The Somerset reporter., 1885-12-02
COOPERATION.
Avery Successful Enterprise.
Mutual MANUFACTURING Co.

three years ago with large and well matnred
plans for manufacturing enterprise, how
since then, in connection with the citizens
they have built large and substantial brick
factory with nearly two acres of floors
tastefuly arranged grounds and ample
railroad sidings. In fact one of the lar
gcst shoe factories in the country. Dur
ing the time two hundred new dwelling
houses have been erected in the town, POO
voters added to the lists and nearly 1000
people to the population.
While from the first they have had
steadily in view a cooperative plan and
we have been cognizant of the develop
ment of the same, we are now at liberty
to announce that for the past year, 1880
dividend will be declared to the EN-
ployes in addition to their regular wages
as part of the years profits of the
business.
1t may not be known to most of oui
readers that to guard against losses al
sea most of the owners of shipping in
sure in Mutual Insurance Companies. Al
the end of every year the books are made
up and Certificate of Profits is issued
In pro-rata proportion to the amount OF
insurance carried. This certificate is like
the stock of railroad company or other
corporation payable in full and negotiable
by transfer from person to person, the
same as bank stock or any other security
and having market value either to hold
or sell. These Mutual Marine Insurance
companies are very strong financially and
have existed in commercial ccnters for
generations
Following the plan of these companies
to some extent the Mutual Fire Insurance
companies for cotton and wooden mills
have for years been managed with the
highest business ability and have been
wonderfully successful.
Shoe manufacturing is very peculiar
business and where one firm is successful
a dozen are failures as the people of Maine
know in many ventures to their cost. 1t re-
quircs ability of three fold nature, ~ to
manufacture well; (2) to sell the product
well; (3) to finance carefully in details
and broad in scope. These peculiar req
uisites are rarely combined in the same
person. To make a success of the business
individuality of management and contro
is necessary.
TIL business is also somewhat compli-
Gated from the fact that it is process OF
manufacture like the millinery trade IL
two seasons. Even the most successful
firms cannot foretell when they are taking
their contract for goods months in al
vance of their delivery what their fna
profits or losses will be. Sometimes
manufacturer may not be successful il
the style of his goods and fall behind TO
a season, showing with the best of man
agement loss.
Competition is year by year on the in
crease, and with the gradual but sur
transfer of the industry to the west
which is very rapidly taking place, the re
suit is, the immediate future must see
diminution of the business in New Eng
land and survival of the tittest."
To enable the employees to derive til
best possible results with these Difficult
ties to overcome, would be of course
the aim of a progressive management
and cooperation, in some form, seems t
be in accord with the spirit of the age
Now, as we understand the mattel
what the firm propose to do, is to inaug,
rate plan similar in effect to the Mutu
Insurance Companies, and 10 issue year
Certificates Of Profits, giving employees q
interest in the success of the business.
Should the results be as satisfactory
all, as in the Mutual Insurance Companie
they propose to eventually double the pre-
ent size of the factory, and form Il
l business into large stock company wi
! ample capital
n While we do not know all Of the detail
r we know that substantially, the abo
q plan will be carried out, that the busine
will be conducted on mutual or co-ope
alive basis, and that several thousand dc
lars will be divided for the year pas
that with certain working plan the e
cess can not be determined until the er
of the year, when it will be divide
. Keene Brothers are willing to guarant'
that their employees will do as well {
better here than shoe operatives an
where else, as this is good manufactu
ing point. We feel sure from their ente
. prise and success in Massachusetts as we
as here, that they will perform whateve
they may promise.