| Show CO cooperation OPERATION 0 0 P E RA T 1 0 N the operative cooperative co principle has been so frequently referred to of late that it would be thought that the general features which distinguish the system would be so well understood that it would be a work of supererogation to refer to the subject but although information upon this subject is extending there is yet sufficient ignorance among persons who might avail themselves of the cooperative operative co plan with i advantage to j justify further referee references c es to the peculiarities of this method of sharing among many the benefits which by by the usual business arrangements tha that prevail in society are confined to a few the operative cooperative co principle proposes to give to consumers the profits which are taken from them by numerous middlemen who intervene between them and the producer where such a system is carried out it has an effect in red ned reducing the prices and furnishing to the members of the associations the supplies which they need upon the most favorable terms one of these societies lately established in new york will arnish furnish us with an appropriate illustration odthe of the plan it is called the first manhattan cooperative operative co grocery and provision association and is intended to include among the articles furnished coal and wood so that with the exception of clothing the members may be supplied with almost everything every evers thing embraced within the usual meaning of the word necessaries ces saries the object is to be gained by purchasing at the lowest price forcash for cash eash by selling to the members at rates somewhat in advance of cost but nevertheless more reasonable than the ordinary prices of or dealers an d to divide the profits profi ts among the members of the association in ratio to their purchases which may be done by payment of the dividend in cash or in goods or by placing the amount to the capital stock of the members to become a member a subscription to the stock which is divided into one thousand shares of five dollars each is necessary nee the subscriber may take any number of shares not exceeding thirty the mode of payment was at first intended to be by weekly payments of one dollar on each share until the whole amount was paid in but by subsequent arrangement it waide aided vided that it should be five per cent weekly on each members who wish to withdraw from the association can take out their eap cap capital less twenty five per cent this regulation gu lation being made in order to prevent a sudden breaking up of the association by the withdrawal of many members but for the benefit of the families of members who die there is a stipulation that the widow and survivors shall be repaid the whole amount of the share of the decedent whom they represent the directors also aiso have a right to compel persons who remove from the city of new york kand t and therefore cease to participate in the working of the association by purchasing to withdraw their shares which otherwise would become investments earning dividends from the dealings of others with the association to which the owners of such unused rights would contribute nothing this society does not seem to be a very large one in its operations A capital of five thousand dollars is but a small one but it is believed to be sufficient to supply the workingmen who are engaged in the association with all they want the capital is to be turned over and over and it must increase by judicious management rapidly the Boc hdale operative cooperative co association of great britain the pioneer in this movement was started in 1845 with far less capital the whole stock which the or oria ginal members clubbed together being yet upon that small beginning the society has increased so much that it now does a business of over a million of dollars dolors a year and has many thousand members who participate in the advantages of the plan for workingmen this system may be made mado available so as to reduce the annual eapen ses sea of supporting their families to a very appreciative d degree ree teaching them at the same time the tee tte advantages of thrift and economy the system is one which should be thoroughly understood and with ea earnest rnest members of the co opera tive societies and faithful officers it cannot fail fall to be successful philadelphia inquirer |
