The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1949-10-06

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values of consumer cooperation, a
wonderful stick-to-itiveness in spite
of discouragements and the spend
ing of hours of personal time In
planning and promoting. Does this
sound like the Rochdael pioneers :?
1t is the story of modern coop
pioneers in East Liverpool, Ohio,
carrying on in the spirit of Roch-
dale and finally, after Il months,
opening up their own coop food
store.
These are potters - men and
women who spend their working
hours fashioning Jumps of clay
into items of beauty and use for
homes all over the world. "The
Pottery Center of America" this
Ohio River city has been known as.
In the West Virginia towns of
Newell and Chester across the
river, too, reside potters-some of
them coop members.
The only reason we have story
to tell is that a few of these folks,
united through membership in the
National Brotherhood Of Operative
Potters, heard of their American
Federation of Labor's endorsement
of consumer co-ops as a way to
gain some control of the other end
of the pay check. They not only
heard-they actedl
"There is a consumer coopera-
tive near you," the A f of L told
them, "an old and successful one
New Coop Co., Dillonvale, Ohio.
Visit them" So in Nov, 1947, three
interested potters drove south
along the river as miles and back
into the hills little to Dillonvale.
Friendly cooperators showed them
the big new wholesale, the packing
plant, the department store and
some of the II food and general
stores in the mining communities
around.
The committee was impressed.
They wanted their coop existent
as yet only in the dreams of a few,
to be part of this strong and ex-
perienced one. "With work on your
part, it can happen" they were as
sured.
So an organizing committee was
formed; and in Jan, 1913, potters
began to get letters about a
strange new animal called scoop.
They saw ads and stories in their
union paper about it too; and in
the community paper. Officers Of
locals were notified by the national
office located in East Liverpool) !;
were urged to attend meetings at
the NIB Of OP hall and bring other
members.
The first two meeting calls
brought little response. But finally
pay dirt-grounds for encourage
ment. They read the New Coop
Co. leaflets. Many indicated inter
est, some bought shares in the
coop, a few agreed TO help con-
tact others. Two families who had
been members at Dllonvale joined
the forces, and some teachers in
the city.
These meetings were not only
plans and promotion. They includ-
ed reading every time from
Cowling's pamphlet, "A Short In
PRODUCTION TO Consumers Coopera-
ton" Talks and explanations,
when possible, from some Of the
Dillonvale folks. A sound beginning
based on education in the prin
ciples.
The thing was growing. And
"Dales, Garner d Cubberly" came
to be household words. A letter
from them twice a month as regu-
lar as the 5 O'Clock whistle at the
plants. Words of progress, of the
need for all to attend the semi
monthly meetings and to bring
others. In April a real boost. The
board of the Coop at Dillonyale
voted unanimously to accept the
group into membership providing
they got 200 paid-up members. 1t
was a challenge.
Meanwhile, location was being
sought. 1t was tough. High prices
for fixtures and rent. One sold to
another party, preferring not to