New-York tribune., 1881-03-28

ingf general stock of dry-gocds in retail store
depreciates in value all the tunes fashions change,
goods are s0ed goods are uusalable, goods are M
seasonable, etc., etc Who win estimate this de-
preciation for the Assoeiatloni II certainly shOuld
not be the managers and buyers. because they are
altogether too interested in making good showing
tor the business. II an over-valuafion lie given of
the stock the deficit could be easily covered NJ by
a new iss1e OF shares and In this way fictitious
prosperity be maintained for time / would re-
spec ully suggest to the directors If they earnestly
wish 20 discover the true stains Of the business OF
stock-taking. that they invite some prominent re-
taller who with his buyers and the MANAGER and
buyers Of the Association should take Inventory OF
the stock If this suggestion is followed ahd the
stock taken at its real yafue then do not hesitate
TO predict one of the UwG following alternat yes !:
either the Association Will be compelled 10 seu ~
higher prices than the great dry-goods stores OF
New-York or the business will be wholly unproht-
able. . 80,
With all modesty, EXPIRE ss the opinion that the
whole theory of c0operail0D, as at present auVo,
Gated. is mistake and delusOn. am conVloceu
that il the present principles of cOoperalnn were 20
prevail universally that the WORK OF the worln
wOud be done far less thoroughly ana far less
ably, and that the comfort and securty OF mdnklnu
would be greatly decreased. Every cOmlnerclai en-
terprise needs controlling head Tbs head must
possess the power OF organizations energy INDUSTRY
absolute honesty, foresight declson an, tne eapac
VI
gwen any gh0ught and investigation to The subject
need not be told that persons uniting these qiali-
ties are very very raF and that their services must
be very we'll paid. That q body OF wOrkmen or
shareholders intending cooperation sh0uld nnd
such man. and that. having found him. they should
put him at their fead aud bow to his Judgment, IS
chance of one IN n thousand. IL they do not. II
means ultimate bankruptcy aad ruin.
mol Cooperation must and will succeed; Dnt u
will begin at the Otner end. The head VIII choose
the members, not the members the head. Wben
meTcnants and manufacturers have better grasp
of the principles political economy AMI the facts
of human nature, they will recoguizs that IT IS
vastly TO their advantage TO give their employees an
interest in the earnings OF the business In our 0wn
es abllshment the buyers numbering nearly twenty
receive IN addition to their salaries, share IN the
profits Of their respective depart ments Ihs prln-
cIpIe will extend isef, and eventually prove TO be
the only safe and feasible plan OF cooperation:
Az I said in the beginning OF this letter have
been very desrOns that this ate npt at cooperation
should be tried; cherish the hope that the partieI-
patton in such "a cooperative enterprise Will open the
ewes Of ladies to the very large expense attending
the selling of goods at retail; that IL will make them
realize very economically their wardrobe necessl
ties bavo hitherto been supplied; that IN word IL
will lead 10 higher ard more genuine appreciation
of the fairness energy and enterprise of The retail
dry-goods merchantsOf the City OF New York. Yours
rgspectfully LOUIS r. EHRIcH,
of Enrich Bros, Eig6th-aVe.
Ne,O. York March %. 1881.