Montana labor news., 1935-07-11
Labor and Consumers
Cooperation
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Continued from Page y
five years OF the depression and cut
wages 437 per cent. While private
dealers were throwing employees into
the breadlines the cooperatives in En-
gland increased the number OF employ
ees by $1,000, a rise in employment of
slightly more than II per cent. Wages
in the c%ooperatives we're maintained at
the pre-depression level in spite Of the
falling price level and as a result real
wages" were increased.
As matters stand now the almost eX-
elusive function of labor organizations
is to obtain for the men of the crafts
they represent a square deal III the mat
ter Of wages and working conditions,
but unfortunately, it too often happens
that when an increase in wages is reali-
zed that increase is anulled, and with
notable promptness, by increases in the
cost Of life's necessities. The coopera-
tive movement is primarily a popular
and democratic movement and being
such, if it were in complete control OF
the production and distribution of those
necessities as it is at present in par
tial control Of them, an increase in
wages for the workers would be an in
crease in fact as well as in name, be-
cause the level Of prices would not
be raised periodically as is now being
done at the within and caprice of those
who profit exclusively and tremendo-
usly thereby.
The simple rules laid down by the
group of poor weavers at Rochdale.
England, who in 1874 laid the founda-
tons Of this movement, may be sum
married as follows:
/. Each member of the cooperative
society is allowed one vote, and can
have no more, regardless Of how many
shares of stock he may own.
z. Interest paid on capital invested
in the society shall be at a fixed rate
which shall be the lowest accepted in
general practice.
3. Goods shall be sold at current
market prices.
4. Earnings OF the society, after al
expenses have been paid, interest char
ges have been met, and a sum has beer
set aside for reserve and other funds
are to be used for the good of the
membership or returned to the custom
ers as purchase rebates.
5. Membership shall be unlimited ex-
cept where a person may have an in
tent to harm the society.
9. Business shall be done for cash
T. A certain percentage Of the earn
ings are to be used for education re-
garding consumers cooperation.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Fire
men and Enginemen is supporting the
cooperative movement. Its convention
in 1919 directed that a Consumers Co.
operative Department be conducted il
its official monthly publication, the
Brotherhood OF Locomotive Firemer
and E~nginemen's Magazine.
The encouragement of the coopera-
tive movement is a means of raising
wages by ~effecting savings or the cos
of commodities, especially those which
constitute the necessities of life. "Divvy
days in the British Isles are among
the brightest Of the year, because OIL
those days the consumers who are mem
bers of the cooperative movement ge
back the profits on their purchase.
which, but for that movement, woulC
go to enrich some corporation and in
dividuals controlling the production ant
distribution of commodities essentia
to human existence.
Then again, there are no fancy sal
aries paid in the cooperative movement
The officers and leaders are, as a class
men and women OF ideals who are salts
fled with a moderate and fair com
pensation compensation that pro
vides them a respectable livelihood dur
ing their working years and a decen
pension on retirement and with thi
provision they earnestly and cheerful
labor for the attainment Of their grea
objective, namely, the realization o
their economic ideals.
Never has there been a more oppor
tune time for the development OF tn
cooperative movement turnout the en-
tire labor field than now. Never hav
there been before conditions such a
the present which it is imperative 10
the w-age-earners to work out som.
plan to protect themselves from tn
exploitation OF monopolistic, selfish en-
terprises that never knew an ideal AM
whose sole purpose in existence is pro