f.iSS^^;^SRmi. CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBHftR'' 3 1924 091 515 720 HISTORif BARRHEAD GO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY Ltd. ^^^«^^^ ROBERT MURRAY, J.P. 1861-1911. THE MARTIN P. CATHERWOOD LIBRARY OF THE SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR RELATIONS AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 924091 51 5720 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE I. 1860-61 . Establishment of the Society 1 II. Condition of Barrhead about 1860 15 III. 1861-71 : Early Days of the Society 25 IV. 1871-81 . Rapid Progress 42 V. 1881-91 . Continued Advance 56 VI. 1891-1901 . Further Progress ' 73 VII. 1901-11 : Our Own Times -. 94 VIII. Barrhead's Contribution to the General Movement 114 IX. The Pioneers of the Society 133 X. The Educational Department 159 APPENDICES. Presidents of the Society 169 Secretaries of the Society - 170 Treasurers of the Society 171 Barrhead Representatives on S.C.W.S. Board 171 Barrhead Representatives on Committee of Renfrew- shire Conference Association 172 Admission Lines granted for various Institutions during 1910 - 172 Barrhead Representatives on the "Scottish Co-operator" Newspaper Board 172 Capital Account of Society at December 1910 ^ 173 Statistics of Progress, 1861-1911 174 Jubit.ee Celebration Arrangements 175 HISTORY OF Barrhead Co-operative Society LIMITED A RECORD OF ITS STRUGGLES, PROGRESS, AND SUCCESS FROM, ITS INCEPTION IN 1861 UNTIL THE YEAR OF ITS JUBILEE, ' 1911 ROBERT MURRAY, J. P. " Piogress is not an accident — it is a necessity. It is part of Nature itself. " — Herbert Spencer BARRIiKAD Published by the Barrhead Co-opekative Society Limited 1911 PRINTED BY scorr-SH co-cphkat.ve w„o.bsa..h socxetv I,1MITED, SHIELDHALL, GOV AN. 2)e£)lcation A HUMBLE TRIBUTE FROM THE CO-OPBRATORS OF TO-DAY TO THE MEMORY OF THE PIONEERS BY WHOSE COURAGE, FAITHFULNESS, AND RESOURCE, THE FOUNDATIONS WERE LAID ON WHICH THE SOCIETY'S SUCCESS IS BUILT " Your past lives shaped the Present, which must mould J he Time to be.^^ PREFACE THE writing of a preface provides an author with a convenient opportunity to do several things which he regards as more or less important. It enables him to explain the plan he has adopted in the pages that are to follow ; to apologise for shortcomings that he, probably more than any other, is conscious of ; and to acknowledge his indebtedness to friends who have helped him with information or with words of encouragement and counsel. Under the first of these heads a few words seem necessary. In preparing this historical sketch of the formation and development of Barrhead Co-operative Society the writer has kept steadily in view the purely local character of his com- mission. There was frequent temptation — ^particularly in the earlier chapters to widen the scope of the work into a consideration of industrial history in the century preceding the birth of Co-operation, and of the industrial conditions amid which the new movement was born. It would have been easy, and in some respects simpler, to have dipped into the wider Co-operative movement, and to have shown how great was the army in which Barrhead Society was a marching unit. But this temptation was successfully resisted, and there has been strict attention to the local propaganda and the local men, with no reference to the larger issues unless where such seemed essential. X PREFACE An effort has been made to present a clear and fairly definite picture of the Barrhead in which our fathers lived, and of the social conditions under which they did their pioneer work for Co-operation. The aim has been to record all the important steps of the Society's development, and regret may be expressed that the need for keeping the book within reasonable limits has necessi- tated the exclusion of material for which the writer would fain have found space. As far as possible, every incident narrated and every fact asserted has been verified ; and the determination to use only what was unmistakable has caused the omission of not a few items that would have proved interesting, but the authenticity of which appeared to be doubtful. The task has been no Ught one, for it involved a great deal of burrowing amongst old records, and it entailed much interviewing of the yet remaining actors in the historical pageant which was to be depicted. It meant also the gathering together of a mass of material far beyond actual requirements, so that the most important and most interesting portions might be selected. Against this, however, is to be set down the fact that the work was of a congenial character, and brought with it a pleasure of a very deep kind. In particular, there has been a real and heartfelt satisfaction in being permitted to preserve, even in a fragmentary way, the memories of the able and devoted band of workers whose efforts created and sustained the young society. Apologies sometimes savour of the hypocritical ; and, to avoid falling into this error, we will make no excuses beyond remarking that, whatever faults the critic may point to, will not, at anyrate, spring from carelessness PREFACE xi or want of desire to present the story of our Society in a reliable and interesting fashion. It will lie with the readers of the book to determine in how far the written record is worthy of the subject. In the matter of thanks it is impossible to indicate all those who deserve to be named. To Mr William Maxwell we are indebted for information and for a perusal of Mr M'Innes's journal, the first Scottish Co-operator. Thanks are also due to Mr MaUace, of St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh ; to Mr A. B. Weir, for assistance and advice ; to Mr James Maxton, M.A., who kindly undertook the correc- tion of the proofs ; to Mr Thomas Dykes, to whom I am indebted for valuable assistance in the compilation of statistics; and, last, but not least, to the members of the Jubilee Committee, for tjieir initial confidence in placing the task in the writer's hands, and for their continued encouragement and kindness during the pro- gress of the work. R. M. May 1911. CHAPTER I. Establishment of the Society. Introductory — Preliminary Steps — Formation of Society — The Pioneers — First Shop — First Salesman — Registration of Rules — Shop Opened — First Directors — Opposition to the Society — Close of Chapter. "Of old things, all are over old. Of good things, none are good enough ; We'll show that we can help to frame A world of other stuff " — Words'worth. FORMATION OF THE SOCIETY. LOOKING back over the history of mankind, it is very wonderful to notice that, with scarcely an exception, the movements that have proved of service to humanity have had beginnings of the smallest and most humble character. This was true — ^to name two modern instances — of the great Friendly Society movement and of Trade Unionism, and it may be added, without irreverence, was true of Christianity itself. How true it was of the Co-operative movement, which has since covered the country with its innumerable branches, every student of the Rochdale effort knows. In that EngUsh town, in the year 1844, a few simple weavers, laying firm hold of the root principle that " union is HISTORY OF BARRHEAD strength," began putting together their humble coppers and their modest shillings until, in time, they were enabled to purchase the small store of goods which formed the nucleus of the huge distributive Co-operative system of to-day. And what had been done in the cradle of Co-operation was repeated and re-repeated in hundreds of towns and villages all over the country, until the new idea ceased to be new and became, as it is to-day, a commonplace of our modern arrangements. Here, in our own town of Barrhead, the initial effort was no more ambitious and no more promising than it had been in Rochdale and elsewhere. That fourteen ordinary working-men should gather together from the workshop, and putting down between them fourteen single shillings of entry-money and ten shillings in shares, should ever expect out of that meagre beginning to build up an undertaking that would prove of value to them- selves or to others, must have seemed to many of their contemporaries a matter only for laughter and ridicule. And these fourteen men of 1861 and their twenty-four shillings were laughed at by many ; but they had firm faith in their principles, belief in themselves, and they had that invincible courage which is the essential characteristic of all true pioneers. And now, in 1911, that little band of fourteen is represented by 3,051 members, and that first handful of silver has grown to a capital sum of £73,218, 5s. 3d. To teU the story of these fourteen pioneers, and of the success of their courageous experiment, is the task of this Uttle book. It is a story which cannot fail to prove of interest, and which ought to hold for us, who are their sons and successors, many lessons of encouragement and hope. CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED FIRST STEP. It was on nth December i860 that a number of Barrhead artisans, fired by an account of the Rochdale effort which appeared in Chambers's Miscellany, met in the small room of ArthurUe Street E.U. Church to talk the subject over. Mr John Purdie, blacksmith, presided ; and, after a few introductory words, he read to the meeting this article, which had been written by the able and eloquent Mr Robert Chambers. An earnest and practical discussion followed ; and the meeting, deciding to strike the iron while it was hot, formed itself into a committee to make inquiries whether a society on the Rochdale system could be started in Barrhead. This committee lost no time in getting to work, and so hopeful were they of succeeding that the second meeting was called for and duly held on 22nd December. Mr John Purdie again presided ; and Mr Robert Stark having read the rules of the Rochdale Pioneer Society, it was thereafter agreed that a society be formed in Barrhead, and that each individual should pay one shilhng of entry- money before having his name enrolled. " Fourteen then came forward," adds the minute of the meeting, " and paid their entry-money. Entry- money received, fourteen shiUings ; and ten shillings on shares." In this simple fashion, unostentatiously, and probably without any realisation of the deep value of the action, was the first stone for the foundation of Barrhead Co-operative Society laid. THE PIONEERS. Who and what manner of men, it may be asked, were these fourteen who thus took upon themselves the task . 3 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD of planting the seed of Co-operation in Barrhead ? At this point it may be sufficient if we reply to the first part of the question by setting down their names in the order followed in the roll of members. Some particulars of their individual lives and characters will be given in the proper place and in a later chapter. No. I. Matthew Foulds, brassfounder. 2. James Baillie, patternmaker. 3. Robert Stark, millwright. 4. James Scott, furnaceman. 5. Charles' Bums, ironmoulder. 6. John Ivory, engineer. 7. Alexander Wardrop, bleacher. 8. John Lindsay, ironmoulder. 9. David Caldwell, ironmoulder. 10. Thomas Birtwell, calico printer. 11. Thomas M'Cowatt, iron turner. 12. Alexander Lindsay, irondresser. 13. Robert Kerr, mechanic. 14. Robert Law, cotton carder. The search at this distant day for photographs of the above-named group presented many difficulties. Many of them had long since passed away, and some had spent the later years of life far from Barrhead. Three of the fourteen were still living when the search began at the end of 1909, but already that niunber has been reduced to two. By persistent inquiry and some luck the " physical presentments " of all were eventually secured, and we are therefore in the happy position of having gathered together on one page the fourteen original members as once, fifty years ago, they assembled together in that little room in ArthurUe Street. 4 PHE FOURTEEN PIONEERS WHO ESTABLISHED THE SOCIETY, CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED Practically the whole of- this membership formed a provisional committee, which charged itself with the duty of completing aU preliminary arrangements for the Society. Of this committee the secretary was, at first, Matthew Foulds, and the treasurer Thomas Birtwell. Somewhat curiously, John Purdie, blacksmith, who presided at the first two meetings, is named as president, but there is no evidence that he became a member until a considerably later period ; and at the sixth meeting one of the newer members — Adam Crawford, joiner — is named as chairman. At this same meeting Mattht^v Foulds resigns his position, and Robert Stark is chosen for the secretariate — a position he was destined to fiU for the long period of forty years. Following upon the meeting of 22nd December, the New Year intervened, and the next meeting takes place on nth January 1861. At this meeting, to quote from the minutes, " the rules of the Rochdale Society were discussed, and it was considered that, seeing that the Rochdale Society had flourished and made such progress under them, that we adopt them ; but before finally settling, that the secretary write to Manchester for a -copy of Vansittart Neale's model rules." During the next six weeks only two further meetings are noted in the minute-book, but there is evidence that frequent informal gatherings had been held, and that much discussion had taken place in the interval. Additional members, too, are intimated ; and by the gth of March the small group has grown so convinced of the wisdom of an immediate and decisive step that two of the members — David Caldwell and Peter Drummond — are appointed to look out for premises. Within a week they are back 5 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD at the committee with two. places, both considered suit- able — a shop in Cross Arthurlie, from Mr Bodys, and one in Main Street, from Mr Martin. The Society's First Shoi — 05 ATaik Street. SELECTING A SHOP. Up to this point our little band of adventurers have been dealing entirely with abstract ideas ; and although they have paid certain small sums of money into a common purse, and have debated earnestly and long with regard to rules, dividends, share capital, etc., as yet thej- have done nothing to give practical shape to their theories. Now, however, they are about to take the first momentous step that will land them face to face with the practical working out of their dreams, and it mil doubt- less reveal to them difficulties and dangers that were entirely unforeseen. In what spirit will they face these dangers, and how shall the^^ set themselves to the task of overcoming those difficulties ? It is a vital question, for 6 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED upon the answer to that hangs the success or failure of our brave experiment. And in actual fact this first step does confront us with a very real danger. So far, , the members have been in complete and whole-heiarted agree- ment ; but the duty of choosing a shop finds them in such a state of disagreement as threatens to wreck the effort altogether. The committee, as we shaU see presently, deal with this first difficulty in admirable fashion, and at once prove their capacity as men of affairs. . On i6th March the committee, after discussing the report of Messrs Caldwell and Drummond, decide, by a majority, in favour of Mr Bodys's shop in Cross Arthurlie. But this decision immediately roused a storm of dissension amongst the members, and at the following committee meeting it is recorded in the minute that " conversa- tion took place upon the unhealthy feeUng among the members regarding a place of business for the Society, and the committee came to the almost unanimous conclusion that, with the present feeling among the members, they could not with confidence take such an important step. It was accordingly agreed that a meeting of the members be called for the purpose of bringing about a more harmonious feeling, and thus give greater security to the committee for carrjdng on the business of the Society." members' differences. That feeling ran high is evident from the fact that, when the special meeting did take place, the votes of certain members were objected to, and the opinion of the meeting was taken before the individuals referred to were allowed to vote. The whole position is laid before 7 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD the meeting, and, on a vote being taken, it is found that the members, by 23 votes to 21, favour the Main Street shop, as against the Cross ArthurUe one chosen by the committee. Whilst expressing its preference for the Main Street shop, the meeting at the same time agrees almost unanimously to leave it unreservedly to the committee to choose which shop it deems best for the Society ; and the committee, with soimd democratic sense, and with excellent wisdom as weU, at its subse- quent meeting agrees to cast aside its own decision and adopt that of the members. Thus is the first real difficulty met and overcome. It seems at this distance a very small affair, but it was a very great matter to the men who had to face it. Handled with less consideration and tact, it might very readily have become " The little rift within the lute. That by and by will make the music mute, And, ever widening, slowly silence all." APPOINTMENT OF SALESMAN. The shop referred to — it is now No. 95 Main Street- is accordingly taken, and the committee proceed to the next step, the appointment of a salesman. An advertise- ment in a Glasgow paper brings them' a large number of applicants. A short leet is formed and the task of interviewing the candidates is delegated to the president, Adam Crawford, and the secretary, Robert Stark, upon whose recommendation the appointment is finally given to John Blackwood, from Glasgow. It is interesting to note the conditions attaching to the situation and to contrast them with those existing to-day. The wage was fixed at 25s. per week, " to increase," says the 8 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED minute, " if the business increases." He was required to put down £50 of security, " the same to be increased if the salary increases," and at a subsequent meeting it was agreed to let him have the room and kitchen house attached to the shop rent free, " on condition that his wife attends the shop in his absence, and keeps it clean without incurring extra expense." REGISTRATION OF RULES. With such vigour had the members of committee applied themselves to the work that by the middle of May they are ready to proceed witi the registration of rules. Most of the early co-operative societies experienced great dijEculty in getting their rules registered, the Registrar for Scotland — at that time Mr Carnegy Ritchie — evidently having his own ideas as to the payments which should be made for his services. St Cuthbert's Society, for instance, was asked in 1859 to pay three guineas for registration, with 7s. 6d. for the clerk and 2s. 6d..for correspondence, and it was not until 1863, and then only on the vigorous agitation of the editor of the Scottish Co-operator, that the aid of Parliament was invoked, and the Registrar was compelled to perform the duties for which he was being paid by the State. Either Mr Carnegy Ritchie dealt lightly with Barrhead, or the committee complied with his demands, for, on the 27th of May 1861, he duly registers and signs the Society's rules. The original copy, with the Registrar's written certificate is still in existence, and is signed on behalf of the members by Adam Crawford, president ; David CaldweU ; Alex. Service ; and Robert Stark, secretary. The rules thus adopted continued to govern the Society 9 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD until 1868, when a new set was adopted ; but although in that year and on other dates several changes were introduced, these were largely on matters of detail, and ■the principle upon which the Society is managed to-day is in essence the same as we find embodied in the rules of 1861. It may be worth while quoting in full the title-page of this first rule book : — LAWS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BarrbeaD anJ) IReigbbourboob COisoperative Society. Adopted at a General Meeting oj the Members, i6th March 1861. All Purchases to be paid for on delivery. Thomas Calder, Printer, Barrhead. 1861. CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED OPENING OF SHOP. The work hitherto has been purely of a preparatory kind, but now the period approaches when we must begin the business for which we have so eagerly planned. The minute-book shows that meetings were held at this time two and three evenings a week, all the members of committee being keen and eager to do their best for the new venture. It is characteristic, however, of the men and of the spirit of the moment, that whilst the records are full of detail with regard to many matters — the purchase of goods, of scales, of butter spoons, etc., etc. — not one word is said as to the arrangements for. opening the shop or of the actual date when this took place. It is entirely a matter of surmise as to the day when, for the first time, the shutters came off the shop-windows of Barrhead and Neighbourhood Co-operative Society, and strange to say none of the survivors of the original members can recaU the event or any incident connected with it. The surmise, however, can be narrowed down to a very small point. At a meeting held on Tuesday, 4th June, it is agreed that the treasurer, David Caldwell, shall go to Glasgow the following day, along with the salesman, to purchase goods and articles for the shop. The next minute is that of the following Tuesday, nth June, and it simply states that the business done was the inspection of invoices and the sanctioning of further purchases now required for the shop. It is evident, therefore, that the actual opening took place between these two dates, and it was most probably on Friday, 7th, or Saturday, 8th Jime 1861. It was certainly in the early days of June that the business of selUng was HISTORY OF BARRHEAD commenced, and this is borne out by the fact that in 1862, and for a number of years thereafter, the anniversary is celebrated at a soiree held in the first week of June. Midsummer is not a season which would now be regarded as suitable for a soiree ; but these commemorative events seem to have been generally successful, for on only one occasion do we find the committee in charge coming before the directors to report a slight deficit from the gathering. FIRST BOARD OF DIRECTORS. During this preliminary period several changes had been made on the original committee, but the group which carried out the final arrangements consisted of the board as appointed on the 20th of March, and is as foUows : — ^Adam Crawford, president ; Robert Stark, secretary ; David Caldwell, treasurer ; Thomas Birtwell, Alex. Service, John Andrew, John BeU, Peter Drummond, John Semple, Walter I/indsay, and John M'Dermid, directors. Thomas BirtweU was at first elected treasurer, but he resigned on the 20th of April, and his place was taken by David Caldwell. These men, as we shall see later when we come to study their work more in detail, were individually and collectively a happy combination of ideaUsm, with shrewd, practical common sense. From the first they had reaUsed the possibiUties of this new method of uniting the members of their own class, and they had toiled with whole-hearted devotion to put their ideas into definite and workable shape. And now that their dreams had actually taken form, even in so humble a way as the opening of this little shop, they were entitled to regard this result of their labour with a measure of satisfaction and pride. It is apparent, however, from FIRST OFFICIALS OF THE SOCIETY. CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED the tenor of the minutes that this satisfaction was duly mingled with a stern determination not to rest until very much greater things had been accomplished. OPPOSITION. Looking back from the point of vantage which the intervening fifty years of success gives us, all this looks very simple and insignificant. The renting' of a small shop, the purchase of a few common articles of food — all this seems very meagre work indeed. But beginnings are proverbially difficult, and it must not be forgotten that our tiny company of pioneers imdertook a supremely difficult task, for they were actually proposing to build something of a new type — ^they were lajdng the foundation- stone of an entirely new order of society. And it is to be remembered that they had to risk in some cases the loss of all their small savings, and, what was still more serious, they had to face the sneers and ridicule of their fellows and the active opposition of many who felt that the new movement was inimical to their personal interests. It would be too much to expect that this effort of a few workmen to estabUsh a system which aimed at such drastic changes in existing social arrangements could be advocated without incurring the hostility of many and the contempt of most. Ridicule and abuse were freely thrown at them, and doubtless, as usual in such cases, the hardest blows were given them by their own class, the very people whom they Sought to serve and uplift If any doubt existed on this point, it is set at rest by a sentence from the speech of the chairman, Mr John Allan, at the sixth annual soiree : — " The Society was ushered into existence very quietly, but from the first it had to 13 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD contend against the opposition of some parties and the contempt of others, and of a large section which was very fond to indulge in croaking prophecies about the short span of its existence." This opposition and contempt has long since been Uved down, and we know to-day how foolish were these prophets of evil ; but all this must have entailed many anxious moments to the early enthusiasts, and it must have had much effect in retarding progress and in frightening timid but otherwise well- meaning supporters. At this point, with business fairly started, the salesman with his sleeves roUed up, and the committee-men aU in their places and ready for fresh conquests, we may for a short time take leave of the Society and devote a brief chapter to the state of Ufe and trade in Barrhead at the period with which we are dealing. 14 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED CHAPTER II. The Condition of Barrhead in i86i. Earlier Co-operative Efforts in Barrhead — Life and Trade of Town — Growth of Population — The "Capital" of Barrhead — Construction of the Railway — Barrhead Races — Intellectual and Reform Activities — The Truck System — A Friendly Employer — Influences which Helped or Hindered Co-operation- " I hae walked in noble cities where Life's fullest pulses beat, And I ken rare spots of beauty where the sea and river meet ; But abune them a' I lo'e the vale where Levern hurries doon, And I ken nae place sae kindly as mine ain grey toon." EARLIER EFFORTS. IT has already been pointed out that Robert Chambers's article in the Miscellany formed the point round which the hitherto indefinite aspirations of the early Barrhead co-operators gathered. But it is not to be thought for a moment that this was the first intimation that such an intelligent group of men had of .the new movement. Fugitive references to the Rochdale effort and to co-operative experiments nearer home were appearing in many of the journals and newspapers of the period. In the workshops of the district, and particularly in that of Messrs Smart & Cunningham, the subject had been much discussed, and about eighteen months earlier an unsuccessful effort had been made to interest a 15 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD suflScient number of men to warrant a start being made. In the interval between that effort and the new one of 1861, some of the leading spirits had tried their hand at co-operative buying on a humble scale, and a smaU chest of tea, a few pounds of tobacco, some cheese, and other similar goods had been procured and divided amongst the co-operators, of whom the principals at this time were Robert Stark, James Baillie, and Robert I^aw. At a still earlier date, some years indeed before this, the Severn Victualling Society had been formed on the joint-stock principle and with all the profits devoted to capital. In 1861 the Victualling Society was carrjdng on business in a shop near the lower end of Main Street. Its manager was Mr John M'I,ean, long afterwards well known throughout the district and for many years a highly- respected elder of the U.P. (now Arthurlie U.F.) Church. With the establishment and success of the new Society, the older effort declined and soon passed away. EARLY DAYS OF BARRHEAD. Before we consider in more detail the growth of the Society, it will be well that we should try to gain some idea of the life and work of Barrhead at this period of its history. It was in the year 1750 that the first house called " Bar-head " was erected. At that time the villages of Dealstone and Dovecothall had been for a considerable time in existence, and in 1770 Mr Gavin Ralston laid out and built the new village of Newtown-Ralston, near what is now Craigheads. By this time the one house of Barrhead has had a few others added to it, and with the establish- ment in 1773 of the first bleachfields, followed by several printworks and by the Levem Spinning Mills in 1780, the 16 m £. 15 ■4^ Notice of Removal or Dissolution. 40. In case of any alteration iu the place of business or dissolution of the Society, notice sliall be sent to the ilegistrar of Friendlj Societies seven days before or after sucli rcniuvul or dissolutiMit signed by the Secretary or other principal Officer of tlie Society, and also by three or more of the Members of the Society. ^W; Construction of \ 41. In construing these rules, .words' importing the masculine gender sliall be taken to ajiply to a female; words importing one person or thing only shall be taken to apj^ly to more than one person or thing; and words importing a class shall be taken to imply the majority of that class, unless there ia anything in the context to prevent such n, oonetrucUou. CERTIFICATE OF RECISTRATION OF RULES. CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED population began to grow rapidly. It is noteworthy that the Ivcvem Mills, which were the second of the kind to be built in Scotland, can now claim to be the oldest with a continuous record of work — ^the first one, which was built at Rothesay, having long since passed out of existence. lyCt it be noted here also in passing that, to the curious in these matters, an evidence of the much taxed condition of our fathers wiU be found in the small windows still to be seen in part of the mill. This was a result of the window tax of that time, a time when there was also a heavy tax on every copy of a_ printed newspaper, and when each square yard of printed calico paid to the Government a tax of 3jd. It is recorded that in the year 1830 this caUco tax raised from two out of the many Barrhead p'rintfields a sum of no less than £11,300. At this time (1830) the industries of the place were bleaching, printing, spinning, weaving, silk-weaving, net- weaving, and turkey-red dyeing. Some of these rapidly dedined, but most were still in operation, with engineering added, when in 1861 the Co-operative Society was formed. GROWTH OF POPULATION. The population, which had grown to 1,000 in 1800, had risen in 1831 to fully 5,000, this including the inhabitants of Barrhead, Newtown-Ralston, Grahamston, Dealstone, and DovecothaU. The form of the village, or rather of the group of villages named, had undergone many changes, and by 1861 the line of the streets and the shape of the growing town was not unlike that of the present day, although much that is now built upon was then vacant ground, and most of the houses then in existence were very different in construction from those with which 17 c HISTORY OF BARRHEAD we are now familiar. The btdldings were largely of one- storey, with here and there a more pretentious erection of two-storeys, and in the whole of Main Street there were only two or at most three buildings which had attained to the dignity of the third storey. Cross Arthurlie Street was still more sparsely built upon, and there were stretches of cultivated fields and country lanes between the houses, whilst most of our side streets had then no existence. " CAPITAL OF BARRHEAD." In Grahamston and Paisley Road the one-storey thatched-house still prevailed, but in the former there was a larger number of two-storey dwellings, and there were also, at its upper end, the large and, at that time, imposing two-storey tenements, built by Mr Patrick Graham of the ChappeUfield, to accommodate some of the small army of 700 workers which that extensive bleach- field employed. On the strength of these larger and more important buildings, the Grahamston people of that period spoke of their village as " the capital of Barrhead." The fact that the Co-operative Society has chosen Graham Street for the site of its principal place of business may, perhaps, entitle the district to revive and retain this ancient boast. THE COMING OF THE RAILWAY. Up till the year 1848 the connection of the now thriving town with Glasgow was maintained by means of the carrier's cart, the stage coach, and the foot carrier, the latter being largely employed in conveying small urgent parcels and the newspapers which were such a necessity for an inteUigent and Radical community. With the 18 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED completion of the railway, Ufe underwent many changes, and there were also a number of topographical alterations, the principal of which was the lowering of Graham Street and Paisley Road to their present levels. The amoimt of cutting necessary to effect this may be realised by a reference to the fact that the older houses in these two streets, which are now reached by flights of stairsj were built upon what was the original roadway level. Prior to the erection of the Graham Street and Paisley Road premises by the Society this difference was still more apparent, for the old thatched properties, which they displaced and whose fotmdations were a good twelve or fifteen feet above those of the present erection, had also been placed on the old roadway and at the spot where the new road had to be cut down to its lowest point. BARRHEAD RACES. ' The railway brought the town into closer touch with the outside world, but for a considerable time Barrhead retained some of its older and more primitive customs. The old " Barrhead Races " may be cited as an instance. Until shortly before the period with which we are concerned these annual races continued to be held, the actual " course " where the racing took place being Main Street, from Aurs Road to Cross Arthurlie comer — and sometimes the head of Kelbum Street and back again. On these occasions the roadway on either side was lined with sweetie stalls, apple barrows, and all the paraphernalia of a country fair. The " change-houses " did a roaring trade, for " pies and porter " were the special treats associated with this event, and the " Jock " who was not prepared to be lavish towards his " Jenny " in the 19 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD matter of these delicacies was regarded as very mean and stingy indeed. For close on seventy years the races were held in Main Street, but in the fifties this was discontinued, and