CORNELL UNIVERSITY ilr LIBRARY Martin P. Catherwood Library School of Industrial and Labor Relations Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924087522482 COVENTRY CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY, LIMITED. JUBILEE HISTORY. A Toast. ' The cause of Co-operation : May it be pursued by those engaged in it with a wide sense of its power, and of its numerous . modes of application for the improvement of the masses of the people." Birmingham Congress Dinner, 1871. o O COVENTRY PERSEVERANCE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY, LIMITED. JUBILEE HISTORY 1867—1917. 1867: Registered . . . . . . March 14. Society Constituted . . March 19. Business Commenced . . April 5. 1917: Jubilee March 19. Printed for the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, Limited, and Published by them at their Registered Office, Central Stores, West Orchard, in the City and County of Coventry, March, 1917. PRESS OF THE BIRMINGHAM PRINTERS, LIMITED, 42, HILL STREET. Foreword. By the President. Some historians are of opinion that the true method of study is to start from the present and retrace a move- ment to its origins, as one would weigh anchor in the Thames Estuary and voyage up the river to its sources in the Cots wold Hills. In this book, however, it has been decided to start at the beginning, follow the progress and development of the Co-operative Movement in Coventry, and chronicle its achievements. While the record is mainly one of facts, a perusal of its pages will doubtless result in the conclusion that sober history is not always devoid of romance. The volume will also be a permanent memorial of the founders and workers in a great cause, and tend to a more adequate appreciation of a democratic triumph. Democratic, in that Co-operation is fundamentally ■" popular," supreme power being vested in the members Vm. FOREWORD collectively ; and a triumph because the Co-operative Movement is now both extensive and important. It may be hoped that this Jubilee History will tend also to a clearer realisation of the advantages which the present members of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society enjoy, and prove an incentive to future effort. Co-operation is capable of being mightier yet for the public good ; and so long as co-operators are united and faithful to their principles will the movement continue to flourish. There is significance in our motto : — " EACH FOR ALL, AND ALL FOR EACH." Contents. PAGE Chapter I. Need of Social Reform i The Working Classes Half a Century ago — Misery and Discontent — Poor Food — High Prices — Low Wages — Social Conditions. Chapter II. Coventry in the Sixties ^.. 6 City's Distress — Decreasing Population — Gleams of Hope — Co-operation . Chapter III. Co-operation Defined 12 What Co-operation is — " Secret of Social Develop- ment " — The Movement. Chapter IV. Rochdale Pioneers 17 Efforts of the Flannel Weavers — System — Success — Spread of the Movement. Chapter V. Early Local Efforts 21 Various Co-operative Societies — Their Failures — " Labourers and Artizans " — Lockhurst Lane — Curious Experiences. Chapter VI. Early Local Advocates 29 John Watts — John Colier Earn — Charles Shuffle- botham, and others. Chapter VII. Germ of a Great Enterprise .... 39 Young Men's Societies and Social Progress — Inception of New Local Movement — Sowing of Seed. Chapter VIII. Starting the " Perseverance '* Society 45 Original 48 members — First Officers — Capital Funds — Confident Views. Chapter IX. Beginning Business 52 Cook Street Store — Buying-in and selling-out — Committee-men as Shop Assistants — " Examiner of Goods " — Prices — Fear of Wealth — Results of Trading — Bonus declared — Pork Butchering. %. CONTENTS PAGE Chapter X. First Public Meeting 63 Tea, Oratory, and Song in St. Mary's Hall — First Report — Sound Business. Chapter XI. 1868 to 1870 69 Removal to Bishop Street — Early Struggles — Determination to Succeed — Baking Trade — Bor- rowing Money — Difficulties with Storekeepers — Another Tea and Public Meeting — Disdainful newspaper " par." — Starting a. Coal Agency — A Good Story — A Disappointment — Better Sales — Resignation of Secretary. Chapter XII. First Branch Store 82 Stretton-on-Dunsmore — Soporose Village — Public Meeting — Deputation's Adventures. Chapter XIII. 1871 to 1873 87 Election of Secretary (Mr. Jarrams) — Wanted : More Co-operation — A Greater than Mark Tapley — A Deficit — Resignation of Mr. Jarrams : Mr. J. W. Lewis appointed Secretary — Member pays in 4/9 and draws out 20/11 — Resignation of Mr. Lewis — Mr. G. Thorpe appointed Secretary — Another good Public Meeting — Losses — Society saved by a Woman — Mr. Jarrams recalled — " Basket Power " wanted — Progress — Situation described in Co-operative News. Chapter XIV. 1874-5 98 Increased Business — Penny Bank — Drapery De- partment — Educational Fund — First Educational Committee. Chapter XV. Eighth Annual Public Meeting 107 Progress — Increased Benefits — ^Meritorious Labours recognised — Social Enjoyment. Chapter XVI. 1876-7 113 Interest and Incident — Resignation of Secretary : Mr. A. L. Newbold appointed — Increased member- ship — ^New Rules — Purchase of Bishop Street Property and Site in West Orchard — Upward trend — Decision to Build — How to find the Money. Chapter XVII. A Great Public Improvement.... 120 New Buildings, West Orchard, described. CONTENTS XI. PAGE Chapter XVIII. Opening of New Stores .... 126 Interesting function — Encouraging Meetings — 1,200 at Tea — Mayoral Chairman. Chapter XIX. 1878 ' 133 To Butcher or No ? — Record Sales — Increased Expenses — Lower Dividends. Chapter XX. A Presidential Review 136 Co-operative Conferences — -History of the Society to date — Light on Committee Work and Domestic Felicities. Chapter XXI. An Interlude 143 By way of explanation. Chapter XXII. 1879 to 1882 144 A Conspiracy — Resignations — New President and Secretary — Bold front — Temporary Decline and Lower Dividends — Eternal Hope. Chapter XXIII. 1883 to 1885 154 Progress — Revolution in Bread-making. Chapter XXIV. 1886 to 1887 .... 165 Change in Presidency — Honesty v. Plausible Ad- vertising — Satisfactory Business — Local Distress — Expansion of Bread Trade — Additions to Bakery — Breaking Record — Good Dividends — "Go forward" — " Co-operative Agriculture." Chapter XXV. Coming of Age, 1888 172 Co-operators' Junketings. Chapter XXVI. 1888 to 1892 184 Corn Mill Failure — Factory Inspector Chairman — Upward Tendency — Increased Membership — House Purchasing — Branch Store, New Brook Street — Buying 34, Bishop Street — Spon Street and Earlsdon Stores — Sales still Increase — Buying a Music Hall — Lapsing a Liquor License — Closing Concert at the " Brit." — New Drapery Store — More Beneficence — Good Year. Chapter XXVII. 1893 to 1898 196 More Charity — Extension at Earlsdon — Further prosperity — " A cold-blooded War " — Finger- snapping — Education — Trade Depression — Fluc- tuation in receipts — Dividend maintained — Stability and Progress — Victoria Street and Spring- field Road — Investments — Increased Member- ship and Sales — Compliment to " the sex " — Britannia Buildings. Xtt. CONTENTS PAGE Chapter XXVIII. Our Great New Bakery 205 (1898) Description of Building — Its opening — Annual Meeting — Society prospers despite local trade depression — Company Financiers — "Rogue- Fools." Chapter XXIX. 1899 and 1900 212 " Educationalist " and the Education Fund — Resignation of President : Election of Mr. Jones — Extinguishing a Vicar Rate — Grocery Manager — Check System criticised — Land Purchase — Pros- perous year with an expiring kick. Chapter XXX. 1901 to 1903 219 Disastrous Flood — Value of Reserve Fund — Retiring Auditor — More property purchased (Gosford St.) — Increased Trade — Dividend maintained — Peep at Educational Work — Property Buying — Britannia Street, Somerset and Stoney Stanton Roads — Attempted Boycott — Geoffrey Wood's Cross : Stores and Houses — Death of an ex-Auditor — Amalgamation of Kenilworth and Coventry Societies. Chapter XXXI. 1904 .28 Food Taxation opposed — Warehouse Property Bought — Site of London Road Store. Chapter XXXII. Our Central Provision Ware- house 233 Description of Buildings — Warehousing — Trade Geography — Values and Quantities — Useful Pro- perty — Heart of our Grocery Trade. Chapter XXXIII. 1905-6 237 Trade Depression — Votes to Relief Funds — Earlsdon Store — Another Amalgamation : " Hope, Prudence, and Perseverance " — Domestic Year — Birmingham Congress : Wholesome Words — Death of Mr. G. J. Holyoake — Record Year — " Soap Combine " — Piquant Speeches. Chapter XXXIV 1907 to 1909 246 " Butchering ? " — Land Purchases : Stoke, North- field Road, Dean Street — Increased Membership and Sales — Public Auditor ? — Baking Machinery — Milk Trade — Gosford Street Drapery — Victoria Street — Society's Relief Fund — Re-building at West Orchard — Bristol Road Store Site — New Check .System. CONTENTS Xtll. PAGE Chapter XXXV. 1910 to 1912 252 Hoarding of Old Checks — Sick Room Appliances — House Building at Alderman's Green — Milk Trade — Land Purchase : Swan Lane — Help for distressed Co-operators — C.W.S. Production Exhibition — Charity — Purchases of Land and Property : Foleshill Road, Bray's Lane, Windsor Street, Victoria Street — Additional Coal Wharfage — National Census — Society's Ten Years' Growth — Retailers' " Shopping Week " — Society Progresses — C.W.S. and Minimum Wage — More Land and Property Buying : Swan Lane, Kenilworth, and West Orchard — Increased Membership and Sales. Chapter XXXVI. Our Model Dairy 263 Importance of Pure Milk — Reformed Methods — Description of Buildings — Why " Co-operative Milk " preferred. Chapter XXXVII. 1913 and 1914 (to July) .... 274 Greatly increased membership — Land Purchases : Humber Road and Walsgrave-on-Sowe — Fleet Street and West Orchard Property Bought — Scrutineers' Mistake — New Voting System — Works Department ? — District Associations' Tribute to Deceased Member — Works Department approved — Change of Audit System — Mrs. ShuiBebotham — Co-operation and Trade Unionism — Enlargement of Committee — Proposed Lease of Land deferred — Land Purchase at Radford approved. Chapter XXXVIII. The War Period (August, 1914, TO October, 1916) 279 War's immediate effects — Gratifying progress of Society — Branch Store policy maintained — War Fund and other contributions — Committee's first War-time Report — District Association's Remarks — Retirement of Mr. Jones from Educational Committee — Business and Trading Difficulties — Rise in Prices — Scarcity — Committee's observa- tions, counsels, and warnings — Excess Profits ? — Nation's Food Supplies and Government Control. Chapter XXXIX. Figures of Progress .... 296 Summaries and Contrasts — 1867-1916. Chapter XL. Co-operative Calendar 299 Interesting Events in the History of the Society. XtV. CONTENTS PAGE Chapter XLI. Co-operators' Architecture .... 303 History traced in Buildings — " Sermons in Stones " — " Frozen Music." Chapter X],II. Our Educational Department 308 Worli in " promoting Education, Culture, or Recreation." Chapter XLIII. Our Women's Work 332 Objects and Operations of Women's Guild. Chapter XLIV. Men's Guild 345 Its Objects and Programme. Chapter XLV. Our Presidents 352 Mr. Hepworth — Mr. Williams — Mr. Lower — Mr. Jones. Chapter XLVI. A Trio of our Secretaries .... 