The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1882-02-04
Number 20.
Go Operative Economy IIlustra-

ted.
The C0-oberator, OF New York,
has the following: "The accom- pa
nying illu stration of what cooper
alton may do for the people, is taken
from a circular published for the
purpose of interesting the people of
'Senaca Falls, New York, in the
cooperative movement. The state-
ment is so clear that it will not be
difficult matter for any person to
make corresponding one for the
city or town in which he resides.
What might be saved in city like
New York unders this system, is
almost TOO fabulous an amount to
be stated, while the saving for the
State or nation would far outweigh
tho cost of the war for the mainten-
ance of the Union. Thus, without
the shedding Of blood, without suf-
foring or wrong many more than
4 900, 900 people, though not in bon
dage, can be raised to a position of
sclf-sustained independence, which
they have never yet enjoyed, In
view Of such fact, these estimates
are worthy Of careful study.
"ln this village there are, besides
many other stores,
Is groceries, with capital of about s 7o,oco
meat markets, capital about. 1000
tobacco stores - 80. 1000
: coal and lumber yards, i" ... 1000
Q dry goods and clothing
stores, capital. $4,000
boot and shoe stores, capital. 10000
Sz stores, etc, as above, havingin-
vested in the articles aFove
named. $245,oo
All the business done by these
distributing agencies could be done
on the cooperative plan with a
capital of 100000, which would
set at liberty for other uses of
$145 900, making a saving in
interest alone OF $l0,l5 a year,
which the farmers and working
people would gain either in the
form of dividends or in lessened
cost of their needed supplies of liv-
ing. In addition TO this saving in
the itcm of interest, the profits made
under the present system would al
so go into the pockets ofthe consul
mers. Again the cost of distributing
the goods would be lessened one
half, on the cooperative plan, as
may be seen from the following es-
innate showing the cost Of distrib-
uting groceries and provisions un-
der the existing system, and what
the cost would be under that ofco-
operation:
Interest on the $4,000 invested in
the business of the q grocery
stores" '....s.. 1000
Rent of the grocery stores. s......... 5000
Salaries of the owners, or prlncI-
pals and assistants, say 5oper-
sons, at $4So each.....,........... 2c,Soo
Total for interest, etc, per year $4,000
On the cooperative plan all the
business done by these 20 stores
could be done as well, If not better
by 6 stores suitably located, at a
cost not exceeding as follows:
Interest on $4,000 capital required 5 1900
Rent of 8 stores at say $3.50 each, 200
Salary of agent........................ 200
salaries of assistants, 5000 each. 5000
Salaries of assistants, 50 so EACH. 200
Salaries of assistants, $3.50 EACH. 2,Ioo
Salaries of 6 assistants, s. 80 each. I,soo
Tetal for interest, rent and sala-
ries per $4,000
Balance net gain on the co oper-
ative plan per year in the items of
cost, as above specified $4,000.
Estimating the sales of groceries
and provisions in this village at
S2OO,OOO per year, the gross profits
on this amount, it is seen, would be
about $4,000.
Expenses OF carrying on the six
stores as above,.................... $4,000
Insurance, freight, taxes, etc., 1000
Total expenses per year, 10000
The amount of net profits would
be $4,000, in this one branch of
business, which the farmers and
working people might divide among