they were transferred to a field in Aurs Road where they survived for a few years longer. INTELLECTUAL ACTIVITY. Prom 1800 to 1831 the population had increased very rapidly, and it continued to grow although at a much slower rate ; by 1861 it was sUghtly over 6,000, this including, of course, the inhabitants of Dealstone and Dovecothall. Barrhead was, indeed, as an old rh5Timer had called it, " a thrifty, thriving place," and this period was by no means the least thrifty or thriving in its career. It is not to be thought, however, that its inhabitants, in spite of their energy in industrial pursuits, had permitted themselves to neglect the more intellectual duties of Ufe. In the days of Chartism the local weavers and other Barrhead craftsmen had taken an active share in the agitation, and amongst the men who afterwards took part in the formation of the Co-operative Society were some who had carried the pike and had taken part in the secret drill of those who looked forward to civil war as being the only way to free themselves and their fellows from the tyranny of the ruling classes. From this group of Barrhead reformers there is a letter still extant to William Cobbett, asking him during his tour in Scotland to address a meeting in Barrhead Secession Church. The reformer was unable to comply at the time, but promised to do so in the future if opportunity served. The opportunity, however, never came — at any rate the visit was never made. CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED mechanics' institute. As a further proof of the intellectual activity of the people in the district, it may be noted that the Barrhead Mechanics' Institute, established in 1825, was the first of the kind in Scotland, and the second in the kingdom. For eighty years thereafter this Institute had a history of almost unbroken activity, and its books and lectures contributed in no small degree to the enlightenment of the community. Thus the men of 1861, who initiated co-operation, the further step along the line of social evolution, were either themselves men who had long lived an active intellectual and reform-loving life, or were the sons and true successors of such men. It was a time of quick changes. The great industrial revolution which marked the whole course of the nineteenth century was gathering force and breaking into its fuU stride. It swept away many long-estabUshed habits of life and thought, and brought many changes in its train. It broke up completely the old aristocratic and peasant orders of society ; and but for the fact that the workers, as a body, were ready to take advantage of the few opportunities which the new capitalism gave them, there can be little doubt that this industrial revolution would have had a very different outcome, and would have fixed upon the toilers an even more odious form of slavery than that to which it ultimately subjected them. THE TRUCK ACT. One other thing which helped materially, at least in Barrhead, to prepare the ground for the seed of co-operation was the fact that the infamous truck system was still in full force. Many workers hardly knew HISTORY OF BARRHEAD what it was to see or handle their own wages. Most of the shopkeepers had grown so accustomed to the system and to a book trade that they looked with no favour on the customer who wanted to pay ready cash. Wages were paid fortnightly or — and this in many cases — monthly. The workers were tied to certain shops, and before pay-day arrived the shop books were sent to the works, showing the amount due by each person employed, and this sum was deducted from his wages and handed to the shopkeepers. It frequently happened, of course, that instead of there being anything left to pay over to the rmfortunate worker, there was a debit balance to be carried forward against the next pay-day. The workman had no redress, and had not even any check against the quantities stated and the prices charged by the shop- keeper. If he had no money left, and wanted special articles, such as boots or clothing, he could only procure these through the grocer with whom his employers had a " truck " agreement. It was a cruel and tyrannical system, and in large numbers of cases the employers made greater gains from it than the shopkeepers did, since they insisted upon their pound of flesh in the form of a heavy percentage on the sums they were called upon to pay over to the dealer. This, of course, the latter provided against by increasing the cost of commodities to the worker. It was the usual story of " wee peerie winkie " having to pay for all. One local shopkeeper of that period, who Uved to a good old age, has assured the writer that on a pay-day he, in one little shop, has drawn between £700 and ^800 direct from the offices of the works, and he added significantly : " These were the days when grand profits were made." CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED A FRIENDLY EMPLOYER. Very naturally, the formation of a society which offered to the worker a means of escape from this thraldom was met with strong opposition on the part of the employers and of the shopkeepers. There can be no doubt that this attitude, especially on the part of employers, did much to restrain the more timid from joining. In some cases men were given very clearly to understand that it would not be to their interest to associate themselves with the new movement, and in some of the works the foremen were particularly active in their opposition. Fortunately, all the employers were not unfriendly, and it may be worth while, at this point, putting on record a story which has the merit of being true, and which is exceedingly credit- able to the good sense and broad spirit of the late Major Henry Heys. It was freely reported that the head of the South ArthurUe Print Works was strongly opposed to the Co-operative Society, and some of the foremen in the works were at great pains to keep the rumour in circulation. This reached the ears of Mr Heys ; and to show that it was unfounded, and that he looked on the Society with no disfavour, he promptly became a member, and paid in his £5 of share capital. This sign of approval from such a quarter was of considerable assistance to the young organisation, and doubtless encouraged many of the South ArthurUe workers to join. The story has a pleasant sequel, which seems particularly worthy of mention. Many years later, at a time when the Society had long got over its first troubles, objection was raised to some members who had capital invested with the Society, but were not purchasers of its goods. 23 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD After discussion, it was agreed to intimate to these individuals that they must either withdraw their capital, and cease to be members, or begin making purchases from the Society. Amongst those in this position was Mr Heys. He was waited upon by an official of the Society, and informed that he must either withdraw his share capital or begin to buy his goods at " the store " ; but he repUed that there must be some error, as he had no capital in the Society. He was thereupon reminded of his action in pa3dng in his £^ in the early days of the Society — an action which had seemingly slipped from his memory — and he was informed that the sum then lying to his credit was more than double what he had originally paid. The money was afterwards withdrawn, in con- formity with the decision of the members, Mr Heys remarking that it was one of the best investments he had ever made. Such were some of the local circumstances in the midst of which the Barrhead Co-operative Society was brought into existence, and such were some of the influences which went towards the shaping of its destiny. These influences were not all friendly, but neither were they all hostile. By the help of the friendly ones, and in spite of the unfriendly, the Society succeeded in getting a firm hold upon the community, and — as we shall see in our next chapter — entered very quickly upon a prosperous career unhampered by any serious errors or failures such as beset the early paths of very many of the societies then springing into existence. 24 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED CHAPTER III. Early Days — 1861-1871. Strength of the Society in 1861— Primitive Arrangements— Supply of Bread— Fleshmeat— Boots and Coal— First Quarterly Report— First Dividend— Successes and Trials— Bad Butter and Dear Sugar- Apathetic Members— Bonus to Workers— Trouble with First Salesman — Appointment of Second Salesman — Second Shop — Increase of Capital — Credit and Menage System — Purcha5e of First Horse — Successive Shopmen. "Some of the objects of Co-operation are, to economise the necessary expenditure of the working class by dispensing with the unprofitable labour and capital that stand between the producer and the consumer, to gain access to thepurest and cheapest markets, toaflford commerciallnstruc- tion to the people, to give opportunity for developing the intellectual and moral faculties, to inculcate the practice of prudential virtues, and thereby create higher aspirations and fit men for nobler aims in life." — (From nth quarterly report of Barrhead Co-operatiz'e Society.) STRENGTH OF THE SOCIETY, 1861. AT the end of our first chapter we left the little shop at 95 Main Street with its shutters newly taken down, the shopman behind the counter with his sleeves up, and the committeemen all hopefully yet anxiously waiting the first results of their bold experiment. On the day the shop opened, the Society was in the position of having fifty members and capital amounting to £']0 — all of which was sunk in shop fittings and a small stock of groceries. It was a very humble beginning ; and a very small matter — the neglect of the members or a little 25 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD carelessness on the part of the managers — might have meant its ruin. But once it had got fairly launched, the new Society went steadily on without a single setback worth speaking of. Doubtless there were moments of anxiety, but of these we find no mention in the chronicles of the period. On the contrary there were many things to hearten the pioneers, and we can readily understand with what joy the report would be received at the end of six weeks that the membership was increasing and that the weekly drawings for this period averaged £36, 14s. From the first moment of the Society's existence the directors face the difficulties that arise in a practical spirit which commands success. PRIMITIVE ARRANGEMENTS. Many of its arrangements are, of course, of the most primitive character, and they are often such as we cannot look back upon without a smile. Reference has already been made to the conditions attaching to the appointment of the salesman, and we find such matters as the purchase of a " gamel " for potatoes and the putting in of a stock of soft goods — to the extent of one piece of moleskin and one piece of flannel — forming the subject of a very anxious debate. That item " one piece of moleskin " seems to indicate that the moulders of Messrs Smart & Cunningham, who had so much to do with its formation, were stiU pushing it forward. The bread supply gives trouble at an early stage, and at the third meeting following the opening of the shop the committee encounters a serious difficulty in regard to the delivery of the " staff of life " to the West Arthurlie members. Much discussion finally results in these members being 26 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED asked to appoint one of their own number to receive the bread from the van in a slump lot, " take note of each member's consumpt, and hand the list to the salesmen to be charged against each individual on the Saturday." One can perceive all the elements of trouble here, and, as might have been expected, the proposed arrangement proved unsatisfactory ; and a week later it was amended so " that each member arrange with the salesman what quantity he wants left, and pay at the end of the week." SUPPLY OF BREAD AND FLESHMEAT. It wUl naturally be asked how it comes that the Society has so early managed to arrange a van service of bread for its members. The explanation is that the committee made terms with a local baker to supply bread to the members and send in his account to the Society. In the years immediately following, this method gave rise to a great deal of worry and annoyance, first one baker being tried and then another ; but finally " tokens " were introduced, and the custom arose of permitting the members to purchase bread by means of these tokens from whom they pleased, the bakers being afterwards paid by the Society. In a somewhat similar way the committee early tackled the question of supplying members with butcher- meat. Competitive offers were taken from local fleshers, and the late Mr John Clark was the first to secure the Society's trade, his offer of 2s. per £ discount being accepted against one of is. per £ from Mr WiUiam Craig. This Mr Craig, it may be interesting to point out, at that time a flesher in Main Street, was afterwards the owner of the Cogan Street Weaving Factory, and as such was well known throughout our district. It was part of the 27 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD arrangement that no dividend was allowed to members on their butchermeat purchases. As can be under- stood, this proved an5rthing but satisfactory ; and after several spasmodic attempts to put it on a better basis, the arrangement was finally abandoned. BOOTS AND COAL. In like manner, and within twelve months of its birth, the Society had arranged for the supply of boots from Mr John Paton, and of coals, first from Mr Alex. Kilpatrick but latterly from Mr Duncan Ferguson. All this is indicative of a spirit of enterprise on the part of the first managers, which, we believe, will scarcely be paralleled, and certainly not surpassed, in the annals of Scottish co-operation. And the sound sense and business capacity of the men who were at the head of its affairs is proven by the fact that these courageous experiments were made with at least partial if not always complete success, and that they were so safeguarded as to entail no loss or injury to the young organisation. FIRST QUARTERLY REPORT. The end of the first quarter was naturally awaited with great anxiety, and the committee, on 6th August 1861, is very pleased to report a sUght profit. It is too small, however, to permit the declaration of a dividend, and is accordingly carried forward as a small nest-egg for the second quarter. By the second of August we have climbed so far into a settled condition that it becomes advisable to insure the stock for £200. Two months later (on 8th October) the directors declare that " sensible of the growing business of the Society, the time has now arrived 28 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED for the appointment of a boy to assist the salesman," and Alexander Stark, son of the secretary, is selected for the situation. FIRST DIVIDEND. On the 5th November 1861 the second quarterly meeting is held, and the directors are in the proud and happy position of declaring their first dividend of is. id. per £, and of reporting at the same time that the fifty members of the opening have now increased to 100, and the £70 of capital has grown to £130. Doubtless there have been many proud moments in the history of the Society, and it must often have happened that the president for the time being felt a rich glow of pleasure when called upon to intimate some increase in trade or profit ; but we can well beUeve that in the whole records of the Society there could be no prouder moment and no happier president than Mr Adam Crawford when it feU to his lot to announce that modest dividend of i/i and that increase of 100 per cent, on the capital of the members. The practical and far-sighted wisdom of these pioneers is exemplified also in a motion, brought forward at the same meeting by two members of committee, to put aside 2^ per cent, of the profits as the nucleus of a reserve fund. It is true that the motion was defeated by a small majority, but it shows unmistakably that present success had not blinded the eyes of the leaders to the necessity for making sure of that success being built upon sohd and secure foundations. CONTINUED SUCCESS AND TRIALS. Continuing their career of prosperity, the committee, by the middle of December, decide to take the empty 29 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD liouse on the ground flat adjoining the shop. This is to be used chiefly for directors' meetings, but also as a land of auxiliary store for the increasing quantity of goods which they find it necessary to purchase. Already they are beginning to feel the pinch of small premises, and it is agreed to take down the partition which divides the shop in two in the hope that this will permit of more accommodation. So far we have spoken only of the triumphs and successes which came in that first six months, but no one who knows human nature — and shall we say particularly co-operative human nature — will run away with the idea that the lot of the committee was one of unbroken happiness, or that they slept upon a bed of roses. They had already been subjected to a good deal of criticism, they had been troubled in spirit by those whom Mr Stark in one of his early reports calls " dividend co-operators," and a number of dissatisfied ones had already confessed themselves disillusioned and had departed with their share of the capital. Indeed, the managers are feeUng the want of capital very much, and on the declaration of the next dividend they urge members to leave the money in the treasurer's hands, and beg those who cannot do so " to take it in goods and not in cash." As an instance of the want of sympathy which had occasionally to be faced, we may point to an incident in the winter of 1862 when there was great and exceptional want of work and much distress in the district. The Cotton Famine Fund was being formed to assist cases of necessity, and the directors of the Society were prepared to bear their part of the burden lying upon the community. They accordingly recommended to a special meeting a vote of £5 to the ftmd. This the 30 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED members reduced to £i, and at the following quarterly- meeting a resolution was carried censuring the committee for its resolution, and declaring that " the same was contrary to the spirit of co-operation ! " All this would, doubtless, be gall and wormwood to those early apostles of the new movement, burning as they were with an enthusiasm which only those who have taken part in some great movement in its early days can fully realise. BAD BUTTER AND DEAR SUGAR. Practical diflSculties also they are bothered with, and it will not seem strange to those who have had experience of committee work when we say that one of the first to put in an appearance was our hoary-headed , old friend " bad butter." " Bad butter " is the cry of the members at more than one of the early general meetings, and the committeemen are kept on the run trjdng to satisfy diverse tastes in that commodity. Another difficulty which worries the directors of that time is, unlike the butter one, tmfamiliar to his successor of to-day. This is the high price of sugar, coupled with the fact that there is a general habit amongst grocers of retailing it at or even below cost price. What is to be done with sugar ? If we sell at a price which will permit of a profit, our members will almost certainly purchase the article else- where. If we sell at cost, how are we to pay a dividend ? And so, after much anxiety, it is recommended to the members, and accepted by them, that sugar purchases shall be entered separately in the books, and no dividend paid thereon. Even then the managers feel they are working the sugar trade at a loss ; and at one meeting it is solemnly recorded in the minutes that an applicant 31 HISTQRY OF BARRHEAD for membership is refused admission " as the applicant is a large consumer of sugar " — surely as strange a reason as could well be imagined for keeping any person outwith the co-operative movement ! One wonders who this large consumer was, what were the reasons for his — or it may have been her — ^heavy consumption of sugar, and whether he, or she, afterwards reduced it to such manageable proportions as to permit of a new appUcation being accepted. It was only in November 1864, and that after a long discussion at a quarterly meeting, that the regulation as to paying no dividend on sugar was withdrawn. members' apathy. Another, difficulty which arises is, to our thoughts, somewhat unexpected. One naturally assigns to the men of an earlier generation the possession of virtues, the absence of which we deplore in our contemporaries. We are grieved, for instance, at the want of interest too often shown by members to-day, and, by contrast, we think of their predecessors as being full of enthusiasm and con- stantly animated by a spirit of devotion to duty. It is surprising, therefore, to find that, not once, but many times, in these early years the monthly and quarterly meetings had to be abandoned for want of the necessary quorum. Kven when the' membership has grown to three or four htmdred, we still find in the minutes notices of abandoned meetings. To overcome this, many plans were suggested. Warders were appointed for the different districts, with a view to beating up laggard members, and, for a long time, absentees from quarterly meetings were fined one penny. It is interesting to note in this connection that the recently established regulation for the 32 A Monthly Co-op<^r»fsvc JTonrnal of InlclIlKcnce. Vol. IV.— No. 38. OCTOBER, 1866. PmoE id. Si^£ ^attis^ €Q-apm\tix, SOIREE AT BARRHEAD. Tub annual soiree in connection ivitji tlte Co-operative Society of Barrhead was liold on th6 eveoiiig of Friday the 5tli October — Mr Robert Law preeiilout of the socioty in the ehflir. A blossuig being asked, the compuny partook of Tea au3 its acconipaiiimenta ; after wbich the chairman opened the business progi-amme with the foUowing address. — "My friends -^This is "what may be tenued onr anni- versary meeting. We have met to onjoy one another's fellowship, and to strength- en that friendly feeling which is so desir- able among eo-operatore. I believe that cij'Oporation is yet to change the face of Eociefcy', If working- men only saw it to be their "duty to co-operate for mutual beneflU, We are bound by every Uaiig that i^ sacrod, to try and make the World better than, wo found it, therefore, let as try to bring about that glorious ponod of univurea] brotherhood, which i>oc'Ia have eo beimtifally sung. Yes my friends, Jet ns try as intelligent men to gtjuid on our own manhood, to think for OmT»«. Ud. [ r«- ■--■ ' d •it.-jck ^oct'Uftt, £7S )!« Irf; A PACK FROM SCOTT/S// CO-OPERATOR, OCTOflER 18(50. CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED production of the share book on entering the meeting is but the revival of an old custom of the Society. Each member had to produce his book on entering the hall, and it was the duty of the two most recently appointed members of committee to keep the door, see that the rule was obeyed, and make a note of the number of each book shown, so that the absentees who did not figure on the list might be fined. THIRD quarter's DIVIDEND. With the completion of its third quarter and ttie repetition of the dividend of i/i, the Society may be said to have got fairly settled down. The success of the second quarter, it might have been argued, had been due to some fluke or to an error in bookkeeping, but a repetition on the same lines and at the same figure plainly indicated that Barrhead Co-operative Society had come to stay. From this time onward we find record of continual addi- tions to stock, and there is a constantly increasing stream of new members. The second balance-sheet — ^the first one showing a dividend — ^was printed ; but, on the preparation of the third, it is considered too expensive to have this done each time, and it is decided that only every alternate quarter's report be printed. Whilst we are touching upon dividends, it may be worth while noting that in the earUer years lower dividends ruled than would be acceptable to-day. In the fourth quarter the profit showed 1/2 per £, but it was not until fuUy ten years after the formation of the Society that a dividend of 2/ was earned and paid. When, in 1867, after a succession of profits ranging from 1/2 to 1/6, there was a sudden spring forward to one of i/io, the committee 33 D HISTORY OF. BARRHEAD cotild not repress the desire to let its vanity find expres- sion in the report. "This dividend (i/io)," it says, " is large, and should satisfy the expectations even of the most sanguine of the merely dividend co-operators, and especially gratif3ang will it be to , those who are co-operators on principle." BONUS TO EMPLOYEES. It is to be remembei-ed that from the beginning and, indeed, right on until May 1875, the payment of dividend on purchases was accompanied by an equivalent bonus on all emplpyees' wages. At a meeting in May 1875, a majority of the members decided against the continuance of the bonus to servants, and the position then taken up has never been altered, although it has sometimes been called in question. The decision on that point is an instance of a very complete change of policy, for at a meeting in June 1867 it was unanimously af&rmed that " the payment of a bonus on wages was a fundamental principle of co-operation." TROUBLE WITH FIRST SALESMAN. Its Speedy and continued success would seem to have indicated that the Society was fortunate in its first salesman, but this is hardly borne out by the minutes. John Blackwood would appear to have been a very capable person, but he seems to have made the mistake of thinking that the board would be a mere figurehead, content to look vacantly on at his management, provided he succeeded in producing profits. Before the first year is out there are evidences of conflict between the salesman and the committee. He is twice reprimanded for want 34 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED of respect towards the directors, and there are repeated complaints that he pushes certain goods and holds back others which are more sought after by members. It is therefore decided, in September 1862 — sixteen months after his appointment — to dispense with his services, principally on the. ground of his overbearing manner and disobedience to the directors. The following week Mr Martin Whyte is appointed to the vacancy, but the first man wiU not go without creating a certain amount of trouble. He carries his case before the following meeting of members, to whom he appeals for justice. He blames chiefly the boy, Alexander Stark, whom he alleges had been appointed against his wishes, and personally accuses the secretary of being the direct cause of his dismissal. The meeting, however, with unanimity, support the committee, and approve of what has been done. Even then John Blackwood remains a trouble. He desires, naturally, to withdraw his security at once, but £50 is more than the Society can afford to pay on short notice. Half of the amount is paid over in a week or two. There is a good deal of correspondence, and even threats of legal proceedings from both sides, but it is not till January of the following year that he finally obtains the balance due him. And, after all, the last word remains with the salesman, for he puts the Society to some inconvenience by refusing to grant his signature to a request that the "certificate of Ucense" (probably a tobacco licence) be transferred from his name to that of the president. SECOND SALESMAN AND SECOND SHOP. Within a short time of Mr Martin Whyte's appointment additional assistance is required to meet the growing 35 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD demands of members. Miss JVIaggie Whjrte is appointed to help in the shop, at first for three days a week, and latterly on full time. The little shop is no longer able to satisfy requirements, and after many negotiations with the proprietor — ^Mr GiUies, of Cross ArthurUe Hotel-^it is finally agreed to lease a shop then occupied as a pubhc- house at the corner of Bank Street. The lease is for ten years, with a break at seven ; and in May 1864 the Society moves into these larger and specially fitted premises. In the negotiaticais which preceded the taking of the new shop the late Mr John Allan acted as the agent between the Society and the landlord ; whilst the prac- tical arrangements and fitting up of the shops were left to men whose names are so famiUar to us as those of James Baillie and Thomas M'Cowatt. INCREASING CAPITAL. At a slightly later period the Society was beginning to find capital accumulating in its hands, and there were many anxious discussions as to how this could be remuneratively employed. A favourite proposal was the establishment of a com mill, and over and over again/' both in committee and at general meetings, motions are made as to the desirability of the Society taking up the grinding of grain for their own use and for sale to others. A few shares had already been taken in the Paisley Manufacturing Society, and an English company, the Calliard Flannel Manufacturing Company, had apparently appealed to the directors as a likely opening, and there were many talks about its prospects, but in the end no money was invested in the business. Another project which seems to have had an attraction for them, and 36 " r^ -issis MnM WI'T^'^m^M W ■'■■''■■ ff^m ^B % CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED with which they coquetted a good deal, was that of ham- curing. They frequently bought pigs from members and others in the district, which they killed and cured for sale, and a committee was appointed to investigate the subject with a view to commencing hamcuring on a larger scale ; but in the end nothing came of it, and instead of starting some small productive work of its own the Society was ultimately content to invest its surplus wealth in the larger undertakings of the general co-operative movement. CREDIT AND MENACES. In the rules drawn up for the Society, the promoters were careful to insist upon all its trade being done on the cash system, and on the outside cover of the original rule book stood the clear-cut statement — " All Purchases to be paid for on deUvery." Then, as now, there were members to whom this acted as an impediment to their desire to be consistent to the Society. The first effort to overcome this difficulty took the form of a clothing club, which was formed, not through the Society, but within it, and with its approval. This seems to have be^n unsatis- factory; for as early as 1864 we find a discussion on the first suggestion for the now famiUar menage system for the supply of boots and clothing. It was deferred at that time, the directors plainly indicating their dislike to anything in the nature of the dreaded credit trading, and it is some time later that the menage method is adopted. This is not the place to discuss the much debated question of a strictly cash or of a cash and strictly safeguarded credit trading, but it will, no doubt, interest many if we quote the remarks of the old Scottish Co-operator when 37 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD reviewing Barrhead Society's thirty-seventh balance-sheet. The report was a favourable one, and announced a dividend of i/ii per £. The editor speaks of it, therefore, in approving terms, but adds^— " We notice, however, an ugly item of £494 as value for goods owing to the Society. We are aware that this is incurred in that new mode of credit termed a ' menage,' but as we hear of several societies that have met losses from these menages, it will be well that the directors pay special attention to this matter as the sum gradually gets to be very large." The menage system with various modifications has ever since remained in operation. Either the fears of its opponents have proved groundless, or the successive committees have heeded the warning to keep a watchful eye upon the accounts, for we have not heard of any great loss inflicted by its workings, and, on the other hand, it has probably been one of the causes of the Society's steady and increasing trade. PURCHASE OF FIRST HORSE. From a very early date the committee aspired td own a horse of its own, and more than once instructions were asked from the members on the subject. No doubt the members were also flattered at the thought of possessing their own horse, but they were at the same time always careful not to commit themselves, and, time after time, they sent the proposal back to the board for further consideration. It was only after long thought that the directors could make up their minds to take the plunge. Finally, in the opening months of 1867, it is definitely decided to purchase a horse for the Society's use, and Mr James Williamson, the treasurer, and " another 38 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED member " are appointed to carry out the important commission. The real story of that first Horse transaction is still recited with gusto by Mr John Ivindsay — now one of the two surviving representatives of the original members of the Society. Mr WilUamson and Mr Robert I/aw, at that time president of the Society, journeyed to Glasgow, and in the market there they spotted " the very article " for their purpose. The bargain was quickly concluded, and in high spirits they brought their new faur-footed servant home. Gonimittee members and other frietids were hastily summoned to admire the new acquisition, and amongst those who attended was a carter, an uncle of Mr lyindsay. ' The company was examining the animal in solemn silence and at a respectful distance, but the carter immediately began a real professional inspection. After a few preliminaries, he proceeded to the important part of examining its mouth. No sooner had he pulled open the horse's jaws than " Man," he exclaimed, with the characteristic vigour of the carter, " the b has nae tongue." It was too true ! Whether by disease, accident, or ill-usage, the fact was undeniable that the horse had no tongue. What could be done with it ? was the anxious question of an excited committee. The carter being appealed to, offered to go with the sub- committee to Glasgow on the next market-day, where he heUeved he might sell it. " But mind ye," he added, " ye'U need to leave the market d smert whenever the beast's sel't." The horse was got rid of in this way at some loss, and for years afterwards the buying of the horse which had no tongue was a standing joke, relished by the buyers no less keenly because it was against themselves. Such is Mr lyindsay's story of the buying 39 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD of the first horse, and, reading between the lines, one can find ample verification in the minutes. On nth February 1867 the purchase is decided upon, and on i8th February Mr Williamson reports bujdng the animal, but the minute immediately adds " resolved, unanimous, that we sell the horse as soon as possible, as it is not fit for our business." f SUCCESSIVE SHOPMEN. Our record of the events which may properly be grouped under the general heading, " Early Days," which is given to this chapter will, we think, be brought to a fitting close if we return for a short time to the shop itself and the successive shopmen who presided there. Mr Martin Whyte, appointed in 1862, whilst the Society was still in its first shop, continued in its service until 1866 when he resigned. At this time the second shop had been occupied for two years, and trade had shown a very considerable increase. Robert Adam, from Paisley, was Mr Whjrte's successor, but he resigned in April 1868, and in doing so left the Society in a somewhat awkward fix. He could not remain longer than the 19th, and his successor, Robert Sturrock, from Greenock, could not come till the 26th. To make matters worse, the second-hand also intimated his intention of leaving on the 19th. This man had been making repeated but unsuccessful applications for an increase of wages, and he apparently thought this an excellent opportunity to force the hands of the directors. How to manage for the week pending the arrival of the new man was the question. Determined not to be beat, the committee accepted the second man's resignation, hurriedly appointed a lad in his place, and put in the treasurer, James Irvine, to assist until Mr Sturrock would 40 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED arrive. It was only a few weeks before this that the directors had removed the steadily increasing stock, of drapery from the grocery shop, and had appointed a Miss Au.chencloss to take charge of the first drapery department. She also was pressed into service in the grocery, and by these means the difficulty was overcome. The new salesman, Mr Sturrock, remained with the Society only a year, when he was appointed first manager of the newly-formed United Baking Society. He was succeeded by a Mr Joseph Tait, but this proved an ■unsatisfactory choice, and he was dismissed in 1871. His successor was Mr John Tyndall, the very mention of whose name is sufficient to indicate that we are approaching much more modem times, for Mr Tyndall will be recalled by a hundred for one who can remember any of his predecessors. For many years thereafter he continued in the Society's service, and was closely associated with the period of progress and development which followed. 