The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-04-23
No. IL
PLAN FOR A COOPERATIVE
STORE.
OKrsKo, PasquOtank Co., N. c.,

&A04OA 4O1 4OCOs
The Alliances in this section want
to open cooperative store, and after
some careful studywe have come to
this plan, which we give to TIE Pro
GEEssIvE FARMER for publication. We
will be glad to know of any correc-
tions that any brother could make in
this plan, as it is new and we don't
wish to call it perfect. We are anx
ious to find some way to make the
consumers table our market and the
factory door our depot of purchase.
Let us stop the enormous percentage
of the middle men both ways. In the
first place, let as many Sub-Alliances
as can center upon some point of trade
appoint committee to make an esti-
mate of the amount of capital needed
to open store to supply their needs
and let this capital be divided into
$40 shares, with a provision to sell
halves and quarters so that our weaker
brethren have chance to take stock
and thus become interested in the
business.
Now let each Alliance subscribe
stock through it's Business Agent,
giving the members of other Alliances
chance to take stock with them if
needed. After the amount has been
raised, let the inspection committee
this committee is to be a standing one
appointed by the Alliances interested
make out bill for the goods wanted,
not to exceed the amount of capital
raised, and forward the same with
capital to our State Business Agent.
He will then appoint these Alliances
as his agent and allow them to orter
direct from the factory. After the
goods have been received the inspec-
ton committee is to meet and fix a
certain per cent. profit at which the
goods are to be sold, such per cent.
to be sufficient to pay She current ex
penses of the business, and s per cent.
interest On the capital stock.
The Alliances will now put some
member in charge of the store who
will run the business in such manner
as majority of the Inspection Com
mittee may direct, keeping his books
and bills ready for their inspection at
stated times. AS there can be no GER
tain basis upon which to establish a
per cent profit, the merchant should
take an inventory of stock every three
or six months, make out true account
of the business to the Inspection Com
mittee, so that they may remedy any
evil THAT might occur in that way.
If, at such times, it was found that
surplus was on hand, then the mer-
chant is to declare the same a divi-
dend to the stockholders, but such
dividends, outside of the 8 per cent.
interest, should not be allowed often.
The merchant is to act as agent for
any Alliance man who has produce to
sell, shipping it to any market he
(owner) may designate, and for his
services as agent he is to have sum
NOT a per cent-fxed by the Inspec-
ton Committee.
If the owner of the produce wishes
he may be allowed to take from the
store goods to amount to two-thirds
OL Gu0 0SGlu1dG0u value VI hIGIC1O =
shipped, on condition that the returns
are to come in the merchants name
and he is to settle the bill therefrom
and pay surplus to owner. When the
article is not large enough for ship
ment the merchant is to buy according
to his own knowledge of the markets.
By this means the small producer
would have the advantage of our best
markets and each cooperative store
could act as supply agent for our
large produce markets that may be
established in our large cities.
By dealing with men not members
Of any Alliance on the same plan as
other merchants do, we could realize
some profit that would help to lessen
the per cent on the goods to Alliance
men and if these profits were sufficient
to pay our expenses then let Alliance
men have goods at cost. All remit
tances for goods are to be made to the
State Business Agent and he to fac
tory.
We will be glad to hear the opin-
ions of any brethren upon this plan
and if there is any good in it for the
Alliance let us bring it out Long live
our noble order