Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-01-20
COOPERATION IN DRESS.

PUsntSG KATE FIELDS PLAN roR ELEGANT
AND CHEAP CLOTHING FOR WOMEN.
From the New York Tribune.
The organization of n Ladies Co
operative Dress Association in this
city, which has thus far not met with
success, is now to have the aid of Mr..
Pulbrooke, Of London, who was in
strumental in founding the Ladies
Dress Association of that city two
years ago Mr.. Pulbrookc arrived in
New York from England last Wed.
nesday, and will undertake the entire
labor Of organizing the association here
at the request Of Miss Kate Field,
as it was thought that this preliminary
work could not be accomplished with
out the aid of an experienced hand.
A reporter Of the Tribune called on
Mr.. Pulbrookc yesterday morning at
the Fifth Avenue hotel.
I'VE have two distinct systems in
England" he said, zone which origi-
mated in the North among the opera
tives in the large manufacturing towns,
and the other upon which the societies
in London are founded. In the form
er case the capital is subscribed by the
shareholders, who get their regular
profit but the stores are open to the
public, aud the goods sold at the ordi.
nary price. At the end Of the year
the profits are divided among the Gus
toners in proportion to their purchases.
The method pursued in London'ditlers
only in this, that the goods are sold at
reduced price, at profit which only
just covers expenses, and only the
shareholders, or those who hold life
tickets, are permitted to enjoy the ad-
vantagcs of the association
"What societies are there in Lon
don p
There are two principal ones, the
Army aud Navy Cooperative Society
and the Civil Service supply Associa-
ton. They have been in existence
about ten years. and last year the sales
amounted to nearly slO,0OO,OOO. One,
of which the capital was only $4,000.
has, by the accumulation of an aver
age net profit of only three per cent.
raised working capital Of over one
million dollars. and it. S. shares bring
1919 each. The shares in another
the interest Of which is restricted to
FIVE per cent, now obtain 800 and 400
per cent. premium for the privilege OF
of dealing with the store"
What has been the success. Of the
Ladics' Drc,- A-sociaiion;'
1T has been wonderful. Although
the association was founded only two
years ago, we have been obliged al
ready 10 restrict our business for lack
of room
as the business restricted to ma
tcrial- Of dress go
Not entirely. our supply consists
Of dress materials and the designs for
making them up, mantlcs. hosiery.
fancy goods, millinery, laces, under.
wear, boots and shoes, household linen.
and in fact everything kept Mt n first.
class dry goods store, at price, con.
.idcrably below those demanded by
any of the retail stores. Over twenty
visits are made each year by our buy
cr- and designers to Paris, where the
best models are selected from all the
principal Partisan drc,.makcr. aud
milIincrs: aud the silks aud other
goods selected are always of the best
quality
"Do YOU think the prospect of sue.
cess in New York is good;'
From what | have seen of the
stores in New York, think there is n
legitimate opening for the intended co.
operative store. If woman can get
comfort in shopping and the materials
of the very best quality and artistic
taste, with the economy Of purchasing
four dresses for the price of three. she
cannot be otherwise than pleased. I'll
the system satisfies 500 ladies of title
in England, | believe it will satisfy
ladies on this side of the water"
When do you think the arrange
ments will be completcdg
II shall probably remain here about
two months, and hope to complete the |
e al