41 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD CUAPTER IV. Rapid Progress — 1871-1881. Erection of First Property — Second Property^Drapery — The Bread Question — Erection of Bakery — Stables — Neilston Branch — Neilston Worries — Proposed Branch Uplawmoor — Experiments in Tailoring' — The Coal Trade^Proposed Fire Brigade^A Remarkable Meeting — A Changed Outlook — Prominent Workers in this Decade. "And from the discontent of man The world's best progress springs." — Ella Wheeler- Wilcox. WITH the beginning of the second decade of its history the Society started upon a period of rapid expansion and development. Although the shops at the corner of Bank Street had been gutted out and then specially fitted and furnished to suit the Society's requirements, when it entered upon its occupancy there in 1864, it was soon discovered that the premises were far too small for the steadily growing trade. PURCHASE OF FIRST PROPERTY. As early as 1866 the committee began looking out for property which it might purchase or for a suitable feu whereon it might build. In the following year (1867) an unsuccessful effort was made to purchase an old property 42 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY' LIMITED in Main Street almost directly opposite the Free Church. At this time the Society woiild willingly have become purchaser of the property it then occupied, but as a' back entrance was desired from Bank Street, and it was found impossible to secure this at a reasonable price, the idea of purchase had to be abandoned. In the minutes of the three foUowifig years the subject crops up periodically, and several abortive attempts are made to secure property. Finally in 1870 it is reported that an old building at Bourock is for sale.' It is agreed by the directors to ofier up to £250 for this building, and at a public ' sale the Society was the successful bidder at £200. This old building stood on the part of the site now occupied by the central grocery shop. ■ Adjoining this, and included in the purchase, was an empty plot of ground, and in November of the same year (1870) it was decided to build on this vacant ground, and a special committee was appointed to devise a suitable building scheme. Plans were accordingly prepared and approved by the members, and in April 1871 the erection of this first building, which forms the older section of the central premises, was begun. The honour of laying the memorial-stone was entrusted to Mr Robert Stark, and this was publicly and cere- moniously performed at a great demonstration on the 20th October, when various historical records and reports of the Society were deposited within the stone. It is characteristic of the men and of the period that the minutes should contain an entry to the effect that " on this occasion each workman engaged at the building shall be allowed a founding pint." It was their first building, and they were determined that all the proper and conventional honours should be observed. 43 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD SEC'OND BUILDING. The old property which had been purchased along with this feu was allowed to stand for a number of years. It seems to have been a source of frequent trouble, for it required a great deal of repair and some of the tenants could hardly be induced to pay rent. Indeed, it is noted that one tenant would neither pay rent nor " flit," and he was only induced to take the latter course upon the Society threatening to put in the sherifE-ofl&cer and "distrain" his furniture for rent. By November 1877 it was formally agreed at a general meeting of members to pull down this old building, and on its site erect shops and dweUing-houses. In January of the following year plans were prepared and were adopted by the members, who further instructed the committee to proceed as soon as they thought desirable. These plans provided for a tenement of three storeys, with shops on the groxmd flat and offices immediately above ; but the committee of that time seems to have been timorous, and took fright at the size of the tmdertaking, strongly recommending the members to proceed with a building of two storeys only. A special meeting was called to consider the board's recommendation; but the members showed themselves wiser, or at least bolder, than the directors, and by a large majority decided that the original three-storey plan should be adhered to. Building was accordingly proceeded with, and on the 25th March 1879 the Society's grocery business was removed from the old premises at Bank Street to the new central shops at Bourock. A few evenings later a grand public soiree was held in honour of the event. 44 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED DRAPERY. As we noted at the close of the preceding chapter, it was found necessary in 1868 to remove the greatly- increased drapery stock from amongst the groceries, and house this in a separate branch next door to the grocery shop. The stocking of drapery goods began almost as soon as the Society started business, but only small stocks were held, and it took close on eight years for the trade to reach a point at which a separate drapery department was felt to be a necessity. The new effort was not an immediate success, and for some time it is evident that many of the members doubted if they had been wise to latmch out in this direction. There was no going back, however, and with the erection of their own property in 1871, and the provision there of a larger and better shop, the drapery department became a more satisfactory part of the Society's business. It may be noted that up till the erection of the main part of the central premises the first property was always called " Drapery Building." THE BREAD QUESTION. The year 1877 is a notable one in the records of the Society, for not only did it witness the decision to proceed with the second part of the central building, but in the earlier part of the same year it had also been agreed to go on with the erection of a bakery. It has already been mentioned that the Society had arranged almost from its opening day to supply members with bread. The intervening years had seen many changes, and during that time many different bsikers had been on the Society's list. As we have already pointed out, the system of purchasing 45 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD from private bakers and retailing the bread to members was not only in many respects unsatisfactory, but it appears also to have. been very unprofitable, only meagre discounts being allowed. As early as 1865 it was proposed that the Society should bake its own bread. The minutes of the following years seem to indicate, strangely enough, that the members were ripe and ready for action in this matter, but the successive directors were either too timid, or foresqjv much more clearly than their constituents did the difficulties in the way of such a venture. In 1866, in 1867, and once again in 1868, general meetings were tested on the subject, and on each occasion a majority is obtained for the proposal. Still the committee hung back, and were apparently too fearful to take the necessary action. In the agitation for a united co-operative baking society in 1868-9, Barrhead, as we shall see later, played a prominent part, and with the establishment of the Baking Society the bread problem was for the time being solved. ERECTION OF BAKERY. By the year 1875 the old demand for a bakery of their own was revived, and at a special meeting, in Jime 1876, power was given to the committee to purchase or to erect premises for , baking purposes. This resolution was confirmed in November, and Messrs l/ochhead, M'Cowatt, and Johnstone were appointed a special committee to look after premises or ground. This committee, after looking about for some time, finally determined that the best thing to do was to build on the as yet empty feu at Bourock. This was strongly opposed by the directors, and the trouble between the latter and the bakery committee became so serious that a special general meeting 46 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED had to be called to settle the question at issue and to decree that the bakery committee must be subject to the board. The, committee was , accordingly forced to look elsewhere than to the Bourock site. Eventually a feu was secured from Mr Bams Graham, in Cross Arthurlie. Terms were concluded by ,1;;he end, of May 1877, and on the 2nd July , offers for building and fittingrup the bakery were accepted. , At the eiid, of that, year the bakery , b,uilding; committee had completed its labours, and on Saturday, 22nd December 1877, the bakery was handed over to the. directors. Work was started pn the evening of Sunday, 23rd December, a fact which seemingly troubled the consciences of some of the members,, fox a motion was ,made, but defeated, to the effect that the start should be delayed till, Monday evening. The feu thus secured in Barnes Street was considerably larger than was necessary for the Society's immediate purposes, and in 1879 an offer was made by a Qlasgow architect for part of the vacant ground. Some of the members favoured acceptance of this offer, but wiser counsels prevailed, and the offer was refused. STABLES. The erection of the bakery, and the consequently increasing need for the use of horses, naturally created a demand for better and more convenient stable accommoda- tion. In 1878 the . erection of the stables at the bakery was determined upon, and the work was completed in April 1879. NEILSTON BRANCH. In tracing the growth of the Society's property we have gone somewhat beyond the period at which the 47 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD first branch shop was opened. Following upon the erec- tion of the first part of the central buildings in 1871, the next step in the line of extension was the establishment of the branch at Neilston. This was first suggested in 1871, and at that time it was agreed to have a lecture in the village from Mr Borrowman, of Glasgow, with a view to seeing whether enough members would be found to warrant the starting of A new society or the planting of a branch from Barrhead. We hear nothing about the direct Outcome of this lecture, but what we may take to have been one of its more or less indirect results foUows in December, when a deputation from Neilston waited upon the directors, and besought them to open a branch. A fortnight later a special general meeting was called to discuss the proposal. The members were divided in their opinions as to the advisability of the step, but finally, by a majority, it was agreed to open a branch as desired. Meantime, the Neilston petitioners and their friends were asked to join the Society, and the committee was instructed to begin delivering goods in -the village three times a week until the branch could be opened. Two months later (February 1872) a shop was taken from Mr Matthew Waddell, on a six years' lease, at a T&a.t of ;f 12 per year. The new shopman who was appointed received the large wage of £1 per week, and was asked to put down £^0 of security. On the 5th of July 1872 the shop was opened for business, and on the evening of that day, to quote the pronouncement of the minute-book, " a soiree was held to honour the opening of the shop in connection with co-operation in the village from which the parish takes its name." 48 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED NEILSTON TROUBLES. The usual troubles and worries followed. The branch met with the customary failures and successes, but for some years the Neilston branch seems to have been regarded by many of the Barrhead members as some- thing of a white elephant ; and in 1875 a suggestion was made that Neilston should be separated from Barrhead and formed into a distinct society. Neilston members, however, showed no inclination to accept their proferred freedom, and in February 1876 Mr John C. Shaw gave notice of motion — " That the Neilston branch be given up." At the general meeting which followed, Mr Shaw's motion was decisively defeated, and the directors were specially instructed " to do everjdiiing they can to further the interests of the branch." Four years later we have a revival of the same trouble and dissatisfaction. A series of low profits ends in the dismissal of the shopman, and again we have a motion (proposed this time by Mr Robert Murray) — " That we separate Neilston shop from the Barrhead business, and ask Neilston members to take it over for themselves." At the quarterly meeting in May 1880 this motion was hotly debated, and an amendment, to the effect that the subject lie over for three months for decision, and that the next quarterly meeting be held in Neilston, was carried by a majority. The next quar- terly meeting was held in Neilston, in accordance with this decision, and at that meeting a motion that no separation should take place was carried without amend- ment. The " separatists " were either routed in argument, or converted from the error of their ways, or the Kirkhill 49 E HISTORY OF BARRHEAD Brae had proved too much for them ; whatever the reason, they were silent at the Neilston meeting, and that is the last word we hear on that subject. PROPOSED BRANCH AT UPLAWMOOR. It is interesting to note that, after Neilston, the next branching proposal to crop up is one which even to this day the Society has not realised— namely, the opening of a shop in Uplawmoor. At a meeting of the directors, in July 1873, the secretary reported that Colonel Mure of Caldwell was anxious that a co-operative store should be opened at Uplawmoor. The directors spent some time considering the question, and the secretary, with Messrs Thomas Hodgson and Alexander Johnstone, were appointed to meet the Colonel, and get his views on the subject. Curiously enough, we hear no more of the proposed branch, the minutes being silent as to the result of that conference with the Colonel or, indeed, whether it took place at aU. It is, of course, known to all that for the past few years the directors of the Society have been paying attention to that now steadily developing village. Propaganda meetings have been held there from time to time, one of these, in the winter of 1909-10, being addressed by Mr WiUiam Ferguson (then president of the Society), Mr Weir (managing- secretary), and others. The idea, mooted in 1873, that a branch of Barrhead Co-operative Society might be established there, has taken a long time to grow, but apparently it has not been wholly abandoned. In this year of commemoration might it be suggested, as a not unworthy memorial of the pioneers, that a jubilee branch of the Society should at last be planted in Uplawmoor ? 5° CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED EXPERIMENTS IN TAILORING. In tke beginning of 1872 the thoughts of the directors were turned towards tailoring. The subject was anxiously but hopefully discussed, and it was finally agreed that the experiment should be made. A room was accordingly fitted up in which, by November, a journeyman tailor — a Mr Cameron — ^was duly installed. Precise particulars are given of the prices to be charged for difierent classes of work ; but the moment was seemingly unpropitious, for the minutes of the following quarterly meeting show that there was great diversity of opinion as to the wisdom of the step, and in September of the succeeding year {1873) the tailoring effort was given up. The subject was not revived again until 1879, when it was agreed to ask prices from two local tailors for making suits, etc., for members. The replies were not satisfactory, and in the closing month of that year a deputation was appointed to wait on Mr Douglas, tailor, " and see if he wiU not allow 10 per cent, on aU trade we may send his way." The deputation would appear to have failed in its effort to induce Mr Douglas to part with the necessary per- centage, for the next minute records that it was decided " to let each go where they have a mind to get their clothes made, as formerly." At a later date a working arrangement was made with Mr Wylie, tailor, and this continued in operation for a considerable time ; but a good many years had yet to elapse before the Society could successfully enter upon tailoring for its members. THE COAL TRADE. From a very early period the supply of coal was a subject upon which the minds of the members had been seriously 51 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD exercised. After many discussions the sale of coal was added in April 1867, and a sub-committee was appointed to supervise this department. At this time no effort was made to deal directly with the supply, the orders being simply left with the Society and passed on to one of the local agents with whom an agreement had been made. This method continued undisturbed for a number of years, but it is evident that the members had often great doubts as to its wisdom and usefulness. In the beginning of 1877 the directors were recommended by a quarterly meeting to take a depot for the direct supply of fuel, but this recommendation the directors seem to have quietly ignored. In the following year the members repeat their instruction, merely to have it treated in the same fashion ; and it was not until December 1879, and then only after action had been clamoured for at successive meetings, that it was finally decided " to put a man at the ree, and start the coal trade on our own account at once." The details of the scheme as recorded in the minute-book suggest a very humble start, for we find that Alexander Kilpatrick was offered sixpence a week for the use of his box, and John Purdie, who was appointed " our man at the ree," was asked to state what price he would take " for the use of his shovel, barrow, and riddle." The modem system of selling coal in cwt. bags was, at that time, entirely unknown in our district, the trade being practically all done in half or whole ton lots. At this date the Society possessed only two horses, and so the committee felt that they could not undertake the cartage of the coal, and this was, for a period, let to a local contractor. 52 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED MENAGE PROTESTS. ' At the monthly meeting following the establishment of the coal depot, there was a heated debate as to the propriety of extending the " menage " system to the purchase of coals. Vigorous protests were made against such extension, and it was proposed that the coal supply should be formed into a separate business and undertaken by a distinct society. At this time the idea of separation seems to have been " in the air," for not only had it been proposed to separate Neilston branch from the Society, but the same thing had also been suggested in regard to the bakery. Fortunately, these ideas were entertained merely by a small minority, and the proposal to cast off the coal supply was like the others handsomely defeated. The general meetings immediately following show a continuance of divided opinion on the subject, but this gradually disappears, and the coal department becomes a permanent addition to the business of the Society. FIRE BRIGADE PROPOSED. In January 1880 the Society had its first experience of fire, when a quantity of hay was destroyed. One of the results of this was a resolution by the committee to procure fire-hose and form a fire brigade from amongst the members. The proposal was accepted at a general meeting, and in March 1880 volunteers were asked to join the brigade; but there is no evidence that the suggestion ever took shape, and when the next and more serious fire occurs at the bakery, in 1882, we hear of the work of the Paisley fire brigade, but there is no mention of any brigade belonging to the Society. 53 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD A REMARKABLE MEETING. If the directors of this period were laggards in the matter of the coal supply there is plentiful evidence that in other matters their views were far in advance of those of the members. At meeting after meeting they brought forward proposals for extension and development, only to have their ideas flouted by the members. They made proposals for new grocery branches, for a bread shop, and for a boot and shoe shop, but these suggestions were all in turn rejected. In this respect one of the most remarkable general meetings of the Society was that of May 1880, when a whole budget of proposals by the board suffered indiscriminate slaughter. Thus Mr Robert Murray moved that we establish branches at Grahamston and DovecothaU — amotion overwhelmingly defeated. Mr Crichton proposed that we create a boot and shoe department by altering a house in Drapery Building, but the directors were instructed " to let the house as usual." A motion from the committee that the time had now arrived for the appointment of a manager met with the same fate, and the proposed giving up of Neilston branch was also defeated. For all these motions the committee, as a body, or individual directors were responsible, so that it must have been a sorely chastened board which gathered together when that meeting was over. A CHANGED OUTLOOK. In this retrospect of the second ten years' history of the Barrhead Society it will be noted that a decided change has come over the aims, if not the spirit of the co-operators. In the earlier days the thoughts of the members seemed 54 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED to run less on the supply of the immediate necessities of life as an end in itself and more on the great schemes of productive co-operation to which this humbler form of trading was to be but the prelude. During the first ten years, the acquirement of capital and the setting of it to the work of production seemed to be the chief if not the sole aim of the founders, and the dividends earned were regarded primarily as the material with which this was to be accomplished. But in the second decade we have practically no mention of this side of the movement at all, and we find members and directors alike settled down to the work of buying and selUng ; of providing as many articles of food, clothing, and fuel as possible ; and, at the same time, earning a dividend on as generous a scale as could be attained to. In other words, the earning of dividend has become an end in itself rather than a means towards conquering the whole field of productive and distributive labour. It is not our business in this book to consider whether this was a change for better or for worse. That is a task rather for the historian of the larger movement, and it is sufficient if we note here that this change in the outlook of co-operators did take place in Barrhead, just as other observers have noted a similar alteration in connection with other societies. PROMINENT WORKERS. Throughout this period we miss many of the names which were familiar during the first years, and these are replaced by the names of such active workers as Messrs Alexander Crichton, Alexander Johnstone, James Williamson, Matthew Stewart, Robert Murray, James Peters, Angus Wyse, and William Braidwood. 55 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD CHAPTER V. Advance Continued — 1881-1891. Consolidation and Steady Advance — Grahamston Branch — Dovecothall Branch — Boot and Shoe Shop — First Barnes Street Property — Smoke- boards and Swees — Neilston Extensions ; Branch or Build ? — The Seven Years' War — Main Street Branch — Tailoring — Dressmaking — Fleshing — Purchase of Bourock No. 2 Property — Succession of Foremen — Cross Arthurlie Property — George Street Property — Hard- ware Branch — Permanent Officials — Relief of Distress — Semi-Jubilee — Gas Company Shares — Annual Soirees Discontinued — Directors Fees — Prominent Workers. " Do the Duty that lies nearest thee — that which thou knowest to be a Duty ! The next Duty will already become clearer." — Carlyle. IF experiment and rapid progress were the features of the years 1871-81, we may dedare the out- standing characteristics of the ensuing ten or fifteen years to have been consolidation of the powers and capacity of the Society, and steady advancement along the lines which experience had shown to be safe and sound. This, of course, is precisely what we might expect to happen. It is essentially in the nature of things that the first steps in the performance of a task such as . co-operation had set itself to accomplish should seem great and wonderful, because of their new and original character, whereas later advances along the same lines should present rather the qualities of steadiness and surety. 56 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED GRAHAMSTON BRANCH. Having proven its ability to organise and manage such undertakings as the bakery, the coal trade, the erection of houses for its members, and the handling of a branch department in Neilston, it was only to be expected that the growing desire for other branches and further building would demand satisfaction. We accordingly find the proposal for a branch at Grahamston (defeated in May 1880) revived in February of the following year. This time there is no opposition, and not a single dissenter to the instruction given to the committee for the opening of a branch grocery shop. The directors evidently lost no time in facing their commission, and within a month they had taken a lease of a shop in Cross ArthurUe, in a new property adjoining the bridge over the lycvem. Arrange- ments were pushed quickly forward, and on the 14th of April 1881 the Shop was opened for business. DOVECOTHALL BRANCH. It will be recalled that the original motion for a branch at Grahamston included also a clause demanding a branch at Dovecothall. As in defeat, so also in acceptance they were not divided, and before the end of the year 1881 the Dovecothall branch is arranged for and opened. Grahamston achieves a fair measure of success almost at once, but Dovecothall takes longer to settle down into a satisfactory condition, and its slowness in this respect is ascribed chiefly to unsuitable and rat-infested premises. BOOT AND SHOE SHOP. when the Society opened (in April 1882) a separate branch for the sale of boots and shoes, it realised what 57 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD had been one of its very early hopes. A small stock of boots and shoes, mostly for house wear or of a light make, had been held in the grocery shop, along with some drapery goods, almost from the beginnings of the Society. In 1868, when the drapery goods were housed in a distinct department, boots and shoes naturally went with them, and this arrangement continued in force for many years. In May 1880 the directors recommeiided the alteration of a house in the central property, so as to permit of the formation of a boot and shoe department ; but this proposal, it will be remembered, was one of the many innocents crueUy murdered by a callous membership at the memorable meeting already spoken of. Like the Grahamston and DovecothaU proposals, it was, however, destined to a speedy resurrection ; and at the quarterly meeting in February 1882 it was unanimously agreed that a part of the central shop should be partitioned off for this purpose. Mr Benjamin Gray, a former member of committee, was appointed salesman and cobbler, and under his management the shop was duly opened. FIRST BARNES STREET PROPERTY. The next advance which falls to be noted is the erection of the first Barnes Street tenement. The board had agreed to recommend this to the members in July 1881, but on second thoughts it withdrew the recom- rtjendation. A year later, in August 1882, the subject was laid before the members, and power was granted to the board to proceed with one or two tenements as they thought advisable. The directors inclined to the side of moderation, and instructed the preparation of plans for one tenement. When these were submitted, the cost was 58 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED declared to be mucli too high, and they were returned to the architect for adjustment on more economical lines. To those who have reached middle life or are over it, the year of grace 1882 seems comparatively near in point of time ; but how much our domestic arrangements have altered in that period is vividly suggested by a phrase in the minute-book to the effect that the building committee be instructed to put in " smoke-boards and swees." The; builder who now put in these at one time universal adjuncts of a Scottish home would be regarded as a survival from an ancient period. The Barnes Street (No. i) property was completed and ready for occupancy in May 1883. NEILSTON EXTENSIONS. After the final defeat, in 1880, of the proposal to separate Neilston from the parent stem, we hear nothing of the position of the shop in the village until the quarterly meeting in August 1881, when a motion to give the committee power to build was defeated. This formed the starting-point for a war which raged inter- mittently for several years, and was not concluded until 1888, when building was commenced. During that long period the active members of the Society were divided into two strongly partisan groups — those who favoured and those who opposed building in the village. The pages of the minute-books for these years Uterally teem with motions and cotmter-motions on the subject. The shop first taken had now been occupied for nine years, and as it' was inadequate to meet the increased trade, a new one had to be rented. By the year 1884, a continuous agita- tion on the subject had sufficiently impressed the members as to cause them to grant the committee power 59 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD to look out for a still more suitable shop, or to procure ground for building. Two months later this is changed to a suggestion from the general meeting that the board should retain the present shop and rent another as a branch estabUshment at or near Holehouse. BRANCH OR BUILD. No definite action is taken, and again, in January 1885, the members are tested on the question of " building " or " branching." This time victory rests with the "builders," by 38 votes to 29. The " branchers," how- ever, refuse to " take it lying down," and at the following board meeting a largely signed protest is lodged against the feuing of ground for building purposes. The directors — rendered timid, doubtless, by the keen division amongst the members — decide to take no action imtil after the quarterly meeting in February. Those who- can recall the activities of that time and the fighting spirit then abroad in the Society Mdll know what pulUng of strings and beating of drums would precede the quarterly meeting. At the meeting itself the chairman — Mr John Nairn — must have been in sore straits to see his way through the maze of motions, amendments, and counter- amendments with which he was assailed. Finally, he got them straightened out into the plain issue "build" or " branch," and now the " branchers " had their day of triumph with 91 votes against 40 for their opponents. The now famiUar "Are we downhearted ? " had not yet become a popular battle-cry, but the " builders " were evidently full of its spirit, for they at once retorted with a requisition to the board, signed by Neilston members, and urging that there should, be no branching for grocery, 60 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED but only for boots and drapery. Again the directors proved themselves weaklings in the face of the storm. They replied that they could not over- ride the decision of the members, but that they would delay action until after next quarterly meeting in May. How much excitement there was, and how high the feeUng of the moment ran, may be guessed from one fact, reported to the committee. It was stated that a mass meeting had been held in the village to discuss the question, and that it had been called by the town beUman in the name of the Society ; but the president, on being challenged, disclaimed all knowledge of the meeting or of those who had authorised it ! END OF THE " SEVEN YEARS' WAR." This game of battledore and shuttlecock continued over the next two years ; but finally, in the end of 1885, it was agreed to rent a shop from Mr Patrick CrUly, for the purpose of estabhshing a branch for the sale of boots, drapery, and hardware. For the time being, the honours of the fray rested with those who opposed the building scheme ; but in February 1888 building became an admitted necessity. Grotmd was secured for this pur- pose, and on the first, Saturday of Jtme 1889 a grand open-air demonstration was held to celebrate the comple- tion of the premises. This closed one of the most protracted and most sternly fought conflicts in the history of the Society. Perhaps it may be of interest if we add that the opposing leaders in this long struggle were Mr Robert Murray and Mr Robert Campbell — the former for branching, and the latter for building. Both of them with the gift of expression, both eager Radicals in politics 61 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD and ardent co-operators by conviction — these two men yet appeared to approach many questions from entirely different standpoints. As a result, we find them often opposed to each other ; and for years at this time the most frequently recurring entry in the minutes is to the effect that " Mr Campbell combated the statements of Mr Murray," or that " Mr Murray challenged the conclu- sions of Mr Campbell." In face of this, it is always refreshing to find that, should a motion be made for the granting of money to relieve distress, or for the purpose of extending the boundaries of co-operative activity, the two antagonists are at once side by side in its