially all pershable articles. You must
uotesnmato tho value Of article entirely by the
invoice price paid for it, but rather by its present
market value. Then there must be a small sum al
ways added to the fixed stock account which is con
stantly wearing away. The preliminary expense Of
opening store may be spread over term Of years
if Thought prudent. This is perfectly just method
to pursue. and is quito sound in principle as it is
almost universal in practice. Allow every member
to participate in the benefits Of this Society who has
paid the entrance-fee and kept up his weekly sub
soription / know who joined store. lie
paid is. 3d. entrance fee, and six cents per week.
which is1Ss per annum. AT the end Of five years. he
had paid toward his full share Of f5 eS SIS. Cd. lie
was alarge purchaser, and allowed his dividends to
accumulate; Mt the expiration Of five years he had
made clear profit Of $780, exclusive Of the interest
simple and compound, which was added to his capi-
tall His entire legal risk was only f5, and it would
take him, at 3D., six cents weekly, nearly eight
years to pay il, during which time he was TeapiDg
profit Of from 500 to $780, You must also, If you
wish 10 realize the full benefits of coOp-i
Grafton, purchase your own premises as speed
uy as possible Landlords raise the rent
,f " Their stores with avaricious rapidity
No matter how mean the place you purchase, let 1t
stand on plenty Of ground. so that you may enlarge
1t. DO not mind about grand buildings in fashion
able Dorou phfares Yonr customers will be clad TO