New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-29
COOPERATIVE STORES.
our.p SUPPLIES IN ENGLAND.

u IN ,e THE NECEssARlEs or LIFE.
' "Hr. occ,sroNAb CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
lF EoA lime 10.-1he number OF people IN
LoNpVN' os,ee,,lly in London and its neghborhood,
| incomes from pensions salares' annuioeS' Is
with n'u o,s Rigid economy upon their part Is
of cou's' unions honesty and honor about all
essen' , business among the better CLASS OF Ehgnsh
me- =. a noteworthy trait lho P"! -
iS@so,or,s accounts, often 'eAoi'''4',
.oa, incomes and the aoilN " ~ '"'i
- above water in meeting - -, ,,,s,,,,t |
- social position. become ueu'|, n. O me-,
ther s' :, ,la ~ whom I speak. III must ne I'M |
task W." 49,. .ie,v here is not miscellaneous mix
- 90 heterogeneous elements anu qu"u'ies' H'ei'
t"' ~. district lines CT demarcation noth on the |
c's' u ver side ana the majority OF persons in 1t
Nppg. through life cross these boundary lines;
he'" their children apt to do so; GER |
n" me ever so below, if they can help |
$50, con,paratively few have the force to ascend TO
,se higher round OF the social ladder.
THE CIVIL SUPPLY ASSOCIATION.
zach Glass moreover, has its distinct social
hers with position duties, and scale OF ex-
,,nre annexed, and domestic economy there
- beeomes both science and an art TIE
tions of tradesmen were both an ntoleIable annoy
opce and a burden, and after long endurance
,te happy idea Of cooperation for mutual de-
to,ee and protection occurred 10 some clever
,.ersons engaged in the Civil Service. and a small
tlnb was formed Indeed it is said that its beginning
was both humble and accidental. 1t originated thus
Oply dozen years clerks in the General Post
Oejee combined and bought chest of tea, ard they
found the saving great that they pursued their JOINT
,ocs operations IN the purchase Of other articles OF
daily necessity. Their fellows the Office finding the
advantage desired to join the company. IL grew.
They took a little room, and fitted 1t up
with shelves and rustic counters; a oompe-
tent and Trustworthy man was placed IN charge ana
articles II daily household consumption were bought at
wholesale prices and sold to the members OF inc eo
many at the small advance which would cover the eA
penses of the shop. The advantages OF Inc system ue
came more and patent; the hummer o' 'n'Sc ue
string TO enter the association rapidly hceseu' as inc
knowledge of its advantages widsned Then some OF
the original members seeded from tue GeneIai FoSt
Once supply" and started company on larger scale,
establishing themselves in the HaymafAet uh0eF 'he
name Of the civil supply Association IhHs the eA'e-
more sbon grew into warehouse the man who CON
ducted the business multiplied by scores ana then
by hundreds Of shopmen, pOrters, warehousemen'
upernendents Of departments buyers, and managers;
there were board of directors secretary and ehalr
man. one great warehouse expanded into several
within whose spacious limits there were stored goods
OF every imaginable sort, clothing, groceries, Wines
Hduors stationery books, furniture, tobacco, pipes
TOYS jewellery, in short. almost everything from
a button TO helmet, that any man, WOMAN
child, family, might need, and all 10 pe
purchased at from 10 TO %, sometimes even 90
per cent lower than they could be got from the trades
men, The rush membership, OF course, became pro-
dlgious Barrsters, solicitors medical men, elergymen
ministers actors people of all professions az well as
those connected with the Civil Service in all s branches
sought admission which could be gained by the pay
ment of Ave shlinGs 81 25) year for membership
In token OF which you received card having your
uane and number upon IL.
METHOD OF DOING BUSINESS.
This card has to be shown to every shop
man from whom You make purchase ana
to the cashier with whom you settle yonr
account on the spct-for all purchases are Tor
cash. This card must be renewed every year by the pay
,nent Of the same sum- The business expanded TO such
great proporons that it was found necessary 70 set
limit TO number Of members aud admission INTO Tie
Old or first Cv Service stores as they were called Is
now impossible The business has become so great
has been so admirably, and honestly admins
tered, that Notwithstanding that the margin
of profit upon the Wholesale pr ccs for
defraying current expenses il small, believe hand
some dividend to the members. ncket OF
membership this old organization IN the Haymarke'
cannot he cot FOR love money, and they are cohsa
ered Of sach importance that thty are frequently be-
opeahed in the wills of members. The success oil TINS
first enterprise and the restrictions Of IFS membership
of course caused the starting Of Others ana teie arc
now three immense organizations, with several
branches in different parts OF London. Inc largest,
and now the best one OF ALL is the Army ana
Navy Cooperative Society,"" in Vietofa-st' west
minister This association was organized SIX years ago.
aud mas place all its own at the head OF cooperative
ossociations The members consist of two classes,
members and annual subscribers. The shares are OF e
vaae OF IS each and holders Of one or more share are
entitled to participate in the profits, 10 oeai AT
the stores and with the tradesmen c0nnecteu
with the society without any further payment what
ever, and TO have their purchases FROM the store
delivered free OF charge within certain Isdius' LIE
MEMBER tickets lOne gunca) confer all the privileges
OF shareholders except participation IN the pfOhs ana
management of the society They viii not be transfer
able Annual subscribers who pay 81 25 the first year.
and 60 cents each subsequent year. enjoy all the priV
legcs possessed by shareholders except participation ID
the profits and management Of the society, ana the
specal advantages carriage OF parcels The dree
tor Major McCrea, who fst induced few officers tOion
him in this enterprise, beginning with capital $780,
600 in s. shares i.n his much astounded at The
vast proportions attained I'm this brief time as the orig
pator of ne first society," with his chest OF tea aston
shcd 10 find that the association of small amounts
should have grown such strength, and that he
should have developed truth that had escaped the
acute perception Of governments, and the skill OF the
economist and philanthropist
PROFITS OF THE BUSINESS.
I am told that the baaneesheet OF this
eo,npapv IA like n triumphant march. Last
year the directors able 20 boast of sales at the
rate of 100000 a month. but that rate has no"
l,eep much exceeded. During the last hait year
te saies alone amounted 20 SO 24s65, and the INSECT
a,eous revenue received from annual tickets and other
sources N 50 $40 so that the total was $3,2573O5
which shows an increase Of S743,9i5 over the CORE
sponding period OF last year, which, the directors say
the largest amount OF business which mas ever Oeeh COM
passed by cooperative" Its cash in hand and WIN
its bankers IL 340 its VetOra-s premises whlcb
arc large and handsome. represent S4C6,O3o ana us
other tenements $3.50 900 It's stock is worth S69Oo7O
t. holds on deposit order and interest S276,l3O u
has balance TO profit and loss account OF S23O3Oo'
and net profit OF S39,ZIO. NOTICE ~
ine report Tor the last nan ycr a speoIi 10 nv
that out Of the profit tbc directors r.comn 5na inc P
nent OF adiydend at The rate Of per cent per amun