defence and support. MAIN STREET BRANCH. The foregoing note on what we have called " the seven years' war " has brought us forward from 1881 to 1888, and we must hark back again to 1885, when the committee sought to obtain power for the opening of a branch about the middle of Main Street, "so as to reUeve the pressure, both at DovecothaU and on the Central." On the i6th of March a sub-committee, which had been appointed to look out for premises, reported in favour of a shop belonging to Mr WilUam Taylor, and at that time occupied by a private grocer. This was the shop now occupied by the Main Street fleshing department. The shop was accordingly taken, and business started in May 1885. At first the premises were not regarded as very satisfactory, and before the end of the year the board recommended the purchase of a tenement in the vicinity with what was thought a more suitable shop. This proposal, however, the members almost unanimously negatived, on the ground that they objected to any 62 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED more money being sunk in property meantime. In the circumstances the directors thought the best thing to do was to take a seven years' lease of the shop they had so recently entered, and this was accordingly done. TAILORING. The spasmodic efforts at tailoring and the makeshift arrangements made from time to time had never given satisfaction to the members, and at last, in March 1886, it was decided to fit up a workshop in the new property in Cross Arthurlie Street, and appoint a foreman tailor. Within twelve months of the establishment of this branch the trade had grown so considerably that the workroom had to be enlarged to accommodate the additional hands employed. For a year or two thereafter the business appears to have gone on satisfactorily, if slowly ; but by 1890 certain troubles, which had been gathering with the foreman (Mr R. PoUock), reached a head. The com- plaints recorded against him included disdbedience to the orders of the directors, carelessness in his work, and the giving of unauthorised credit. On these grounds he was dismissed from his position of authority, but was offered, strangely enough, a place at the working board. This he accepted, and a rather curious situation was created. The directors sent for one of the workmen (Mr Goudie), and asked him to become foreman. This he declined ; but the directors were insistent, and at last he agreed " reluctantly," the minute-book states, "to do so." Ten days later he appeared before the committee, and begged to be relieved of the duties they had imposed upon him. There was nothing for it but to comply with the request, and the committee tried to put as good a face on the 63 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD » situation as possible by " ordering " the deposed foreman back to his former position. Such a situation was, of course, too strained to last, and a fortnight later the first foreman was dismissed ; but the committee insisted that he shotdd go round the members to whom he had given' credit, and collect the outstanding sums before they would pay him his security money. This does not appear to have been a very successful effort, and some time later it was decided to pay over the security rather than be troubled any further with the matter. With the appoint- ment of a new foreman things went on smoothly and successfully for a considerable time. At a much later date — namely, in 1899^-the present foreman, Mr Morrison, entered upon the duties which he has successfully performed ever since. DRESSMAKING. Unlike tailoring and other branches with which we have been dealing, dressmaking was a section of business which the earUer committees do not seem to have thought of taking up at all. The first recorded suggestion in this way was made by Mr WilUam Braidwood in October 1887, and at the November- quarterly meeting power was given to the board to begin dressmaking in the following spring, should they think fit to do so. The committee was commendably prompt in its attention to this decision, and by February 1888 a dressmaker had been appointed, and the business was started. Within a month a second hand and two learners were engaged ; but it is apparent that the committee were by no means favourable to the usual rule of this trade — namely, that learners should work for the first six months without 64 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY IJMITED wages. They circtilarised other societies on the subject, and at a later meeting agreed that the wages of learners for the first six months should be 2s. 6d. per week. This is a rule which is stiU observed by the Society. At first a fair measure of support was accorded to the new venture, but later on we hear a good deal of complaint on the score of neglect by the members. In the winter of 1890 much dissatisfaction had been generated in regard to the position of this branch, and in January 1891 a special general meeting was called to discuss the subject. Mr John Martin contended that the loss in the depart- ment and its failure to secure the loyal support of the members was due to the mismanagement of the person in charge, and not to any special difiiculty in running such a branch. Mr R. Murray argued that it was impossible, in the present stage of co-operation, to make dressmaking pay, and advised that the branch be closed. Messrs Braidwood, Campbell, and Gavin Mackinlay saw no insuperable difiiculty in attaining success ; and Mr Campbell, in particular, emphasised the appearance of weakness which would result if they dropped the effort. A motion remitting the subject back to committee, and with power to add millinery if they thought this wotild help the dressmaking, was finally carried. At the quarterly meeting in February, and at two subsequent monthly meetings, the debate was continued along the same Unes ; and eventually those who alleged mismanage- ment as the cause of the meagre support carried their point, and secured the dismissal of the head-dressmaker. As in the case of tailoring, so in that of dressmaking, the appointment of a new chief brought with it a period of quiet progress. 65 F HISTORY OF BARRHEAD FLESHING. The supply of butchermeat to the members forms one of the longest sections of the Society's story. The earlier arrangements with local butchers have already been mentioned. These arrangements underwent frequent alteration, but continued more or less in force until 1883, when a contract was entered into with a Glasgow firm for the supply of beef rumps, etc. These were sent out to the various grocery departments and retailed there. In the interval the subject of branching on their own account had been repeatedly discussed, and more than once definite instructions on the point had been given by the members. Finally, in November 1888, a committee, consisting of John Nairn, Gavin Pinkerton, and John M'Corkindale, was appointed to look out for suitable premises. The committee recommended the purchase of the property at the head of Main Street, belonging to Mr John Clark, flesher ; but at the general meeting of the members in December sanction was refused, and it was remitted to the committee to rent a shop, and have it opened for business as soon as possible. After much discussion as to the relative merits of a Main Street and a Cross Arthurlie shop, the committee finally returned to their first love ; and in spite of the members' decision not to purchase, they asked Mr Clark to name his price for his Main Street property. PURCHASE OF BOUROCK NO. 2 PROPERTY. It was a somewhat bold thing to do ; but notwith- standing their rebufi in December, the committee again came forward in February with a recommendation that 66 GO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED Mr Clark's property should be purchased at the price of, £1,150, and to this the members unanimously agreed. The shop was opened on Friday, ist March 1889, and in June of the same year a killing-house was, after much opposition on the part of neighbouring proprietors, erected on ground in Barnes Street. SUCCESSION OF FOREMEN. The fleshing department was opened during what may justly be regarded as the stormiest period of the decade now under review. It was just about this time that excitement was at its highest in regard to the tailoring and dressmaking departments. It is not surprising, therefore, to find the new branch involved in the same circle of disturbance. The profits are not up to expec- tations, the van service gives great trouble, the Whole- sale Society's supply of cattle does not please the foreman or the committee, and both committee and foreman are upbraided by general meetings for want of loyalty. The minutes of the period read Uke the records of a succession of battles. All the old fighters are there, dealing mighty blows at one another ; and, in addition, many of the newer men take a hand in the melee. The excitement culminates in the dismissal of the first foreman. His successor soon follows in the same way, and within a short period the same thing happens to a third, a fourth, and a fifth, until the appointment of the present foreman, Mr WilUam Ross, in December 1891. From this point the excitement of the first years subsides, and the branch gradually settles down into the condition which it retains to-day. 67 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD ^ CROSS ARTHURLIE PROPERTY. In detailing the foregoing succession of new branches we have got somewhat beyond the time when the next step in building was determined upon. The Grahamston grocery branch had been opened less than three years when (in November 1884) it had become the feeling of members and committee alike that better premises were a necessity. Building was accordingly decided upon, and, from a number of sites offered, one at the comer of George Street and Cross Arthurlie Street was ultimately chosen. Plans were immediately prepared, and were approved at a special meeting on ist May 1885, and the building was completed in the following year. GEORGE STREET PROPERTY. No time was lost in completing the block of tenements thus begun, for in June 1887 plans for the George Street property were accepted, and this section was finished in 1888, two years later than the first portion. HARDWARE DEPARTMENT. In the beginning of 1889 it was suggested that an empty shop in No. 2 Bourock property should be fitted up as a hardware department. This was confirmed at the quarterly meeting in August, and in November of the same year the branch was duly opened. PERMANENT OFFICIALS. We have now touched upon the chief items which enter into the composition of the years 1881 to 1891, but there are one or two minor matters which are not devoid of interest. It was, for instance, during this period that 68 f. :' i- 1 12 1 J ■ t""^'-* ■ ! 1 :4 f o o o CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED the Society first attained to the position of appointing permanent oflScials. From the beginning of the Society in 1861 up till 1882, the duties of the secretariate had been faithfully discharged by Mr Robert Stark in his spare time. His first small salary of £2 per year had been increased from time to time during that twenty-one years, and at last, after the matter had been thrashed out at several successive meetings, he was appointed permanent managing-secretary on 9th November 1882, at a salary of ;f8o. The treasurer, like the secretary, had been a spare Jtime official from the start of the Society, and this arrangement continued for close on five years after Mr Stark's permanent appointment. At the quarterly meeting in February 1887 it was agreed, on the motion of Mr -Gavin Pinkerton, that the office should become a full-time one, and Mr James Williamson, at that time treasurer, received the appointment. RELIEF OF DISTRESS. One of the most notable features of this time was the readiness with which the Society responded to any appeal made to it on account of disaster or distress. To quite a number of mining accident and other funds it subscribed handsomely, and when in the winter of 1885-6 the district was passing through a period of hardship, a sum of £50 was, on the motion of Mr Angus Wyse, granted towards the reUef of distress. A very different decision this from that of 1863, when the committee was rebuked by the members for voting £1 in similar circumstances, and it plainly indicates that if our modern co-operation has lost some of the ideals of its founders it has developed other and no less admirable characteristics to which perhaps 69 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD the pioneers were strangers. In the winter of 1890-1 there was a repetition of unemployment and consequent misery in the district, and on this occasion Mr R. Murraj- proposed a grant of £85. Mr Robert Campbell bettered this by suggesting £100. His proposal was agreed to, and a representative committee was appointed to administer the fund. SEMI- JUBILEE. The semi- jubilee of the Society fell just about the middle of this time, namely, in Jime 1886. A special committee was appointed to make arrangements for a, great open-air demonstration on Saturday, 29th May, to be followed by a free social meeting in the evening. In connection with this it is rather amusing to find that Mr Stark, in writing up his minutes, had apparently been at a loss as to the proper name for the celebration. When referring to it first, he somewhat ludicrously calls it " the silver wedding of the Society," but in later minutes he makes a closer but still more ludicrous shot at it as " the anti-jubilee of the Society ! " GAS COMPANY SHARES. In 1886 a proposal was made by Mr Gavin Mackinlay which, if it had been taken up, might have proved a very good thing for the Society and the district. He suggested that the Society should aim at obtaining as large an interest as possible in Barrhead Gas Company, and as a beginning moved that 100 shares in that company be bought. This was agreed to by the members ; but when, some months later, forty shares were offered to the com- mittee they decided that the price was too high, and from that moment there is no further mention of the subject. 70 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED ANNUAL SOIREES DISCONTINUED. From the year 1862 right on till the very end of this period the Society's annual soiree had been held almost without a break. In the years 1888, 1889, and 1890, however, opposition had been ojEfered, but in spite of this it was decided on each occasion by a majority to proceed as in former years. In 1891 a great deal of additional opposition was offered, and it was agreed, on the motion of Mr Charles Cattanach, to "drop the annual soiree, as it was a great financial loss." directors' FEES. Another of the advances made during this time was the decision to pay fees to the directors. From the commence- ment of the business the services of the directors had been given freely and ungrudgingly, and without fee or reward. Even stocktaking was at first carried through without payment, but latterly it had been agreed to pay the stocktakers two shillings for their services. In 1871 it was proposed to pay committeemen five shillings per quarter, but the members indignantly dismissed the proposal, and even the directors were by no means favourable to the suggestion. At intervals during the next eleven years the subject was mooted, but always the members would have none of it, and dismissed it by large majorities. The idea was not easily killed however, and at last, in November 1883, it was carried that directors be paid eight shillings per quarter, the president twenty shillings, and stocktakers ninepence per hour. These rates continued tmtil August 1888, when by a small majority it was agreed to advance the fees of 71 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD directors to twenty shillings per quarter and that of the president to twenty-five shillings. PROMINENT WORKERS. Throughout the years 1881-91 a number of the prominent workers named at the close of the fourth chapter continued in active service. One of the most noteworthy of these was Mr Alexander Johnstone, who had been three times president, and who was presented with a testimonial from the members when in 1888 he resigned to begin a laundry business on his own account. It may be added that, at a later date, when the societies were busy raising money to start the Seaside Homes, Mr Johnstone, then in Pretoria, South Africa, proved his continued interest in the co-operative movement by sending a donation of £5 to the fund for the Homes. Amongst the newer names prominent in the minutes are those of Messrs John Nairn, Robert Campbell, Gavin Mackinlay, Archibald Todd, Andrew Anderson, James Gilchrist, David Hutcheson, Anthony Gallocher, Peter MiUigan, John C. Shaw, William Birtwell, John Martin, Gavin Pinkerton, Charles Cattanach, and Peter Baird Grandison (auditor). Mention of the last named (now BaiUe Grandison, and secretary of Messrs Shanks & Co. I/td.) prompts us to a recognition of the fact that, whilst acting as assistant- secretary and as auditor, he did a great deal towards putting the bookkeeping of the Society on a systematic basis. It is a fact, we believe, that to this day some of the methods he introduced are still adhered to in the ofiice. 72 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED CHAPTER VI. Further Progress — 1891-1901. Capital and Labour — The Bonus Question — Reduction in Hours — Trade Union Conditions — Penny Savings Bank — Dressmaking Again — Annual Excursions — Not Counting the Cost — Local Elections — Coal Sold in Bags — More Property — Building Proiits — Distress Funds — Loan and Subsidiary Fund — A Valuable Effort — The Traders' Boycott — The Fish Trade — Society's Joiner — Appointment of First Manager — Wanted a Check System — Mr John M'Corkindale's Check — Climax System Adopted — Dovecothall Property — Mr Stark's Retirement — Death of Treasurer Williamson — New Officials — Bakery and Offices — Public Gifts — Building Loan Fund — Proposed Branches — Neilston Furnishing — Prominent Workers. "The skill to do. comes of constant doing.'' — JLmerson. CAPITAL AND LABOUR. IN the efforts which the Society had been making up to this point to secure success it had not, so far, set itself the task of consciously considering the relationship which should exist between itself and its employees. Its first and strongest thought was for the weUbeing and profit of its members. In the evolution of modem co-operation this was, no doubt, the proper attitude, for the successive directorates were animated by an intense desire to plant and to nourish the seed of co-operation in the midst of a world which was largely hostile. That being so, they were often impatient with the carelessness, or seeming carelessness, of some of their 73 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD servants towards this sacred ideal. It is not suggested that up to this time the Society had treated its employees harshly in the matter of wages. Some of the wages were undoubtedly small, and there was a tendency to dismiss hands on grounds which do not always appear to have been adequate. At the same time there were many instances of long service — Mr Tyndall and Mr Gilbert in Barrhead and the Mathie family in Neilston are cases in point — and there is no doubt that the wages paid, small though they may appear when tried by a modem standard, compared favourably with those commonly paid for similar work at that time. BONUS TO WORKERS ? With the increase, not only of the shop stafEs, but also of the coal, stable, bakery, tailoring, and dressmaking sections, the members had to face the whole wages and conditions question in a definite fashion, and had to ask themselves whether they were giving to their workers the conditions to which they were justly entitled. Accordingly we find, in and around the year 1891, matters of this kind frequently discussed. One of the first signs of this awakening interest occurs in the latter end of 1890, and again in March 1891, when Mr WiUiam Braidwood and a few others accuse the Society of inconsistency in having dropped the old rule which provided bonus to workers. They point to the fact that many other societies still pay bonus, that others are now adopting the system, and they urge the Society to revert to the position it had occupied from 1861 to 1875. This effort was all in vain, and it is evident that those who favoured the pa5ncnent of bonus to workers constituted but a small minority. 74 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED REDUCTION IN HOURS. If the members are not to be moved on that line, they are, however, singularly open to attack on the side of reducing the hours of labour. In May 1891 it is agreed, on the motion of Mr John Martin, to reduce the hours of the shopkeepers half an hour per day by opening at 8 instead of 7.30 in the morning as had been the custom till this time. Again, in February 1892, Mr Gavin Pinkerton gives notice of motion to rgduce the hours of all servants from 53J to 50 per week. At the May meeting this is keenly debated, and on the mover amending his proposal to 51^ hours, it is carried by a considerable majority against the previous question. In like manner, and in the same year, the hoUday arrangements are reported on, and, instead of the short and irregular vacations which had hitherto been the rule, it is formaUy agreed that in future all shopmen and productive workers shall be allowed a week's summer holiday. This was in keeping with an earlier decision of the Board to institute a weekly half-holiday, a system which was first at this time being generally adopted. For some not very apparent reason the vanmen are left out of this agree- ment, and it was not till the following year (1892) that they were brought in by a special resolution on the subject. TRADE-UNION CONDITIONS. By this time the employees had also begun to bestir themselves, and as many of them were trade unionists they naturally took steps to see that trade union conditions prevailed in the Society's employment. In those points where the Society was inadvertently behind it agreed at 75 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD once to put itself into line on having this pointed out ; but in most matters, hours, wages, and overtime rates, it found itself up to and in some cases in front of the prevailing standard. Thus in September 1892 attention was called to a letter appearing in the Co-operative News, in which the secretary of the Tailors' Union stated that the Co-operative Society was the only employer in the Barrhead district giving the union rates, and a little later a similar statement was made with regard to the bakers. These arrangements between capital and labour were benevolently croWned in the following year (February 1893) when it was decided that day's wagemen should receive two weeks' full and four weeks' half pay when off work through sickness. The pleasant terms thiis created between the Society and its servants have happily continued right down to the present day; and although it cannot "be contended that there has never been any moments of misunderstanding, it can be said with truth that the periods of friction have been few, and differences between the Society and its workers have always been easily adjusted. PENNY SAVINGS BANK. The penny savings bank, as we all know, is under the charge of the educational committee. It is one of the most useful and most popular of the activities of that department, and it may be thought that any reference to it should be kept for the educational section of our book. But the scheme at its inception was not fathered by the educational committee, but by a general meeting of the members, and it was only after it had been put into shape that it was handed over to the committee to be managed. 76 m- %:, CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED The idea of a juvenile savings bank was a favourite one with Mr Robert Stark. He had frequently mentioned it, and in January 1891 he brought forward and carried a motion that such a bank be established. It was remitted to a special committee to consider, and in October of the same year, on the report of Mr James Walker, a scheme for the working of the juvenile savings bank was adopted. The operations of the bank began at the end of the same year, and now in the present year (1911) there are 2,420 depositors, and the funds amount to ;f5,236, I2s. lod. DRESSMAKING AGAIN. Turning to the trading side, of the Society's activities, we find that for a year or two in the beginning of the 1891-1901 period there are no notable advances or new ventures to record, and nothing more remarkable than a steady growth in most departments. Dressmaking, is an exception to this rule. Business had been very unsatisfactory for some time, and in November 1893 the committee submit a special report showing that for the previous two years the net loss on this department was over £60, and they recommended that it should be given up. But the members, if they are sometimes slow to accept the word to advance, have been always consistent in their refusal to retreat, and so they decUne the committee's recommendation and insist that the depart- ment shall be continued. ANNUAL EXCURSIONS. It wiU be remembered that the long series of annual soirees, which had run almost unbrokenly from the 77 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD commencement of the Society were brought to a close in 1890, the members refusing in i8gi to give sanction on the ground that it was a financial loss. But if the members objected on the grounds of economy to the soiree, its cessation seems only to have created a desire for some other annual event, and, in 1894, when an annual excursion was first proposed, the idea was at once taken up with enthusiasm. Indeed, in its haste to agree to the proposal, the Society got itself into rather an awkward position. The motion as originally adopted declared that the excursion was to be free, and that each member should receive " a pair of tickets." Here was generosity with a vengeance ! When the educational committee and the board met to discuss ways and means they decided that the cost was too great, and immediately called a special meeting to reconsider the question. At this meeting the mover of the original motion admitted that he had not " counted the cost," and if he had thought it was going to run up to close on £300 he would not have made the proposal. The motion was accordingly rescinded, but it was agreed to proceed with the excursion and charge the members one shilling for their ticket, the Society making good the difference in cost. This was the first of a series of successful and much enjoyed summer excursions ; but it falls to be noted that, so far as economy was concerned, the change from soiree to excursion was a case of out of the frying-pan into the fire— the loss on the excursion being always very much greater than had been experienced in the days of the soiree. LOCAL ELECTIONS. Co-operators are by no means agreed as to the wisdom 78 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED of the co-operative movement taking- an active part either in local or in Parliamentary elections. It has more than once happened, however, that the Society has to some extent interfered in local elections. Thus, in 1894, when the first burgh election was taking place, a special meeting was held for the purpose of furthering the interests of co-operative candidates, the secretary, Mr Robert Stark, being one of the number. On this occasion they failed to get any of their candidates returned ; but in 1896 a similar and very much more successful effort was made in coimection with the first Parish Council election, when qviite a large proportion of co-operaitive candidates were elected. Another successful effort on the same lines was made at the School Board election in 1897. In 1899 it was suggested by Mr John Lafferty that the Society should select a candidate for a vacancy on the Town Council, but no action was taken. Again, in October 1900, Mr Gavin Pinkerton asked power to call a meeting of ratepayers for the formation of Ward committees. This was granted, and as a resiilt Ward committees for the Burgh were formed, tjiese being afterwards changed to the Citizens' Committee as it exists to-day. THE COAL TRADE. From tiese excursions into what may be regarded as more or less interesting by-paths we return to the main course of our story. Perhaps the only item worth recording in connection with the trading of 1894 is the fact that the selling of coal in bags- was first introduced in that year. Up to this time the habit had been to sell coal almost exclusively in full cartloads, but a steady drop in trade which was then being felt compelled the 79 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD Society to follow the example of some of its competitors and adopt the hundredweight bag system. The adoption of this method had been first proposed in 1890, but the members were conservative in their views, and refused at that time tb sanction the proposed change. It was only when the custom had already become firmly estabUshed in the district that the members agreed to give it a trial. The greater proportion of the Society's coal trade is now done on this system. MORE PROPERTY. The three years 1891-2-3 were characterised by the steady development of existing agencies, but there was a distinct absence of the spirit of enterprise. With the beginning of 1894 there are signs that this period of marking time is passing, and the decision in April to purchase Main Street property and in June to proceed with the building of Barnes Street No. 2 property form the prelude to a much more active period. The Main Street property, in which Main Street grocery and fleshing branches are now situated, was bought in May for £1,200, and in August the plans for the new Barnes Street tenement were accepted. Following upon this came a special meeting, when power was given to the committee to offer for a small property in Neilston and also for Bourock Cottage adjoining Bourock No. 2 property in Barrhead. Neither of these offers were successful, and the next year or two witnessed much heated debating of rival schemes for building new property or acquiring a tenement next to Bourock No. i, and thus permit of remodelling of Central premises. 80 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED BUILDING PROFITS. It was about this same period that an interesting controversy developed with regard to the financial position of the Society's buildings — a controversy which was waged with great spirit for a long time, and the echoes of which have not died out even yet. In the beginning of 1895 an agitation arose for the increase of tenants' rents, on the ground that these were too low and jdelded no return to the Society. A committee was appointed to investigate, and, as a result of their report, the board increased some rents, both in Neilston and Barrhead. The subject was naturally raised at the following quarterly meeting, with the result that a new committee was appointed to make an exhaustive inquiry into the question. That committee, at a later date, ■ submitted a detailed statement showing that the profits from bviildings ranged from i^jj per cent, in Barnes Street to 3 j^ per cent, in Bourock No. i. The report was vigorously debated at the quarterly meeting to which it was first submitted, and a resolution casting doubt on its accuracy, and censuring the committee for increasing the rents, was carried by a small majority. At the following quarterly meeting the debate was resumed ; and this time, by a still smaller majority, the former motion was rescinded and replaced by one thanking the committee for its action ! These changes of front are only typical of the see-saw of opinion to which all popular assembUes are susceptible. In the ensuing years the subject again crops up at recurring intervals, and in 1901 a new committee is appointed, with Mr William Ferguson as convener, "to go into the profits from all properties and 81 G HISTORY OF BARRHEAD report." This committee reports to the effect that the profits from building all over are only i'54 per cent. At a later date the same committee recommends a scheme of increases on certain properties, which would have the result of yielding a profit of 3I per cent. ; but difierences of opinion arise as to the depredation charges, and in the end no alteration in existing rents is recorded. The most recent attempt to revive this topic was in November 1908, when Mr William Edgar indicated that he proposed moving for a statement on property, with a view of having some of the rents increased. At that time, how- ever, the chairman stated that the subject was being kept in view, but the committee had delayed action in view of the dull trade experienced in the district. In the beginning of the following year it was intimated that the rents in some cases had been slightly increased, and that this, with certain economies, would have the effect of adding considerably to the profits from this source. DISTRESS FUNDS. If the Society was kept busy at this period with these details concerning its own management, it is evident, nevertheless, that it has not forgotten the " weightier matters of the law " in respect to its duty towards the poor and needy. Thus, in November 1894, it was agreed to put aside the sum of ;f 60 to provide a New- Year break- fast to the poor of Barrhead and Neilston. A Uttle later (in February 1895), it was agreed to give a regular supply of two dozen loaves to the soup kitchen, which had then been established ; and a further sum of ^50 was put into the hands of a committee to administer in relief of distress. In a similar way and at different times the 82 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED Society readily undertook to do its share of the task of reUeving suffering humanity by votes of money, ranging from £5 to £20, to such funds as the Indian Famine Fund, Irish Distress Fund, the fund for the families of soldiers in South Africa, etc. LOAN AND SUBSIDIARY FUND. One of the results of the hard winter of 1894-5 was to turn the thoughts of some of the members to the creation of a permanent means of deaUng with deserving poverty, and at the same time assist a number of poor persons to become members of the Society. The subject was discussed in March 1895, and a committee consisting of Messrs Robert Campbell, John Blair, Robert Murray, John Rowan, and Gavin Mackinlay (convener) was appointed to consider a scheme and report. The out- come of their deliberations was the establishment of the loan and subsidiary fund — a fund which has proved immensely usefvd to individuals and to the Society, and which is, we beUeve, in some respects unique so far as the co-operative societies of Scotland are concerned. For the purposes of the fund there is an allocation of one farthing per £ on purchases during each quarter. The fund, however, must never at any time exceed £100, and any allocation which would carry it above that sum would consequently lapse. The loan and the benevolent — or, as it is called, "subsidiary" — sections are operated separately, although tmder control of one committee. The object of the loan division is to " assist respectable persons who are desirous of joining the Society but, through monetary diflftculties, unable to do so, by advancing them the necessary sum, on their pledging themselves to join the 83 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD Society ; the sum advanced to be paid back at the rate of 25 per cent, per quarter deducted from their dividend." The chief object of the benevolent section is "to assist members in distress, and thereby enable them to retain their membership." The committee is restricted, in its giving, to £2 in any one quarter to any member from the benevolent fund, and not more than £1, los. to any apphcant from the loan fvmd. A VALUABLE EFFORT. The value of this fund has always been amply demon- strated by the interesting annual report submitted from year to year by Mr James Walker. These show the average number of benevolent lines granted in a yeat to be about 350, of the total value of ;^ioo ; whilst the Unes in the loan section are about the same in number, but about double the former sum in value. In his most recent report (August 1910) Mr Walker stated that during the fifteen years that the fund had been in existence 1,174 had received loans, and 447 of these were due the Society £208. Of persons who had thus become members, 360 in the previous quarter had made purchases amounting to £2,700. These figures speak for them- selves, and they show that, whilst the first intention was a sympathetic and benevolent one, the ftmd has at the same time proved to be good business and an excellent piece of propaganda. THE traders' boycott. In the years 1895-6 the country was ringing with the agitation of a number of private traders, who desired to initiate a strong boycott against co-operators and 84 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED co-operative societies. The result of this effort in Glasgow, where, for a time, co-operators were excluded from the Meat Market, is well known to all. In Barrhead, as in other parts of Scotland, all the influence of the Traders' Association was brought to bear upon employers of labour, to induce them to dismiss workmen who were known to be co-operators. It is satisfactory to record that against these efforts all the larger employers of labour and most of the smaller ones in the district were proof. Only two local firms proved open to this influence, one of them dismissing three, and the other dismissing two employees. One of the men thus dismissed was given work by the Society ; and in the case of the others, it was agreed to pay 15s. per week to all married men, and los. per week to aU single men thus boycotted until they fotmd other employment. This futile attempt of a few misguided Mrs Partingtons to sweep back the tide of a great movement was soon abandoned, but the stimulus which it gave towards increased loyalty and enterprise amongst the societies was felt for many years afterwards. In all the steps taken to fight the boycott Barrhead, as usual, took a full share, and contributed freely to the funds raised for this purpose. FISH SHOP OPENED. The soUtary addition during 1895 to the trade of the Society was the fish shop, which was opened in No. 2 Bourock property in October of that year._ This branch had been suggested two years earlier, but it was only after some agitation and much inquiry that it was agreed to enter upon the conduct of this trade. At first this 85 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD department did not do very well, and it was some time before it became a satisfactory part of the business. society's joiner. It was in November of the same year that it was agreed to employ a joiner of their own for the large amount of jobbing work which so many shops and tenements now rendered necessary. On the 2nd December Mr Duncan Blair received the appointment, and nine months later (August 1896) the joiners' shop was built. MANAGER APPOINTED. The most remarkable achievement of 1896 was the carrying of a project which had formed the centre of much debate for many years — namely, the appointment of a manager. As early as 1880 this had been mooted, but received scant consideration at the hands of the members. Again, in February 1891, Mr Anthony Gallocher moved in the matter, but an amendment that it he over for twelve months was carried. In spite of the twelve months' embargo, Mr R. Murray reopened the subject in July, and declared that such an appointment was long overdue. He was ruled out of order, and from that moment the subject fell into a sleep which lasted until August 1896, when Mr John Martin moved, and Mr John C. Shaw seconded, the appointment of a manager. There was a lengthy and heated discussion, at the end of which the motion was carried by the narrow majority of 52 against 49 for the previous question. On the 27th of the same month John M'l/intock, who had entered the Society's service in 1878, and who was then head-salesman in the Central, was offered the position, which he accepted. 