369 Mr. Scrivener — Mr. Newbold — Mr. Jarrams. Chapter XLVII. Reiiiniscences : Parts I AND II. 376 Chapter XLVIII. Our Legal Status 393 Chapter XLIX. Income Tax : A Plain State- ment 396 Chapter L. The Soul of Co-operation .... 403 Epilogue .. 411 Appendix ... 413 Epitome. Introductory. A Co-operative Toast — Foreword — Contents, with Synopses of Chapters. General and Local. — Chapters I to VI Historical — Expository — Biographical. Our Society.— Chapters VII to L. Its History, 1867 to 1916 — Descriptions — Statistics — Calendar — Architecture — Biographies — Re- miniscences — Legal Status — Members and the Incorfie Tax — "Soul of Co-operation" — Epilogue. Appendix. Committee's Reports, December, 1916, and April, 1917. Chapter I. Need of Social Reform. " Of the good old times let others prate ; I thank God I was born so late." THE need of social reform was far more keenly felt in the early days of some of our Co-operative friends than it has been in the days of their maturity. Wages were low, employment was often scarce, the necessaries of life were dear, opportunities for recreation infrequent ; the general condition of the working classes was far from satisfactory, and the outlook unpromising ; combination of labour for social improvement was by no means as free as in these later times, and there was widespread discontent. The middle classes had been enfranchised, but not those who lived by manual labour. Chartism, a movement in Great Britain for the extension of political power to the great body of the people, was impelled largely by actual want — " misery and discontent," says Mr. Justin McCarthy [Epoch of Reform) " were its strongest inspirations " — and by the indifference of the Legislature. So late as 1843, Thomas Carlyle, in his Past and Present, declared — " When two million of oqe's brother- 2 NEED OF SOCIAL REFORM men sit in workhouses, and five millions, as is insolently said, 'rejoice in potatoes,' there are various things that must be begun, let them end where they can." (Book III., Ch. V.) Mr. Joseph Gutteridge, of Coventry, writing in 1893, when near the end of a long life — he was born in 1816 — says : " In my early days the working classes had to struggle much harder for a livelihood than now, and they did not enjoy so many of the advantages which tend to Ughten the burden of honest toil. The neces- saries of life were much dearer, and though prior to i860 the ribbon-weaving trade was prosperous, the working people did not appear to reap the benefits they ought. The intellectual condition of the poorer classes was low, and the opportunities of advancement were very meagre ; the educated few appeared to be jealous lest their inferiors should taste of the tree of knowledge and have their eyes opened. The condition of women in this respect was deplorable. . . . The Coventry of old age is vastly different from the Coventry of youth." In the early part of the nineteenth century, however, various efforts had been made to ameliorate the con- dition of the people. Some had been successful for a time, but to a large extent they had proved ineffectual. Among others the Co-operative movement sprang up. Many attempts were made to estabUsh co-operative trading, but being mercantile in character as a rule, lacking in great ideals, too frequently in the hands of unsuitable managers, insufficiently capitalised and inefficiently organised, with unlimited liabiHty, and bitterly opposed by financiers, the trading and privileged NEED OF SOCIAL REFORM 3 classes, they failed, with some notable exceptions. In 1844, however, at Rochdale, a system was inaugurated which proved sound, attractive, and expansive. This system has ever since held the field. But for years Co-operation did not succeed on any large scale, and it was not till 1869 that a Co-operative Congress really attracted influential attention. This was held at the Royal Society of Arts Rooms, London. The measure of success achieved by this Congress justified a further undertaking of the kind, and the second Co-operative Congress accordingly took place the following year at Manchester. That the need for social reform had not passed away is evident from a trenchant article from the pen of Mr. Henry Pitman, a well-known man in Manchester, and published as a preface to the official Congress Report, 1870. Said Mr. Pitman : " Co-operation, as the word implies, is ' working together ' in order to ameUorate the lot of the labourer. That lot at the present time is far from being what it ought to be ; but it is not likely to be improved so long as the working man is a mere ' thing of wages.' The Co-operative movement gathers significance from the fact that its leaders have been and are dissatisfied with modern society in many of its social and industrial manifestations. With the exception of slavery, the worst evils of heathen times are unredressed. While professing the ' law of love,' our commerce is based on ' self-interest.' The ' tricks of trade have become a joke ; perpetual war rages between Labour and Capital ; and Pauperism is regarded as an incurable cancer in the State. 4 NEED OF SOCIAL REFORM " A revolution was needed to rectify these scandalous anomalies, and it appeared in the peaceful guise of Co-operation. Acts of Parhament were powerless to prevent adulteration, short weight, and short measure. Co-operation removed all temptation to over-reaching, by making the interest of the buyer and seller identical. There is an honest sphere about a Co-operative store, which gradually leavens the lump of surrounding trade. " Another admirable feature of Co-operative stores is the ready-money system. Cash payment is almost universal, and where credit is allowed, the share capital of the member is guarantee for payment. The advantages of the ' no trust ' system are indispensable, both to the individual and the society. With moderate business tact, and union among the members, a Co- operative store that buys and sells for cash cannot fail to be a profitable concern. Good habits, like bad ones, find imitators ; and so cash dealing is spreading to the benefit of the ordinary shopkeeper and his customers. " Early closing and the half-holiday are other com- mendable features of the stores. Co-operators are usually temperate, prudent people, who make their purchases at reasonable hours, partly from a fellow- feeling with their employees, and also because they know that it is not economical to burn gas to accommo- date dilatory customers. . . . Shorter hours of work and more opportunities for recreation and mental improvement are indispensable to a people who aspire to be called educated. Co-operation and Education are our watchwords. . . . Co-operation must follow education, just as light follows the sun. . . . The NEED OF SOCIAL REFORM 5 possibilities of Co-operation are inexhaustible ; a glorious work lies before us." At this Congress of 1870, the chairman (Mr. Walter Morrison, M.P.) claimed that the early days and the dark days of Co-operation had passed away, and although very few stores of the past generation still existed, ever since 1842, when the foundation of the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers was laid. Co-operation had grown steadily, and showed no signs of retrogression. " If anything can be said to be certain in human and commercial affairs," added the chairman, "it is that Co-operative stores have taken a permanent place in our social system." Chapter II. Coventry in the Sixties. " Nothing can be done without hope." — Helen Keller. DURING the decade 1860-70, Coventry experi- enced extreme illfortune. The period opened with unexampled depression of trade, the citizens for the most part suffered from severe distress, and the glories of the city were, to use a moderate expression, seriously dimmed. Actual poverty prevailed to such an extent that a national relief fund was organised, to which the Queen and the Prince of Wales contributed, the total sum raised being upwards of £40,000. Mr. Joseph Gutteridge, in " Lights and Shadows of the Life of an Artizan," draws a vivid picture of the condition of Coventry during the period under review. He says : — " Trade declined, and wages came down rapidly. This the weavers in a body resisted, and the struggles culminated in the terrible strike and lock-out of 1860-1. It is computed that nearly 14,000 people were at that time dependent upon the silk trade in Coventry and district, and the consequence of this dispute was that o U W O Q O P5 COVENTRY IN THE SIXTIES Q all looms, whether on hire or purchase, were calkd in by the manufacturers, who were in a great measure determined not to give in to the demands of their hands, but on the other hand were determined to compel them to work for weekly wages on the factory system. " The factory system at that time was most vile, legislation on the subject being very meagre. Only those who have had experience under the system, which embraced the indiscriminate association of both sexes with but little restraint, in a tainted atmosphere, can tell of the moral depravity that, like a poisonous miasma, enervated, if it did not utterly destroy in too many instances, the respect owed by the workpeople to themselves and to society. . . " This strike and lock-out, combined with the cessa- tion of the fashion for wearing ribbons, in the course of a few years reduced the number of Coventry manu- facturers from eighty to less than twenty, and caused a decrease in the population of the city of over five thousand. Hundreds of looms, the first cost of which was from £40 to £100, were sold to brokers for a mere song to enable weavers to obtain the means to sustain life, and were ultimately broken up for what the wood and metal would realise. " Such a general state of extreme poverty was never known in Coventry before. Many weavers with large famihes were compelled to make raids upon the field camps of turnips and potatoes to save their children from utter starvation. The workhouse was filled to overflowing ; the rates went up enormously to supply the outdoor poor with a scanty pittance ; shopkeepers were on the verge of ruin, and no credit could be obtained to COVENTRY IN THE SIXTIES for food ; the manufacturers one after another were going into bankruptcy, and nearly eight hundred houses were soon without tenants. Hundreds of famihes emigrated by means of help to America and the Colonies, and at home, beside the relief work on the commons, soup kitchens were opened to appease the famished people who could not get bread." Pessimists declared that Coventry was irretrievably ruined ; and it is not too much to aver that many responsible citizens felt a deep anxiety concerning the city's future welfare. As in national, so in civic affairs, however, tribulations cleanse hke purifying fires, and new life springs forth. Like the fabled Phoenix, Coventry arose from its desola- tion with renewed vitality. Charitable funds, generous and noble as they might be, were felt to be but a palliative — a merely temporary expedient, a policy of despair almost ; and measures of a potential value were essential. Various new industries were therefore introduced to supplement the two " staple " trades of ribbon weaving and watch-making. With few exceptions these proved successful. A fresh spirit of enterprise and farsightedness among certain prominent citizens was strengthened by the genius and adaptability of the artisan population. Even the failures provided employment for a time, and from them other industries developed. Thus the great industrial modern Coventry, with its population approaching 130,000, may be said to have had its renaissance in the travail of the middle of the nineteenth century, and to be a triumph over the most untoward circumstances. COVENTRY IN THE SIXTIES II But the decade was fruitful in other directions. Not only were a number of new public buildings erected, but a local Art and Industrial Exhibition was held in a new Market Hall, the first Free Public Library was opened, and the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society was started. It is not a little remarkable that the Exhibition, the Free Library, and the Co-operative Society were contemporaneous — viz., 1867. Despite adversity, distress, tribulation and suffering, practical optimism proved victorious. Chapter III. Co-operation : What it is, and is not. " They helped every one his neighbour, and every one said to his brother : Be of good courage." — Prophet Isaiah. BY going to the root of the matter " Co-operation " becomes quite easy of understanding. It may be premised that there are three modes by which members of civiHsed society may supply their wants. 