Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-02-27
TINE COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT.

SOME INFORMATION CONCERNING THE UNION EN-
TEhPRIsH OF our WILMINGTON MECHANICS.
The frequent notices in the Chester county
papers, Of late, Of the visits OF the Committee or
Location of theproposed Workingmen's Co. Oper
atiye Co., OF Wilmington, to different localities in
that county, and the magnanimous offers which
have been made the committee to establish the
enterprise in those towns respectively, induced
. COMMERCIAL reporter to interview one Of those
| foremost in the movement, to the end that we
might ascertain what is proposed to be done,
| and what stage Of progress in tho organization
Of the Company has been reached Although
| thoroughly conyersant with all the details Of
| the enterprise, the gentleman could not impart
us all the information we desired, owing to
| the secrecy with which those engaged in it are
bound up, hut he freely told us all that proprie-
| ty and due observance Of his pledge would AL
low.
The present movement, although mostly in
| the hands of the same men, and with the same
object in view, is separate and distinct from the
one started here some time ago. A difference in
sentiment and feeling among the originators Of
the enterprise led to the formation or move
which will culminate in tho formation, OF new
company, upon different principles. The original
design was to prosecute the building of railroad
cars exclusively, and the name agreed upon was
the Workingmen's Oo-Operaive Oar building
Go. Some OF the projectors thought it would be
unwise to organize the Company upon basis
which would require that it's labors should be
confined to any single branch OF industry mas
much as the location and other considerations
might prove that some other branch might bo
carried on more successfully and with greater
profits to the Company. Hence, new Company
was formed, styled the WorkinRmens Co. OPERA
tive Enterprise Co.. and its design is TO engage |
in any branch Of industry which promises the |
most satisfactory conditions and results.
Another reason which led to the abandonment |
OF the old organization was the failure to agree
upon the numbar of which ahould
the Company. There was no open and avowed |
contentious opposition manifested on the part |
OF any OF the projectors in the original move |
ment, but some were of the opinion that it |
should receive, to an indefinite number as many
as might wish to ion while others insisted that
the Company should not embrace over fifty per-
sons. This discussion ultmated in the RbAn-
donment OF the original plan, by mutual consent,
and the formation Of q new organization, whose
name should be as stated above, and whose /
number should not exceed fifty.
While the most Hbefal Inducements have been
offered the proposed Company by the sever
al towns which have been visited, the reports of
proffers Of individual aid have been greatly ex-
agerAted. No one man has rendered them $15,-
600, as stated. But the Committee have assur-
ances from some of the towns that any reason
able amount OF capital stock will be forthcom-
ing. 1t is proposed to organize the Company
on cash basis OF 500 900, and when this fact
was stated to those who were fholding out in-
ducements, their faith was not staggered nor
their determination altered to secure the loca-
tion Of the Company there. The Committee
was not told that that amount OF capital would
be furnished but 1t has good reason to believe
that in one place, at least, II demanded, it will
be made up, 10
The location Of the Company has not been de-
termined upon. The Committee has not yet
completed its round Of visits, and will not do 20
for several weeks. Chester, Newport and other
places have extended invitations to the Commit
tee, and the intention is to give them patient
hearing. Wilmington, too. will not be over
looked. The Committee will call upon some of
our representative men to ascertain what they
are willing to do individually, and to obtain their
opinion with regard to the prospect of success in
an effort to secure the necessary capital here.
The question of freight has been ono of seri-
ous objection to the inland towns, but since
their visit the Committee state that il no longer
obtains. Upon consultation, 1t has been ascer-
tanned that the Railroad Companies will make
liberal deductions in their charges, bringing
freghts to common level with water ship
ments.
Within two weeks, the Company meets for or
ganization. Until that time, nothing further can
be stated in this connection, but after that meet
ing, if practicable, the readers of the CONNER
cIAL will be duly apprized Of whatever else is de-
veloped. II may be deemed expedient to with
hold the names Of the officers for prudential
reasons. 1t is the intention, We understand to
make some prominent citizen of Wilmington an
officer Of the Company.