86 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED As will be readily understood, those who opposed the change were for some time keen critics of the new arrangement, and more than once a motion to go back to the older system was threatened, but the opposition gradually gave place to a recognition of the Society's need for a responsible chief official over all departments. ADOPTION OF A CHECK SYSTEM. If 1896 saw the close of the long agitation over the managership, 1897 witnessed the end of another question in regard to which the fight had been quite as protracted. From a very early date dissatisfaction was expressed with the old book system for recording the members' purchases. As far away as 1879 the introduction of a check system was discussed, and in the beginning of the following year a girl, described as the check clerk, was installed in the Central premises. To render the check as complete as possible it was ordained that the shop should close in the meal hours, but the members grumbled, and this had to be departed from. What precisely were the duties of this check clerk are not stated, but they seem to have given rise to a good deal of trouble, for there are repeated minutes to this effect, and -finally it is put on record that " any member insulting the check girl will be severely dealt with." After about eighteen months' trial this system was given up. ME JOHN m'cORKINDALE'S CHECK SYSTEM. At the close of one of the monthly meetings in 1890, Mr John M'Corkindale, who was then a member of committee, read a paper describing a check system and machine of which he was the inventor. He was cordially 87 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD thanked for his paper, and it was agreed to give his machine a trial in the butcher's shop. Six months later it was stated at a general meeting by the chairman of the board that this check had been quite successful. Mr M'Corkindale's method and machine continued in use in the fleshmeat and fish departments for a number of years, and during that time several improvements in the system were carried into effect on the suggestion of Mr William T. Boyd. CLIMAX SYSTEM. For some reason the board showed no desire to adopt this check for the other shops, and at a board meeting in the beginning of 1897, on the suggestion of Mr James Clark, a committee was appointed to inquire into and report on the Climax system. At a later meeting, Messrs Wilham Smellie and John M'Whirter reported favourably, and it was agreed to recommend the adoption of the Chmax check system to the members. The recommendation was adopted, and the system was forthwith installed. It did not meet with universal favour at first, and six months later a special meeting was called to consider its aboUtion. Messrs John LafEerty and WiUiam Edgar moved that it be abolished, on the grounds that it was unsatisfactory, that it was expensive, and was injuring sales. This special meeting, which was held in the large Public Hall, was one of the best attended in the history of the Society. The debate was a long and animated one, and finally the previous question, moved by Mr R. Mackinlay, was carried by a large majority against the motion. The CUmax system has remained in operation ever since, and there have been no further suggestions for its aboUtion. CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED DOVECOTHALL PROPERTY. Out last notice of building by the Society was back in 1894, when it was decided to proceed with the second Barnes Street tenement. Although we have been engaged in recording the settlement of other affairs in the intervening years, it is not to be thought that the bviilding idea had slumbered. Indeed, in the interval, there had been many schemes, but they met with slight favour, and the next definite step in this direction was taken in October 1896, when the ground was secured on which Dovecothall property now stands. In this connection a very curious controversy arose. The ground as taken was on a forty-two years lease, and when the committee sought to have this altered to a feu in perpetmty they foimd that they would be called upon to pay a " dupUcand" or duplication of the feu-duty every nineteenth year. At this customary trick of our land laws the members were very indignant, and some of the more pugnacious declared — and actually carried their point at a quarterly meeting — that they would keep the ground on its lease rather than submit to this condition. The older and more cautious members pointed out that it would be ridiculous to put up costly buildings on the chance of the land laws being altered in forty-two years, and at a special meeting the former decision was rescinded and the conditions of the feu accepted. Plans were approved in 1897, and on 4th Jime 1898 a great demonstration took place on the completion of the , buildings. As a fitting termination to this celebration of the finish of one piece of work, the large company marched to Barnes Street, where they witnessed the beginning of another in the cutting of ' 89 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD the first sod for the foundations of the Co-operative I/aundry by the late Mr John M'Intosh of St George Society, the first president of the I^aundry Association. MR stark' S RETIREMENT. The year 1899 was rendered notable by Mr Robert Stack's reUnquishment of the position which he had held so honourably and so long. He had been so closely connected with its whole career, since that first small meeting in December i860, that it was not to be wondered at that he should feel a closer and more personal interest in its affairs than most, and that the Society should sometimes be spoken of as " Mr Stark's store." For some time it had been felt that the business had reached a point which put its proper administration beyond the capacity of Mr Stark's increasing years and old-fashioned methods, and so in August 1899 it was agreed to appoint an assistant and successor, leaving Mr Stark practically in the position of honorary-secretary at his full salary. DEATH OF MR WILLIAMSON. But before effect could be given to this arrangement the board was faced with a vacancy in the treasurership through the sudden and regretted death of Mr James Williamson. Mr Williamson, who had been first appointed treasurer in 1883 and afterwards first permanent treasurer in 1887, was a man of quiet and steady purpose and of much integrity of character. Immediately after his death the Society decided to show its appreciation of his services, and erected a stone to his memory in Neilston Cemetery. 90 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED NEW OFFICIALS. Before finding a successor for Mr Stark it was necessary that the vacant treasurership should be filled, and accordingly, on the 6th September 1899, Mr Thomas Dykes, from Darvel Society, was selected out of ninety- nine applicants to fill the position. A month later, Mr William George, secretary of Shettleston Society, was appointed secretary. The two new oificials were men of energy and ability, and both had good co-operative training. Under their care and guidance many important and useful changes were introduced in the methods of the office, in the keeping of the Society's accounts, and the preparation of its quarterly balance-sheets and other reports. To Mr Dykes, as treasurer, was entrusted the factorage of the Society's houses, and there can be no doubt that this has been managed with prudence, energy, and with a circumspection which had formerly been lacking in this department. BAKERY AND OFFICES. Before the close of the century the Society had deter- mined upon the erection of a new bakery in Barnes Street, and of shops, ofiices, and dwelling-houses at the comer of Graham Street and Paisley Road. As, however, neither of these undertakings were finished until a later date, their consideration belongs more properly to the next chapter, and to that we will carry them forward. GIFT OF PUBLIC FOUNTAINS. One or two smaller but still interesting items demand mention before we leave this period. One of these is the 91 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD gift in 1896 of two public fountains to the burgh and one to Neilston. In that year the Society had completed its thirty-fifth anniversary, and the late Mr Robert Pinkerton suggested as a kind of thank-offering that a fountain or fountains should be handed over to the town. The proposal ^ was accepted, and on 13th March 1897 the two in Barrhead were handed over to the Council by the president, Mr John Andrew, the Neilston one being handed over to the Parish CouncU on the 8th May by Mr WilUam T. Boyd, vice-president. It has always been a sore point with the members of the Society that the Town Council has not shown the appreciation of these gifts which might have been expected considering how few gifts of a pubUc nature have been made to the town. Neither in the matter of protection nor cleanliness are the fountains kept in the state which the good intentions of the donors should have warranted. BUILDING FUND. It was in April 1897 that another of the many adjuncts of the Society's main business was first suggested. At that time Mr James G. Clark moved that the Society take into consideration the advancing of money to members to enable them to build or buy their houses. A scheme was formulated and adopted in November 1897, and since that the committee has dealt with 12 applications. Of these, 10 were granted, representing a total of £3,751. Of that £2,040 has been repaid, and there is still £1.711 outstanding. There is a general feeling among members that this fund has not served the purpose for which it was intended. Perhaps it would be more correct to say that the need for it, or the desire to take advantage of it, does 92 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED not exist suflSciently amongst the members. Whatever the reason, it is a fact that the building fund has not been a success, and some years ago a committee reported in favour of its discontinuance when its present arrange- ments are completed. That report was accepted by the members, and no new business has been done since that time. PROPOSED BRANCHES. It only remains to add here that during 1897 it was proposed to establish a grocery branch at Gateside, and in 1900 a similar proposal was made for Gertrude Place, but neither were considered advisable. NEILSTON FURNISHING. It was in April 1898 that Neilston furnishing department was opened. PROMINENT WORKERS. Of the younger workers who began to make them- selves prominent in this decade the most active were Messrs John M'Whirter, John Andrew, William Murray, Wilham T. Boyd, James G. Clark, William Colquhdun, William Edgar, Thomas Scott ; William Robinson and James Walker (auditors). 93 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD CHAPTER VII. Our Own Times — 1901-1911. A Busy Start — The New Bakery — Old Bakery Buildings — Graham Street and Paisley Road — A Public Improvement — George Street Alterations — Holehouse Property — The Dairy — Interest on Capital — Paisley Congress — Manager Resigns — Mr A. B. Weir — Special Audit — Admission to Meetings — Purvey Department — A Drop in Trade — Removal of S.C.W.S. Laundry— A Stiff Battle— Mr Weir for S.C.W.S.— Mr Dykes, Manager— Sweet Charity— A Wonderful Record — Present Position of Society. "Choosing each stone, and poising every weight, Trying the measure of the breadth and height ; Here pulling down, and there erecting new. Founding a firm state hy proportion true." — Andrew Mayvell. A BUSY START. WITH the beginning of this period in igoi we find ourselves touching so closely upon the affairs of our own day that it becomes at once more difficult and less necessary to enter into details of events with which all are familiar. This last ten years of the Society's fifty years of history opened amid a bustle of activity which was the true fruit and outcome of the forty years then concluded. In the large number of shops and other estabUshments which it then possessed a great and ever-growing mass of trade was being done. To strengthen and further augment this, the Society, as we have seen, had time and again taken the bold but safe step of erecting its own property. And now, just as the century closed, it had determined, as the crown of all 94 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED its effort, not only to erect an entirely new bakery, but also to proceed with shops, offices, and dwelling-houses at Paisley Road — ^the largest building scheme it had yet considered. A NEW BAKERY. From the re-erection of the old bakery, after its destruction in 1882, there had been several additions to the ovens and other sections of the building. By 1899 it began to be felt that no possible patching of the old bakery could render it adequate to meet the growing needs of the Society, and a demand arose for a new building. Early in 1900 this was formally decided upon, and in May of the same year the I^aundry Association agreed to sublet ground on their feu for this purpose. In June plans were adopted, and the work was com- menced. There were the usual delays and alterations in plan as the building proceeded, but it was finally completed and formally opened on 4th January igo2. The opening ceremony was performed by Mr William Murray (then president of the Society), with Mr Thomas Scott (vice-president) in the chair. Mr WilUam Maxwell (chairman of the S.C.W.S.) and representatives from other co-operative bodies were present, as well as the late Mr John AUan, Robert Stark, and other Barrhead veterans. Mr Murray, in declaring the bakery open, claimed that the committee had succeeded in its object — namely, to have a bakery second to none in the country. In justification of the Society having proceeded with the erection of the new bakery, he submitted the following figures. In the 136th quarter (1890) they baked 1,045 sacks of flour and £282 in smaU and fancy bread. In the 162nd quarter (1900) they baked 1,403 sacks of flour, and 95 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD there was £512 for small and fancy bread. In the 126th quarter £1,808 was paid in dividend, and in the 162nd quarter the dividend was £3,050 — the latter sum being equal to £1,000 per month, £250 per week, £40 per day. The total sales in 1890 were valued at £56,897, and in 1900 they had risen to £87,439. In 1890 the membership was 1,730, and in 1900, 2,550. From these figures it would be seen that a great advance had taken place in ten years ; and, with continued loyalty, there was no reason why the next ten years should not see the same ratio continued. At the luncheon which followed, in the Good Templars' Hall, the speakers included Mr Maxwell, Bailie Hugh Paton, Mr P. Glasse, Mr John Allan, Mr Robert Campbell, Mr James Deans, Mr Thomas Dykes, Mr WilUam George, and Mr G. Pinkerton. OLD BAKERY BUILDINGS. After the opening of the new bakery there was much discussion as to the use or uses which might be made of the old buildings. A central store or a hall were the principal alternatives brought forward ; but after these had been minutely weighed and debated, they were finally discarded, and the place was let at a yearly rental to a firm of plumbers, and in their hands it still remains. In July 1901 the Society received from the Glasgow and South- Western Railway Company a sum of £240 for a feu in Henry Street and George Street, which had been affected by the Railway Company's operations. After discussing what to do with this sum, the members agreed to employ it in a special depreciation of the old bakery building, which originally cost £1,907, and is now a free asset in the books of the Society. 96 w ft o CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED GRAHAM STREET AND PAISLEY ROAD. The decision to build in Graham Street and Paisley Road was preceded by a great deal of anxious considera- tion. The first intention was to erect offices and other business premises on the George Street and Henry Street feu, which has already been spoken of, and sketch plans had been procured ; but before anything further could be done, the construction of the Paisley branch of the Glasgow and South- Western Railway had cut into this feu. Another site was accordingly looked for, and that at the corner of Graham Street and Paisley Road selected on the 14th of March 1900. At a special meeting held in July it was agreed — and, as has so often happened in the history of the Society, agreed by a very narrow majority — to utiHse the site for the erection of offices and central premises. The directors allowed no grass to grow under their feet in this matter, and before the end of the year plans were passed, schedules issued, and tradesmen's offers amounting to close on ;^ii,ooo accepted. A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT. Those who can recall the then condition of " Graham- ston Corner," even those who look back upon it with the sentimental regard which a boyhood spent in its vicinity induces, cannot fail to admire the change wrought by the removal of the old thatched unsightly " pig rows " and the substitution of the tasteful and. solid pile of masonry which the money and the brains- of the workers of Barrhead have erected on the site. Toward this valuable improvement the Town Council made a small but welcome contribution. The buildings were ready for occupancy, and were formally opened on 97 H HISTORY OF BARRHEAD 24th May 1902 by the president (Mr Gavin Pinkerton). Rev. David S. Brown, .of Arthurlie U.F. Church, dedicated the building with prayer. Mr Pinkerton, in declaring the premises duly opened, recounted the steps that had led up to that day's proceedings, and afterwards submitted a number of figures in regard to sales and profits, figures which he declared they had every reason to be proud of. In particular, he pointed to the fact that the reserve fimds of the Society then stood at £3,309, being fully 6 per cent, of its UabiUties ; whilst the total capital was £54,524, an average of £22, 5s. per member. In addition to aU its ordinary work, the members of the Society could point with pride to the fact that they gave £240 every year in donations, spent £200 per annum through their loan and benevolent fund, and £180 through the education fund, the latest of whose activities had been the saving of the Mechanics' Wbrary from dispersion. Fully 200 guests attended a luncheon given on the same afternoon, in the PubUc Hall, and some most interesting speeches were delivered. The platform party included Provost Heys ; Councillors Grandison, Cunningham, Sprout, J. B. Paton; Revs. WilUam Young, D. S. Brown; Mr Z. G. Heys, Mr J. W. Farr, Mr J. M'Kessack (architect), and representatives of many co-operative societies. The speakers included Major James Pollock, Provost Heys, Mr James Deans (of the Scottish Section), Mr GemmeU (Paisley Manufacturing Society), Mr William Murray, Mr John Shanks, Mr William T. SmeUie, Mr R. Campbell, and Mr Thomas Dykes. GEORGE STREET ALTERATIONS. With the alteration in 1903 of the George Street building, the removal thereto of the drapery and dress- making sections, and the consequent opening in Main 98 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED Street of the bread shop, the record of the Society's operations in stone and lime is completed, so ' far as Barrhead is concerned. HOLEHOUSE PROPERTY. It is perhaps running somewhat in advance of our story, but it will make for continuity and completion if we introduce here particulars of the Society's most recent building addition — ^namely, the new tenement and shops at Holehouse, Neilston. After the long " build or branch " struggle, which began in 1881 and ended with the erection of Neilston buildings in 1888, there are no further suggestions of Neilston's wants in this direction until 1903, when Mr W. Davidson voiced the need for a new building at " the west end of the village." The directors were S3naipathetic to the idea, but apparently contributed nothing to it beyond their sympathy, for the subject is not again mentioned until 1906, when it is agreed that there is urgent need for business premises in the Holehouse district. Power is thereupon given to the committee to take action, and to erect temporary premises if this is thought advisable. I^ater, the board reported that a feu could be obtained, and asked to be permitted to proceed with shops and dwelling-houses. The members, for some reason, did not agree to this ; and at a meeting in April 1907, at which plans were submitted, the feeling was expressed that shops should be gone on with, but that, " for dwelling-houses, both Neilston and Barrhead were presently overbuilt." The meeting finally determined upon a three months' delay, and when that period had expired it was found that trouble had developed between the committee and the owner of the ground with regard to certain restrictions in the feu charter. This trouble became so acute at one 99 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD time that the ground would have been given up by the board, but they found that they had gone too far to turn back. Eventually the matter was arranged, plans were accepted, and the building duly commenced. It is note- worthy that although the work connected with the inception and completion of this building cannot be said to have been very protracted, it yet touched upon three presidencies. Begun under that of Mr Clark, it was continued under that of Mr Ferguson, and closed under Mr Stewart. Holehouse property was completed in 1910, and on Saturday, 26th July 1910 the premises were formally opened by Mr John A. Stewart (president), Mr A. B. Weir (managing-secretary) presiding at the opening ceremony. Mr Stewart, in declaring the premises open for business and inspection, said he felt it at once an honour and a privilege to be asked to open those up-to-date buildings, the second which the Society had erected in NeUston. In that district of theirs the members of the Society had done their best for themselves by remaining constant to their principles. The Society, in 1889, commenced business in its own building with a grocery branch, and there followed in rapid succession drapery, fleshing, and furnishing branches. Five years previously a dairy depart- ment was opened, thus making a total of five branches in Neilston. That day they were celebrating the opening of the sixth department, and all within their own premises. The turnover in Neilston in 1909 was no less than ;£20,688, and this was an excellent record, and indicated an increase of 38 per cent, as compared with fifteen years before. In declaring those handsome premises open, he pledged his word that the commodities stored and sold therein would be pure and wholesome. CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED and free from the sweater's taint ; that the service given would be prompt and courteous; and that their employees would be treated with fairness and .consideration. At the luncheon which was afterwards given in the Glen Halls, the speakers included Mr William Davidson (vice- president), Mr George Thomson (S.C.W.S.), Mr Ninian M'Whannell (architect), and Messrs John Martin, Gavin Pinkerton, R. Campbell, A. B. Weir, John Muir (Renfrew- shire Conference), John Watt (Kinning Park), Thomas Dykes, and WilUam Reid {Scottish Co-operator). This is the final word, so far as it can presently be written, in the chronicle of the Society's building activity. It is a long story and an honourable one. Beginning in 1870 with the purchase of the old Bourock property, it forms a record of careful activity and steady development. As a useful outlet for the Society's capital and an advantage to the members, this section is sufficient of itself to deserve the gratitude of all. Perhaps we cannot close this part of our history better than by quoting from the speech of the chairman (Mr John A. Stewart) at the Holehouse luncheon. " Barrhead," he said, " might honestly claim to have been one of the first co-operative societies to build their own shops and houses extensively, and a short survey of their position and experience might be pardoned. Altogether there had, been spent on build- ings, exclusive of Holehouse, the sum of £45,247. This had now been converted into a nominal value of £34,415, showing a depreciation of £10,832 — equal to almost 24 per cent, of total cost. The total rent was £2,244, ^^^ ^^ the nominal value gave a return of 6 J per cent., or practically 4 per cent. net. They had presently 149 tenants in comfortable co-operative houses, with rents ranging from . £5 to £16." HISTORY OF BARRHEAD THE DAIRY. The opening of a dairy was a project long talked-of amongst the members. As early as July 1898 the subject was under discussion, and a sub-committee was appointed to secure information. There is no hint as to what this earliest committee did, but in November the board report to the members against the proposal, and state that they are satisfied such a business would not be successful. With this faint-heart attitude the members do not seem to have been satisfied, and perhaps neither were the directors themselves. In any case, by February of the following year a new committee is appointed to investi- gate, and at the June meeting an entirely favourable, report and recommendation is given. No action follows, and for a whole year the question is permitted to lie in abeyance, doubtless in consequence of the fact that members and committeemen are aUke busy with the bakery and Graham Street buildings. In October 1900 another sub-committee is appointed, and in January 1901 this body submits a carefuUy detailed statement in favour of the immediate establishment of a dairy. This was accepted both by the board and by the members, and it looked this time as though the proposed branch would be proceeded with at once. As a matter of fact, however, another three years are permitted to elapse before the subject is again raised ; and it is only in October 1904 that we find definite action taken, when the board recommends the altering of what had been furnishing department No. 3, in Paisley Road, to accommodate a dairy. The work was finished, and the shop opened for business on the 27th March 1905. A few months later the dairy branch at Neilston followed. CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED INTEREST ON CAPITAL. From the beginnings of the Society interest had been paid on all capital at the rate of 5 per cent., but in 1883 a resolution was carried which reduced interest on loan capital to 4 per cent. In 1895 the question was again considered, and the directors came forward with a recommendation that the rate of interest on loan capital should be 3 per cent, on sums of £50 and upwards, and 3^ per cent, on sums imder £50. When this recommen- dation came before the members, Mr R. Campbell made the suggestion that the rate should be a uniform one of 3^ per cent. Acceptance of Mr Campbell's suggestion was moved by Mr WilUam SmeUie, and was carried by a large majoritj' against an amendment, moved by the present writer, to reduce the rate to 2| per cent. In September 1903 the question of reducing interest on capital was again raised by Mr Gavin Pinkerton, who suggested 4^ per cent, as sufficient for share capital ; but he agreed not to press any motion, on the promise of the board to consider the subject and report. After full consideration, the committee recommended an elaborate but clumsy scale of interest, based on the proportion of a member's purchases to his share capital. Thus, a member with £50 of capital must purchase £6 worth per quarter to entitle him to the maximum of 5 per cent. If he purchased less, he would only receive 5 per cent, on a certain proportion of his shares and the loan rate (3 J) on the balance. The board submitted this scale to an ordin^ary meeting, and asked power to lay it before a meeting called specially for that purpose ; but before the latter meeting was held, the directors had recognised the clumsiness of their expedient, and intimated its 103 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD abandonment. Accordingly, at the quarterly meeting in November 1903, Mr Gavin Pinkerton returned to his first proposal, and moved that the interest on share capital be reduced to 4^ per cent. — a motion which was accepted almost unanimously by the members. PAISLEY CONGRESS. In 1905 the annual Congress was held in Paisley, and Barrhead, as usual, showed its willingness to do all it could to make such an important event a success. A sum of £50 was voted to the Congress ftmds, and in other ways this Society assisted in the arrangements for the meetings and entertainment of delegates. manager's resignation. In the latter end of 1906 and the beginning of 1907 the Society found itself passing through a somewhat anxious and exciting time in consequence of the resignation of Mr M'l/intock (manager), the death of Mr George (secretary), and the appointment of Mr A. B. Weir, first as manager, and then as managing-secretary. These events followed quickly one upon the other, and were all crowded into the space of a few months. It was on the 31st of December 1906 that Mr John M'Lintock, princi- pally for health reasons, handed in his resignation as manager ; and on i8th January 1907 Mr Weir — at that time manager with the PoUokshaws Society — ^was selected as his successor. Within a short time Mr George took seriously iU, and Mr Weir was appointed managing- secretary pro tern. In October 1907 Mr George died, and Mr Weir's appointment to the dual ofiice became a permanent one. 104 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED MR weir's policy. We do not think it will be regarded as in any sense a stretching of language to say that Mr Weir's appoint- ment was an extremely popular one. The committee had no small difficulties to face in making the selection, but they faced these difficulties courageously, and the events of the next few months fully justified their action. The new manager proved himself a master of method, and his bold handhng of awkward situations, as illustrated at the meetings which followed his taking office, gained him at once the confidence of directors and employees, and the respect of the great body of the members. In his inves- tigation into the affairs of the Society Mr Weir discovered several matters that seemed to him in want of immediate attention. None of them, perhaps, vital or great enough permanently to injure the working of the Society, they were yet sufficiently important as to have impaired its character and usefulness in time if allowed to continue unchecked. In particular, he detected abuses that had been allowed to grow up with the menage system ; and his examination proved that the assumed assets of the Society in this department and in drapery stock were grossly overstated. Instead of glozing the matter over — for a time at anyrate-^as might have seemed the easiest course to some, Mr Weir insisted on a complete and systematic overhaul. Very naturally, this created a certain amount of alarm. By some the situation was greatly exaggerated, and there were others who would fain have seen it smoothed over in silence altogether. But Mr Weir was apparently set on getting to the bottom of it, and in this he was ably seconded by the committee. 