1st — They may act for themselves ; 2nd — They may leave the task to those who make it their business ; 3rd — They may club together and engage the necessary services, and thus do by combination what they cannot do as individuals. The question is, which of these three methods possesses the greatest advantages to the pubhc ? Now the first method is practically impossible. The second method is, of course, extensively employed, and the persons who act as intermediates have a claim for " compensa- tion." That is precisely where the private trader with his profits finds a place in civilised society ; the profits representing in a broad sense his " compensation " or remuneration. Certain errors and evils have crept into this mode of supplying human wants, but they CO-OPERATION DEFINED 13 are obvious, so that it is not necessary to discuss them. The third method includes what is known as " Co-operation." Elementally, Co-operation has a simple meaning. Not an elegant term by any means, although it will probably survive all attempts to improve upon it, " Co-operation " is compounded of two Latin words, viz. : — Co=with, and operatus^wovk. Hence, to co-operate means to work with, and co-operation, the working together. " Co-operators " are those who work together. In a general, broad sense. Co-operation means any combined operation for a common purpose, thus comprehending joint-stock enterprises, professional or trade associations, assurance, savings banks, building societies — ^in fact, any associated effort is a form of co-operation. Examples of simple co-operation in a general sense are to be found in some friends joining with one another to buy a truck of coal at pit rates ; a few clerks acting together in the purchase of a chest of tea ; or a party of neighbours collectively obtaining direct a consignment of commodities at manufacturers' prices. In such cases the object of the working together is the saving of expenditure by the consumers. A different form of co-operation is that of a group of retail traders engaging in what is termed " combined buying." The object in this case is increased profits. The same object is aimed at by a joint-stock company with large capital, buying on a scale that is beyond the means of an individual tradesman, as the larger the quantity of goods purchased at one time the more favourable the terms that can be secured, and the greater the 14 CO-OPERATION DEFINED amount of " remuneration " or dividend to the pro- prietors. And in the same general sense of the word, individual traders, multiple-shop owners, and directors of limited hability companies are at the present time co-operating to smash Co-operation — if they can ! In a particular sense — that pertinent to this volume — Co-operation means a system by which members of a legally-constituted society work together for the cheaper purchasing of goods, on the principle of being buyer and seller at the same time for ready money ; it is economical spending with a disposition on the part of all to make some sacrifice of individual claims tor the public good, which in this case is social reform. Taking a wide survey, Mr. Smiles, in his work on " Thrift " (1875) remarked : " The secret of social development is to be found in co-operation ; and the great question of improved economical and social life can only receive a satisfactory solution through its means. To effect good on a large scale, men must combine their efforts, and the best social system is that in which the organisation for the common good is rendered the most complete in all respects. The middle classes have largely employed the principle ot association. .... They have accomplished more by the principle of Co-operation than the classes who have so much greater need of it." For a more complete exposition of the subject, reference should be made to an article in the Encyclopaedia Bntannica (nth ed.), by Mr. Aneurin WilUams, K.C., M.P., from which, with due acknow- ledgments, the remainder of this chapter is drawn. CO-OPERATION DEFINED 15 " Co-operation, then, is the term used particularly both for a theory of hfe and for a system of business, with the general sense of working together. In its widest usage it means the creed that hfe may best be ordered not by the competition of individuals, where each seeks the interest of himself and his family, but by mutual help ; by each individual consciously striving for the good of the social body of which he forms a pai't, and the social body in return caring for each individual. ' Each for all, and all for each ' is its accepted motto. " More or less imperfectly embodying this theory, we have co-operation in the concrete, or ' the co-opera- tive movement,' meaning those forms of voluntary association where individuals unite for mutual aid in the production of wealth, which they will devote to common purposes, or share among them upon principles of equity, reason, and the common good, agreed upon beforehand. Not that a Co-operative Society can begin by saying absolutely what those principles in their purity would dictate. It begins with current prices, current rates of wages and interest, current hours of labour, and modifies them as soon as it can wherever they seem least conformable to equity, reason, and the common good. . . . Co-operation in fact is essentially a democratic association. . . . Workmen's co-operative stores, or distributive societies, flourish chiefly in the North and Midlands of England and in Scotland, but are found more or less all over the country. Outwardly these stores may look like shops, bu+ they are really much more. First, they are managed with a view, not to a proprietor's profit, but to cheap and l6 CO-OPERATION DEFINED good commodities. Second, they have done an immense work for thrift and the material prosperity of the working classes, and as teachers of business and self- government. But further, they have a distinct social and economic aim, viz., to correct the present inequalities of wealth, and substitute for the competitive system an industry controlled by all in the common interest, and distributing on principles of equity and reason, mutually agreed on, the wealth produced. With this in view they acknowledge the duties of fair pay and good conditions for their own employees, and of not buying goods made under bad conditions. The best societies further set aside a small proportion of their profits for educational purposes, including concerts, social gatherings, classes, lectures, reading rooms and libraries, and often make grants to causes with which they sympathise. There are, of course, many defects, and of their two million members a large, and many fear an increasing, pro- portion, attracted by the prosperity of the societies, think chiefly of what they themselves gain ; but the government of the rtiovement has, hitherto at least, been largely in the hands of men of ideas, who believe that stores are but a step to co-operative production, and on to the ' Co-operative Commonwealth.' " Chapter IV. Rochdale Pioneers. " The true Co-operator combines a keen business intellect with a spirit full of earnest faith." — Prof. Marshall. THE Rochdale Pioneers' Co-operative Store being the model on which numerous stores in the United Kingdom and on the Continent have been estabhshed — before the war there were over a hundred such stores in Serbia, for example — a few particulars of its origin and principles may suitably find a place in this volume. For these a large indebted- ness is acknowledged to a work (" History of England, 1830-1874 ") by the Rev. W. Nassau Molesworth, M.A., Vicar of Spotland, Rochdale. It was at the close of the year 1843 that the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers' Co-operative Store was first estab- lished. The new Poor Law had prevented the working men of that town from looking, as they had previously been accustomed to do, to parochial relief as a resource on which, in case of loss of wofk, they might always fall back. The failure of the Rochdale- Savings Bank, recently plundered by its actuary to the extent of £70,000, had destroyed all faith in that hitherto popular le ROCHDALE PIONEERS institution ; and the Rochdale working men, at least such of them as looked beyond the present moment, seemed to have no alternative left to them but that of spending their httle savings in drink or hiding them in an old stocking. It was in these circumstances that twenty-eight Rochdale flannel-weavers managed to scrape together a sovereign each for the purpose of estabhshing a shop in which they might purchase genuine groceries and other necessaries at a moderate price, dividing among themselves whatever surplus might remain at the end of the year. The views by which they were actuated are very clearly exhibited in an account which they shortly after published, of the lofty aims with which they made this very humble experiment : — " The objects of this Society are the social and intellectual advancement of its members. It provides them with groceries, butcher's meat, drapery goods, clothes, shoes, clogs, etc. There are competent workmen on the premises to do the work of the members and execute all repairs. The capital is raised in one-pound shares, each member being allowed to take not less than five and not more than a hundred, payable at once, or by instalments of three shilUngs and threepence per quarter. The profits are divided quarterly, as follows : — First, interest at five per cent, per annum on all paid-up shares ; second, two and a half per cent, off net profits for educational purposes ; the remainder to be divided among the members in proportion to the money expended. For the intellectual improvement of the members there is a library consisting of