The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-10-30
COOPERATION.

/ BoOT FIrrERs-In the clerks Office OF the
county court, yesterday, the certificate Of
incorporation Of 'the Boot-Fitters' Union
Co-operative Association" was filed. The
objects are to manufacture boot legs and
shoe and gaiter uppers Of every description,
and to buy and sell leather. Capital stock
$lO,OOO-divided into two hundred shares
Of $50 each.
The trustees are Robert Moore, Charles
OBJ. len, Dennis McSweeny, Edward Shay,
MN. Hughes, James Greed, and Frederick
Tompkins.
COOPERATION IN BRooKLYN.-During the
winter OF 1867, strong effort was made
in Brooklyn to form Labor Reform Asso-
citation, to discuss and bring about some
plan for the elevation OF workingmen. Ma
ny public meetings we're held, and several
lectures were delivered by Messrs Greeley.
blanchard and Hicks. From these efforts,
the Brooklyn Cooperative Building Lot As
scciatiOns took their rise. The first, which
met with much prejudice, having, in June,
1867, thiTtY-6ve members, and a cash capital
or $l,OOO, purchased an estate near Myrtle
avenue, and divided it into thirty-five lots,
the 81 900 being paid as the first instsl-
ment The members, mostly workingmen,
have bad no difhculty in paying their shares
In weekly instalments of 81 80, and al
though the cost Of the land was over $l0,-
OOO, they had paid on July Of this year,
$500.
The success of this society led to another
on precisely the same principle, but upon
much larger scale, there being 17S members
and lots. The weekly instalments are So
each, and the cost OF the estate purchased
was $35, 900. Although the society was not
formed until April, 1868, it has already paid
$I1 1,5OO. Society after society has since
been organized, until Brooklyn has no less
than nine sound Cooperative Building Lot
Associations, which have paid an aggregate
Of $64, 4,475 on properties bought at whole
sale, at $l62, ,205. These lots, which appor-
toned to members at cost prices, have al
ready increased one third in value, being
now worth $2l6, 6,305. A tenth, called the
Southside society, is also being organic 81.
movement iI under discussion, TOO, for
building houses on these lots on al immense
scale, aud upon the same cooperative prin-
ciple.
COOPERATION IN NEw YoRK.-We learn |
from the american artisan that Messrs. \
Brewster & Co., the extensive carriage manu-
facturers Of New York, intend to give their
employees an interest in the business. The
following embodies the essential points in |
the proposition made by the firm to the
l. The firm Offer to all persons in their
employ, in addition to their wages, share
OF the profits Of the concern.
2. No member Of the firm shall receive in
terest on his capital or salary for his ser
vices.
8. The exact portion Of profits which Ia
Dor shall receive is to be determined By a
committee to be elected by the sbop-one or
more from each department-but the firm
now thinks that this sum will not be less
than $4,000 per year.
4. person discharged from the employ |
OF the firm does not forfeit his share Of the /
profits, bot will receive the same at the end |
of the next fiscal year, provided be shall 1
lave earned 800. A person voluntarily 1
leaving their employ shall not receive his
portion, but it shall be paid into a shop
fund for the benefit Of sick and unfortunate
workmen--to whoa fund Messrs. Brewster
will contribute, during the present year, a
s9Q not less than 81. 600,
" Tug Mfm Out of tie profits promise 10 I
S9PhVy PuysiCAoug WuO Su1lL atb6Ou upon /
sne workman when necessary, free OF any |
charge./
6. Each department shall elect 'Board
OF Control" consisting Of three or more
members, who shall have partial control Of |
their several departments, und tske care Of
all property, public and private. The chair I
man Of the Boards Of Control shall consti-
tute Board Of Governors. A member OF
the firm shall act as President of this whole
system, and no decision Of the lower Boards
shall be deemed laws Of the shop until thev
have bis approval. Should be disapDrove Of
any decision, 1t shall be referred to the low
or boards for reconsideration; and, it again
passed BY them by twO-thirds vote, it shall |
be q law OF the shop notwithstanding his |
veto. This plan, except that referring to .
shop fund and physician, which takes effect !
TO 20 into operation at the be-
ginning of the next 6Acal year.