105 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD In the end the trouble was fully adjusted, and a new and very much better and safer system was introduced. Those who are best able to judge declare that under this new system there need be no fear of a repetition of the former unfortunate experience. SPECIAL AUDIT. Whilst the foregoing was proceeding, the Society was simultaneously passing through an tmusual experience — namely, a special audit of its whole books and accounts by a chartered accountant. Such an examination had not taken place in the history of the Society before. Its own auditors had always been appointed from amongst the members. In the earUer years they may often have lacked training, but for a long time they had not only been men of probity but also of special knowledge. This was unquestionably true of the then auditors — ^Mr James Walker and Mr Alexander M'Millan — and there was little fear that even the most microscopic investiga- tion by a professional man would reveal anything wrong with the finances of the Society. At the same time such an examination could not be undertaken without creating a certain amount of unquietness, and the accountant's report was waited with great interest. The books were examined for the quarter ending March igo8 ; and when the auditor appointed — ^Mr W. H. Jack, F.S.A.A., Glasgow — submitted his report in May, it formed a splendid testimony to the solid worth of the Society and the soundness of the principles that had guided it. Only in one or two minor matters were suggestions made for improvement. To Mr William Ferguson was due the credit for suggesting (in August 1907) this special audit. 1 06 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED It was fitting, therefore, that it should have been carried out in the beginning of his term of the presidency. ADMISSION TO MEETINGS. To the same period belongs the. proposal that admission to meetings of the Society should only be obtained on production of the member's share book. This, it has already been noted, was an old custom which had been allowed to fall into disuse, and its revival was suggested in 1907 in consequence of a feeling that many non-members were attending and were voting at the meetings. The proposal was accepted by the board, but arrangements were not made for giving it effect until the beginning of 1910. PURVEY DEPARTMENT. During this decade the Society began to give serious attention to its purvey department, and in 1907 it was agreed to procure a fuller and more complete purvey plant than it had up to that time possessed. Since then, this branch has steadily grown in popularity, until now it is unquestionably the best equipped and the most frequently employed in the district. A DROP IN TRADE. The closing months of 1907 and practically the whole of 1908 witnessed what had been a hitherto unknown phenomenon with the Society, namely, a steady decrease in sales. This was spread over most departments, and as it coincided with a period of unemployment and bad trade, there can be no doubt that the latter was the cause. With the return of better times in 1909-10 the lost leeway was soon made up, and the unfamiliar line 107 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD in the balance-sheet — " decrease as compared with corre- ponding quarter " gave place to the older and more welcome " increase over corresponding quarter." REMOVAL OF S.C.W.S. LAUNDRY. For a good many years the Wholesale Society had been doing a successful business in Chappellfield lyaundry, and when it was intimated in the beginning of 1908 that the Wholesale directors proposed removing the business to Paisley a. good deal of feeUng and indignation was expressed. Every effort that could be suggested was made to keep the laundry in the district. On the grounds aUke of Barrhead's loyalty to the movement and the known suitability of the neighbourhood to such a business the directors were appealed to, but they were seemingly obdurate in their decision. At the quarterly meeting of Barrhead Society in August, Mr R, Campbell moved, and Mr WilUam Tait seconded, a resolution which declared that " the rp.embers of the Society viewed with great concern the decision of the Wholesale directors to remove the laundry from Barrhead, and regarded the transfer as a retrograde step, unjust and inequitable, contrary to the principles of the federation, and called upon the directors to reconsider their decision." A STIFF BATTLE. Following upon this resolution, the Barrhead delegates to the Wholesale meetings assailed the directorate with a whole armoury of question and motion ; but all in vain. This part of Barrhead's case was largely entrusted to the hands of Mr Weir, and all were agreed as to the skill with which he handled the subject. His motion, expressing 108 PRESENT-DAY OFFICIALS. CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED regret at the Board's decision, was carried by an overwhelming majority. But the Wholesale directors, however, had either gone too far with their Paisley negotiations to resile, or they were determined not to yield to such outside pressure. In any case they clung to their decision and carried out the transfer, with results the reverse of satisfactory, but which were just what nearly everybody else but themselves had foreseen. NOMINEE FOR S.C.W.S. In the end of 1908 Mr Weir was nominated for a vacancy which then required to be filled on the Wholesale board. His nomination had the entire approval of the members, and at the meeting at which his candidature was endorsed the feeling was freely expressed that his knowledge and experience as a retail society's manager would prove invaluable on the board. In the subsequent election, although he failed to carry the seat, he made an excellent show, being placed third in the final vote. In the beginning of 1910 there was another vacancy, and Mr Weir was again nominated, and this time he was runner-up to Mr George Thomson who secured the seat. The resignation of Mr Arthur, Paisley, in July 1910, left another vacant chair at the Wholesale board, and for the third time Mr Weir was nominated by the Society. It is a familiar adage of childhood that " the third time 's lucky," and on this occasion the adage proved true. There were twenty-six candidates for the vacancy, but from the first the best-informed observers recognised that the only three men who were in the rtmning were Mr Campbell (Cowlairs), Mr Weir (Barrhead), and Mr Steel (Paisley). The first vote proved how accurate 109 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD this forecast had been, for it ended in the three gentlemen named forming a short leet for the second vote. The next ballot disposed of Mr Steel's chances, but was not decisive as between Mr Campbell and Mr Weir, and a third vote had to be taken, which ended in Mr Weir being elected by 406 votes against 377 for Mr Campbell. Mr Weir's selection for the directorate of the Wholesale was received amongst the members of our Society with deep satisfaction at the gain to the general movement through the promotion of one so well able to help in guiding its affairs. But this satisfaction was naturally tinged with a very real feeling of regret at the prospect of Barrhead losing an official so capable and so energetic. Mr Weir's transference to Morrison Street was recognised as a gain to co-operation throughout Scotland, but was a distinct loss to Barrhead. He was elected on the 2nd of November, and left the Society's service a fort- night later. He had been in Barrhead for close on four years, having been appointed in January 1907. From the first moment of his introduction to the Society, Mr Weir gained the respect of the members, the directors, and the employees, and he not only retained this respect unbroken, but rather deepened and strengthened it, until he left. MR DYKES — MANAGER. Immediately following upon Mr Weir's election to the Wholesale, steps were taken for filUng the vacancy thus created. The situation was duly advertised, and there were many applicants; but, after full consideration of the rival claims laid before thegi, the board decided that they cotild not do better than promote Mr Thomas Dykes, who had given faithful service as treasurer, to CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED the premier position of managing-secretary. By doing this the board ensured that there would be no great departure from estabUshed poHcy and method, such as might have followed upon the appointment of a stranger, and it ensured also that the promotion of one already familiar with the details of the business would involve a minimtun of readjustment between the various departments. Mr Dykes's work as treasurer and factor for the Society had given every satisfaction during the eleven years he had filled these positions, and, in deciding to make him their chief servant, the board did so with a confident belief that his new duties would be performed with the same careful attention to detail and the same general capacity which had characterised his past services in the office. A NEW TREASURER. Mr Dykes's new appointment left the treasurership vacant, but this the board promptly filled by the promotion of Mr Thomas Scott, jun., who had for twelve years been a member of the ofB.ce staff, and for most of the time had acted as assistant to the treasurer. Mr Scott had, therefore, been given an excellent preparation for his new responsibilities, and there was general commendation of the action of the board in advancing tried servants rather than seeking new employees. In like manner, Mr Thomas Davidson, who had been head of the check department, was transferred to the office as assistant to Mr Scott. SWEET CHARITY. The same wilUngness to relieve distress and assist deserving organisations, which we have noted in earlier HISTORY OF BARRHEAD years, has remained characteristic of the Society in its later days also. During the last ten years it has not only increased its annual donations until now they exceed £300, but it has also more than once made special votes to aid local distress in times of peculiar need. During the past two winters, efforts have been made in a number of schools in the district to provide dinners for necessitous children, and in these cases the Society came readily forward and assisted by providing for each school a free daily supply of loaves. In July of last year (1910), when the workers of Messrs R. F. & J. Alexander's Thread Mills, Neilston, were on strike against a reduction in their wage-rates, an appeal for financial support was laid before the members, and at a special meeting was responded to by a vote of £100. It cannot, therefore, be charged against the members that they have in any way failed to exercise a spirit of charity and kindliness towards the more necessitous section of the community. A WONDERFUL RECORD. With the conclusion of these notes of the last ten years we may claim to have brought up to date and completed the record of Barrhead Co-operative Society's progres^|5c and development. It is a wonderful record even as we have printed it, but its true proportions and real greatness can only be understood by those who will bring to a study I'X of the bald facts something of the gift of imagination, and ,who will be able to see behind the solid mass of its accumulated capital the humble shillings of a grea1^|jj company of men and women; and who will see, also, in its magnificent trade and wonderful organisation, the ivi n CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED labour of a long line of earnest workers, not a few of whom — - " Did their work and went their way Before the bright sun brought the day." PRESENT POSITION OF THE SOCIETY. At the end 'of the year igio the Society had a member- ship of 3,051, and capital amounting to £73,218. The total sales in all departments during 1910 was £105,086, and the average dividend over the four quarters was 2/6I per £. It owns nine large properties, consisting of shops and dwelling-houses, seven of these being in Barrhead and two in Neilston. The total cost of all its buildings (including bakery, stables, etc.) was £47,227, a sum which has been depreciated to the extent of £11,398, the properties as a whole being now valued at £35,829. Its distributive departments are as follows : — Seven grocery branches, four fleshing branches, two dairies, two hardware and furnishing departments, two drapery branches, a boot shop, a bread shop, a fish shop, two coal depots, and quite a large number of fleshing vans, fish vans, bread vans, goods deUvery lorry, coal lorries, etc. The productive branches include bakery, sausage-making, tailoring, shoemaking, dressmaking, millinery, and drapery; and there is also a well-equipped joiner's shop, and a well- constructed, carefully-kept slaughter-house. The stable accommodates a stud of 18 horses. The bakery is built on the best lines, and is thoroughly hygienic, and it baked, last year, no less than 7, 273 J sacks of flour, representing 103,4823^ dozen loaves and £3,003, 2s. 4d. in small and fancy bread. In all 149 tenants find accommodation in the houses of tiie Society, and the employees of all grades number 190. 113 i HISTORY OF BARRHEAD CHAPTER VIII: Barrhead's CoNTRiBtrxiON to the General Movement. Nulli Sectindus — First Efforts to Found a Wholesale — The Third Attempt — Success — "Our Society" — A Centre of Co-operative Propaganda — The U.CB.S;— "More Than Any Other in Scotland "—Farming Association — Bo'ness Pottery — Tweed Mills — Seamill Home — Inland Home — Laundry Association — An Earlier Proposal — Proposed Pro- ductive Fund. "Men my brothers, men the workers, ever reaping something new; That which they have done but earnest of the things that they shall do." — Tennyson. " NULLI- SECUNDUS." IN collecting the material for this book, the writer was early struck with the importance of the part which Barrhead had played in the growth of the Scottish co-operative movement. It was not merely the indirect value of the steady and prosperous development of its own organisation as an integral part of the whole, but directly as an inciting cause and guiding force in the establishment and growth of the various co-operative efforts, which, at different times, demanded something more than local support. Itself but a small Society, and serving a comparatively trifling population, it yet played a notable part in shaping the destinies of co-operation in Scotland. Indeed, we make bold to say that, in respect to the greatness of its work and the number of notable 114 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED pioneer workers if produced, Barrhead can claim a position of honour which may be equalled but will not be surpassed by any society in the country. In deahng with the information available for this section, two methods of treatment suggested themselves. The material might have been woven into the main texture of the Society's story, and, used in that way, would doubtless have added further interest to the preceding chapters ; but the subject seemed important enough, and the details interesting enough, to warrant the formation of a separate and distinct section. This was the method finally decided upon, aild we trust the result will justify this manner of handling the theme. FIRST EFFORTS TO FOUND A WHOLESALE SOCIETY. Almost from the first moment of its birth, Barrhead Society showed itself possessed of a spirit of willingness to join with its brothers in the greater co-operative movement beyond its own territorial boundaries. Launched in June 1861, it was ready in November of the same year to take its part in the proposed formation of a wholesale society for Scotland, and on the second of that month two comniitteemen — John Bell and Thomas M'Cowatt — ^were appointed to attend a meeting called to consider the question. This effort was fruitless, or apparently so. But one Barrhead man at least was determined not to let the idea die, and when, in 1863, Mr John M'Innes issued from Barrhead the first Northern co-operative newspaper {The Scottish Co-operator), one of the earUest duties to which he set his hand was the creation and nourishment of an agitation for a wholesale society. In the issue of his paper for December 1863 "5 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD there is a suggestion for a conference on this subject ; and in the issue for January 1864 a letter writer proposes that a district meeting, comprising Barrhead, Thornlie- bank, PoUokshaws, and Paisley societies, should be held. Finally, as a result of this agitation of the question, a joint meeting is held, at which Barrhead is duly repre- sented, and a committee, chiefly of the Glasgow delegates, is appointed to consider the subject and report. Of this second attempt, as of the first, there was no practical outcome, the proper nioment — or more probably the right man — not having yet arrived. Fully a year later (in Jtme 1865), an indignant correspondent writes to the Scottish Co-operator demanding information as to the committee " appointed twelve months ago," and " of which," he says, " nothing has yet been heard." In a footnote to this letter, the editor (Mr M'Innes) says : " Communications on this subject have of late been very numerous and from all quarters, but we are sorry that we cannot throw any light on the matter. The question of a wholesale depot was first commenced by correspondence in our columns. Ultimately it attracted so much attention that a meeting was called of delegates from a large number of societies throughout Scotland. To that meeting the promoters did not invite us. The effect of the meeting appeared to us hopeful of good results, but in this we have been disappointed. A committee was appointed, but the work seems to have ended with its appointment. If the question — and a very proper one it is — is again to be revived, the carrying out of the preliminaries must be placed in other hands. It is a pity the former effort has been so unmercifully burked." u6 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED A THIRD ATTEMPT. This attitude is supported in subsequent issues of the paper by Mr Borrowman, of Crosshouse (afterwards manager of the Wholesale), aad by other writers. The editor himself returns to the subject in the July and August issues; and on the 2nd of September 1865, on his invitation, a meeting of delegates was held at Barrhead, in the ofSce of the Scottish Co-operator, at what is now 175 Main Street. We can well believe the statement made by some of those present that the arrangements for the meeting were of the most primitive ' kind, and that the delegates had no prearranged programme of business laid before them. But, however humble the meeting-place, and however informal the proceedings, here, in the back premises of a little Barrhead printing office — ^if those present could have known it — ^was the birth-chamber of the now gigantic Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society. The societies represented at this meeting were Barrhead, Crosshouse, Paisley Equitable, Paisley Provident, Paisley Manu- facturing, St RoUox, Hamilton, Port-Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Renfrew. Mr Borrowman was called to the chair, and Mr M'Innes was appointed secretary. After full discussion, the meeting resolved to proceed further; but the delegates were apparently anxious not to give offence, or to seem as if they were usurping duties which had been placed in other hands, and so Mr M'Innes was instructed to write the 1864 committee and request it to call a general meeting of Scottish societies, with a view to the establishment of a wholesale society. 117 HISTORX OP BARRHEAD The newly- appointed secretary carries out his com- mission, but only after many letters have been written does he receive definite information to the effect that the committee appointed in 1864 has done nothing, and can do nothing now, as " most of ■ the members then appointed have become widely scattered and some of them gone abroad." This correspondence and other preUminaries consumed time, and the next delegate meeting is not held till the beginning of the following year (1865). Tlae few months thus passed have not, however, been wasted, for, by word and pen, Mr Borrowman and Mr M'Innes and Mr John Paton, of •Barrhead, have been propaga.ting their ideas throughout the country. From March onwards meetings of the delegates are regularly held. The seed so assiduously sown has taken root and now begins to germinate, and by the month of Jtme there is a larger conference, at which thirty different societies are represented. At this meeting the indefatigable editor-secretary reports tha,t he has corresponded with 120 societies, and many of these he has personally visited on the subject. We are now in the very thick of the arrangements, and finally another grand conference is held in Glasgow on New- Year's Day 1868. RepUes favourable to the formation of the Wholesale Society, and urging immediate action, had been received from twenty-six societies, and of these perhaps the most hopeful and encouraging is the one from Barrhead. " The circular," says this letter, " has not yet been la.id before the members, but the committee are unanimous in its favour ; and, as an evidence of their approval of the principle, they have taken shares in the North of England Wholesale Society, and during 118 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED last six .montlis. purchased from.it to, the, extent of jfgoo," The day following the Glasgow conference, {2nd January), a similar .meeting was held in Edinburgh. Resolutions to proceed were adopted at both meetings, and at the Edinburgh one a special vote of thanks was accorded to the .secretary,, Mr M'Innes', " for the excellent statistics laid before them and the amazing amount of correspondence he had undertaken." SUCCESS., At a later date, Messrs Borrowman and M'Innes are deputed to visit the EngUsh Wholesale, and on their return everything is at last in order for a start. As evidence of the fact that Mr M'Innes was the real "head-centre" of this effort, and illustrative of the power which he possessed, we may quote the following from his retrospect , of the proceedings up to the point at which they had now arrived, namely, the appointment of a managing committee for the new Wholesale. He had exceptional means of knowing the outstanding men of the movement,, and the first committee and officers were, elected, entirely on. his' recommendation. "In concluding this statement," he said, "I hope, I will not be considered impertinent or dictatorial if I ofier a few remarks on what your first committee should be. It would be a hazardous experiment to vote your committee without knowing something of the individual merits and general . character of those appointed, as I believe you will all be more or less ignorant of the fitness or unfitness of those now present, from the fact of your being to one another , comparative strangers. The chief characteristic of fitness for such a position is thoroughness in the 119 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD principle and honesty and zealousness in promoting it. You must avoid the appointment of those who are specious and plausible professors, whose whole interest is bound up in making a society subservient to the gaining of some end. I^et none of your committee, if you can avoid it, be of those who are co-operators merely for personal ends ; if you do, such persons will sacrifice your interest and ruin or jeopardise the success of your society. I^et your committee be men who have faith in the principle they profess, who are shrewd and zealous in carrying it out, and whose character will produce confidence in the members." No more admirable catalogue of the qualifications required in a co-operative committeeman could be given than is contained in these sentences. For the reasons thus stated, Mr M'Innes recommended a list of office-bearers which had been approved by the promotion committee, and urged the delegates to accept this Ust in its entirety. The delegates were wise enough to do so, and doubtless the early success of the Wholesale was in large measure due to Mr M'Innes's careful selection. The committee thus proposed included Mr Merrylees, Kilmarnock, chairman ; Mr Borrowman, Crosshouse, manager ; and Mr John Allan, Barrhead, secretary. " OUR SOCIETY." Thus from the first conception of the idea of the Scottish Wholesale until it is safely launched, Barrhead has taken its full share in the early work, and can point with pride to the fact that the man, who above all others is responsible for its creation, is a Barrhead man, and that the responsible duties of its first secretary is placed in the hands of another (X)-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED Barrhead member. This is surely a worthy record, and that it stirred pride in the heart of Mr M'Innes is evident by the many laudatory references he makes in the Scottish Co-operator to " our Society." Thus it is with apparent gusto that he writes, when reviewing the third quarterly balance-sheet of the Wholesale Society: "our Society (Barrhead) is easily first in the matter of purchases;" and shortly after this when Barrhead resolves to lend the Wholesale " another ;£ioo," the editor breaks into a further paean of praise. " Barrhead's healthy co-operative spirit," he says, " is illustrated by their resolve. This is prudent, far-seeing wisdom, as it ensures a return of five per cent., and it further enables the Wholesale Society to enter the markets with an increased money power. The step is also creditable to the members as showing their confidence in co-operation, unlike those miserable specimens of professed co-operators who are forever whining about safe investments — a set of bugbears to be found in every society, and who, when they find their way to the management, are generally ' losing battles gathering straws,' until they drive their society into difiiculties." This whole-hearted support by Barrhead Society both in the matter of purchases and capital was in direct contrast to that of many societies, some of which, " refused to sink money in that speculation, but might go in at some future time." These others did go in when the success of the Wholesale was assured ; but the honour of achieving that success belongs to the pioneer societies which boldly risked their capital and gave their loyal support when capital and support were most needed. It need only be added here that in all its attitude towards the Wholesale in those early days , ,mSTORY QF BARRHEAD , Barrhead reijiained consistently, and whole-heartedly steadfast. When the sqjiaring' up of the preUmi3;iary expenses is reached, the coninii1;tee asks the sum ,o,f one halfpenny per member for this puirpose. Barrhead at the following quarterly meeting decides that this is inadequate, and generously votes one p^nny pej n;iember. Whereupon the heart of the editor again rejpicps, and he says : " We endorsa thi? beUef and heartily, rejoice that our Society, without any influence brought to bear on it, has given so spontaneously and so , handsomely. This is true public spirit. The Society always gives heartily to the general movement, and it seems the more it gives the more it gets." Before taking our leave of the Wholesale, it may be worth noting that at the conclusion, of his labours as its, chief promoter Mr M'Innes was rewarded with a vote of thanks! At ,one,of the, meetings it was stated that he had not received a tenth part of his postages and travelling expenses. At a lat^r date, however,, this was to some extent remedied, and a testimonial was started as a recognition of his services. The money thus raised reached a total of, over £60, which at,, best must be regarded as a meagre monetary return for, all bis labours. Doubtless the knowledge that he had so sec,urely laid the foundations of this notable addition to the ediflce of co-operation was in itself a sufficiently gr,eat reward. A further proof of Barrhea,d's close connection with the early days of the Wholesale may be noted, in the fact that nearly all the work for ,the first building in Paisley Road, after the removal from Madeira Court, was entrusted to Barrhead tradesmen. The building, plumberwork, and painterwork were some qf the sections for which local contractors were responsibly, and there are still with us co-operativ;e society, lijviited somg prominent members of ;tl;ie Spciety who were employed at the construction of the bvtilding. CO-OPERATIVE PROPAGANDA. Another great service which Barrhead ^id. for the co-operative movement at this time was the providing of it with its general propaganda. It is. of this period that Mr William Maxwell, in his "History of St Cuthbert's Association," says : " Barrhead was recognised at this time as a propaganda centre for co-operation." For this work two men, Messrs John M'Innes and John Paton, were chiefly responsible. The former, as we have seen, was editor of the Scottish Co-operator. The paper itself was a great instrument for propaganda, and, in addition, Mr M'Innes, although not a, very effective speaker, was always ready to give his services as lecturer. Mr John Paton, as is well known, was an orator of a very high type, and although he is best remembered by his -yvork for temperance, it was in defence and propaga,tion of co-operation that he began his pubhc career. For about ten years, onward from 1862, he was indeed the " apostle " of , co-operation in Scotland, and travelled f ^r and wide preaching the new gospel. Almost every issue of the paper for a time contains reports of his lectures or a list of places he has visited. The reports giyen are, of course, only abbreviated sketches, but they suffice to indicate in many cases the virility of expression and the clarity of thought for which the speaker was afterwards noted. Referring to one of Mr Paton's, co-operative lectures, a writer describe^ it as "a rich intellectual treat, and, displayed a thorough knowledge of the, question conveyed by persuasive 123 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD eloquence, and although the lecture was deeply philoso- phical, yet the language was so plain that all must have understood its meaning." Of another of Mr Paton's lectures it is said : " The address was a treat of no ordinary kind, and was worthy the cause and the occasion. It showed that the speaker was a great thinker and an eloquent exponent of his thoughts." This work of propaganda, although it produced no dividends, was of great value to the movement in Scotland. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE U.C.B.S. • With the assured success of the Wholesale, a desire for further co-operation on the federated principle had shown itself, and as bread was dear it was most natural that the societies should turn their attention to baking. In this, Barrhead, with some of the Glasgow societies, is again to to the fore. Indeed, at the quarterly meeting in August 1868, before the Wholesale had actually started business, Barrhead decided to issue invitations for a meeting to discuss the project, but only three other societies responded to the call. At a second meeting, held in Glasgow in October, thirteen societies were represented, and of these six, including Barrhead, intimated that they were ready to federate for baking purposes. The Barrhead delegate (Mr James Ferguson) was elected to the first management committee. In February 1869 the local Society paid over the sum of £45 to the Bakery committee, and when they were ready to start business in June it was to Barrhead the committee came for their first manager — ^Mr Robert Sturrock. From the commencement Barrhead stood loyally by the new effort, and as speedily as possible it weaned its members from the purchase of bread from 124 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED other sources, and directed its entire trade to the U.C.B.S. The first year of the Baking Society was a troubled one, and success was not easily attained. But although it certainly did not prosper under the care of its first manager, it replaced him, in 1872, with another Barrhead man, Mr Robert Craig, who admittedly made order out of its chaos, and set it on the high road to success. In this spirit of loyalty Barrhead continued its connection with the U.C.B.S. for a number of years, tmtil a resolution to establish a branch at Johnstone or Paisley created local opposition, and set the Barrhead committee upon thoughts of doing its own baking. In 1877 this ended in the Society building its own bakery. " MORE THAN ANY OTHER IN SCOTLAND." The Wholesale Society and the United Baking Society are two outstanding examples of successful federative action ; but in addition to these the Society had also invested money in other undertakings of a co-operative character, only some of which were successful. These included the Paisley Manufacturing Society, the Cooperage Company, Oak Mill, and the Co-operative Iron Works. It was this willingness to help forward the general co-operative movement which enabled the chairman, Mr John AUan, at the ninth annual soiree, in October 1870, to declare : " We cannot boast of our sales being anything like the turnover of some societies, but we do feel proud to know that we have more money in the societies that are estabUshed for the higher stages of co-operative development than any other society in Scotland, and this is the real test of sound co-operative consistency." 