more than 3,000 volumes. The librarian is in attendance every ROCHDALE PIONEERS IQ Wednesday and Saturday evening from seven to half- past eight o'clock. The news room is well supplied with newspapers and periodicals, fitted up in a neat and careful manner, and furnished with maps, globes, microscope, telescope, etc. The news room and library are free to all members. A branch reading-room has been opened at Oldham Road, the readers of which meet every second Monday in January, April, July, and October, to choose and sell the papers." The rapid growth of the concern required considerable administrative ability, and it was forthcoming. To the honour of the Society it should be mentioned that, far from being actuated by any desire to monopolise the advantages thej' enjoyed, they were animated by a generous spirit of proselytism, which led them to put themselves to considerable trouble and expense in communicating to enquirers from all parts of the world the results of their experience, and aiding them in the formation of new societies. At an early period of their history, the Society printed a paper to send to all those who applied to them for information with a view to the formation of new societies ; the paper illustrates the spirit of wisdom and generosity by which they were animated, and contains precepts that are worthy of being exhibited in every store of the present day, as the following extracts will show : — " Let integrity, intelhgence, and ability be indis- pensable quahfications in the choice of officers and managers, and not wealth or distinction." " Let each member have only one vote, and make no distinction as regards the amount of wealth any member may contribute," 20 ROCHDALE PIONEERS " Let majorities rule in all matters of government." " Look well after money matters." " Never depart from the principle of buying and selling for ready money." " Let Committees of Management always have the authority of the members before taking any important or expensive step." " Do not court opposition or publicity ; nor fear it when it comes." " Choose those only for your leaders whom you can trust, and then give them your confidence." At the end of 1866, when the new movement was beginning in Coventry, the " Pioneers " numbered 6,246 members, with a capital of ^99,908 ; their income for goods sold and cash received during the year was £249,122, and the gross surplus was £31,931. The population of Rochdale about this time was rather more than that of Coventry, being 44,559 in 1871, while Coventry's population had declined to 37,670. It is not necessary or possible here to follow the for- tunes of the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society, but it may be remarked that the Society has had a remarkable history, and is regarded as occup\'ing a premier position in the Co-operative world. Chapter V. Early Local Efforts. " Numbers without union are powerless, and union without Icnowledge is useless." — Lancashire Co-operator or Useful Classes Advocate (1831). THERE is a paucity of information concerning Coventry's earliest efforts in Co-operation ; and the little that is available shows numerous failures. Societies for the purchase and distribution of bread and flour, and also coal, were started, had a brief exist- ence, and then came to untimely ends. It is on record that there was a Society in Coventry in 1829, and another at Foleshill in the same year. One such society is known to have carried on business about this period whose system was almost analogous to that which obtains in the present day. There was a Co-operative store in New Street ; and there were others in different parts of the city. About 1840, members of the local branch of Socialists estabUshed a store, the main object of which was to further the principles advocated by Robert Owen (born 1771, died 1858). An unpractical theorist Owen may have been, but he was a remarkable personality, 22 EARLY LOCAL EFFORTS eminently philanthropic, preternaturally sanguine, and of surpassing energy ; he certainly set men thinking, and he grafted into Society a new moral force. Mr. Holyoake remarks : "As Stephenson the elder made railway locomotion possible, so Owen set men's minds on the track of Co-operation, and time and need, failure and gain, faith and thought, and the good sense and devotion of multitudes have made it what it is." The local Socialists took a shop on the Burges, and did a considerable trade in grocery and provisions. Mr. William Taunton, whom many citizens remember as an auctioneer and demagogue, was the principal manager. After a fitful existence of about three years the store was closed. Unfortunately there was a deficit of about £ioo ; " limited Uabihty " was then unknown, and the loss fell almost entirely on one man. The failure naturally caused great disappointment, and Coventry having then a comparatively small population of about 33,000 the facts became known in every household. Although Co-operation had thus fallen into disrepute, a further venture was embarked upon shortly after- wards. As the result of a lecture at St. Mary's Hall in 1843, by Mr. James Orange, of Nottingham, agent of the London Labourers' Friend Society, who advocated land allotments, there was formed " The Labourers and Artizans' Co-operative Society." Among those who gave encouragement to this society was Mr. Charles Bray. It started with fair prospects. Land for allot- ment gardens was taken at the back of the workhouse, on the London Road, at Earlsdon, and in Gas Street. EARLY LOCAL EFFORTS 23 A loan fund was organised. The society then became coal merchants, grocers and flour dealers, and even millers, taking on lease a small water-power mill on the Sowe, at Henley, hard by Stoke Heath, and another at Walsgrave also on the Sowe. For a time all appeared to go well. Difficulties in the coal trade had been overcome, but in the milling and flour business disaster followed upon disaster. Then there was allowed to accumulate a large fund of debts due to the society. The membership had risen to over a thousand — really a considerable proportion of the population. Business was for a time conducted at the Mechanics' Institution, and afterwards at premises in Much Park Street, pro- vided by Mr. Bray. But the management appears to have been at least negligent — perhaps reckless would be the more correct term. When the inevitable crisis came, the debts due to the society proved impossible of collection, and the society collapsed about 1862. To many persons the losses were really serious. Of the causes of failure the credit system seems to have been one of the chief. A new society, called the " Garden Society," was formed of allotment holders, and this, being a less ambitious enterprise and more soundly managed, proved satisfactory in its working for many years. Some of the members of the Labourers and Artisans' Society, who were wise in time, secured themselves against great pecuniary loss. They beheved, as men of judgment do now, that the principles of Co-operation were sound, but needed inteUigence, abihty, industry, and conscientiousness to maintain them in successful operation 24 EARLY LOCAL EFFORTS Afterwards there sprang up societies on a smaller scale in different parts of the city, but none seemed to have attained to any appreciable degree of prosperity. A society established in Howard Street was perhaps the least unsuccessful, but it did not grow very largely, and at the time of the ribbon weavers' strike, in i860, and the collapse of the ribbon trade, most of its members emigrated. The causes of the non-success of many of these early societies now appear quite plainly ; but anyone who feels censorious should bear in mind the conditions of the people in the early part of last century — their regrettable want of knowledge, their inexperience, their poverty ; and also the discouragement and opposition' that co-operators encountered at every step. At least these pioneers deserve praise for their deter- mined efforts for social improvement. Lockhurst Lane, which is in the portion of the adjoining parish of Foleshill that was added to the city of Coventry in 1899, has a society which claims to be the oldest in the country. Among a strictly working class community, the " Lockliurst Lane, Foleshill, Industrial Co-operative Society " was started in 1832. Its original members numbered nine only. Their capital was small, and their early efforts were by no means ambitious. The first minutes in the society's possession bear date, January 3rd, 1833, and are signed by five members of the com- mittee. A couple of months later, there is an entry of accounts showing the "worth of the society" to be £26 13s. 5d. ; and in the following June the quarter's sales are recorded to have been £181 19s. iid. It was EARLY LOCAL EFFORTS ^^ a rule of the society that every member take up one share value £5, and that he should pay 6d. a week for three years and spend at the store 5s. a week for the same period — a rather useful way of making co- operators ! For many years the society was a " close corporation/' being limited to forty members, and the Committee voting in whom they pleased. As there were generally three or four candidates for each vacancy, they had to go through a species of electioneering, in which " treating " seems to have played a part, for, said the late Mr. Joshua Randle on one occasion, " it was about two to one you could not get into the society at this time, unless you previously stood a couple of pluck suppers." Up to 1862 the membership never exceeded the prescribed forty. This may have been due in part to " vested interests ! " The society, of course, experienced vicissitudes. In 1864 there were debts and difficulties, and a com- position of 15s. in the pound was paid to a Coventry gentleman who is said to have been the only creditor. Up to 1873 the society had been a credit society. In the autumn of that year, however, the cash system was adopted, the society was saved, and thenceforward made progress. Fifteen years later (1888) there were upwards of 300 members, whose capital in the society was ;£3,243 ; and the audited accounts showed that, without reckoning the reserve fund of £315, the assets exceeded the Uabilities by ^£596. The great increase in the population of Foleshill in recent years has afforded opportunities for expansion of the society's operations. In addition to the " Central 28 EARLY LOCAL EFFORTS Stores " (Lockhurst Lane), the society now has four grocery branches and three drapery shops, also a boot shop, hardware and crockery department, clothing and ready-made garment department, two coal wharves (canal and railway), and a bakery. The membership has grown until in August, 1916, it was 2,700 ; members' capital stood at ^30,000 ; the annual trade done amounts to upwards of £80,000, and the rebate (or " dividend ") on members' purchases is 2s. 6d. in the pound. The society has for a long time had its " Educational Com- mittee," of course ; and there is also a branch of the Women's Co-operative Guild. Chapter VI. Eakly Local Advocates. DURING the ante-jubilee period many contribu- tions appeared in the local press on the subject of Co-operation. Among the protagonists in the new moral movement was