The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-07-06
HIGH cosT'' AND AMERICAN TEsipERA-
MENT.

MENT.
There is every reason for oongratulation that
the system of cooperative stores, which has
for a tong while been successfully operated in
England and in certain European countries is
to he tried In Virginia cities Fathered by the
State Federation OF Labor and the Farmers
Cooperative and Educational Union. charter
Is proposed under which such stores will be
esta bIshed in Richmond and other cities of the
State, patterned along the lines OF the success
full institution of Great Britain
The movement, of course. is called forth by
the high cost OF living and certain revelations
concerning the profits which are made by re-
tailers certain of the basic comm ODDITIES of
life. In England, where the plan has album
dainty Justified Itself, the cooperative store
buys in bulk. sells at the minimum profit neees-
sary 10 maintain its organization and make
the necessary increases in working capital, and
stated periods tre exrees- profits are-re~7
turned a pro rato basis. as dividends or
rebates on purchases. In theory, the idea is
unassailable and it has the further advantage
of having worked to perfection in several In
stances. In practice, there must be considered
the American temperament. like which there is
nothing else in the world
Primarily the cooperative store ia operated
for the working or laboring classes. 1t makes
Its appeal TO those who most acutely feel the
high cost of living, but it is fact typical Of
American citizenship that, whatever class feel
iirg there may be In other matters all classes
hold il an inalienabe right to spend their
money to their possible limit of extravaganza.
In Europe and in England the peasant, farmer
small tradesman, artisan have each their age
long status, their set ideals OF comfort They
are content to measure up to the highest grade
IA their own class They recognize economy.
even in the small things as the only way to
| their ambition Whereas, the American of
modest income strains every effort to appear
Ia better circumstances than be really is. He
trifS to put up a front" and does wonders
at it, too. He will starve in private for week
to dine extensively in public He will go with
out food. that he has clothes He will, in
a hundred ways show contempt for the thrift
which would be the real solution of the prob
lem at which he is just go angry. Even
evidenced. khe spirit that buys on big street
lin the full knowledge that it s paying for dis
play and rents and plant, az well Us for the
goods purchased instead OF on the side street
or in the modest quarter In doing these
things there is certain psychology rejecting
the habit OF mind OF America. Il habit which is
so certain OF the equal rights of that 1t
adopts even the foolish extravagancies OF the
rich as necessities for the poor
i VIII this spirit affect the success Of CO.
Operative stores in America? VIII the we'll
TODD scorn them being places which cater
to the working classes, and will the working
Eclasses fail to give them patronage because the
classes that do not work stand soof? We
merely suggest this view OF an interesting ex-
pertinent which heartily glad to see in
augurated The high cost of living is certainly
upon ue There must be somehow devised
some remedy for condition every day grow
ing more intolerable But It is at least ques-
/ ton whether the American who most needs
relief will accept 1t at the hands of store, or
series OF stores established with that end in
view