125 HISTORY' OF BARRHEAi)' FARMING ASSOCIATION. The next really important productive effort was that of the Farming Association. The idea of working the land is a most attractive one to most people, and in the ■early eighties a section of the Scottish co-operative movement was eager to enter upon agriculture. Con- sidering the large and immediate outlet which co-operation's great distributive agencies provides for the products of the soil, it seems easy (theoretically) to make farming pay. As a matter of fact, however, the results have never quite reaUsed expectations ; but there are still many who are impatient at the failure or partial failure which has so far followed co-operative efforts in this direction. When the Scottish Farming Association was launched, in 1885, it was under auspices that were by no means unfavourable. There was a fair amount of capital, the ■experiment was on an adequate scale, and there was Uttle difficulty in finding a market for its goods. Nevertheless, in spite of all these advantages, the association was a failure. Three of its five farms were in the NitshiU ■district, and it was only naturd,! that our Society should support it by buying its products as freely as possible. At the first appeal for funds, fifty shares of one pound were taken. This was increased at a later date to ^fioo and then to £200, and in February 1895 £500 was given to the association on loan. The association went into liquidation in 1897, and eighteen months later a " first and final " dividend of 6/2J per £ on loan capital was paid. The share capital was swallowed up in its entirety, so that not only did the idea of co-operative fanning suffer a serious setback, but there was a heavy financial loss as well. 126 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED bo'ne'ss pottery. A similar fate befell the Bp'ness Pottery, which started business a few years later than the Farming Association. Into the reasons for that failure we need not enter — even if we could. Different observers have assigned different reasons, but the fact itself is undeniable that the pottery was a failure, and swallowed up a lot of good money. Ever ready to help, Barrhead took shares, although only to the extent of ^^75, and it sent on to the pottery all the orders it could muster. When the Pottery was wound up, in 1893, every penny thus invested was lost. TWEED MILLS. A much more successful effort was the Selkirk Tweed Mills, into which Barrhead put £150. The mills did a fairly good trade, and in 1896 were taken over as a going concern by the Wholesaile Society. SEASIDE HOMES. A very different, type of undertaking was that which next engaged attention. In 1890 the members of the Ayrshire and Renfrewshire Conference Associations jointly determined upon the erection of convalescent homes for the West of Scotland. In July 1891, and again in August, representatives waited upon the Barrhead members at their monthly meetings, and advocated the erection of the Homes at West Kilbride. The visitors in July were Messrs Deans and Flockhart, and in August Messrs Flockhart and Inglis, and as a result of their appeal a first donation of £100 was voted. This was added to from time to time, and in all £300 was given, in addition to various sums voted to cover the cost of material wrought 127 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD by members of the women's guild for bazaars held in 1893 and in 1900. Over and above these sums there were, of course, contributions from individual members. The value of the SeamiU Convalescent Homes to the members of co-operative societies is fully appreciated by those who have benefited from a stay within its hospitable and kindly walls. From year to year the Society contributes generously to the funds of the Home, and the admission tickets placed at the disposal of the committee are distributed as carefully as possible amongst applicants who may be in need of the rest and change which the Home provides. INLAND HOMES. A few years after the erection of SeamiU, an agitation was begun by the societies in the East of Scotland for the opening of another convalescent home, which should be more conveniently placed for members within their area. In February 1901 our Society voted £20 to the funds, and by and by when the committee in charge had decided to purchase " Abbotsview," on the Tweed, for the purpose of establishing an inland home there, two further sums of £20 were also granted. Assistance was also given in connection with a bazaar which was promoted to increase the funds; and, at a later date, when the Renfrewshire Conference decided to furnish a bedroom at " Abbotsview," Barrhead voted a further small sum towards this object. Members in need of a change have now a choice of these two Homes. Those who have spent a time at Abbotsview speak in the highest terms of the Home and its surroundings, but, as is quite natural, it is not nearly so popular with Western patients as the nearer seaside home at West Kilbride. 128 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED LAUNDRY ASSOCIATION. Although'it had helped so assiduously in the promotion of productive concerns for other districts, Barrhead had to wait until the year 1897 before it was favoured with the estabUshment of one within its own territory. And even then this new effort was largely the outcome of the local Society's energy and capital. We noted in an earlier chapter that a notable result of the traders' boycott in 1895-6 was an increase in the enthusiasm and activity of co-operators. It has been said that the I/aundry Association was one of the direct fruits of this externally-created interest, and it is quite probable that the stirring up which co-operators then received had something to do with the decision to proceed upon this new venture. The idea to begin with was entirely a Barrhead one, and the first proposal was that the Society should start a laundry of its own. It was soon realised that something more than the support of one society would be necessary if success was to be attained, and the promoters at once set themselves to the tapping of a wider area for sympathy and support. Successful appeals were made to the Renfrewshire, Ayrshire, and Glasgow and Suburbs Conference Associations, and it was tmder their auspices that the laundry was finally started. An earnest and hardworking committee was got together, and no stone was left unturned in their efforts to secure the necessary capital to begin with. The first response from other societies was distinctly cautious. In February 1897 Barrhead had applied for 400 shares, but in July of the same year the total capital subscribed only amovmted to £945. Nevertheless, the committee were satisfied with 129 K HISTORY OF BARRHEAD the prospects, and ground having been secured in Barnes Street, plans were prepared, building was proceeded with, and business commenced in June 1899. Th^ total share and loan capital subscribed to this time was only {T.,2qx, and the buildings and plant had cost considerably over £2,000, so that it is manifest that only the courage and faith of the committee carried them through, and finally secured the success at which they aimed. Restricted as they were by a shortage of capital, it is no wonder that the first few quarters of the Laundry Association's working resulted in loss. The preliminary expenses were heavy, and to meet the accounts of the various tradesmen a bond on the property for £960 had to be obtained from the Wholesale Society. At a later date the Barrhead Society backed its opinion by advancing another £500 on loan to the struggling committee. This was in May 1900, and it may be regarded as the turning- point in the association's battle against adversity. Prosperity was not attained at once, but slowly trade began to increase and the adverse balances to disappear, until in June 1902 an actual, though small, profit was declared. A couple of years later the entire deficit was wiped out, and since then the Barrhead loan has been repaid and the Wholesale Society's bond wiped out. In 1905 the association began paying dividend on all trade done, and it has continued to do so ever since. Trade continues to increase steadily, and from time to time additions and alterations have been made, to cope with this growth in an adequate fashion. French-cleaning, carpet- cleaning, dyeing, and other branches have been added, and, although the amount of work is now greatly beyond the first hopes of the committee, they are still in a 130 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED position to undertake very much more than they are receiving. The association covers a wide area in its search for work, and besides the goods received and despatched per rail it has now 15 horses and vans daily engaged in the collection and distribution of parcels in the Glasgow and Paisley districts. Presently the laundry employs a staff of 169, of whom 37 are males and 132 females. Mr M'Intosh, of St George Society, was the first president, but Mr Robert Campbell, of the Barrhead Society, succeeded Mr M'Intosh in February 1901, and has been chairman of the association ever since. To Mr Campbell probably more than to any other single individual is the start and ultimate success of the laundry due, and his and its friends wiU hope that he may be long spared to pilot it through the smooth waters, as he helped to guide it through the rough. Mr Robert Colqtihoun acted as secretary to the committee from its inception, and now fills with acceptance the position of cashier. Mr A. G. Shannon, who was the manager first appointed, is still at his post, and retains the confidence of the managing committee. PROPOSED PRODUCTIVE FUND. With this accotmt of the Laundry Association our story of Barrhead's support to the general co-operative movement might close, but we cannot leave the subject without a reference to a motion brought forward at a meeting of the Society, in August 1899, by Mr Gavin Pinkerton. Mr Pinkerton moved that the Society agree to put aside a small sum from quarter to quarter to form the nucleus of a fund to be used for productive purposes. 131 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD " He did not wish," lie said, " that this Society should act alone, but that an effort should be made to induce conferences to take up the idea, so that the funds would be ready when new productive concerns had been decided upon in suitable localities, and thus avoid the wearisome search for capital which had so recently hampered the I/aundry Association." Mr Robert Murray, jun., seconded, and the motion was carried by a majority against the previous question. The idea seems a useful one, and worth commending to the notice of societies ; but no further steps in the direction suggested by Mr Pinkerton appear to have been taken. We started this chapter by making a bold claim on behalf of our Society, and we think it will be admitted that sufficient has been said to justify the claim that Barrhead in this matter is entitled to adopt as its motto : NulU Secwndus — " Second to None." 132 .^ FOUR PROMINENT OFFICERS. > CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED CHAPTER IX. The Pioneers of the Society. " The rank is but the guinea stamp — The man 's the gowd for a' that." — Bums. PRINCIPIvES, it has often been said, are higher than the man — a remark which is alike trite and true. But not less true is it that the propagation and establishment of principles depend upon man ; and principles, no matter how good in themselves, can only be quickly and properly established if they attract to themselves the right kind of man, and that right kind of man in sttfEcient numbers. That Barrhead Co-operative Society was fortvmate in this respect, even a very casual consideration of the qualities of its early supporters will demonstrate. In the preface to his " History of Co-operation," Mr George Jacob Holyoake said he had tried to give " particulars of the persons who had made the movement — ^it being not enough to treat co-operation as a bale of cotton and discourse of its fineness and value in the market, as he beUeved it concerned the reader quite as much to know something of the men who were the artificers of the ultimate fabric." It is in this spirit that the present chapter has been conceived. The 133 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD following biographical notes on some of the earlier workers — thumb-nail sketches they may be called. — constitute a slight effort at doing justice to the memory of the men who devoted their Uves to the cause. They were doubt- less animated by " dreams of the future," and in their own fashion felt that the work they were doing had more than a present value, but they were chiefly concerned about doing the duty that lay to their hand with their whole heart and soul. In Carlyle's phrase, they recognised that it was a greater thing to build a dog-hutch than merely to dream about building a palace. They had felt the true spirit of Proctor's verse, and in their own way responded to its call — " Rise from your dreams of the future, Of gaining some hard-fought field, Of storming some airy fortress, Or bidding some giant yield. Your future has deeds of glory, Of honour (God grant it may !) — But your. arm will never be stronger, Or the need so great as to-day." In most cases only a few details are available, but it is hoped that these will be sufficient to indicate what manner of men they were who fifty years ago sowed the seed which has since borne such notable fruit. Particulars are given of the fourteen original members and such others of their contemporaries as seemed worthy of special mention. The notes are arranged in alphabetical order. JOHN ALLAN. Although not figuring in the list of the fourteen who formed the first membership, John AUan was nevertheless a member before the first shop was opened, and he was 134 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED elected to the first management committee of the society. He was a native of Barrhead, born at Grahamston corner, near the site of the present offices, and in 1861, when the Society started, was employed as a yarndresser in Messrs Craig & Rennie's weaving factory in Cogan Street. Young, active, and intelligent, he had up till this period devoted his spare time to the playing — and sometimes to the making of viohns. He was caught by the new spirit of co-operation, and cast his fiddles aside that he might help to fashion a new instrument for the production of a finer and deeper music than had yet been conceived of. From the first he played a notable part in the Society. He was three times president, and, as he was a good correspondent and speaker and a careful man of business, most of the early negotiations with merchants and others were conducted by him. He it was who completed arrangements with Mr Gillies for the taking of the Society's second shop at Bank Street corner. His quaUties soon gained him recognition beyond Barrhead, and he was frequently called upon in those earlier years to read papers at conferences and to advise in the establishment of other societies. When the S.C.W.S. was started in 1868, he was selected, on the suggestion of Mr John M'Innes, for the post of first secretary. This position he ably filled until 1874, when he resigned and was elected cashier, and, later, fourth chairman of the Wholesale board. He had a fluent pen, and it was no doubt a recognition of his gift in this direction that caused him to be entrusted with the writing of the historical sketch of the Wholesale Society which was deposited in the memorial-stone of the central building. He was also the first secretary of Barrhead Co-operative 135 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD lyand and Building Society, and held this position for some years. He left Barrhead in the year 1874, and was thereafter closely connected with Glasgow Eastern Society. Although so long away from the scene of his early labours, the Barrhead Society ever occupied a first place in his affections. The writer had the privilege of conversing with him only a short time before his death, and he was then full of pleasant and interesting reminiscences of the old days in his native place. He was gifted with a certain measure of literary abUity, and some of his printed papers show evidence of careful thought and wide reading. A testimonial to him from the co-operators of the West of Scotland was promoted in 1891, and was generously supported, Barrhead Society subscribing £5. He died at his residence, Dalmamock Road, Glasgow, on 27th April 1910, and a melancholy interest attaches to the fact that at the Plymouth Congress of 1910 it was intended to have honoured him, along with some other notable co-operators, by making him an honorary member of the Central Board. JAMES BAILLIE was one of the first members, and an active worker from the beginning. The fitting-up and arranging of the first shop was largely his work, and it has always been understood that he was the first to enter the shop and make a purchase on the morning it was opened. He was a devoted, clever, hard-working man, and for many years all the practical details connected with alterations or furnishing of shops and the preparation of tradesmen's specifications were left in his hands. He was more frequently a member of committee than any of his 136 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED contemporaries, and had successively acted as vice- president, treasurer, and auditor. He was not a native of Barrhead, but came to the town some ten years before the Society started. He died on 25th May 1888, aged sixty-two. JOHN BELL joined at the second meeting. He was a member of the provisional committee and also of the first management committee. He was a machine-printer, employed in South Arthurlie, and for a long time took an active part in the affairs of the Society. THOMAS BIRTWELL was foreman machine-printer in South Arthurlie print- works. He belonged to Rochdale, and was full of enthusiasm for the co-operative system of his native town. He was one of the group which called the first meeting, and his name figures in the list of the first members. He was appointed treasurer of the provisional committee, and he not only received subscriptions at his own house, but some of the early committee meetings were also held there. He was re-elected treasurer to the management committee, but resigned before the shop was opened. He left Barrhead many years ago, and died in America in 1899. t CHARLES BURNS. Like all the other pioneers, Charles Burns was of thoughtful, earnest temperament and sterling honesty of character. He was employed with Messrs Smart & Cunningham, and was chiefly responsible for the spread 137 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD of literature on the subject. He was one of the original members, and took an active interest in the affairs of the Society, although he does not seem at any time to have held office. He was a native of Dundee, and died on i8th January 1869, at Barrhead, at the early age of forty-three. • DAVID CALDWELL. A great proportion of the early supporters of the Society were workers either in the foundry of Messrs Smart & Cunningham or in South ArthurUe printworks. David Caldwell was of the former, being foreman jnoulder in the foundry at the time. He was not only one of the original members, but was also one of the small group who tried the experiment of combined buying before " the store ". was opened. He was a member of committee from the beginning, and although not treasurer of the provisional committee, he was the first treasurer of the Society. There was at that time no salary attached to the office, but he was asked to put down £50 of security, and this sum strengthened the capital of the Society very materially. He had excellent business qualities and was a man of the highest integrity, and the members showed their trust in him by repeatedly re-electing him to his first position. Towards the end of 1862 he left Barrhead to take up a situation elsewhere, and it was unanimously agreed to present him with a testimonial for his past services. He returned to Barrhead the following year, and the then holder of the office immediately resigned to permit of the re-election of Mr Caldwell. In those days the Society followed the primitive custom of pa5ring accounts in hard cash. 138 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED Merchants were paid once a month, and it was the treasurer's custom to proceed on the paying-day to Glasgow with the money, in a bag for this purpose. The meeting of committee following this event was always an interesting one, for the amount of extra discotmt which the treasurer had been able to wheedle or squeeze out of the merchants had an appreciable effect upon the profits. David Caldwell belonged to Paisley, but had been in Barrhead for close on ten years before 1861. About 1876 he went back to his native place, where he started a successful business of his own, and at a later date he served as a member of Paisley School Board. On his retirement he went to live at Kilchattan Bay, in a house which he had bought there. He died' in Kilchattan Bay a number of years ago, and was survived by a family of sons and daughters, one of the sons — Mr William Caldwell, ironfounder, Barrhead — ^being well known throughout our district. ADAM CRAWFORD is not mentioned amongst the first members, but at a meeting of the provisional committee on i6th March 1861 he was elected president, and on 2nd July he was again elected president of the first committee. This position he fiUed until May of the following year, when he left Barrhead for Paisley, where he continued to reside until his death a few years ago. He was a joiner to trade, of an exceedingly quiet but shrewd and careful type. ROBERT CRAIG. We feel constrained to devote a few lines to the memory of this able and useful co-operator, although he was not 139 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD in any sense a pioneer member of the Society. He was a native of Meams, but settled in Barrhead, where he was employed as a clerk in the Coga,n Street weaving factory. Here he met Mr John Allan, and, although the latter was an older man, they were drawn to one another by a similarity of thought and aspiration. As a result a strong friendship was formed between the two, and Robert Craig was thus brought into the co-operative movement. While Mr Allan was secretary of the Wholesale Society, the increase in business rendered the emplo5mient of a clerk a necessity, and he recommended Mr Craig for the situation. This position the latter filled with such ability that when the United Co-operative Baking Society got intcf serious difficulties and its first manager had to leave his post, Mr Borrowman, manager of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society, strongly recommended Robert Craig for the vacancy. He was selected by the committee, and although without any previous experience of the bakery business, his appointment was fully justified, for within a short time he had pulled the society through its difiiculties, and set it on the high road to success. A few years later he had to resign on account of ill-health. On leaving he was presented with £ioo from co-operators and employees. He went to the South of France where he remained for some time, but without receiving any benefit. He returned home, and resided with a sister until his death at a comparatively early age in 1877. Robert Craig appears to have been a man not only of considerable talent, but of a peculiarly sweet and lovable nature. To this day, although, it is so long since his journey ended, the very mention of his name in the ears of those who knew him calls up a kindly look to the eyes 140 FOUR NOTABLE PIONEER CO-OPERATORS. CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED and a warm commendation to the lips, which bear testimony to how highly he was valued. " To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." PETER DRUMMOND was the fifteenth member to join the Society — the first to follow the example of the original fourteen. He was a member of the first committee, and in a group which was notably happy and good-humoured, he was noted as being the only captious critic in the lot. He has been described by one of his fellow-members as the " porcupine " of the committee. But he was a keen and eager worker, and Uke most critics he was useful in keeping the others up to the scratch. MATTHEW FOULDS had the honour of being No. i on the original roll of members. He was appointed secretary of the provisional committee, and the minutes of the first few meetings are written by him. He resigned this position, however, in March, and was succeeded by Robert Stark. He became a member of committee before business started, and was president from September 1862 till February 1863, when his resignation was " reluctantly accepted." He was a native of Paisley, and a brassfounder to trade. He left Barrhead about 1867, and was for a short time in Belfast ; but latterly settled in Greenock, and estabUshed a business there which is still carried on by his son. His record, and the fact that he was first selected to act as secretary, and latterly as president, prove him to have been a man of solid capability. He died in Greenock in 1895. 141 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD JOHN IVORY was one of those who helped, along with the first half- dozen enthusiasts, to create the opinions which made the Society possible. He was one of the original members, but the Society was in existence for about a year before he became a member of committee. Whether in committee or out of it, he appears to have ttiken an active and intelligent part in all the earUer business of the Society. Originally he came from Glasgow to Barrhead, where he died in September 1882. ROBERT KERR shares with John I,indsay the distinction of being one of the two survivors of the original members. He was a member of the provisional committee, but owing to being frequently working late he had to resign, and never afterwards took any very active share in the business of the Society. He is a native of Derrachie, Cotmty Antrim, but came to this country early in life. He joined the Volunteer movement in 1859, ^^^ is best remembered in Barrhead for the active part he l^ok in that movement, having acted as colour-sergeant for twenty years. He has been retired from active labour for a nimiber of years, and now resides in PoUokshaws. ROBERT LAW took part in the co-operative experiments which were made before steps for the formation of the Society were taken. One of the first fourteen, and a member both of the provisional and of the first acting committee, he had, like John Allan, the honour of being three times elected 142 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED president. He was a prudent, careful administrator, quiet and unassuming in character, but well-read and with a weU-stored mind. It may be worth while quoting a few sentences from his address as president at the fifth annual soiree in 1866. " I believe," he said, " that co-operation will yet change the face of society, if working-men ordy saw it to be their duty to co-operate for mutual benefits. We are bound by everything that is sacred to try and make the world better than we found it — therefore, let us try to bring about that glorious period of universal brotherhood which poets have so beautifully sung. I^et all of us think of the men of the past, and what they did for an idea. They saw that to shrink was to lose all, and they stood manfully for principle, and now we are enjoying the freedom they have bequeathed us. I^et us remember the words of the Hebrew poet : ' Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in xmity ; ' and of our own Burns who said : ' When man to man shall brothers be.' IvCt us endeavour strenuously to fulfil that prophecy." Robert I^aw died in July 1878. ALEXANDER LINDSAY. was an iron-dresser in Messrs Smart & Cunningham's. He joined the Society at the first meeting, and is mentioned in the minutes of some of the early general meetings, but does not appear to have served on committee. JOHN LINDSAY is one of the two survivors of the first members, and is the only one still resident in Barrhead. He is a son of the Alexander I/indsay just mentioned, and this is the 143 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD only instance of father and son being fellow-pioneer members. John Lindsay belongs to what may be called the silent branch of the human family, so far as public meetings are concerned. During all these long years he has been a regular attender of the general meetings, but he has rarely taken active part in the debates. He was elected a member of committee in 1865, and in the following years was more than once re-elected to oiBce. He still attends the Society's meetings, and pays close attention to the business transacted. It is the earnest wish of his fellow-members that he will be long spared to do so. WALTER LINDSAY. Walter I/indsay, although of the same name, was not directly related to the two foregoing members, but was a brother of the late John Lindsay, for many years gatekeeper at Boyd's printfield, a man who had a local reputation for intellectual gifts far above the average. Walter was also an able and well-read man. He early allied himself with the new co-operators, and was elected to the first committee. For many years he gave active and useful service to the Society. He was a native of the Campsie district, but was long settled in Barrhead, where he died many years ago. THOMAS m'cOWATT, like John AUan, was a native of Grahamston. He was a mechanic with Messrs Smart & Cuimingham, and associated himself with those of his workmates who were helping to form the Society. He was a steady, determined man, of what is called the practical type, and was associated with 144 .mri^r':::^^:^np— 1 1 ■A ^^^^^.'\ . , . 1 i HH^Ib ' ^^)k^Ji^i^^^^^^^^^H rr^^ ^^^V' '*' 1 ^B^~ ISH i^z^^^^S '"*! ^ -JlViiBt '^C^ ^^^-.»i 1 Mki^^-^-^^^^\ ^ ^'z:j •*<*-i WBwi!^^^ ^Jfe^^i^BHHMWiij ' -'^ ^ liL^ _^^_^^IhhH CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED James Baillie in the arrangements for fitting and furnishing the first and the second shops. He served for a long time on the committee in the early years, and acted for for some time as treasurer. He was for a lengthy period a member of the Parochial Board, and he at one time sought election to the School Board, but was unsuccessful. During his long life in Barrhead, Mr M'Cowatt gained and kept the respect of all who knew him. He died at his residence in Barnes Street, on 30th April 1910. JOHN m'dearmid was a member of the first committee. He was foreman moulder in Messrs Cochrane's Grahamston foundry. He was an earnest and strenuous worker, and was apt to be somewhat impatient with those who seemed less fervent than himself. It is related that at one of the earUer meetings he and a friend — David Donnelly — rebuked some of their fellow-members for what they thought slackness in principle, and insisted that they ought to accept " the whole confession of faith." JOHN m'innes. In many respects this was the most remarkable of all the early Barrhead co-operators. Indeed, as we have shown in our account of the formation of the Wholesale Society, he was probably the ablest, the most useful, and the most strenuous worker in the whole Scottish movement for ten years or so from 1863 onwards. He early recognised the importance to the new movement of a journal devoted to propagating its principles and advancing its interests. At considerable trouble and some financial loss, he set himself the task of supplying 145 I. HISTORY OF BARRHEAD this want, and in July 1863 he pubUshed from Barrhead the first number of a monthly paper, the Scottish Co-operator. The little halfpenny journal was a small affair compared with the armful of printed matter we are accustomed to receive in exchange for our copper to-day. It was a live thing however, if small, and it did a big work in the extension and consolidation of the co-operative movement in Scotland. ,««»«-"■ -rtT -^ ' *"r l^tf'^fHff^^i WHEKE IHE sCOTTISl! CO-Ui'HRATuR \\-,\S KST PRODUCED. Its editor and owner was a man of much experience and many qualities. A printer and stationer by trade, he was also a traveller for wholesale houses, and, in the course of his peregrinations to and fro, he acted as a kind of " head centre " for the new movement. Individual societies were springing up in many places, but there was a want of mutual knowledge and of intercommunication between them, and it was to supply this knowledge and create this wider co-operative spirit that John M'Innes 146 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED bent his energies. A son of the working-class, and self- educated in all but the barest rudiments of learning, he was yet fitted to play with distinction the part he had chosen. He was lecturer, journaUst, organiser to the young movement ; guide, philosopher, and friend to many of the early societies. He was the centre of the conference movement, and, as his duties often took him to England, he was able to keep his Scottish friends in touch with what was being done on the other side of the Border. He took part in the Manchester Congress of 1867 ; he read a paper at the London Congress of 1869 ; and, at the Birmingham Congress of 1870, he presided on the opening day, and moved an important resolution on co-operative production. From the first number imtil its incorporation, in 1871, with the first issue of the Co-operative News, the little paper continued to be published from Barrhead, the tjrpe being set and the issues struck off in a tiny square building which is still standing, behind what was Mr M'Innes's stationery shop at 175 Main Street. In this connection it may be noted that there was some rivalry between Mr M'Innes and Mr John MiUer, the editor of the Renfrewshire Independent, and that the latter used to refer to the Scottish Co-operator as " the wee boat," and to its editor as " the man with the greasy flannels." To this, Mr M'Innes, with even greater bluntiiess, was in the habit of replying by speaking of the Independent editor as " the bubly-jock." Such apparently were the public courtesies of that time ! Before starting his paper Mr M'Innes had no experience in presswork, but he proved himself a capable writer, with a ready pen and the gift of lucid expression. His 147 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD style had nothing that was notably individual about it, but it was clear, crisp, concise, and without useless flourish — ^the best type of journalism. The photographs of him which still exist indicate a man of much natural shrewdness and breadth of character. He belongs quite apparently to that intellectual aristocracy which leads the world, and which is to be found everjnvhere amongst the workers, but nowhere more frequently or of better type than in our own coimtry of Scotland. For years the paper was carried on at a financial loss, but during the whole of that time he never once made public complaint ; and when he reproached co-operators for being lax in supporting co-operative journalism, it was on behalf of the English Co-operator he spoke, and not in his own interest. It was not till 1870 that he could speak of the position of his own paper with satisfaction, and at that time he pointed out that during all the years the paper had been published it had not contained above half a dozen contributed articles. " The whole writing," he says, " even to reports of the societies, have been from our own pen." " The present number," he adds, " may convey an idea of the labour involved, and it is not wonderftd that imperfections exist. We are aware that they do, and are sorry that no one wiU. give us assistance. We are wilUng to spend and be spent in the good cause ; willing to resign our post when a better pen is provided to fill it, but until that time we crave the S3mipathy and countenance of every co-operator and every society in Scotland." How much his paper was to him and yet how ready he was to give it up is indicated by his last words in the issue for July 1871, when he announces that in future 148 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED the paper will be incorporated with the Co-operative News, then just beginning to be issued. " The giving up of our paper," he says, " occasioned a considerable amount of regret — more than many will credit. It was begun when the movement was in its infancy, and carried on for a time with a very limited circialation and imder other discouraging circumstances. But gradually the circulation increased until it reached a comparatively large one in Scotland and a rapidly growing one in England, and in every way was growing in popularity and influence. But although regrets and doubts existed, we had no hesitation in sinking these as a matter of duty by looking only at the claims of the movement." It is pleasant to find that this long-continued connection between Barrhead and co-operative journalism has recently been revived. In November 1909, upon the sub-editorial chair of the Scottish Co-operator becoming vacant, it was to Barrhead that the Newspaper Committee looked for someone to fill the vacancy, and in appointing Mr William Reid they selected a gentleman well qualified for the position, both by reason of natural aptitude for the work and of co-operative experience gained in the actual administrative work of Barrhead Society. Of Mr M'Innes's