New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-27

YHILE the wall or the consumer
M over the high cost Of living has
w risen almost to a shrek of de-
SPAR and economists have been Offering
wise but unconsoling explanations, and
political parties have been using the in
creasing burden as campaign material,
and President Taft has urged upon Con-
gress an international inquiry TO meet
an issue which literally smites at the
very vitals of our nation, groups of prac-
teal persons all over this country have
begun to throttle the High Cost Dragon in
his lair.
For a problem that is nationwide and
worldwide 1t is evident that there must
be a solut!on-if any exists-equally extern
sye and that no local effort will furnish
the complete answer. At the same time
the burden can be lghtened materially
by comparatively small scale endeavor.
II Is the part of reason to take half
loaf when you cannot, get all Some day
the legislature may act, at some future
time the statesmen and economists may
offer US substantial and extensive relief,
but while we wait we want some action.
If We cannot kill the dragon we will pull
out a few Of his whiskers. If we cannot
extract 80 per cent from the hide Of old
High Cost we will take 10 or 10 per cent.
ASTONISHING GROWTH.
So argue the practical men and women
who are busily organizing cooperative
societies from Maine to California. Their
work is widening and progressing at an
g-l.s. To, anf
almost a mushroom growth Of cooper
atives in America in a period measured
by months rather than by years. 1t was
estimated a short time ago that there
were two thousand cooperative stores in
this country. The number must be largely
increased by this time. The ordinary shop
buiGs up trade in a slow and painful
fashion The cooperative these days
starts where the average proflt-making
rival leaves of 1t expands with the
speed Of boom town in a gold field. For
example, a cooperative store recently
started in Elizabeth, n. j., did bust
ness Of $3.50 on it's opening day, and
within fortnight had double the trade OF
its average competitor. A travelling man
who circulates around the country finds
that between trips TO the same town sew
eral co-operatives have sprung into being.
In New England within two years more
than four hundred cooperative stores
have been established. In the State or
Wisconsin there were reported TO be thir-
y-one cooperative stores in active and
fourishing condition last summer, and
doubtless there are half a dozen new ones
at the present date. The Cooperative
Alliance Of New Jersey comprises So
eieties in Newark, Elizabeth, Paterson,
Passaic, Riverside, Montclair Haledon,
East New York and Hoboken.
LIVING UP TO HIS CALLING.
DR.. Madison c. Peters, OF this city, after
demonstrating last winter in a number
OF small East Side stores what could be
done to the High Cost Dragon by con-
eerted effort, has organized the Co-opera-
tive Purchasers League. which claims to
gave It's members fifty cents on the dollar.
This programme is being heartily well
coined in the suburban communities Tor
whose benefit the league is especially de-
signed. II city members can save 70 per
cent they will be more than satisfied.
The cooperative movement is nothing
new, either here or abroad, but ii has re-
eeived new impetus from economic con-
oitons. II has been modified to suit mod
ern developments. Half a century ago
cooperation was regarded as social
psnacea, easily administered and sure OF
results. 1t was expected TO supplant rap
ldly all forms of capitalistic business.
lhese great expectations simmered down
10 the realization that cooperative socie-
ues for distribution of goods 10 consunl-
eTs, eliminating most OF middlemen's
profits, were Immediately practical, and
mat cooperation in production was
another and greater task. The consum-
Ss co-operatives developed largely, es-
peeially IN England, Germany, France
ana Belgium, where such societies to-day
nave businesses amounting to hundreds OF
millions OF dollars year. In Germany
ana England together the annual coop
Fauye business reaches stupendous hg-
ufe, not far from 81, 900, 10000.
Inc productive societies, usually con-
heeted with the earlier established con-
sumers organizations, have had consid-
cradle growth abroad I'm the last few
years. The movement in this country has
MOI yet reached the productive stage, at
'east In any marked degree. and It's spe-
Viai activity is directed toward reduc-
uon In the cost of food.
me American cooperative movement is
"ot engaged at present in any such vain
enterprise as "bucking the trusts" For
0ne thing, IT lacks the capital. II is