New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-31
! LEADER IN COOPERATION DEAD.

Tho death of Nj. Godin, founder of the
famous "famlisterc" Of Guisc, and that OF
Madame Boucicaut not long preceding the
former. bring two of the bcst-known co-opcra-
tive onterpriscs of France to a critical stage
T. is TO be seen now whether these establish
ments can stand alone, without the aid and
snpnort of the strong minds that brought them
into being. The " familistere" has long been
noted among Socialistic undertakings, but not
alone because Of the number of working people
concerned There are less than half as many
as in the big Paris shop of the Boucicauts,
hardly one-tcnth as many as IN tho
Essen works Of Krupp. which have some CO.
lucrative features. The building up of town
around a single great business, and with a
special view to the comfort and happiness OF
The employees, is becoming more and more
feature of our civilization. Besides the Gulse
establishment we have Saltare, founded by
Sir Titus Salt Essen. and in this country
Pullman, which, considering its size and the
careful provision made for the health COM
fort and even the pleasures of the employees
is certainly not surpassed, if it is equalcd, by
any similar enterprise in the world, but which
In its methods is decidedly patcrnal rather
that cooperative.
The undertaking of NJ. Godin was of special
interest on account of the lengths to which the
cooperative principle was carried, and with
apparently excellent results up to the present
time. His fundamental idea seemed to be
that the employer and his wOrkngmcn should
be. as it were, in one family. When he had
built the "palais social" as he preferred to
call it rather than by the name VIC have used.
he lived there with his employees. having first.
however. to overcome their doubts and sus-
picions as to what might happen if they so far
surrendered their individuality as to live under
tho same roof with their master. These build.
ings furnish excellent accommodations, with
entire privacy for each family. at an average
rent of SO a month for two rooms, which repre-
sents per cent interest on the money invested.
Schools. nurseries. cooperative stores. thea
tire, library, rcading-room cafe and gardens
arc all comprised within the establishment.
About $50 employees live there with their
families. while $50 live in the village OF Gulse
like ordinary workingmen Their work Is the
making of stoves and kindred iron-ware. One
Of the peculiar rules Is that men are not to
work moro than three hours to three hours and
a half on a stretch. taking rests of an hour or
more. The wages average about 26 francs a
week, but most of the men are shareholders
in a stock company which NJ. Godln formed
some years ago. and in which his factories
were merged at capital value of 100000.
His idea was that the workingmen should grad
ually buy him out. and own the establishment
themselves. He received interest ut per cent
upon the capital invested. or about $4,000 a
year, and salary of $1,000 year as director
of the managing committee. which was life
post.
As the profits of the business had been per
cent for a number Of years. it was estimated
that the difference would. in time. pay off the
debt and bring the works into the possession
of the men. An intelligent English observer,
writing of the enterprise two years ago, cx-
pressed doubts, however, as to whether these
anticipations would be realized. But before.
counting up the profits certain sums are set
aside for the education of the children, the
relief Of sick and aged workmen and widows,
and rs per cent goes to the
reserve fund founded to buy ont
NJ. Godn. The sums credited to the
worllmen over and above their wages are not
paid in cash, but allowed to accumulate toward
the paymcnt of the debt. Even if it is found
that too sanguine hopes have been entertained
ON this score the old age sickness, medicine
and burial funds are Of great advantage to the
workmen The future Of the /" familistere"
will be followed with great interest.