Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-03
COOPERATIVE EFFORT
MAY CUT LIVING COST
Offers Possible Solution Of Big Problem,
to Which Entire Country Is Now
Giving Serious Attention.

t qsss, This, This would be ( violation OF
In the early part of the nineteenth
century the people of Great Britain,
the wage earners, were having
hard time. The development OF ma
chinery, the introduction OF steam en-
gines, were having tremendous
effect upon the laborer. The theory
of cooperation to better the condi-
lions of the working men and women
and people Of moderate circumstances,
through purchase of necessaries as
well as through production, was ad-
vanced. Robert Owen was leaoer
in the establishment of various So
cieties. The methods of these socie-
ties, which were forerunners OF the
c. w. s.. of today. were dinerent
from those Of the co-operators OF to-
day; but in general principles they
were largely the same. For instance,
in statement of articles OF agree
ment for community within nifty
by a London cooperative society, 1t
was proposed as sin lieu OF the ex-
listing system of individual compe-
tition, a system of modern co-opera,
ton in the production OF wealth ana
of equality in its distribution rms
London society renowned indlviduaI
profit and declared against the snop
counter. Its object was mot trading
and accommodating, but producing ana
enjoying"
The Rochdale pioneers. so-called,
followed the Owenites. In 1859 the
c. w. 8. was finally launched: Whie
1t Is true that the C. w. S. has de.
veloped the theory and practice OF
cooperation along many lines: m
GLIDING production, banking ana IN
surance. its first great success was
attained through cooperative pur-
chasing at wholesale prices ana the
sale to its members at similar prices,
with a charge for the overhead costs
of the society's operation. As q mat.
ter of fact, the C.. W. S. has returned
very large sums to its members In
the shape OF so-called DIVIDENDS,
which have still further reduced the
costs of the goods purchased by the
ever, to call these rebates dividends.
since a dividend is in reality paid
from money earned upon investments
Of other money, usually upon shares
Of stock. The savings accumulated
and paid ont by the c. W. 8. in quar-
trading with others, but the savings
of member customers resulting from
buying at first cost.
Differs From Merchant.
When a private merchant opens his
store he takes q risk. He either
profits or loses through supplying
the needs Of his customers. In mutual
shopkeeping. however, such as that
carried on by the c. w. g.. the GUS
toners estimate their own demand,
supply the materials needed. and re-
tain for themselves the profits or
savings which result from their doing
business comparatively. A shoe mer-
chants wife or q groceryman's wife
can purchase shoes or groceries for
her family at wholesale prices. The
effect Of the cooperative store IL to
community upon equal footing with
the wife of the shoe merchant and Of
the groceryman in making purchases
for the family,
The headquarters Of the c. w. g.
are In Manchester. England 1T has a
huge plant there. It han branches in
many other cities. It purchases its
from America, from this far east
and supplies them to Its members
with only the overhead-charge Of op-
Grafton added to the wholesale price.
It has, great factories OF its own. The
sales In 1919 totaled approximately
$4,000. 900. The share Of the pro-
ductive works of the @. W. 8. IN this
amount was SIS. 100000. The expense
Of conducting thi; huge volume Of
the members Of the society benefit in
consequence.
al ss'sa u So,a1 a. o. ~ s s,sno
fields Of the cooperative associations,
though they are to be found IN all parts
= tra S feSera tIoy ~ The .rs ~ q ma
jority Of the English stores. It IL also
the bank Of the COOPERATIVE societies.
Inc " ". ?. ~ - IN many
ia, m,, aa a,,,.tsa 20 so,,. aa.ps
Isea.. Soc,atY rifb r,ose thar sa noo
.nemberr and saies exceeding s7.S0o, 100
The ssRochdale system". h followed Ia
the societies. With occasional variations.
Membership II open TO all who subscribe
shilling entrance fee and sign for a
pound share. which can be paid for out
Of the profit For the most part MEM
beers may at any time oDtein cash TOR
tneir snares az go. Iou ol e4 ~
nrd ns sscb n,,arter' Alter having q a lime
s III =, 800 a.,e. .,,rra tha,, ,sr na.t
neo sn.sS =; .,,,,s,,o r. ainadsd arsnre
On, sna rs. ne ~ !. ccnra.n w,th tpe
. .no ~ tssss- nrrcbases Non.ne,,s
hnro sI.o rg,eIiv receive half DIVIDENDS
An their p,irchases.
Food. Clothing and Rents.
Many items go into the high cost OF
living TODAY. but the items which are
:. ...., :.
giving most concern 70 INC people OF
America are the purchase Of necessary
food ana clothing. and rents. Thu a..
taolishment OF COOPERATIVE purchas-
ing associations IL held out as method
- ..s,.,.. .o.t - %ood avs .,...
Va AOuuSihS SHS S"Ss - A"OSA cAe SAoei-