1868 A MANAGER DISMISSED-STORM DRUMS RUN UP-A CYCLONE NEARLY BLOWS THE SOCIETY OVER-THE DIRECTORS IN A THE HIS was a gusty year. As a co-operative society is open to all the world, including "Charley's Aunt," among its new recruits will always be included a succession of malcontents, some wise and some otherwise. The controversial contumacy is sure to reappear. This time it was the dismissal of one of the managers. The old error, of forming two parties about it, was repeated. Even some of the directors took the part of the man as angry partisans, and forgot the cause. They might be justified in letting their opinion be known, but not of joining a party against their colleagues and compromising the repute of the Society for orderliness and constitutional procedure. On this occasion circulars were issued, even handbills, and letters for and against the dismissal appeared in the Leeds Express, which intruded questions of administration of the Society's affairs upon public and unfriendly attention. This would have done no harm had the language been considerate and respectful on both sides. Indeed it might have impressed the public favourably had they seen the spectacle of a society, feeling strongly on a particular question, always preserving good temper and self-respect. Instead there were acrimonious imputations, which unsettled the members, lowered the public repute of the Society, and deterred many persons from joining it. In those days Lord Brougham's social schoolmaster was abroad in the sense of being somewhere else. The remedy for these displays was not a timid silence in the face of a supposed wrong, but a respectful, firm, but nevertheless dispassionate expression of opinion. At last the storm subsided. Not even nature can keep up a tempest for ever. The very elements of heaven get tired of fury and long for rest as much as any overworked trade-unionist. As Miss Mathilde Blind, who had sympathy with social betterance, lately wrote We are so tired, my heart and I, Of all things here beneath the sky, On this principle the Society was glad when the tumult of the partisan controversy was succeeded by equanimity. Next trouble came owing to some reputed irregularity in the election of directors, which was debated in further stormy meetings to late hours, and adjournments notwithstanding. At length Mr. Swale, always a wise friend of the Society, made the judicious motion that "as the next election was near the directors remain until their successors be appointed," to which a large majority agreed. Pleasant order was once more re-established, and the maelstrom dispersed itself in mid air. ** 1869. A GENERAL MANAGER PROPOSED MONEY ABOUNDS-LARGE FORFEITS-SIXTEEN BUYERS AT LARGE IN THE MARKETS- A DMINISTRATIVE experiments were the characteristics of this year. Mr. John Edison originated a proposal that an intelligent general manager be appointed, and the number of directors be reduced, although since 1863 their number was but twelve. It was remarked that many were elected because "they were decent, steady men," a qualification at no time, nor in any society, to be despised. The "intelligent general manager "idea did not find favour, nor were the directors reduced. Again the directors found they had more capital than they could employ with profit to the Society, and £1,000 of loans were repaid to the lenders, selecting those who had the largest amount in the Society. Upwards of £200 worth of shares were forfeited this year in consequence of not being claimed during five years. Some members who once thought they never should own any shares had become rich enough, it would appear, not to want them, or to forget them. At that time there were sixteen storekeepers, each of whom was allowed to purchase such articles as he thought likely to suit the buyers at the store under his charge. The consequence was commodities of varying quality, and often inferior, inundated store shelves. Not only did dissatisfaction arise, but considerable stocks of unsaleable goods accumulated. Purchasing requires special knowledge and business faculty, which are not common qualities. Besides, a storekeeper must have angelic tendencies to keep clear of presents which may divert his attention or impair his judgment. He needs to repeat the Lord's prayer every morning, "Deliver us not into temptation." Some men have tea and coffee in their blood. One will know good tea by its aroma or taste. I knew a coffee roaster in Manchester who could tell good coffee on taking the berries in his hand. But these endowments are far from being general. Led by the light of experience, the Leeds Society resolved to trade generally with the "North of England Wholesale department at Manchester, the name by which the present Wholesale Society was then known. The directors brought forward an elaborate scheme of organisation--ingenious, but too complex, which did not meet with approval. It was rightly rejected on the ground of present impracticability, but had some good points. It was treated with less respect than it deserved, which tended to discourage originality where it is always desirable. The plan showed considerable thought, and must have cost much time to work it out, and being in the interest of the Society and not of a party, it had the merit of good intention though not fortunate in other respects. The grocery department was not very animated—only a dividend of one shilling being declared. The Clifford store was closed in consequence of continued losses. It was opened with great prospect of success, but its distance from the centre of management caused it to lack necessary supervision. At the same time the Wellington Road store was opened in December, so that if one store went out another came in. Another piece of progress was assured-Mr. John Hunt and Mr. Bell were empowered to purchase the coal plant at a cost not exceeding £450. This department was regarded as the most profitable the Society entered upon. The corn markets were now unsettled, and so unsettled the flour trade of the Society that it was difficult to sustain the average profit in it. Nevertheless, £1,184 were realised, which enabled the dividend of two shillings per bag to be paid. Three shillings had been paid previously. The clothing department continued far from robust, and in order to interest members to become purchasers, credit was allowed under certain conditions. This step is called, of the Society, an "accursed device;" anyhow, it proved to be no remedy, but a new disaster. Debts were soon contracted but not so soon paid. They were collected how they could, and the "hateful system of credit was declared to be closed at once and for ever.' But credit is as tenacious of life as a cat, and sets its back up when you think it is dead. 1870. NO INDEPENDENCE WITH DEBT-ASSOCIATIVE CONFERENCES ADVANTAGES OF A BUYING SOCIETY-AN END OF BOVILL. TH HE Society, as we have seen, wisely set its face against credit. Debt is beloved by the shopkeeper, because it chains his creditor to his counter. He who is in debt is owned by others. The flesh on the bones of his family belongs to somebody else. The meat dealer, the baker, the clothier, the tailor, and the shoemaker are the real proprietors of all they are, or have. It was co-operation that first taught the working man to own his family and to own himself. New social devices came into operation this year. It was decided to hold quarterly conferences of the board and local committees, for the purpose of interchanging ideas on the business and working of the Society-a practice which long proved to be advantageous. A general meeting assembled, when the members unanimously decided that it was an advantage to deal with the Wholesale Society at Manchester, and the directors were "empowered to join" at once. A wholesale buying house is a great economy in the market, a guarantee of pure commodities to members, and protects storekeepers from perpetual temptation. This year the Society was free of Mr. Bovill on account of royalty for the use of his "cold blast." It was to the credit of the directors that they were ready to adopt any improvement which promised to be advantageous to the Society. Mr. Bovill, with his intervening patent rights, was never popular with the Society, as he is always spoken of in the Record "as a person named Bovill." The miller, believing himself free to use the Bovill "exhaust," had his patience exhausted by long and unforeseen payments. But inventors rightly have rights as well as millers, and it will be an ill-day for mechanical progress when genius and invention have no reward secured by law. WAIT GROWTH ALL ROUND-STORES TOO SMALL-CUSTOMERS OU UR chronicle now arrives at a new kind of dissatisfaction-a salutary species of discontent that has profit in it. Growth everywhere demanded extension of premises and increase of machinery. It was a good sign that the rules had to be again revised— not in consequence of difficulties, but to meet the growing want of the members, which was outgrowing the raiment of its youth--a pleasant sign of vigour and health. Serious complaints arose anew, but this time of a wholesome character. Remonstrances came from several districts that the stores were inadequate to meet the requirements of the purchasers. This state of things gave the directors no disquietude since they had ample funds in hand to supply the remedy. They at once purchased land for new stores at Hunslet, Bramley, Burmantofts, and Meanwood |