New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-19

never heard that this extract had any peculiar
medical quality, and the cures, therefore, can
hardly be attributed solely to the use OF 1t.
NOVEL COLLEGE ENTERPRISE
Cambridge 10 not the university town where
one would expect to find students maklnga
systematic effort to live economically. The ay-
erage expenditures at Harvard have been
higher than at any other American college, ana
the students have of late years been consplcu-
ous for extravaganza in dress and luxurious
tastes. Yet a cooperative society has been
formed at Cambridge which may serve as
model for the other colleges of the country
It was organized last spring at a mass-meeting
of the Faculty and students of all departments
of the University. 4 superintendent was ap-
pointed, q counter in a store in Harvard
Square was hired. a small stock OF stationery
and other articles was bought, and an order
book for the purchase of books, sporting goods
and college supplies was opened The Board
of Fellows evinced their approval OF the under
taking 10y allowing the society to use the olu
gymnasium opposite Memorial Hall as sales
room. The membership rapidly Increased al
ter the enterprise had been sanctioned by the
college authorities. A strong impetus was
given to the movement by an advantageous
arrangement made with series of reputable
Boston firms, whereby students received a
heavy discount on presenting certificate OF
membership and paying cash. The society be-
came a college institution and was supported
with that hearty enthusiasm on which students
are apt to plume themselves. The membership
now exceeds 700 and The success of the enter
prise has outstripped the expectations OF its
most saDguiae friends.
The Harvard Cooperative SOcetyis organized
on a very simple basis. Each member pays an
annual fee of two dollars ; the current expenses
are met in this way no dividends are declared;
and the advantage of lower prices and trade
discounts is enjoyed only by members Of the So
cietv. Articles purchased at wholesale are sold
at very slight percentage above cost, a
margin being necessary as a small stock has to
be carried from term to term. I'm addition to
the goods kept in stock an Order-bOok is always
omen for the purchase of books, coal, wood, fur
nture, clothing and many other articles, the
purchaser having the advantage of wholesale
rates with a small commission added in some in
stances. From a table published in one Of the
Boston journals the percentages of reduction
from retail rates vary as follows: Books and
stationery, .33 Is; stylographic pens go;
fuel, .OS; photographs, 80; furniture, 10;
hats and shoes, 10; pictures and artists ma
terals, Is; laWn-tennis, 20; book binding
and framing, 10. The discounts allowed by the
affiliated tradesmen," especially tailors, are
very large. Arrangements are also made FOR the
purchase and sale of secondhand books, pic
lures and furniture, so that outgoing seniors
and incoming freshmen are equally protected
against loss and cxtortion. The old
gymnasium is now used as a furniture store
room, large salcsroom having been
hired in order to meet the requirements Of
n rapidly increasing business. These second
hand goods are sold ON commission, and grad
yates in any department are spared the annoy
ance of disposing of their superiluous posses
sions. In fact, all the arrangements of the So
ccty are designed to promote the convenience
of students as well as to add materially to the
purchasing power of their allowances from
home
This is not the first cooperative experiment
which has been made in an American college,
but it is the only one which has been completely
worked ont in practical details. While it can
not be repeated on the same scale in smaller
COLLEGES the essential principles on which it is
based can be applied almost universally. The
annual changes in membership caused by the
outgoing and incoming classes, tend to simplify
the problem. A cooperative college association
can neither have permanent capital nor pay
dividends. It's business must he transacted on
cash basis. No liabilities can be incurred, and
the current expenses must be met by member
ship fees The regulations of the Harvard AS
ISOLATION form the only practical basis for a col
lege cooperative enterprise The stock which
is carried has permanent value and is con-
stantly rcplenishcd under standing contracts
no risks are taken, and no credits are allowed
no goods are delivered until they have been
paid for, and the only advantage which is Of
fcred to the purchaser is that of buying in the
market that is open to him. There is
a board of directors elected by the Faculty and
the various departments, but the responsible
is the superintendent, who is required
to give suitable bonds to protect the society
against the risk Of endorsement. The mem
bers thus have ample security, not being per
sonally liable for the society's debts, and haT-
ing the assurance that the common purchasing
fund cannot be misapprOpriatcd. The whole |
scheme Of organization is admirable and the
undertaking has already been crowned with |
success. The Harvard students deserve credit !
for this orderly and ingenious application of the
principles of cooperation. As American col |
lcgians as "A class are not deficient in practical |
taleut there Is no reason why these cooperative |
societies should not be multiplied
SUCCESSORS OPROCER WILLI4MS
Tho General Meeting of Bautists recentIv hold |