, 1874-05-07
COOPERATION.

The sovorci5ns OF Industry Co-opcra-
two Union.
To ths Editor ef This Chtcaao Tribune:
SIR: In to-day's TRIBUNE, under tho head of
Cooperative Production, after quoting the Pail
Aall to Bhow TINT cooperative distribution IL, to
d certain e1tent, successful In England, you add:
"Produetion on cooperative principles is, how
ever still on trial. The store Ina naturally pro-
coded tho shop. In Chicago this Htato OF things
is reversed. Wo haya two cooperative shops,
but Btore iB still in abeyanoe."
Unfortunately, this statement is but too true,
and tho working pooplo have but themselves to
blumo for tho fact. With tho ominontly euocosB-
ful examples furnished by tho English and
Scotch societies before us, why should ne In
Amoricn not enjoy all tho advantages which they
haro shown us aro within our reach7 I acc but
one advantage which they POSSESS which ia not
equally at our command. That arises from tho
fact that, in these countries, the inhabitants to
a great extent, ptsa their entire lives In their
native towns and 60 become batter acquainted,
end hare more confidence III oacI, others intos-
rity, than is possible in community like ours,
whore our pfnces OF abode are constantly chang
ing, md llonoe wo do not, to nearly the 6ane ex-
tent, become acquainted md acquire such o con-
fldence. ,,
ABIDE from this single disadvantage, am Of
the opinion the porcentage il III our favor. Is
there my means BY which this disadvantage can
be overcome? Suppose the industrial clnsaca in
each section or noighborlood in Chicago organ-
ize themselves Into societies for mutual assist
snce and improvement. They doyote ona oyeu-
ing Of zach woels to meetings for social and odu-
cational exercises. Thoy thus become eoqunint-
cd, aud learn each others good and bad traits
Of character. Then, by Tho different societies
exchanging visits, they become acquainted With
thoir brethren in othor 1eighborhoois; ahd
aoon tho element Of confidence In those who aro
become known. III such m organization there
should DO no distinction on account Of sex or
nationality. Tho only test should be harmony
Of interests and good moral character. Theao
should he fully Investigated before m applicant
is admitted. For protection in thoae eahontials,
such an3 organization must necessarily be- to a
certain extent, necrct, aud ttB memhbrs obligated
to rse all honorabl and necessary means to
aooure tho ond sought.
We already hayo such m organization In tho
soveregns Of Industry. Its membership is al
ready sufficient to onhblo 1T to secure many Of
the advantages OF cooperative purchasing; but
these cannot bo attained as full ? aB dosrcd with
out capital: It thereforo ecems To your corra-
spondont that tho time is ripo for establishing Il
co-oporatiyo distributing agency In Chicago.
To this ona. books Of subscription .hayn been
opened for the capital sioux of tho Sovereign Of
Industry Co-operatfyo Union; amount OF stock
$4,000 Shares, $40 each; only mombors OF tho
Order to be Shareholders, and no individual to
hold moro than tl|e shares. II is proposed for
tho bonetitof any who may wish to remove beyond
tho reach Of thls agcuty, that, tpnh D reasoiablo
notice. any member Bhall be entitled to recoiYe
the amount Of his paitl-up allarea and dividends
in monor or goods; ai1d. In caao Of sickness or
losB Of employment atly tnombor to bs entitled
to credit III goods to tho Same amount. In oil
other cGsda, business to bn cash, both IN buying
and selling, As there uill b0 no necessity for
nd had f1nfH