The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18
COOPERATION IN SHOPPING
One Agent Does the Buying for
Number of Families.
y ew York Sun.


An article In the Sun last week on co-opera-
ton in Brooklyn and New York attracted the
attention OF many readers. One of Them Mrs
Jane Bates OF the former city, wrote letter
asking Tor further Information. This is what
is said In reply by Mrs. lmogene c. Fales, who
is the head OF the cooperative movement in the
two cilies:
1T has been matter of great difficulty to
interest the American public In cooperative
enterprise and action. In Europe and espeeI-
ally Great Britain, it is just tile opposite
Nearly everybody belongs 10 some society," aud
takes an active hand in making il a thorough
going success.
"Tbe hard time Of the past twelve months
have done much toward making our industrial
condition similar to that which prevails on the
other side OF the Atlantic When people are
obliged to economic IN order 10 keep ont of
bt or 10 continue living in certain social
style, they turn naturally TO cooperation as
the simplest and most efficient mode of saving
money Our society, the Socoogic, has re-
ceived many letters from people all over the
country desiring information on the subject,
Many OF these letters have come IN Response TO
articles which have appeared IN the New York
press aud particularly the Sun.
"Most inGuirers desire 10 be Informed about
vl.t we Call the Consumers Co operative
League, which Is now at work in Brooklyn.
TIL Is voluntary organization without Off
GERS fees or dues. The memb-rs are the heads
of families wing and keeping house in the
same neighborhOod. They buy their groceries.
meats books aud other things through pur-
chasing agent. The agent calls upon them
every morning. receives their written order for
what they desire, and also the requisite amount,
aud then goes TO the. wholesale stores and pur-
chases The goods.
in these hard times cash customers are so
rare that both wholesale and retail stores are
eager to give handsome commissions or dis
counts on all orders which are accompanied
with money. In this manner IL Is not uncom-
mon 10 obtain rebate OF as high as 80 per
cent. On the other hand, the margin of profit
is SO small on certain gOods-Whlte sugar fer
exam ple-that II Is practically impossible to
obtain any discount whatever. Taking all to-
getheE, the agent secures ain average discount
of 10 per cent. This is divided so that one
part goes TO the agent in lieu of wages and the
other and larger part TO the members of the
league.
about three-fifths of the income of family
is expended upon food, drink, books and other
things which can be bought in this manner.
Incomes ranging from $500 10 $1,000 year
thus supply from $500 10 $4,000 a year, or
from 81 90 10 SO 4 day TO the shops and shop
Keepers Twenty TO thirty families In lea que
Will therefore spend from $50 TO $500 a day
On this he rebate ranges from SO to $50 dav
Even where the saving in money is small
the goods are always fresheT anu better. The
purchasing agen: is usually a woman. She
must be active, bright. well informed and
make OF he self. Men in this position are sell
dom of any use. IL they possess any business
ability they are liable % leave without notice
TO secure better position. IL they possess no
ability they fail TO satisfy their league and are
eventually discharged. 1t Is good field for
woman and off RS Independence aud comfort to
any one who Will attend strictly To business