The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-19
COOPERATION.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A NOVEL AGENCY IN NEW
YORK CIrY-FAcrs AND FIGURES FOR THE
EcoNoMIc--A THOUSAND BUSINESSES IN ONE.
N. Edouard Fourier IN his "Vicux Neuf" gives
interesting information Of modernized ancient Gus
toms and among other things speaks OF middemen IN
art To one La Blancherie. who aourshed IN the be-
ginning Of the present century, no gives much space
La Bancherie, It appears conceived a comprehensive
plan OF nerchaiging the artistic and even the indus
trial products OF Europe for the benefit OF all con-
cerned- The plan did not succeed, 1t would appear,
but of late years the idea has been revived IN
Paris, aud u concern in that gay capital now
advertises that IS ready to furnish managers with
actors, actors with newspaper notices, newspapers
with capital capitalists with theatrical Investments,
and tho public with admission to theatres on reduced
terms London has several agencies which advertise
their ability furnish editors with leaders, news, cor
essays stories, reporters, editors, cap-
tai and advertisements at shortest possible notice
But New York has q concern which occupies tho same
place between and little tradespeope as
foreign agencies do between artists and mana
gors authors and publishers. When the little army
of blue coated messengers, an insttu-
ton IN New York, first organized and
It's magnificent scheme published. 1t was
said that could 1.-Two much
easier lie after tho concern was in work.
ing order He could then send his wifc to the opera
or theatre in charge OF messenger and continue his
game OF billiards until tho show was about TO close
and then 90 and take hor home. The institution,
however, would seem to DO for the benefit OF the
ladies' and may be In u regarded as aretribu-
ton on the horrid men. weight OF trouble is to be
lifted from tho overburdened shoulders of struggling
housewives, the grocer, butcher, shoemaker,
baker. coal men and hundred other lesser
fends are to be referred to an agent, who
will do oil tho shopping and 'sotsling" on
purely business principles and at much reduced
rates. Thus, for instance, q subscriber to this new
method may claim the services OF a physician. sur
reon II dentist homeopathic physician or surgeon,
stock broker, Insurance Office, drawing master,
Il teacher OF French, civil engineer, patent agent,
an arcnitect, an ice man. candy man, Dooassler
man, druggist, florist house lurnisher, an india
rubber man. livery stable keeper, a music printer.
paper hanger, piano man, silver plate manu-.
facturer engraver, stationer, photographer and
an undertaken, ut from nitoen 10 my per cent
below the usual rotail rate. Nothing IN
the line OF household nccessares or comforts Is
omitted from the lists, and all may avail themselves Of
the benefits The organization OF messengers was 10
often from being bored, and tho now affair, though
ustensbly for the benefit OF tho ladies', Is also an
important desideratum 10 men, II claims to reduce
expenses from fifteen 10 fifty por cent below what they
are, and in these days OF contraction and reform
It meets public neod
Tho idea s not any means an original one. 1t has
been tested and has proved success in London where
II has been In vogue than decade glance at
the initiation aud development Of the idea will be oil In
teres showing from what small beginnings gigantic
enterprises grow About ten years so the story runs
ono Of the clerks in the London Post Office purchased
or had sent him halt chest oil pure tea, ana not
wishing TO use It oil made overtures 10 some fellow
the quantity IN possession to suitable amount, and
then refused 10 sell any more. Presently another
clcrk bought ut wholesale some goods and irag
ened them iuto small compliments aud sold them as
tho been disposed Of Some one, thinking that 1t
would be great saving all around suggested that all
sorts OF goods be bought Ia bulk at wholesale and dis
tributed cost to tho members oil the civil service
inc plan was ana now anv 20
ST., OO0, 600. The original membership oil hvc has
grown 70 800 according to the last re-
Tho OF tho Post Office Civil Service Supply has
tempted othors INTO the same field Of economy, and
now the Hay market Civil Service Is the formidable
rival Of tho original association The Haynarket Civil
Service has about 900 members and does
annual business OF about So, 1000 The army and
navy has also its association, numbering 10000 and
dong an annual business OF from S4OOO.OOO to
| S5,000,000 year. These are only the most
Every town OF any importance has some such organi-
cation aud Is estimated that about 60 600 subscribers
tho annual business thus dono amounts to tho enor
nous sum OF ESQ, 000, 900 annually.
| THE MoDus opERASDL
Some curiosity exist as to how this vast busi-
ness is conducted and how mistakes are avoided amid
sucn multifarious complications The method Is SIM
pie member OF the civil service goes to the supply
store and presentation OF proper credentials and
the payment of u fec-iormcry ono pound now two
shI'nes and sixpence-hs Is given al small book,
something OF the shape and size of railroad com.
muter's In thIs which is valid for one year, his
and the date which the ticket will lapse arc
inscribed Then the store furnishes him with list OF
o all classes ut which ne can purchase neen or
in some cases forty-iive per cent lower than tho
ordinary customer. Like the smart American
who gets order Tor an electionbet hat
md goes to the hattcr's, picks out tho finest
fabric In the shop and presents tho order IN
payment, the civil service man preserves his ancog
until he has made his purchase. The shopkceper
Is obliged, by contract to keep his price list exposed
and to make new list each month. SO the customer
Just refers his little list and finds the discount the
tradesman allows. dcducts the same and pays cash
down. The American plan Is the same as the English
with such notifications and lamentations as we're
found necessary tor the different SOCIAL condition on
tins side OF the Atlantic Persons IN the government
employ pay for these privileges OF discount $500
year, and friends Of members pay $500 year. Those
requiring Injuries and special accommodation pay $500
year The widows and orphans oil deceased mem
bers allowed the privilege OF discount Tree IL IL
said tho Postmaster and Collector oi the Port are
anxious that the scheme should succeed and intend
TO lay the matter before the government employees.