Mr. Joseph Squiers, Secretary of the Labourers and Artizans' Society. Referring to the term " Christian Socialism," which he did not like, Mr. Holyoake says it first appeared as the title of a letter in the " New Moral World" of November 7th, 1840, signed by Mr. Squiers, who dated from Thomas Street Infant School, Coventry. But, he adds, " there were several societies of ' Christian Co-operators ' about 1830." Mr. Squiers hved to a ripe old age and attended the annual meeting of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society in 1876. In his last years he was a pensioner of Bond's Charity. In 1841, Miss Mary Hennell wrote an " Outline of the Various Social Systems and Communities which have been Founded on the Principle of Co-operation." This was published as an appendix to Mr. Charles Bray's " Philosophy of Necessity." A critic says, "Incomplete, unclassified, at once redundant and deficient, it is yet interesting, and has the merit of being the first book of its kind." 30 EARLY LOCAL ADVOCATES Coventry furnished at least three eminent Co-operative missionaries, viz. : — Mr. John Colier Farn, Dr. John Watts, and Mr. Charles Shufflebotham. Mr. J. C. Farn was bom at Northampton, April, 1814. His father was a shoemaker, and migrated to Coventry whilst John, his eldest son, was still a boy. He acquired but a moderate education in " the three R's." In due course he was apprenticed to the trade of a ribbon weaver, at which occupation he remained until 1841. He had a burning desire for intellectual improvement. His first appearance was at a " teetotal " meeting, and he delivered a three minutes' speech which, he said, had taken him three weeks to compose. Constant practice at a Mutual Improvement Society of which he was a member, and at meetings held for the promotion of temperance and other social reforms, made him a fluent, at all times a forcible, and frequently an eloquent speaker. In 1841 his talents won for him an appointment as an advocate of the principles of the " New Moral World." He proceeded to South Staffordshire, removed to Dundee, and for a short time hved in Glasgow, whence in 1843 he returned to Coventry and his former occupation. After the collapse of the ribbon trade in i860, he took to journalism — first as a reporter, then as manager, and afterwards as an editor. For a time he was editor of the Co-operative News, on which he did good service at a critical period. He was in great request as a public speaker, a frequent contributor to the Co-operative press, and at the first Congress, in London, he was selected to read a paper on " Causes of Failure in the Co-operative Stores." He was characterised by the strict moraUty that is common to Unitarians, and a EARLY LOCAL ADVOCATES 31 love of practical usefulness. It was said that at the time of his death he had probably addressed more Co-operative gatherings than any other worker in the movement. Mr. Farn addressed the annual meeting of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society in St. Mary's Hall on October 31st, 1876. He died at Manchester on October 13th, 1881, aged 67. Said the Co-operative News : " It is as a friend of the poor that Mr. Farn best deserves to be gratefully remembered. Knowing and sharing their burdens, while striving incessantly to ameliorate or remove them, he has lived an honourable and useful Hfe, and has died regretted by all who have worked with or known him." Dr. John Watts was born March 24th, 1818, the son of a Coventry ribbon weaver, and one of a family of twelve. After receiving a scanty education at Baker, Billing and Crow's Charity School, he was from his thirteenth to his twentieth year assistant secretary and librarian of the Coventry Mechanics' Institution. This was originated in 1828, its principal objects being to promote literary and scientific pursuits among working people by means of a library and classes. The Institution first held its meetings in an obscure room in Bayley Lane, but ultimately acquired premises on the east side of Hertford Street, which are now used for the Coventry Savings Bank. At the Mechanics' In- stitution, John Watts accomplished his self-education, and did the secretarial work while Mr. John Gulson was honorary secretary of the Institution. He after- wards became a lecturer on the principles of Robert Owen, and visited many towns, although a few years later he arrived at the conviction of their impracticability. 32 EARLY LOCAL ADVOCATES In July, 1840, he removed to Manchester ; then for a short time he lived in Glasgow, returning to Manchester in 1841, where for a few years he conducted a boys' school. Diligently pursuing his private studies, in 1844 he obtained from the celebrated University of Giessen the degree of Ph.D., and he acquired fame as an educa- tional and social reformer. He also took an active part in public hfe, and becoming one of Manchester's most useful citizens, left an indeUble mark on many of its institutions, at the same time largely influencing the current of opinion on several of the most important questions of the day, particularly that of national education. Dr. Watts was intimately associated with the Co-operative movement throughout his hfe, and frequently lectured and addressed meetings in support of it. In 1869 he read a paper at the Co-operative Congress in London ; with the Marquis of Ripon and the Bishop of Manchester, he was a president of the Congress at Manchester, in 1878 ; and in the C.W.S. Annual, 1885, was published an article from his pen on " Primary Education in England." For a time Dr. Watts was principal contributor to the Co-operative News ; he wrote numerous treatises on economic subjects, and articles for the leading periodicals. In 1875 he was instrumental in the establishment of the Provident Dispensaries Branch of the Manchester and Salford District Provident Society, on the model of the Coventry Provident Dispensary. " He was dis- tinguished," writes Mr. Holyoake, " for his high character and remarkable practical ability." He died at Old Trafford, Manchester, on February 7th, 1887. Dr. John Watts had relatives who still reside in Coventry ; EARLY LOCAL ADVOCATES 33 and he is the subject of a memoir in the Dictionary of National Biography. Mr. Charles Shufflebotham was a Coventry man, and spent his life in Coventry. Born January loth, 1826, eldest son of Mr. Samuel Shufflebotham, watch manufacturer. Chapel Fields, Nature, it has been said, intended him for a journalist, but Fate bound him to the watch trade. Thoughtful and studious from his youth up, his reading was deep, wide, and varied. From the standpoint of a well-ordered intelligence, he was led to a feeling of intolerance against social con- ditions and a desire to help in solving the problems of the day. He thus became progressive in his views, and ever ready to help in any real measures for improving the lot of the people. Early in life Mr. Shufflebotham identified himself with what was then called the "Teetotal " movement, and he remjiined an abstainer from alcohoUc drinks throughout his life. In the middle of the nineteenth century he became interested in practical education, and with a few like-minded friends, started a school, which was held on Sundays in rooms at the Corn Exchange Buildings, Hertford Street, and where instruc- tion was given in " the three R's," big boys of fourteen up to eighteen years of age learning for the first time the English alphabet and simple arithmetic. It was not a Sunday School in the conventional sense, because the curriculum did not include the teaching of religion. Mr. Shufflebotham was keenly concerned with the general diffusion of knowledge. It is related that, being at a meeting when the estabhshment of a Free Library was objected to on the ground that it would 34 EAFLY LOCAL ADVOCATES be beginning at the wrong end, as free education should come first, he replied, " So favourable am I to education that I would begin at any end." The argument was logical, and in the phrasing there was a turn of humour that helped to win the controversy. Mr. Shufflebotham was of such a cheerful disposition that it was always a pleasure to be in his company. He ever looked towards the sun. He was most optimistic, possessed a constant fund of humour, and seemed always to anticipate the good time coming when there would be enough of happiness to go all round. He was, too, so intellectual without assertiveness that intercourse with him was never unprofitable. He enjoyed the friendship of many eminent men, both nationally and locally, of dissimilfir views on certain subjects, and to know him was to hold him in the highest estimation. Yet withal he was singularly modest. His chief hobbies were gardening and beekeeping, and to provide greater opportunities for both, he many years ago built a house in Whor Lane — now known by the euphonious name of Beechwood Avenue — a rural spot so isolated at that time that it seemed almost in the wilderness. It used to be his delight to welcome co-operative and other friends at " Canley Cottage," as the house was called, show his bees and talk about these wonderful creatures. Mr. Shufflebotham was very musical. He had a light tenor voice, and frequently sang. One of his favourite songs — perhaps the favourite — was written by Charles Swain (born 1803, died 1874), sometimes called the Manchester Poet. Entitled " Aladdin's Lamp," the song was a poetic combination of modern Western sentiment and Oriental imagery in expression, set to an EARLY LOCAL ADVOCATES 35 agreeable melody. Words, music, and singer were always felt to be in perfect accord. The song was as follows : — I. Oh, had I but Aladdin's lamp, Tho' only for a day, I'd try to find a link to bind' The joys that pass away : I'd try to bring an angel's wing Upon the earth again ; And build True Worth a throne on earth, A throne belov'd by men- ! It should be May — and always May ; I'd wreathe the world with flow'rs ; I'd robe the barren wilderness And bring life happy hours. Oh, had I but Aladdin's lamp, Tho' only for a day, I'd try to find a link to bind The joys that pass away. II. I'd soothe the lorn and desolate. Increase the widow's store ; And Industry should wear a smile It never wore before ! Where'er there dwelt unhappiness I'd speed my magic way ; And none should be in poverty. Nor dread the coming day ! It should be May — and always May ' I'd wreathe the world with flow'rs ; I'd robe the barren wilderness. And bring life happy hours. Oh, had I but Aladdin's lamp, Tho' only for a day, I'd try to find a link to bind The joys that pass away; 36 EARLY LOCAL ADVOCATES It is easy to imagine that had Mr. Shufflebotham been pressed with an enquiry as to his religion, he would have softly quoted Abou Ben Adhem's reply to the angel in Leigh Hunt's poem, " I pray thee, then, Write me as one that loves his Jfellow-men." Mr. Shufflebotham found his social ideals embodied in Co-operation, which he advocated ' on the highest principles. In the early fifties he, with friends and relatives, assisted in the founding of a co-operative distributive society, but owing largely to unsound management and the emigration of the principal mem- bers the society proved a terminable one. He was one of the first members of the Coventry