Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-10-16
r. 6. NJ. l. FORTY YEARS OLD.

. 4
1T is lust forty years ago today since
4, number of those sturdy stalWarts,wlo
PLAYED such prominent part IN puiia-
Ing up the great Commonwealth III TINS
inter mountain region, met in the oio
City Hall, OF Salt Lake city, and es-
tablished zion's Cooperative Mercan-
tile institution.
The cooperative movement mad been
agitated for some time prior to the
meeting. and although no definite plans
had been formulated. many felt that in
co-opeFa ton was to be found the lever
of enduring progress In manufacturing,
commercial and financial movements
generally.
Located as the first colonists were
over 4 thousand miles from the great
Waterways OF the old frontiers, whence
they had come. and almost that dis
tance from the western sea- board, they
were at the mercy of exacting traders,
some of whom, following in the wake
OF a fleeing people, had found clamor-'
Gus demand and had realized exorbi-
tant prices for their wares.
The general welfare, instead Of the
enrichment of few, was in the MIND
eye Of those faithful men who founded
u. c. NJ 1. 1t was felt that If the
people became pecunarily interested in
an institution OF this character, the
profits would remain at home, and at
the same time merchandise could be
bought and sold at reasonable PRICES;
49,. r,,1l
come mighty factor for good to the
people of the territory. The movement,
however. did not Immediately assume
roseate appearance; difficulties had to be
overcome, but each obstacle surmount-
cd added vigor and strength to the
Young concern. The policy adopted
was to purchase only from first hand.
direct from manufacturers, or import
crs where practical, thus avoiding mid
Sdlomen as far as possible; by this
means the best goods at the lowest
prices were secured, and the benefits
of this method were obtained in every
pnrt of Utah and in the surrounding
states.
That the cooperative movement
that came into existence forty years
ago today has been a success Is evil
sdenced by the growth and results OBJ
tanned by the institution The total
sales amount TO sl30,Oo0,o00; nearly
three and a half millions have been
disbursed in cash dividends; while
in 1907 the sales were approximately
s6.000.G00.
The first president was Brigham
Young, followed BY II. S. Eldredge.
in April, 1878, Brigham Young, re-
elected in October, 1873. w, II. Hooper
in 1877, John Taylor in 1883. Milford
Woodruff i'll 1887, Lorenzo Snow in
1898, and Joseph +. Smith in 1901.
Tho first vice president was w, FL
Hooper, followed by j. NJ, Bernhiscl In
1872, Theodore McKane in Oct. 1873,
William Jennings in Nov. 1878, Theo-
dorc Mckane reelected in 1875 Will
liam Jennings reelected in 1877, III. S..
Eidredgc in 1858, Moses Thatcher In
1855. George @. Cannon in 1897, Joseph
+. Smith in 1901, who was succeeded
by The present vice president, George
llornney in 1901.
The fist superintendent was II. 3.
Clawson, followed by w. II. Hooper
in 1875 II. S Eldredgc in 1876, and
William Jennings in 1881, II. s. FL
dredge reelected in 1883, who was sue
cectled IN 1888 by the present super
intendent Colonel r. G. Weber, who on
the 10th inst completed his twentieth
year Of service in that position.
The first treasurer was D. o. calder,
Followed By Thomas Williams in 1871,
John Clark in 1874, T. G. Weber In
1875. l.. o. Calder in 1876. T. G. Wcbber,
reelected In 1875 WHO Was succeeded
by the present treasurer, a. w. Carlson
in 1889.
Today the store covers a Iloor space
OF 200, coo square feet and employs some
500 persons-surely a sufficient test-
nlony 10 the wisdom and loyalty of
those who supported the movement in
its inception.