Greenbelt cooperator., 1940-05-09
Variety Store Move Gets
Customers Approval
BY R. S. SoWell

Services, Inc, is ready to begin thorough
study of the situation preparatory to opening the
been authorized by the stockholders their
quarterly meeting to invest to S3 500 to purchase
equipment and additional stock for the proposed store
The meeting held Wednesday, May l, social
room of the Greenbelt Elementary School.
In addition to authorizing the store, provided
that "Farm Security Admin istration " finance such
tory the coop members authorized the directors to
raise the price of adult haircuts to 10
spend $40 per week in the Cooperator for sing
space. They also amended the bylaws Of the organi
cation that the Town of Greenbelt may become a
member of the cooperative and consequently receive
$l5.87 in credits the 81 ,O58.OI worth of
purchases during 1899.
The boards Recommendation regarding the opening
of the store unanimously approved. The
port, presented by Mrs. Carnie Harper, pointed out
that since the coopera tive must pay ST. 900 it's
Indebtedness to Consumer Dist button Corporation
during 1910, it is quite possible that this invest
nent in TIE store will prevent the cash payment
of patronage returns for 1870, but that the amount
of the returns would not be affected They would be
paid in the form of credits toward shares.
In presenting her report, Mrs. Harper pointed out
that if the membership voted open the new store
it would be necessaryto obtain Consumer Distribution
CORPORATE on's approval Of the investment, in accord
with the Hnanc al agreement between G.CS. and
C.D.C. Mr.. Herbert E. Evans, vice-presiden ID.
C. and member of G.C.S. drew a round of applause
by stating that Consumer Distribution Corporal ion
would accept the decision of the meeting to
whether the store should be opened.
The directors believe, the report stated, that
variety goods could be handled econon caly in
the proposed store that the service would be better
in both stores, that merchandise could be stock
ed and displayed and that the annual net margin for
both stores probably would be 81 200 contrasted
to estimated net margin of $500 under the present
set-up.
The proposal increase the pri ce of haircuts to
20 cents, which presented for the board by How
ard c. Custer, approved with only two ssenting
votes. It is estimated, hr. Custer stated, that
five-cent increase would give each barber addi-
tional 81 week in salary.
1t pointed out that though the salary rates
are five per cent above the uni on rates. no tipping
is allowed, which in junction with the 35-cent
price "has worked a nsiderable hardship
first barber and his family, and has made it impos
sible for US to keep permanent second barber" and
has led to "continual turnover of wsatisfied and
unsati sfactory barbers."
The question of spending $40 per week for adver-
tising in the Cooperator the only matter repre-
sented by both majority and minority reports by the
directors, and resulted in vote of 50 to IS in
favor Of the $40 weekly for Cooperator ad-
verti sing.
The majority report, presented by Sherrod E. East
and concurred in by alter R. Volckhausen, Dr.. Joe
W. Still, Mrs. Bertha Maryn, Mrs. Harper, and Mr..
CUSTER contended that the Coope is of value to
Greenbelt Consumer Services not only adverti s.
ing medium, In ui ch capacity the majority agreed
Will the management that a maximum expenditure of
$25 weekly justified, but also promotion onal
and educational medium.
On the latter grounds Mr.. East stated that the
cooperative support of the Cooperator to the
tent of the 3l5 weekly could justi
purely the grounds of self-interest, and pointed
that from the beginning of the community, G. IS.
has had in the Cooperate "the most effective educa
tiona1 and promot ional medium obtainable."
Joseph Ioftus spoke for the minority view, shared
by himself, Earl j. SUailes and Fred L. Hlde. He
stated that while advertising is necessity, it
his opinion that advertising in the Cooperator has
produced results proportionate to the COST and
that the local paper is not the only advertising
medium avai liable. The minority view that the
Cooperator advertising expense should be reduced to
s25 per week and that other media, such andbills
and circulars should be tried, Mr. LOTUS said.
President Volckhausen in MS formal report to the
membership pointed out that the board far has been
concerned largely tn completing the legal and tech
nical actions consequent to the transfer of owner
ship tn establi shing general policies and