Co-operative Watch Manufacturing Society, started in 1876, and succeeded the late Mr. Thomas Wigston as secretary and general manager, a position which he held for the remainder of his life — a period of about seventeen years. The society was founded on profit-sharing principles, and flourished until cheap machine-made watches pushed hand-made watches out of the market. The society's watches had, however, and still have an excellent reputation. Mr. Shufflebotham, for some reason, never became a member of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, but he was a close personal friend of the first president (Mr. Hepworth) and other leaders ; he was ever ready to assist the society, and on several occasions he addressed its meetings. He was more particularly concerned with co-operative production. But on the co-operative movement generally he was regarded as an authority, EARLY LOCAL ADVOCATES 37 and he was frequently called upon to speak at con- ferences and other gatherings in various parts of the country. For the Co-operative Congress at Dewsbury, in 1888/ he prepared, and read, two papers : (i) " What should be the true relations between a Wholesale Distributive Society and the Productive Societies whose work it may sell ? " ; (2) " Ought Productive Works to be carried on as Departments of Wholesale Societies ; if so, under what conditions ? " These were prize papers ; they not only appeared in the official report of the Congress, but were afterwards separately printed and issued by the Central Co-operative Board, Man- chester. At a district conference held at Coventry on Nov. 4th, 1893, Mr. Shufflebotham gave a paper which was very favourably received by a large number of delegates, being characterised by his customary thoughtful and concise style. The subject was : " Bad Trade — its Causes and Remedies." He set forth four of these : (i) Bad seasons and bad harvests ; but he pointed out that with free exchanges and free trade the surplus of one part could and would reUeve the suffering part. (2) Unlimited competition, combined with invention of labour-saving machinery ; the only remedy for which was Co-operation, enabling the working classes to be- come capitalists, and so obtain the handles to wealth which machines reaUy were. (3) The credit system ; and he maintained that Co-operation was the pioneer of cash dealings. (4) Strikes and lock-outs, which often made bad trade worse ; the remedy in certain trades, if not in all, being Co-operation in some form of profit- sharing. 3% EARLY LOCAL ADVOCATES Mr. Shufflebotham had been in declining health for some time when, in the spring of 1894, he went to the Sunderland Congress as delegate of the Coventry Co-operative Watch Manufacturing Society, and died at Sunderland quite suddenly from heart failure on May 17th, aged 68. He was buried in the Coventry Cemetery. So, when a great man dies. For years beyond our ken The light he leaves behind him lies Upon the paths of men. Longfellow. Chapter VII. The Germ of a Great Enterprise. " All men admire the oak, but who thinks of the acorn from which it grew ? " — Mazzini. YOUNG men of the present day can but dimly conceive the condition of things in the middle of the nineteenth century. There was no compulsory elementary education ; there were no evening continuation schools, no technical institutes, no working men's universities in the shape of free public libraries. Efforts were not wholly wanting, however, to provide facilities for self -education, and many of these were in connection with places of worship, Anglican as well as Nonconformist. Among the most useful institutions were societies of young men, which met periodically for the " mutual improvement " of their members. A rehgious element of course there was, but the main objects were intellectual — the study of literature, science, history, biography, combined with discussions which, while eliciting truth, gave style to articulate speech. Crude as some might nowadays think the work of these societies to have been, they awakened thought ; they encouraged self-help ; they promoted 40 GERM OF A GREAT ENTERPRISE feelings of comradeship and of emulation ; they stimu- lated desire for social progress ; engendered good citizenship, with appreciation of voluntary and associated work. And withal they did much for the good of the community. Many a man who has filled a worthy position in civic and national affairs has owed his start in life to the influence of these or kindred organisations. Mr. Samuel Smiles, the well-known author, has told how lectures to young men of the humblest rank, meeting for mutual improvement, formed the basis of his book on " Self-Help," and led to his writing other interesting volumes. He says : — " These youths — and there were also grown men amongst them — proceeded to teach themselves and each other, reading and writing, arithmetic, and geography ; and even mathematics, chemistry and some of the modem languages. About a hundred young men thus had come together [in a northern town] when, growing ambitious, they desired to have lectures delivered to them ; and then it was that the author became acquainted with their proceedings. A party of them waited on him, for the purpose of inviting him to deUvcr an introductory address, or, as they expressed it, ' to talk to them a bit ' ; prefacing the request by a modest statement of what they had done and what they were doing. He could not fail to be touched by the admirable self-helping spirit which they had displayed ; and, though entertaining but slight faith in popular lecturing, he felt that a few words of encouragement, honestly and sincerely uttered, might not be without some good effect. And in this spirit he addressed them on more than one occasion, GERM OF A GREAT ENTERPRISE 4I citing examples of what men had done, as illustrations of what each might, in a greater or less degree, do for himself ; and pointing out that their happiness and well-being as individuals in after life must necessarily depend mainly upon themselves — upon their own diligent self-culture, self -discipline, and self-control — and, above all, on that honest and upright performance of individual duty which is the glory of manly character. " There was nothing in the sUghtest degree new or original in this counsel, which was as old as the Proverbj of Solomon, and possibly quite as familiar. But old-fashioned though the advice may have been, it was welcomed. The youths went forward in their course ; worked on with energy and resolution ; and reaching manhood, they went forth in various directions into the world, where many of them now occupy positions of trust and usefulness." (i860.) Though the story be repeated o'er and o'er the half will never be told probably of Coventry's indebtedness to its " mutual improvement societies " of fifty and sixty years ago. West Orchard Congregational Church has great traditions, and not the least of these is in respect to its helpfulness to young men ; for many years it had a young men's society of a high order. It scarcely needs saying that the success of any institution depends largely upon its leaders, and the society connected with West Orchard Chapel had for its chairman, half a century ago, one who was keenly concerned for their social well-being. This was Mr. Joseph Hepworth, a Yorkshireman, who occupied a responsible office in the service of the Coventry Gas Company. Mr. Hepworth's religion was not confined 42 GERM OF A GREAT ENTERPRISE to Sabbath Day ordinances ; it was of a practical order also — he carried it into every-day life, and some testi- monials to his character, worth, and work will be found in Chapter XLVII., " Reminiscences," Part I. It was in the West Orchard Young Men's Society, and during Mr. Hepworth's chairmanship, that the idea of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society was conceived. Those young men little imagined that the seed they were about to sow was as the acorn is to the oak. O Q 2; p a, w K w Chapter VIII. Starting the Society. " The health of the soul is courage and prudence." — St. Chrysostom. THE ideas first formed in tfie Young Men's Class at West Orchard Chapel developed, through dis- cussions, aggregation of interested persons, and preliminary arrangements, until they materialised. A provisional committee secured the title of the pro- posed society by registration on March 14th, 1867. Then on the 19th March, a general meeting was held, when the steps taken by the provisional committee were confirmed by formal resolution, and " The Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society " was duly constituted. A code of rules was adopted, based on the model provided by those of the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers' Society. The first officers and committee were elected as follows : — President : Mr. Joseph Hepworth, Accountant. Secretary : Mr. Alfred C. Scrivener, Clerk at Coventry Gasworks. 46 STARTING THE SOCIETY Treasurer : Mr. Arthur Harris, Watch Manufacturer. Committee : Mr. William Henry Ansell, watch balance maker. Mr. Enoch Athersych, foreman woollen weaver. Mr. John Biggs, elastic web weaver. Mr. James Hoyle, operative woollen weaver. Mr. Rochester Illingworth, clerk. Mr. John Thomas Lower, watch motioner. Mr. Henry Smith, elastic web weaver. Mr. Caleb Wade, foreman woollen weaver. Auditors : Messrs. Robert Galloway and J. H. Horsfall, Accountants at Leigh Mills. As might have been expected, it was asked " What can a handful of clerks, and weavers, and watchmakers know about business management ? They have no capital worth speaking of, no trade experience, no knowledge of the difficulties. They will be sure to make a mess of things ! Pessimists assert themselves at the beginning of any new movement ; and if they were allowed to rule, what progress would be made in the world ? Prophets of evil did not know these purposeful co-operators ; did not perceive they were in earnest, and that they meant business. Difficulties of course there would be. What were difficulties, but things to be overcome ? Courage and prudence would remove mountains. Was it not proverbial that difficulties, insuperable in theory, had a habit of disappearing when boldly tackled ? These yoimg men had their visions ; they had capacities ; STARTING THE SOCIETY 47 and they wef e idetermined to work out their own social salvation, but not in fear and trembUng, " Capital " ? Well, sufficient for a start could be raised by a Uttle economy, a little more thrift ; and " Many a little mak's a mickle." " Experience ? " Well, that could be acquired. And had they not been taught that " tribulation worketh patience ; and patience, experience ; and experience, hope ; and hope maketh not ashamed " ? They were old enough, and willing, to learn. " Each for all and all for each," and " Nil desper- andum," were their mottoes. At the first meeting members were prudently asked how many shares they would take up, and what amount of money would be forthcoming ? That meant Capital. At a further meeting, in a week's time, members were courageously asked to hand in an estimate of the goods that were likely to be required. That meant Trade. An encouraging expression of enthusiasm and faith in the cause was given at this second meeting by Mr. Thos. G. Read, a well-known ribbon weaver, who said he felt the principles of Co-operation were true, and although he had been bitten twice severely, he was willing to try a third time. Moreover, he urged strict adherence to the rule of "no credit." A subsequent speaker advised that the society should be thoroughly democratic in its operations ; no pre- ference should be given to anyone because he wore better clothes than others. Mistakes of that kind had been a cause of previous disasters. All should be on equal footing. These sentiments received general approval. 