Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1914-01-15


societies comprise a membership of
100000 and are doing an annual
business of about 100000 900 annual
~.
Spreading to other countries, the
co. operative movement entered by
ways which it has largely Stunned
in the country of its nativity. When
the Danish pastor, the Rev Mr.. Son
ne, accepted the challen-e which
babe him turn his energy loose up
on The practical problems of this
world rather than spend it in the
orizirg about the next, he turc ed to
England and the Rochdale move
ment for guidance. He introduced
the British city workman's store
among the farmers of Denmark; and
the country store became the CEN
ter from which was enkindled the
spirit of cooperation which tas rev.
olutionized Danish agriculture.
German Leaders Attracted.
In Germany also the great lead
ers, Raiffeisen and Schulze Delitzsch,
drew their inspiration from the En-
glish societies.
/ From these countries the movement
/ spread until all Europe has fe't the
throb of new life permeating the
channels of commerce and sociahzing
its hives of business and industry.
! Like many another great spirit,
this new life had an humble origin,
and the place of its birth, tee unro-
mantle Toad lane of Rochdale, has
/ become a place of peculiar interest
to every earnest student OF co-opera-
ton.
Hence, it was with many express
sions of regret that the members of
the American Commission learned
that the shortness of cur stay in
England would not permit of jour
ney northward to the cradle of CO.
operation. Before leaving Oregon,
however, 1 had determined upon
careful investigation of the co-opera-
tive store. So, while the Comm ssion
was taking leave of Paris and getting
settled in London I hurried ahead
and spent two of the most profitable
days of the trip, one at Rochdale and
the other at Manchester.
| At Rochdale l found the ce ebrated
Toad lane, which is just as narrow
and crooked as in the days when the
pioneers began business. The old
warehouse in which the first store
found a home looks just about the
same, they say, as it did in 1874. 1t
is now doing doing service as a bird
store. The Pioneer Society has long
been trying to buy the property, but
the owner holds it at a prohibitive
price.
Time Changes Surroundings.
The historic significance of the old
building makes the owner feel conf
dent that he will some day get his
price. Then, too, Toad Lane is a
much more desirable location than
it was so years ago. The Pioneer So
ciety has done wonders for it. With
| in a stones throw of the old location
stand two of the finest stores in
the City of Rochdale. Both are own
ed by the cooperative society.
l saw them under especially au-
spicious Circumstances. They were be-
ing decorated in anticipation of a
visit from King George and Queen
Mary, who were touring the north OF
England and were expected in Roch-
dale that afternoon.
The manager, Edward Milne, took
me in hand and gave me a splendid
insight into the business and its man
agement. The office force forms an
interesting study in itself. 1t con-
sists virtually of two offices, one
handling the cash income and outlay,
the other keeping track of the rela-
tons of the members with the so
ciety. In the latter was a foreman
in charge of force of 16 girls, and
an up-to-date office equipment, in
Guiding six adding machines.
From Rochdale l came back to
Manchester, where 1 visited the head
quarters of the Cooperative Whole
sale Society, and the home of the
educational work of the movement, !
the Cooperative Union.
AS l was shown through the offic !
es of the Wholesale Society, and as
the magnitude of its operations SOW
ly dawned on me, 1 suggested to my
guide that the man at the head of |
such a business certainly shouldered |
some responsibility. That's the
American question every time" he
replied 81 don't believe We ever yet
had an American visitor who was not