The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1910-07-29
FROM OUR EXCHANGES.
burlington News

Of Europe in the adoption of the
cooperative principle. Fresh il
lustration of the fact comes in a
consular report, detailing the work
Of the village bank system in Ger
many and Holland. The system
dates back only to 1864, when the
| first village bank was established
in Germany, but there are thousands
of such banks in operation in that
country, and although they only
made their appearance in The
Netherlands in 1899, there are now
over 600 of these institutions in
the country.
The principles of the system give
the farmers loan banks a peculiarly
solid foundation. The sphere or
Operation of each bank is small as
every institution is working only
for one particular community. The
members of the bank know each
other personally, and the managers
keep we'll informed as to the
reliability and integrity of all those
who apply for advances. Again,
they are managed free of charge,
as only the cashier gets a salary
The managers and directors are
selected from well-known villagers,
who are generally found willing to
place their reputation and business
knowledge at the disposal of their
fellow-citizens.
When an application is made for a
loan, the only point considered is
whether or not the applicant will
be benefited. The bank does not
consider the particular profit it can
make by taking advantage of the
Applicants difficulties. As a def
mite rate of interest," IL percent
is charged on all loans, the dangers
of losses from hazardous or specu-
lative investments by the banks
are absolutely avoided.
Where ever these village banks
exist, we are told, they give good
results and are great boon to their
members. Their success shows once
more the value of the cooperative
principle and the extent to which
it can be applied to the practical
business of life. Why should we
of America lag behind?
(Rutland News.)
Those Vermonters who are affect
ed with the Western fever-especi-
ally that type of unrest which leads
them to regard the far Northwest
as the most desirable Mecca just
at the present time on the foOtstool-
might be benefited, if not entirely
cured, by reading the reports from
the two Poultney men who are In
Montana. They have just taken
a drive of 500 miles in Montana
and Wyoming and report that that
entire section of the country is
practically parched and that cattle
are dying by the thousands for
lack of water and grass. These
reports and others like them rather
Justify the News in its frequent
contention that Vermont offers, in
agriculture and In every opher line
of business, as good opportunities
as If not better than, can be found
anywhere in the world. The same
amount of hard work and of pri-
walton in this State will bring any
man as good returns here as the |
pioneer gets in the new country |
(Rutland Herald.)
The Automobile Club of Vermont
has published for its members the
1910 year book, containing in con-
venient, tabulated form a mass
of information of great Importance
to owners of automobiles. SIN the
preface it is stated that, according
to the articles of incorporation, the
club of Vermont was
formed to protect the interests of
the owners and users of automobiles
against unjust and unreasonable
legislation, to maintain the lawful
right of owners and users of au-
tomobiles, to promote and encour-
age the improvement of the high
ways and generally to maintain a
social club devoted to automobile
ism. To this work we have added
the erection of danger signs. The
average motorist in Vermont is I'M
aware how far the improvements in
our highways and the moderation of
he discriminating features of the
Early laws have been brought about
w the earnest work of the members
# this club. The natural beauties
If Vermont in summer are admitted
o be rarely equalled. The natural
Dad building materials in the State
ire better than in most any other
State in the union.
This little booklet would seem to ,
,e indispensable to every owner
II prospective owner of an auto I
noile. the number of whom is /
a,;ll,- ;,craosino The club has =