4^ STARTING THE SOCIETY According to the ledger list, the first members — those who joined during the month of March — were as follows : I. Joseph Hepworth. ':.' 2. Alfred C. Scrivener. 3. Samuel Atkins. 4. William Tatlow. 5. Arthur Nelson. 6. Edward Welsby. 7. Andrew Furlong. 8. James Pollard. 9. Thomas Coltman 10. Enoch Atheraych. 11. William Allum. 12. Wilham Henry Ansell. 13. James Fowkes. 14. Ann Westwood. 15. Harriet Furlong. 16. John Callow. 17. Joseph Young. 18. James Hoyle. ig. John Thomas Lower. 20. Isaac Hamson. 21. Rochester Illingworth. 22. Matthew Dodwell. 23. Henry Penri. 24. Thomas Henry Adams. 25. John Biggs. 26. Arthur Reynolds. 27. George Smith. 28. James Scrivener. 29. Solomon Scrivener. 30. Henry Smith Some of the Pioneers. Some of the Pioneers. STARTING THE SOCIETY 51 31. Caleb Wade. 32. Elizabeth Walsgrove. 33. David Dowell. 34. Elizabeth Huddleston. 35. Mary A lUingworth. 36. Charles Ansell. 37. Arthur Harris. 38. J. W. Lewis. 39. Ebenezer Illingworth 40. Samuel Crosby. 41. Charlotte Webster. 42. William Adams. 43. James Eyre. 44. William Jarrams. 45. Charles West. 46. Thomas G. Read. 47. John Keane. 48. — Clarke. It will be observed that in the " First 48 " there is a leavening of the gentler sex ; no burning questions of women's wrongs trouble Co-operation — all members enjoy equal rights, and are differentiated only by their zeal and sacrifice for the cause. With this membership of 48, and a subscribed capital of sixty-four pounds and nineteen pence, it was deter- mined to start business. How small a beginning when compared with hugely- capitalised companies of the present day ! Does it not call to mind the illustration of a grain of mustard seed ? Chapter IX. Beginning Business. " Go on, sir ; go on ! The difficulties you meet will resolve themselves as you advance. Proceed, and light will dawn, and shine with increased clearness on your path." — D'Alemeert. THE first official books of the society are extremely interesting from more than one point of view. Some of them are a little dilapidated and of ancient appearance ; for they were in existence before the Flood — the Coventry Flood, 1900-1. On the whole, however, they are in a satisfactory condition, although some of their leaves stick together from water having liquefied the sizing in the paper. They are of course highly valued and carefully preserved. The entries are still legible, despite some of the writing having been done with a black lead pencil. The records are fairly full. This history would not have been easy to prepare had the secretary used vanishing ink ! The Committee Minute Book — merely a school exercise book in paper board covers — probably cost a shilling. It is noticeable that use was made of Pitman's system of shorthand. It is evident that the committee soon set to work, for the first entry relates to a meeting on April 2nd. A necessary preliminary to starting business consisted in the finding of suitable premises for a store ; and a BEGINNING BUSINESS 53 small shop was taken at 36, Cook Street, situated between Chauntry Place and St. Agnes Lane — a not very palatial edifice in a not superlatively salubrious situation — and the rent was £15 a year. Here business was begun on April 5th, 1867, " with a carefully selected stock of high-class goods," as advertisers are accustomed to declare ; the committee being their own managers, their own weighers-up and shop-assistants, and their own grocer's porters. To begin with, the shop was open three times a week, viz., Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7 to 9-15, and Saturdays from 5 till 10 p.m. After a short experience, however, Thursday was substituted for Friday ; but in October it was decided to open the shop each evening of the week except Monday. The first day's takings amounted to the sum of eight shilUngs and ninepence- ha'penny ! What an interesting series of pictures could have been taken at these times, had it been possible to bring a cinematograph into operation ! There seems to have been an element of comedy in those far-off incidents ; but our young co-operators were men of earnest purpose. They aimed at something more than playing at shop- keeping. One of the earliest members was Mr. Luke Dresser, for many years actuary of the Coventry Savings Bank. He is remembered as a gentleman of most estimable character. Mr. Dresser was admitted on 30th April, and on going to make purchases at the Store found the president behind the counter. In his kindly way Mr. Dresser chaffed Mr. Hepworth on having turned grocer's assistant. 54 BEGINNING BUSINESS With what carefulness the society began operations may be gathered from the records. The committee did not venture without trepidation on the purchase of a coffee mill, or of a pair of new flour scales to cost I2S. 6d. Mr. Athersych was solemnly commissioned to " buy two pairs of tea scales — copper — for as much less than los. 6d. as they can be obtained for," while two members were charged with the serious responsi- bility of " looking out for and buying a pair of provision scales." It was certainly a day of small things ; but the minutes show that the society had a committee who, if they had any vices at all, certainly could not be charged with recklessness. The fixing of retail prices was a task that required much consideration, and it is noticeable that fifty years ago the question of sugar was a " knotty " one. More than once it is recorded that " the price of sugar was again discussed at great length," and it was decided to give no bonus on that article. It may be explained that tradesmen formerly sold their sugar " under cost price " when other articles were bought, the Co-operative Society equalising matters by selling at cost price net. In accordance with the Rochdale precedent the ordinary shop prices, with the above exception, were charged for goods, and the figures are not without interest at the present time : — First Price List, April, 1867. Fruits : Currants 4(1. per lb. Figs 7d. Lemon Candies lOd. Raisins 4d. Raisins, Valentia 5d. BEGINNING BUSINESS 55 First Price List — continued. Groceries : Chicory 2d. per packet. Coffee 1/4 and 1 /6 per lb. Cocoa 2d. per packet. Sugar, \\ hite dry 4d. per lb. Crystallized 4Jd. ,, Titler's 5d. Lump 5-^d. Svrup, Golden 3d. Tea 2/-, 2/6, 3/-, and 3/4 ,, Best Black (3358) 3/4 (10O2) 2/6 ,, ,, Green (2712) 2/6 and (843) 3/- per lb. Provisimis : Arrowroot .... Id. per oz., 1 /2 per lb. Baking Powder, Borwick's 2d. per packet. Butter 1 /3 per lb. Cheese, Leicester lOd. ,, Cheshire lOJd. ,, Corn Flour 2d. and 4d.per packet. Kice 3d. per lb., 7 lbs. for 1 /8 4d. per lb., 7 lbs. for 2/- Spices : Allspice IJd. per oz., 1 /2 per lb. Carraway Seeds . . Id. per oz., 2 oz. for I^d. Ginger 1/4 per lb. Mustard Id. per oz., small tins 5d, Nutmegs 2/6 per lb. Pepper, Black. ... 2 oz. for l^d., or 8d. per lb. White .. Id. per oz., 1 /- per lb. Sundries : Blacking id. and Id. per packet. Blacklead, Nixey's Id. per packet. Blue, powder .... id. per packet. ball lOd. per lb. Soap, pale wax . . 4d. and i^d. per lb. Mottled . . 34d, per lb. Fanc5' .... l^d. per cake. Starch, Glenfield. . id.. Id., and 2d. per packet. 5b BEGINNING BUSINESS Supplementary List, June 4th. Biscuits, Digestive 7d.perlb. Blue, dark cake . . Id. per oz., S^d. per 4 oz., 1 /2 per lb. Eggs, foreign .... 20 for 1 /- Ham lOd. per lb. Sago S^d. Starch, Reckitt's 6d. Tapioca 5d. ,, At the end of April the price of lump sugar was advanced to 6d. per lb. , and of course the prices generally were revised from time to time according to the state of the markets. The society also dealt in flour, bacon, lard, tobacco, sweets, etc., but the selling prices are not recorded. Groceries and provisions were mostly bought of local tradesmen at wholesale rates, or on a percentage basis, and there seems to have been a certain amount of competition for orders. From the fact that a member was empowered to act as " examiner of goods both for weight and quality," it may be inferred that " tricks of trade " were not alto- gether unknown in 1867, whatever may be the case in these days ; and that the committee were determined to prevent dishonest dealings and detect " mistakes." Casualties did occur, however, and on May 7th if was decided that " as some of the bacon has gone reesy, we sell it off as best we can — not going below cost price." Possibly in this connection a notice was exhibited that written complaints and suggestions would be received by the secretary. Although half a centu.y ago Coventry was far from being included in the large towns of the country, and Original and First Store, Cook Steekt. BEGINNING BUSINESS 5y Cook Street by no means a modern highway, the locality of the Co-operative Store appears to have been little known, for at a general meeting on May 21, considerable discussion took place on a motion " That we have a number of handbills issued showing our whereabouts." This idea of giving the pubUc a lesson in Co-operative geography was referred to the committee. That Coventry had not recovered its wonted prosperity is indicated by the fact that on the 28th May a member applied for the withdrawal of his money " through distress," and the secretary was instructed to pay the amount, which was 12s. 6d. The society had hardly made a start when an unfore- seen danger arose — that of becoming too wealthy, or over-capitaUsed ! Witness the following entry in the month of June : — " The question of allowing persons to take up shares to be paid up by instalments was introduced by Mr. Hoyle, who stated the case as follows : If persons were allowed to take up as many shares as they choose, they could pay up a certain quantity, and go on paying the other by instalments, and the committee would have no power to stop them paying up if the society had too much money in hand." In the result the secretary was instructed to issue no more than five shares to any one person who proposed to pay up by instal- ments. It may be noted that interest on the society's share capital was at that time 5 per cent, per annum, and that shares, which were £1 each, were withdrawable. Notwithstanding all difficulties — more than can be here enumerated — the business of the society made 60 BEGINNING BUSINESS such progress that in ten weeks the total takings were ^114 los. 3d., or over £11 per week on the average ! A balance sheet was prepared, and the committee found themselves the happy possessors of a disposable surplus of £3 13s. iid. It may have been objected that there was not much cause for elation, the surplus, or balance, being merely a small benevolent fund that had been created by unremunerated services. Such