The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1908-11-12
WHOLE IDEA is A FALLACY.
Systems Of Cooperation Weak Thee.
reticalIy and in Practice.

FctiCdIy ana IN FTdCtlCc.
One Of the spirits Of the age is or
ganization and cooperation of those
who are engaged in the same lines OF
trade, industry or profession. 1t has
been proved beyond cavil that men
have a right to thus organize and pur-
sue any system In business, or in
their special fields that they desire as
long as their methods are not unjust
toward others. From many organiza-
tons comes much good. From others
things that are harmful.
1t must be remembered that there
are fundamentals in all systems that
cannot be ignored. There are princi-
pies which must be observed. or fail
ure will be sure to result. Within the
past dozen years numerous alleged CO.
operative organizations have been
formed within the United States.
These organizations have been of
kind that involves certain benefits to
MEMBERSHIP elimination of profits
to middemen, the distribution Of earn
ings to members, etc. Not one in fifty
OF these organizations has been suc-
that the systems followed were not in
harmony with economic laws
In the world Of commerce there are
three important factors-production
distribution and consumption. Were
there no consumption there would be
need nf nrn11pfion or die ri
But civilized people must be fed and
clothed and their other wants sup
piled, and as long as intelligent man
exists there will be need and methods
to supply his wants. Thus we find
the producers, the distributors, and
the latter class divide into groups
known as factors or jobbers. their
agents and the so-called retailers who
directly supply the consumers.
The common cooperative plans deal
with cutting out the distributors, the
elimination Of that cost in products
which represents the compensation OF
merchants whether they be whole
salers or retailers. The present sys-
TEN or distribution has evolved from
an experience covering some thou
sands of years. It is based upon
equity and upon the soundest prinCi-
pies OF economy. The system cannot
well be changed unless the whole field
of human endeavor be modified Peo-
pie must be employed in gainful occu.
pations, or they become burdens upon
the classes who are earners. All can.
not be producers, but all can perform
an important part in production, In
manufacture and in disSibution. The
cooperative system that means the
elimination Of the factors In com.
merce excepting the manufacturer
means the robbing of large class OF
a means of earning subsistence and
an encroachment upon other fields of
labor that are now well equalized
The present system of distribution ia
the most economical that can be de
vlsed. No manufactures of food prod
ucts, unless he have a monopoly, can
maintain exclusive distributing ware
houses. Thus we find the jobber
a co-operator merely, working in
harmony with a multitude of manu-.
facturers and for them conducting a
general warehouse, guaranteeing the
collection and payment of bills due
them and for his services receiving a
small commission. His agent or tray
eler sells hundred kinds Of goods in.
stead of one particular kind. Here
again we find cooperation in its high
est type, The retailer carries vari.
ETY. OF goods, representative OF per
haps 200 or 300 manufacturers: here
again is cooperation, and it may be
said that the earnings of all engaged
In distribution represent small
commission for performing a service.
and the aggregate OF the earnings of
any one of them-the jobber. his
agent and the retailer-is dependent
upon his labor and his business sagac-
ity When these three factors I'm dis
tribution be cut out just as expensive
system must be substituted. In case
OF the manufacturer who sells his
products direct to the consumer, he
has large advertising bills to pay. and
a hundred little expenses which the
manufacturer who sells his products
through regular established channels
does not have to bear.
When cooperative store Is estab-
lshed with a few hundred stockhold-
ers as It's patrons it is generally found
that it cannot be operated at lower
expense than II conducted by an indi.
vidual.. and. It soon ceases to exist.
Beneficial Sneeze.
There is no more sure cure for an
attack of faintness than a hearty
sneeZe. 1t Immediately stimulates the
blood vessels of the brain. In many
persons faintng never goes 50 far
as loss of consciousness or loss of
control of the limbs. And in these
the sudden weakness is often brought
to an end by sneeZe caused by ma
ture herself without any external aid.
A grain or two of pepper, snuff or to-
bacco introduced into the nose or tick
ling its interior lightly will usually
insure a snee2e. These simple proce-
dures o. others similar in character
may prove invaluable when smelling
salts and other elegant aids are alb
cnpt