connection with Barrhead Society it is perhaps unnecessary to add to what has been said in the preceding chapter. We have already seen that he took a deep pride in " our society " and in the work it did. He acted at times as auditor, and was sometimes elected a member of a special committee, but it is evident that his frequent absences from home prevented him joining the board. He came to Barrhead from the Greenock district, and had been settled here a few years 149 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD before the Society started. Although so ardently enamoured himself with the new doctrines, he was, like many another husband, unable to induce his wife to view the subject through his eyes. Mrs M'Innes refused to have anjrthing to do with the Barrhead Co-operative Society, and he had to join without her consent, and had to do his co-operative shopping himself. After the Society had been in existence for some time and a few pounds had accumulated to his credit, he arranged with Robert Stark a plan of campaign for overcoming the goodwife's objections. Robert called at the house to spend the evening, and, over a cup of tea, he cautiously inquired at Mrs M'Innes what he was to do with the money he had belonging to her in the stpre. She retorted by advising him to take his fun ofi somebody else, as she was not so green as he evidently thought her to be. He succeeded in convincing her, however, that a fund had accumulated from the dividend on her husband's purchases. From that day Mrs M'Innes needed no pressing to visit the store, and, like her husband, she became a missionary for co-operation. Very much more might be written of John M'Innes, but we cannot afford to devote too large a measure of space to any one individual. Of the man himself it is only necessary to add that, although he has had detractors, yet all those who came longest and most closely in contact with him speak in the highest terms of his personal qualities. As tsrpical of a number of such tributes, we may quote Mr Mallace of St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh, who, in a letter to the writer, says : " When I first knew Mr M'Innes he used to travel about the country, visiting nearly every town and village in 150 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED Scotland taking orders for jewellery and stationery goods. He was well known to all the principal co-operators in Scotland, and he knew all the store managers, and could give you the history of each. In fact, I unders'tand he was the chief speaker at most of the important co-operative gatherings from i860 to about 1874. His travels enabled him to gather many stories and anecdotes, and he used to retail these with great glee at the tea meetings, and it was nothing unusual for him to stop in the middle of a/ speech and sing a song to his audience. Altogether he was a genial and a lovable old man." In connection with Mr M'limes's occasional habit of treating his audience to a song, Mr William Maxwell recently related to us an instance of this which had come under his own notice. Mr M'Innes was one of the speakers at the annual social gathering of a country society. A dance was to foUow the soiree, and Mr M'Innes's speech came on at a late part of the programme, when the young folk were beginning to grow impatient for the pleasure which was to follow. During the speech this section of the audience began to manifest signs of impatience. " Ah well," said Mr M'Innes interrupting himself, " if you'll not Usten to a speech, maybe you'll listen to a song." There was an immediate feurst of applause ; but, when he had finished his song, Mr M'Innes looked pawkily down at his hearers, and, said he: "Maybe you'U take the rest of the speech now ? " This was received in icy silence, but they had to take the speech before the dancing after aU ! It is another proof of his acumen that Mr M'Innes was one of the first to reaUse the outstanding qualities of Mr Maxwell and their potential value to the movement, and in those days he used to 151 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD insist on dragging the younger man with him to as many of his meetings as possible. Some time , after the incorporation of the Scottish Co-operator with the Co-operative News in 1871, Mr M'Innes removed both his home and his business to Glasgow, and he died there on the 3rd March 1880, at the age of sixty-three. He rests in Woodside Cemetery Paisley. In Jtme 1886 a tombstone was erected to his memory, his friends in the movement subscribing the necessary funds, for which Mr Macintosh, accountant to the Wholesale Society, acted as treasurer. Sufficient, we hope, has been said in this brief story to show that, as John M'Innes was proud of his own Society, so, in turn, his Society has every reason to be proud of him. He was a worker whose memory the co-operative movement as a whole ought to cherish. JOHN PATON -f was a man in some respects even more remarkable than his friend M'Innes, although his work for co-operation was neither so great nor so sustained as that of the latter. He is best remembered by his temperance advocacy, but he really began his public life in the co-operative move- ment, and, as we have shown elsewhere in this book, was at one time its principal public exponent in Scotland. Paton, M'Innes, and Robert Stark were close friends, and in many ways were helpful to one another. Paton joined the Society shortly after its formation, and although he never held office he often attended its general meetings and was a frequent speaker at its social gatherings. He was always a candid critic and a master of invective, whose trouncings were feared at times not 152 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED only by the co-operative committee but by other sections of the community as well. It is told of him that he would occasionally give the directors a terrible word- thrashing, and once, when he thought they were usurping too much power, he characterised them as " a wheen gilded aristocrats." As an orator, John Paton occupied a commanding position amongst the best speakers of his time. His temperance work continued for many years, and made him well known all over the kingdom, but particularly in some of the larger EngUsh towns, where the announcement " John Paton is coming " was sufficient to fill the largest halls with expectant audiences. I^ike many another notable man, Paton had to fight against the heavy handicap of a childhood of poverty. The portrait which we give in this book reveals a man of ■ great and unusual natural capacity, who, born under more auspicious circumstances, would have adorned any position, however lofty, to which he might have been called. He was a shoemaker to trade, and in the early years the members procured their boots from him and paid them through the Society. He was a native of Stewarton, but had settled in Barrhead early in life, and died there on the 14th December 1892, in his seventy-sixth year. ROBERT RITCHIE was a member of the first committee, a block-printer by trade, and a native of Busby. He lived in Grahamston, where he was well known as an enthusiastic keeper of bees. A simple, honest, kindly man, who was useful to the young Society in many ways. 153 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD JAMES SCOTT was one of the first fourteen, but does not appear to have taken a very active share in the work of the Society. He was a native of Rutherglen, but came to Barrhead as a young man and was employed in the foundry of Messrs Smart & Cunningham. He spent almost his whole life in the town, although he resided for the last few years of his life with a sister in Glasgow. He died there in 1892, aged eighty years. JOHN SEMPLE was one of the early members, and a good worker in the first committee. He it was who interested John AUan .in co-operation and induced him to join. They Uved near one another and had similar tastes, both being interested in violin making and pla3^ng. In 1862 he taught a mechanical drawing-class on certain evenings in the committee-room. ,He was an irontumer to trade, and died many years ago. ALEXANDER SERVICE was the sixteenth member to join the Society, and was a member of the first and some of the later committees. He was a blockcutter in Boyd's printfields, and, it is said, was an exceedingly clever man, both with his head and his hands. ROBERT STARK. An account of Barrhead Co-operative Society without some particulars of Robert Stark would be almost as bad as " Hamlet " with the part of Hamlet left out. Those who only knew Mr Stark in his old age, and when he 154 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY IJMITED had long borne the cares of an office which he had naturally come to regard as his own peculiar preserve, would be very apt to misjudge the nature and capacity of this man who for forty years was the Society's chief officer. He is to be judged not merely by the plodding work of his later years, but by what he did in his youth and prime. It is comparatively easy for the present generation of officials and members to build securely on the foundations their predecessors had laid, but Robert Stark and those who worked with him had to dig the trench and hew the rock before even a foundation was possible. Robert Stark was one of those whom Carlyle has called " inarticulate." He was a man of little speech, and as he grew older his habit of silence became more pronounced. But he was full of a burning enthusiasm, and when the Society commenced he was probably the central force that gave it life. He was present at all the early meetings ; whoever else might be absent, Robert Stark was in his place. It was he who read the rules of the Rochdale Society at the second meeting, and although not then acting as secretary, he it was who corresponded with Vansittart Neale in regard to the drawing up of rules for Barrhead. This spirit of enthusiasm he maintained to the last, although it was concealed under a very quiet exterior, and the writer has more than once detected him with tears in his eyes at meetings where thoughts with which he sympathised were being expressed. He was a great admirer of George Jacob Holyoake, of whose writings he had made a fairly complete collection. He was undoubtedly a man of large, confident, childlike spirit, and he had that gift — rare in old age — of seeing beyond his own day and recognising that the work his 155 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD generation had done was not a finality but merely a link between the past and a higher future. At the same time there was a certain element of secretiveness and what, for want of a better word, may be called "thrawnness" in his composition, that was apt at times to be irritating to those with whom he worked. He doubtless made many errors, but in his patient, plodding way he managed the Society's affairs with wonderful success for many years, and well deserved the praise of Bailie Grandison, who had long been his colleague in office, and who spoke of him as "a perfectly honest man." That his quaUties were appreciated by his fellow-members was proved by the long period during which he retained their confidence. In the early years of the Society this confidence was displayed in a variety of ways, although it must be added that the payment of a reasonable salary was not one of them. Up till 1870 his 'first salary of £2 had only been increased to £8, and in that year it was agreed to pay him £10 per annum. At the quarterly meeting in February 1866 it was unanimously agreed to record in the minutes the Society's appreciation of his services, and at the same time it was decided to hold a social meeting and present him with a testimonial from the members. This meeting was held on i6th February 1866. It was a crowded one, and during the evening Mr Stark was presented with a silver watch and gold chain, with a ring for Mrs Stark. John Paton made the presentation, and "as a close and intimate friend, he (Mr Paton) earnestly and fervently did justice to the moral and social character of his friend, and congratulated the members on the unanimity and heartiness shown in getting up the testimonial." A 156 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED number of similar speeches were made, songs were sung, and the following lines were recited by Mr James Rigg, the author at a later date of " Wild Flower I/jrics " — " Wrap we the man in plaudit's misty shroud, That fadeth as the fleecy morning cloud ? No ; we of gold and silver do him give, Symbolical of deeds that ought to live. He, in the triumphs of his lofty mind. Hath left the comnion multitude behind, And soared in regions of ennobling aim. Nor made he trumpets to resound his fame. There is an impulse in his generous soul That for the common good doth ever roll. No empty, fleeting shadow is his aim ; But, like the sailor on the sweeping main. He rides majestic on to golden shores. The days of peace and love his mind explores. Enlist with him, O friends ! the aim is great. The aim is good ; this makes it doubly great. Arise, ye sons of labour ! Lift your eyes ! Above your heads are beaming brighter skies. And glorious fruits hang rich on every tree. For better days are near us, fair to see. Then forward, O my brothers ! at the call ; Truth's sure to conquer, error sure to fall. We'll win the day, if steadfast we remain ; Be principle our armour, truth our aim." As being in itself of some interest, and as an example of one of Robert Stark's very rare utterances, we may quote the following sentences from his fifth armual report, submitted at a soiree held on 6th October 1866 : — •' During our five years' trading the total cash drawn has been £20,737, is. 8d., which, after paying all expenses, has realised a net profit of £1,566, 19s. 8d., disposed of as follows — interest on members' shares, at five per cent., £108, 19s. iid. ; reduction of fixed stock account, £75, 3s. id. ; and dividend on members' purchases, IS7 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD :^i.372, 3S. id. From the commencement of the Society to loth Jvily, the total amount received on accovmt of shares has been £573, los. gd. ; the sum paid for with- drawals and profit, £1,086, lis. iid. — so that the amount withdrawn exceeded the subscriptions by £513, is. 2d. Yet still the capital has increased to ^^809, os. gd. during the five years and six weeks of its existence." Continuing, Mr Stark said : — " Burns says ' facts are chiels that winna ding,' and these are facts that show co-operation to be no idle dream. Co-operation is the only means whereby we can elevate ourselves above the bar of wages. I would press upon our members the necessity of capitahsing their profits, for there has been a fierce war raging these few months past all over the country between capital and labour, and I can see no better way of obtaining a victory over the capitalists than by fighting them with their own weapon — capital, applied by co-operation. One great reason why the working- classes are in their present condition is because hitherto they have not placed that confidence in one another that they ought to have done." Much water has run under the bridges since these words were uttered, but there is still need for their truth being pressed upon us. As in 1866, so to-day we have fierce wars between capital and labour, and the workers have stiU to learn that it is only the co-operative use of capital and a growing spirit of union and trust amongst themselves that can banish the evils from which as a class they suffer. Mr Stark was a native of the little Fifeshire village of Crail, where he served his apprenticeship as a ship-carpenter, but removed to Barrhead when his apprenticeship was completed. He retained the confidence 158 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED of the Society to the last, and about six years before his death he was practically pensioned at his full salary, with the position of honorary secretary. He only once sought office outside the Society, this being at the forma- tion of the burgh in 1894, when he stood unsuccessfully for the Town Council. He died in Barrhead on 13th February 1905, in his eighty-third year. ALEXANDER WARDROP, a dryer in Messrs Cunningham's bleachfield, was a native of Barrhead. He was one of the original members and a member of the first provisional committee, but does not appear to have taken active part in the later proceedings. He died in 1867, at the age of fifty-eight. ROBERT WASSON was a member of the first management committee. He was employed in the carding- room of West Arthurlie Mill, and has been described as an intelUgent, judicious, and fair-minded man. He died in Barrhead many years ago. " Honour and shame from, no condition rise. Act well your part ; there all the glory Ues." — Pope. 159 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD CHAPTER X. The Educational Department. Early Educative Action — Formation of Education Fund — Reading-Rooms — Lectures — New Committee — Women's Guild — Mechanics' Library — General Work of Education Committee. " The sovereignty of man lieth in knowledge." — Bacon. IN these days we have grown so familiar with the work of the educational committee — ^its lectures, entertainments, distribution of literature, penny savings bank, women's guild, junior choir, gala-day, excursions, and other activities — that it is difficult to believe that the Society had been in existence for' a quarter of a century before a separate educational committee was appointed. It would be wrong, of course, to assume that until the committee was elected no educational work was done. In point of fact there had been no period of the Society's Ufe at which educational matters were altogether neglected, although a number of years had to elapse before funds were expressly put aside for that purpose. The decision to devote a certain proportion of the profits to education was arrived at in the end of 1868 ; but, in spite of the fact that they had no distinct fund to draw upon, the directors yet found ways and means of doing various things of an educative 160 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED character. Thus members of committee were regularly suppUed with copies of the Scottish Co-operator (cost halfpenny per month), and at intervals a free distribution of the little paper was made to the members. There were also a few lectures, with long intervals between, the speakers being principally Messrs Paton, M'Innes, Borrowman, and Allan. FORMATION OF EDUCATION FUND. In the twenty-seventh quarterly report (February 1868), the directors give expression to a desire for the provision of funds for educational objects. " We hope," they say, " that every member wiU endeavour to have the Society organised and consolidated upon the true principles of co-operation, and see that it is conducted not only to increase the material advantages, but also with a view to enlarge our intellectual capacity. The best way to accompUsh the latter would be to have an education fund, which it is hoped our Society wiU not be much longer without." Nine months later, the i&rst allocation as a separate item for the education fund (£5, i8s. 6d.) appears in the quarterly report, but the administration remained in the hands of the board tmtil 1885, when an educational committee was first elected by the members. READING-ROOMS. The first definite purpose to which the educational fund was appUed was the provision of a reading-room for the use of members and their famiUes. In October 1870, the chairman, Mr John AUan, drew attention to this fact, and expressed the hope that the supply of newspapers and magazines provided would be well used. He also 161 M HISTORY OF BARRHEAD suggested that the major portion of the time spent in the reading-room should be devoted to the discussion of all subjects bearing directly or indirectly upon the moral, social, and intellectual elevation of the workers. In July 1873 a similar reading-room was opened in NeUston, and in this case the list of papers and magazines with which it was furnished is given as follows : — Co-operative News, Good Words, Chambers's Journal, Daily Mail, Daily Herald, Evening Citizen, Glasgow Reformer, and Renfrew- shire Independent. LECTURES. No lectures would appear to have been given for some time after the formation of the fund, the first that are noted being in 1873 when " one of the auditors " — afterwards referred to as Mr Robert Craig — gave a series of three lectures on " Tht Balance-sheet and Co-operative Bookkeeping." These lectures were given in the old Mission Hall, which was situated in the little lane leading down to the gasworks from Main Street — a lane and buildings which have entirely disappeared in the course of modern improvements* A year or two later the board appears to have felt the management of the education department, in addition to its own proper work, to have been too heavy for it, and it began a system of electing a separate committee, partly from its own membership and partly co-opted from members who were thought likely to prove useful in this sphere. READING-ROOMS CLOSED. Both Barrhead and Neilston reading-rooms were seemingly very popular to begin with ; but in the course of a few years this popularity, for some reason, declined, 162 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED and in 1879 they were given up and the stock of books, games, and furniture was sold by auction. NEW COMMITTEE. Dissatisfaction with the board's raanagement of the education fund, and with that of the special committees which it elected at intervals, was frequently expressed at the general meetings, and in 1881, and again in 1883, motions were brought forward for the formation of a distinct committee to superintend this work. On each of these occasions the motion was defeated, and it was not until 1885 that the members agreed to the proposal. The following members constituted the first educational committee elected under this new arrangement : — ^Messrs Robert Campbell, Gavin Mackinlay, Alexander Gowans, John Martin, and Andrew Ivandels (convener). Almost from its formation this committee initiated a programme which has been followed with slight alterations by all the committees succeeding it. A series of popular lectures by popular and prominent speakers was provided ; papers on various topics were read to smaller gatherings by members and others, and a singing class and junior choir started. The committee also undertook the better distribution of the co-operative newspapers and other literature, and when the penny savings bank was commenced, in i8gi, it was immediately put under the control of the educational committee. Amongst the more prominent pubUc men who lectured for the committee in these earlier years we note the following names : — James Keir Hardie, M.P., E. O. Greening, Tom Mann, Ben Tillett, Fred Maddison, James Deans, Henry Murphy, and Councillor Shaw Maxwell. 163 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD women's guild. In January 1900 the committee widened its sphere by the formation of the women's guild. There are now two branches of the guild — one in Barrhead and one in Neilston — and they form useful and interesting adjuncts to the general work of the committee. The guild has a strongly educative influence by bringing the women of the Society into closer touch with the workiags and the spirit of the co-operative movement. Sewing and dress- cutting classes have also, from time to time, been arranged, so that the guild meetings serve at once the double purpose of providing some, of that social intercourse from which women are too much excluded, and of increasing the members' capacity for performing their household duties. At various times the guild members have come forward and have given useful assistance, as when they worked so whole-heartedly on behalf of the bazaars in aid of the funds for the Convalescent Homes, and again when they sewed and knitted garments for the comfort of our soldiers at the front during the South African war. mechanics' library. In the beginning of 1902 the education committee did an excellent service to the community by saving the library of the old Mechanics' Institute from the dispersion which then threatened it. The Mechanics' Library was one of the oldest of Barrhead institutions. It had been established in 1825, and, as was pointed out in our second chapter, was one of the earliest organisations of the kind in the country. Its books and lectures had long served a useful purpose, but it was doomed at last to lose its 164 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED popularity, and to see its period of usefulness pass away. For some years its managers carried it on at a loss and in the face of a disheartening public disregard. This could not go on indefinitely, and at last the sale of the I^ibrary was proposed. In a final effort to keep the books together, the late Mr James Maxton (headmaster of Grahamston School) and others appealed to the co-operative society to pay the outstanding debts of the Institute, and to take possession of the Library. The education committee was favourably disposed to the suggestion, and reported accordingly to the members, who, in March 1902, sanc- tioned the payment of £ao for the purpose proposed. A considerajjle number 5f the old books thus taken over were only so much lumber, and had to be got rid of ; but many of them were standard works, in good condition, and a few of the volumes were of distinct value. On the whole, it may be said that the Society made a very good bargain. At various times since 1902 additions have been made to the library, which now comprises fuUy 3,000 volumes in all. There can be no doubt that if the members gave this department more generous support, the committee would be encouraged to add stiU more freely to the books at its command. The annual subscription is one shilling, and the Ubrary is open every Monday evening. WORK OF THE COMMITTEE. At the present time the education committee continues to work along the lines we have indicated. It is respon- sible for the distribution of the co-operative newspapers and co-operative literature. It superintends the work of the women's guilds, and co-operates with the committees 165 HISTORY OF BARRHEAD of the guild for various purposes. It controls the penny sa^-ings bank, arranges the annual children's gala-day, provides lectures, concerts, and entertainments during the winter months, and organises the members' summer excursions in the years when these are decided upon. It runs singing classes and a junior choir, and in many ways undertakes work that is very necessary for such a movement as ours, but the management of which would be inconvenient if added to the duties of the board of directors. Of late years the purely educative side of the work, as represented by lectures, has tended to become obscured and to give place to a larger proportion of entertainments ; but no doubt the committee, in pursuing this policy, is not so much following- its own wishes as providing the members with what they want and are willing to pay for. 66 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED CONCLUSION. WITH the completion of this sketch of the work of the education committee we conclude our review pf the progress and development of Barrhead Co-operative Society during its half-century of life and labour. It is a long cry from 1861 to 1911, and much that was entirely unforeseen by those forerunners of ours has happened in the intervening period. There can be no doubt that many of their dreams have not come to realisation ; but, on the other hand, much that they had never even conceived of has been accomplished. And so will it be in the future if we, their successors, are but as true to our standards and as faithful to our duties as they were true and faithful to theirs. Precisely what the future holds no man can foresee, but the co-operative idea has still within it immense unrealised possibilities, which it is our part to discover and to shape ; not binding ourselves merely to the opinions and to the deeds of the past, but toiling to satisfy the changing needs of the present, and stretching our thoughts forward to the awakening and ever- widening life of the future. And our memories will be cherished, and our graves on the hillside be green and honoured, if our sons of 1961 can say of us in that day, as we to-day join in saying of these our fathers : " They also entered into labour, and left the world better than they found it." 167 APPENDIX. PRESIDENTS OF THE SOCIETY. 1st Adam Crawford March 1861 till May 1862 2nd John Laird ... May 1862 II August 1862 3rd John Allan ... August 1862 II September 1862 4th Matthew Foulds , September 1862 11 February 1863 5th Robert Law February 1863 11 August 1864 6th John Miller August 1864 11 August 1865 7th Robert Law August 1865 ir August 1867 8th John Allan August 1867 II August 1869. 9th Walter Paterson . August 1869 II August 1870. 10th John Allan August 1870 11 November 1870. 11th Andrew M'Lintock November 1870 II August 1871. 12th George Macaulay . August 1871 M February 1874. 13th Thomas Hodgson . February 1874 II November 1874. 14th John Birtwell November 1874 II February 1876. 15th James Stirling n^February NE February 1876 II February 1878. 16th Alexander Johnsto 1878 II February 1880. 17th Alexander Crichto n February 1880 11 February 1883. 18th Alexander Johnstoi •JE February 1883 II February 1885. 19th John Nairn ... February 169 1885 II February 1887. APPENDIX. PRESIDENTS OF THE SOCIETY — continued. 20th Alexander Johnstone 21st John Nairn 22nd Angus Wyse 23rd Robert Campbell ... 24th Gavin Pinkerton ... 25th John Andrew 26th John Martin 27th William Murray ... 28th Gavin Pinkerton ... 29th William T. Boyd ... 30th James G. Clark 31st William Ferguson ... 32nd John A. Stewart ... I^oie. — During the history of the Society there have been two men who were three timei President, namely, John Allan and Alexander Johnstone, and three men who- were twice President, namely, Robert Law, John Nairn, and Gavin Pinkerton. February 1887 till February 1888. February 1888 1 February 1890. February 1890 I February 1892. February 1892 1 February 1894. February 1894 1 February 1896. February 1896 1 February 1898. February 1898 1 . February 1900. February 1900 1 February 1902. February 1902 p February 1904. February 1904 1 February 1906. February 1906 f February 1908. February 1908 1 February 1910. February 1910. SECRETARIES OF THE SOCIETY. 1st Robert Stark 16th March 1861. Appointed Full-time Secretary November 1882. Appointed Honorary-Secretary... ... October 1899, Died, 13th February 1905. 2nd William George Appointed October Died, 3rd October 1907. 3rd Alexander B. Weir, Appointed Manager January Appointed Managing-Secretary .!. October Elected to S.C.W.S. ... 4th Thomas Dykes 1899. 1907. 1907. November 1910. .. Appointed November 1910. Mr John M'Lintock acted as Manager from August 1896 till December 1906. 170 APPENDIX, 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th TREASURERS David Caldwell ... John Allan David Caldwell ... Matthew Foulds ... James. Irvine Alexander John.stone James Ferguson John Malcolm Thomas M'Cowatt ... Matthew Stewart James Dunlop Matthew Stewart James Williamson ... Appointed Full-time Treasurer Died in Office ... Thomas Dykes Thomas Scott OF TPIE SOCIETY. April 1861 till September 1862. September 1862 „ April 1863. April 1863 „ August 1865. August 1865 „ August 1866 August 1866 n August 1868. August 1868 „ August 1869 August 1869 „ May 1873 May 1873 M May 1875 May 1875 M May 1876 May 1876 1, May 1879 May 1879. M May 1880 May 1880 „ March 1883 March 1883. February 1887- August 1899. September 1899 .i November 1910. November 1910. BARRHEAD REPRESENTATIVES WHO HAVE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SERVED S.C.W.S. ON John Allan Robert Stark John Allan *John Allan Thomas Hodgson William Allison James G. French Robert Murray Alexander Johnstone ... James Peters William Birtwell Gavin Mackinlay Alexander B. Weir *JoHN Allan Secretary Auditor Cashier President Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director left Barrhead in 1874. 171 YEAR, 1868-1873. 1872-1873, 1874-1875, 1875-1878, 1874. 1874-1875 1875-1876. 1880, 1882 1883-1885, 1886 1886-1889 1910. APPENDIX. BARRHEAD REPRESENTATIVES ON THE "SCOTTISH CO-OPERATOR" NEWSPAPER BOARD. John Martin ... William George James G. Clark YEAH. 1900. 1900-1907. 1908-1911. ADMISSION LINES GRANTED TO PATIENTS DURING 1910, FOR VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS, AS UNDER:— LINES. Co-operative Convalescent Homes (West Kilbride and Abbotsview) Paisley Royal Alexandra Infirmary ... Glasgow Western Infirmary Glasgow Royal Infirmary Glasgow Victoria Infirmary Glasgow Samaritan Hospital ... Glasgow Ear, Throat, and Nose Hospital Paisley Eye Infirmary Sick Children's Hospital 49 37 16 4 6 9 3 4 3 131 172 I— I ■■S «« «« oeo I— i 05 rH r— I 0-*(Ml> O O •5 b ■■ Si2!^ si eS— ^ 3 *. ° S bZ 4) tl 3 ■^ g S.S ii a u o ^ — «, -J-* 73 CO I>00 00 00 3 S ^ S coOfS oSfS «rt CO ^ o S. CO ^ lo o: t---^ »o »o o GO ■* ic op ip ic go trt (M OS- CD OS GC (M O CO rt I'D • c s « •= (MO g .ij 13 Cfl rC pi S^ ir- m u .!- cl OJ Wi-lQ O CO M o o oo t^o o (N (N 100 (M —I CO(M -H rt ■g t< >^ B a >- a Pi '^ aW S 0. S 0) .13 «« to >--2 ^ s ■■ " ° ■ 5, S<«^o Ph w APPENDIX. STATISTICS OF PROGRESS— 1861-1910. 1st Year- -1861 Sales. Average Dividend. Capital. Member. SHIP. £ 2,128 S. D. 1 £ 240 115 2nd 1, 1862 2,862 1 3 349 133 3rd II 1863 3,612 1 5i 523 150 4th .1 1864 4,815 1 6i 721 178 5th II 1865 4,751 1 4 771 200' 6th II 1866 6,429 1 5f 897 238 7th 1. 1867 7,026 1 71 1,148 261 8th II 1868 7,986 1 8 1,353 294 9th II 1869 8,497 1 9^ 1,985 345 10th 1, 1870 10,014 1 llf 2,874 400 15th II 1875 21,134 2 4,135 665 20th II 1880 30,749 2 Oi 8,415 1,012 25th ,1 1885 52,829 2 9i 16,243 1,600 30th II 1890 62,269 2 9i 26,921 1,723 35th II 1895 63,655 2 94 38,296 1,764 40lh II 1900 87,439 2 9J 50,159 2,325 41st II 1901 88,608 2 lOi 55,564 2,505 42nd 1, 1902 95^260 2 9i 56,456 2,636 43rd II 1903 96,915 2 9 62,393 2,778 44th II 1904 99,936 2 9 70,915 2,590 45th II 1905 102,614 2 9 74,588 2,748 46th 1. 1906 105,566 2 9i 77,432 2,815 47th II 1907 107,882 2 64 71,743 2,915 ' 48th II 1908 98,407 2 6| 70,959 2,979 49th II 1909 100,857 2 6J 71,749 3,073 50th II 1910 105,894 2 6i 73,218 3,051 174 APPENDIX. PROGRAMME OF JUBILEE CELEBRATION ARRANGEMENTS. At a meeting of members in August 1909, a Committee, charged with the duty of making preparations for the cele- bration of the Society's Jubilee in 1911, was appointed. The Committee, after full consideration, submitted to the members at a later date the following scheme, which was duly approved : — 1. A History of the Society to be written, and a copy to be presented to each Member. 2. A "Jubilee" Donation of £100 to be presented to tbe Co-operative Convalescent Homes. 3. A "Jubilee" Donation of £20 to Barrhead and District Nursing Association. 4. A "Jubilee" Donation of £10 to Neilston and Uplawmoor Nursing Association. 5. The Renfrewshire Co-operative Conference to be invited to hold its Quarterly Meeting in Barrhead, and to be suitably entertained. A paper will be read to the Con- ference by Mr A. B. Weir, Barrhead (S.C.W.S. Director), 27th May 1911. 6. Members' Gala, to be held in a field on Woodneuk Farm, 3rd June 1911. 7. Children's Gala, to be held on a field at Kirkton, 10th June 1911. 8. Entertainment to Society's Employees, Good Templars' Hall, 20th June 1911. 9. Social Meeting for Directors, Delegates, and Officials, 24th June 1911. 175 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 091 515 720