New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-13
COOPERATION.
HOW 1T WORKS IN TROY.
TFRou orr OWN CORRFSpoNnvNr

|
| Troy. N Y Feb 2-0ne of the first of the COOPER
alive societies established in this country was by the
iron-moders and foundrymen in this city, now nearly
three years ago. About year ago gave favorable
account Of their progress. and have come hither
again to See how they are getting aIong
| In commencing their organization, which was in
cited by the troubles arising from strikes they con-
trbuted what little spare funds they had and one, a
molder subscribed for 80 shares at 800 EACH Their
whole capital was less than 1000 while the number
of members was little over 80. Whether they were
likely TO succeed, indeed whether they would be
able to get any work, they did not know They only
knew that they knew how to work. Every man,
however, took hold with determination. A foundery
was built on large lot they had purchased;
| machinery was put ID, and they found q plenty TO
| do. From what can gather in my two visits con-
clude that they do not expect 10 get rich any faster
than their wages and the profits of their work Will
contribute to this end. Cooperation with them has
no marvellous or enchanted powers. Ii is simply q
combination of capitalist aud the laborer. What
these bring they want, and they expect no more
Within the last year work has so crowded upon
them that they have been Obliged TO mako an addi-
ton to their establishment, nearly doubling what
they had before and this they have been enabled to
do from their own earnings nor have they called
upon outside capital for a dollar. From Mr.. Mann,
the superintendent learned that there are now ~
members, abe-bodied men, all of whom are saving
money, and they have within three years Invested III
real estate, and III houses OF their own not less than
$4,000. They are engaged wholly in making stoves.
aud such are their economies and good management
that not only can they make stoves as cheap as they
made by the Old-estabshed fOunderies, but they
have profit besides. Hence, they take contracts
from such houses as Fuller, Warren d Co, who own
the patents of Stnars stoves The members OF their
society work ten hours day. and seldom is any
other help employed Their mOdeB receive. from
s. to g. stOve-mouners 81 and common laborers 81
n day. which is from 40 10 60 cents day moro than
is paid in other shops. Now, as every laborer must
bo stock holder, he will receive, besides his wages
interest at ~ per cent on his stock ana 1t cannot by
their bylaws be more while it may DO less but thus
far t has not been less. Then, If the profits exceed
10 per cont this excess is divided among the laborers
not among tho stockholders. What the whole
profit has been did not learn nor could they ex-
actly tell but each share, originally costing SiOo Is
now worth $50 .yp...,
BY special act of the Legislature no stockholder
is allowed more than one vote. can any stock be
sold except by the consent of the Trustees This pre-
vents capital from controlling labor; and capitalists
are prevented from buyng their stock and from get
ting control of the society. These provisions of
great importance. All their business is done by them
selves, no matter what may be the nature, and saw
their extensive set OF books rs neatly and well kept
rs III any large commercial establishments They
have large and fine office, and all their works are
in complete order a great SAVING is made in the
following respect: The parts OF stove are inter-
Chlngeabe, and each is cast separately Now, in conf
mon founderies, experience shows that larger num-
Der of pieces Of one sind will be cast and DO on hand
than is required, and IN the course of time the
emulation in the aggregate may become still larger.
Tie wOrkmen does not care II this rs so, and the pro-
prctOr does not know II until too late, when tho
excess is TemClcd. i'm this foundery the proprietor
and labOreT being in the same person. no such dis
parity exists. Ii rs easy to see that In other respects
ana In other branches of business, aud IN great
variety of details the economies OF tho cooperative
order over the order of hired help must be great and
in the course of the year amount to no small sum.
The bookkeeper and managers get no higher wages
than the laborcrs. Among the members are Amerl-
cans. Germans, Scotch and Irish, and of the last
there are most. They commenced rs poor men, and
although their capital has increased TO trile over
100000 and their number TO e. they still call them.
selves poor, indeed they are SUCH but by means OF
cooperation they actually getting the revenue of
men comparatively rich at least OF men who receive
the wages awarded To eXpcrtness and skill. -
AZ body. they would not be called temperance
men, STILL they attach importance TO temperance
principles TO this extent When menhbeI goes on
three six or twelve months, and If he should feel
agrieyed and want 20 settle up, declaring no Will
have nothing more TO do with such concern, settle
up II is, he can have his money, and lf no Is sui
moro foolish. and wants 10 make n clean sweep by
disposing OF his stock, very we'll his money, with
the premium attached, is counted out, and better
man is ready and anxious 20 step into his shoes.
Onlyone case OF this extreme kind hasoccnred among
them and he regrets his course to this day.. few
have been suspended but they hold To their stock.
Mono OF their stock can he bought though capitalists
are ready 10 take II ut an hours notice: There 10
nothing noticeable about their families, they lead the
eyon tenor of their way, each woman doing her own
work, but there is n feeling of general content and
satisfaction impossible Ia lind in the same number
among tho industrial classes where men work simply
prophet, is always sure.
That this Society doing WELL and that IL occupies
an honored aud independent position l received IN
evidence from the BUSINESS men OF Troy There Ii no
reason why men in other pursuits maynot do equally
we'll providing they will look upon cooperation as a
means for securing success through efforts to be
made by them individually for tho common good.
From tho individual every element must be derived.
and when each acts upon this principle success IS
assured IL is singular that workers in iron should
lead the way IN cooperation but unless there is some
especial advantage in tho business. model Is FUR
nishcd for all other industries. In the following
cities are successful cooperative iron-works: Two
more in Troy; one in Albany, doing n heavy bust
ness one in Rochester, IN Cleveland, one III Gin
cnnat, in Chicago, one in Louisville and ono in
Boston, ..rr. 4.
The health Of the Troy co6perativcs seems to be
eood-some are never sick. The following statement
may interest philosophers rs well as all who are
ation OF the descendants Of the Puritan stock IL Is
a law in this cooperation that every member who
has an addition TO his family shall give an entertain
ment 10 bis comrades and it is 10 be noted that such
an entertainment is gwen, on an average, once u