Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-02-05
CO.Operatlyc Movements In the Old
World.
Correspondence of the n. y. S,n

Correspondence Of the N. V SuR
HEIpEIBERG, January, 1869.
IHE operations Of German labor move
ments are so far different from any others.
That they may be olassed by themselves.
lhe Germans, tn whom cooperation Is n
new idea, endorse it in principle, while
they carry il out by n system so entirely
new as to scarcely bear an analogy to the
great corporations of England. In fact
the objects of cooperation seem reversed
Tho Englshman's initial motive is gene
rally to make money by association, un-
derstanding as he does the advantages of
companies on the joint stock principle
whereas the German is content with an
organization that will aid him in saving
nus spare earnings, Both are equally sue
cessiul, each system being conlormable to
the character Of the cooperator Alto.
gethcr, the most remarkable Of these
movements in Germany are the so called
I0rScdUSSrerCiHG, or Advance Associa-
uons, which are getting the more popular
cognomen of l'0lkS- BdnkGa, or Peoples
Banks. These exist in great numbers
throughout Central and Western Ger.
many, Switzerland and Prussia. The
rapidi'y with which they are gaining pop
ularity among the working classes may be
accounted for by their necessity. and by
the extreme simplicity upon which they
are established In Germany, people work
from seven in the morning until eight and
ten at night, and receive as a recompense,
from 90 cents to $t75. This looks like
hard-earned money, but, so cheap is the
living, That il the family to be supported
Is not large, the industrious workman may
not only have plenty for comfort, but may
actually lay by a few kreutzers weekly.
When there was no inducement held out
10 save these little extras, they went for
WINE ana other luXurles; but within few
years the peoples bank system has, in
many localities, been working u revolution
in this matter. The name of SchultZe
Dielitz, the founder of these banks is n
household word in Germany. and a careful
study of his philosophy, and its peculiar
applicability TO the German disposition.
proves that he merits his rcnown. | have
visited the Rhenish cities of Cologne,
Bonn, Mayenee, Mannheim, and Heidel-
Derg, IN which these co operations exist,
and find them all founded upon the same
principle, with nearly the same code of
rules and modes of management The
plan is like this:
There exist in certain town, say Hei
delberg, 100 workmen, including farmers,
shoemakers, masons, storekeepers, clerks,
etc. Each of them has his little ambition,
such, Tor instance, as that of setting him
sell up in his trade or profession. Now
these hundred persons, finding they can
never gain anything by individual efforts,
torm themselves into society for the
purpose OF raising fund. This fund is to
be the property OF the society, which is
conducted by twelve managers, elected
from the ranks in true democratic style.
Six Of the twelve managers attend to all
business transactions under 1000, the
whole number officiating only when the
transaction exceeds that sum The society
has also the right to demand q general
session of all the members in cases of dis
satisfaction. Now, the principal feature
OF this compact being TO get together a
fund, each member is taxed $50 entrance
money which is his in the name of the
society, draws four per cent for him, and
may be withdrawn at any time on his
resignation. A regular initiation fee of sew
enty five cents is also levied TO defray cur.
rent expenses, and the operations com.
mence. If 100 members each contribute
$50, there will be $1,000 in the treasury
TO begin with, upon the surety of which
at least $4,000 more may be borrowed of
some friend of the selfhelp movement, at
three or four per cent. The society has
thus cash capital ofS10,0OO, upon which
1t is paying three or four per cent. per
annum Experience has shown that the
members are not hasty in demanding
their loans or greedy in exacting their
rights all at once. On the contrary, they
patiently watch for good opportunity TO
establish themselves in business, and work
industriously in that peculiar hope
which assurance inspires. In the course
of time member applies at the bureau
for money. He wants $3.50 TO finish pay
ment ON his farm, To buy and build house
and lot, or II may be to start little shop.
The Board OF Managers examine his place,
assist him with counsel and influence,
hand him the money, and secure the 90
ciety by mortgage on the property. He
is thus actually supplied not only with pc
cunlary means, without which he might
have sunk the little he had, but also with
the kindest influence of his friends. For
the privilege of this money he is willing
to pay the society seven per cent. per an
mum, which goes toward enlarging the
working capital.
In the same manner every member is
allotted loan of certain sum sufficient
to establish him, and all pay the society
little higher rate of per centage than is
paid by the society for large quantities.
luC thCulutI nus tuc IlBuL 10 pay Ddck
this money at any time or keep il as long
as he continues to pay the interest Mean.
time new members are taken in, new loans
are negotiated, new allotments made to
borrowing members, and, as is testified by
experience, the society has always plenty
Of funds. II the society is fortunate
enough TO keep ahoat for two years, sue
cess is considered certain; and il is
through such an arrangement that many
thousand GermanE are yearly getting the
actual possession of their own business
and their own homes. Actuated by the
example Of others, the poorer classes OF
operatives, who receive very small wages,
conceive also the desire % join, but are
prevented by the entrance deposit which
is larger sum than they usually possess.
To get this sum the German will work
with great bravery and diligence, denying
himself many Of the actual necessities OF
life. There Is great comfort In working
for an object and the really solid induce
ment offered by the Volksbank is suffl-
cient 10 make him redouble his energy for
time for the honor and remuneration
The system affords.
There IS a society Of this kind al Dus.
seldoft with $1,000 capital, 400 members,
and only four months old. On the whole,
1t Is new enterprise, which the last five
years has for themost part developed, and,
II nothing serious happens, bids fair 10
revolui0nizs the social condition of Ger.
many MEcu ANrIo AppnAO