a view takes count only of what is visible, while good judgment considers the whole series of effects, those which are seen, and those which are not seen, but unfold in succession. How many a tradesman has found himself with an ad- verse balance at the end of his first period in business, but still has continued working for those effects which are not seen at the time ! Is it not the fact that in every enterprise money is expended on foundations ? The balance of 73s. iid. was not merely on paper, it was there : it represented something — it meant, for example, that co-operators do not hve for themselves alone ; it demonstrated the fact that Co-operation was practic- able, and that trade had so far been done on sound lines ; it was a justification for the belief that a larger membership with extended sales would mean a complete success. And this was now to be anticipated. More- over, experience had taught valuable lessons. Prudence might have suggested another course ; but doubtless there were good reasons for the resolve to hand back the balance to the customers. Accordingly a return was made to members of 4d. in the pound on the amount of their purchases, and of 2d. in the pound to non-members. BEGINNING BUSINESS 6l Trade did expand — it mounted up to £20 a week, and the committee proceeded to face fresh responsibilities. The question of better accommodation became urgent. On September 24th, therefore, it was decided to remove from Cook Street to a main thoroughfare, there to open a more convenient store and employ a storekeeper. The Committee were not only concerned with the management of a growing business, but on the alert for new methods of providing good and cheap food. Some authorities on hygiene eschew swine's flesh, in theory, but — chew it in practice ! There is of course a difference between the " unclean " animal of the East and the " farm fed " pig of the Western world, which provides a useful, varied, and palatable diet. There is, in fact, scarcely any animal that is more valu- able ; and the committee resolved upon pig bu5ang. The first pig, one of about 14 scores in weight, was bought almost immediately, and on the 6th November the " prices for joints of pig meat " were fixed as follows : — Head, eye piece 3d. per lb. Chawl 5d. ,, Spare Rib 7d. Ball Rib 7d. Pie Meat 7Jd. Leaf . . 7d. per lb., or if sold altogether, GJd.per lb. Shortly afterwards the committee set up plant for curing bacon and rendering lard. More or less, ever since 1867, this department has been maintained. The committee never went into public market, but seeking some guarantee as to feeding, they bought largely from their own country members. These members, too, had a reciprocal advantage, for 62 BEGINNING BUSINESS not only did they obtain foodstuffs at co-operative rates, but also found a ready market. Many a co-operator has jocularly said that by dealing at the stores " he has eaten a pig into the stye." May it not be said with equal truth that many a pig has eaten its way into the store ? Now there was always a good business to be done in this particular line, and it is to be regretted that difficulties hinder a continuance of its acknowledged success. On October 15th it was decided to venture on the holding of a tea and pubhc meeting. Chapter X. The First Public Meeting : 1867. " Very kind of the cart, but ? " — The Chairman. THE meeting to publicly inaugurate the new Co-operative movement was held on November 5th, 1867. A more suitable place of assembly could scarcely have been found, viz., St. Mary's Hall, the centre of the civic life of Coventry for many generations. The hopes of the members appear to have been fully realised, the proceedings being business-like, and at the same time interesting. First, we are told, there was a tea-drinking. The meeting, over which F. Wilson, Esq., of Leaming- ton, presided, was well attended, a large proportion of those present being working men's wives and daughters, who gave an intelligent hearing to the speeches. There was of course a two-fold object in the gathering : it was not only to provide a time of social and educative intercourse for members and friends, but also to make the Society publicly known. Therefore advantage was taken of the opportunity to circulate the report of the society for the second quarter. In this now historic document the committee con- gratulated the members on the society's favourable 64 FIRST PUBLIC MEETING position. In addition to paying the usual interest on capital, placing 19s. 4jd. to the depreciation of fixed stock, and carrying 6s. io|d. to the educational fund, they recommended a return of is. in the pound on members' purchases, and 6d. in the pound on the pur- chases of non-members, carrying to the credit of the next quarter the sum of £3 6s. lojd. Looking back from the present position it may be said this was the day of very small things, but the report is worthy of more than a passing thought, showing as it does that the management was in the hands of men who could be trusted. The points may be set out as follows : — 1. Interest on capital ; 2. Depreciation ; 3. Education ; 4.' Moderate dividend (or returns) to purchasers ; 5. A working balance. Importance is attached to these points, because they are evidence that from the first the committee were looking to the future, and building their edifice on a sure foundation. The committee were fortunate in the choice of chair- man of the meeting (Mr. Wilson), who said he had been engaged for eighteen years in working out the principle of Co-operation, and had been instrumental in the starting of several stores. He admitted that some of these had failed, and with admirable candour he stated the reasons. First, some of them looked to him person- ally for support ; the others fell into the fatal mistake of giving credit. FIRST PUBLIC MEETING 65 Presumably, although the chairman is not reported to have said so, those societies which relied on self-help, and insisted on cash payments — two cardinal principles of Co-operation — had proved successful. The Chairman went on to say that he did not believe in society becoming amalgamated, but he did believe in making all in every class as comfortable as they could be in their own sphere. He contended that we were too isolated : the great want was more association — more living one for another. Such unselfishness was of the essence of Co-operation. They had lecturers coming in heaps, and telling them of men who had risen to eminence ; but then they had risen by putting others down — what they had got they had taken from others. The grocery trade was but the A. B.C. or the CO of Co-operation. What he wanted to see them do was to go on to the OP. There was the village, and from the town near by the cart came with grocery, and the villagers thought " how very kind of the cart to bring them what they could not otherwise get." But, then, why should they not have a cart of their own ? In Rochdale they had gone on from one thing to another, until now they were likely to (h)op along to a farm. The Chairman then referred to an interesting co- operative movement which had been inaugurated by a man whom, no doubt, they all knew — Mr. Thomas Hughes. Well, he and others heard that the poor blacks in Jamaica were obliged to dispose of their goods to Jews, who gave them but little for their goods, they making large profits. Now, by co-operation, the society purchased the produce raised by the poor people of Jamaica, and sold it at a profit in this country. Here 66 FIRST PUBLIC MEETING they purchased hardware which was sent out to Jamaica, and upon this they also made a profit. As the shares in that society were only £i each, the poor blacks could buy them, and so become partners and share in the benefits. Giving instances of the practical working out of the principle of Co-operation, the chairman particularly mentioned the case of Messrs. Briggs and Son. The firm found they were only getting 4 per cent, upon their £80,000, and young Mr. Briggs had suggested the adoption of the co-operative principle. The suggestion being acted upon, they now found they got 10 per cent. Instead of jealousy and strike, they greased their wheels with mutual goodwill, and things went on smoothly. The Chairman concluded by wishing the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society the best success. Judging by the frequent applause the chairman's address proved very acceptable to the meeting. The interest in the proceedings was evidently sus- tained by the next speaker, Mr. Joseph Hepworth, president, who gave an account of the rise and progress of the Perseverance Society. They began little more than six months since, he said, and they had now a capital of about £105, and some fifty or sixty members. Looking at the beginning of the Rochdale Co-operative Stores, and comparing it with their own, he (Mr. Hepworth) thought they in Coventry need not be discouraged. Their society was originated by a number of young men who had been in the habit of meeting together for purposes of mutual improvement and recreation. Several of these were from Yorkshire ; they brought their principles with FIRST PUBLIC MEETING 67 them, and resolved that what had been done in the North could and should be done in Coventry. They did not mean to stop where they were, but to move on from the A. B.C. referred to by their chairman, and they hoped to have in due time a manufacturing department. Those who were engaged in the manage- ment of the movement had confidence one in another, and by pursuing a careful course, and especially by suppljang good and cheap articles, and not giving credit, they believed they would succeed. A gentleman described as " Mr. Lever, from Lan- cashire," afterwards addressed the meeting, and gave some interesting facts bearing upon the progress of Co-operation in Rochdale and other places. It is stated that several excellent songs were sung during the evening, but the Chairman, observing that none of these were of a Co-operative character, recited the following Co-operative song : — The Good Time Coming. The good time has come at last That was so long in coming ; Co-operation's wide awake, Protection in her shoes does shake ; So join our stores to pennies make, And keep the kettle humming. Every day our goods increase ; Every day we're stronger ; Join and let your doubtings cease, Don't wait any longer. The wealth of England now is free. The fact defeats the fable. Co-operation's proved to all That countless sums, however small, With shares that never rise or fall, Must selfishness disable. 68 FIRST PUBLIC MEETING Riches now are in contempt ; Begging takes to giving , Equity holds none exempt, So hfe is worth the living. The poor man feels his spirits rise, Who formerly existed, His claims to share the goods of earth. To have reward for labour's worth, Be merry in his children's mirth, No longer are resisted. In blessings thus diffused to all. Proportioned to their station. Both high and low, and great and small, May thank Co-operation. " It would fare ill with Co-operation if judged alone by its poetry," remarked Mr. Holyoake on one occasion ; but the sentiment suited the times, and the song will compare not unfavourably with many " high-class " effusions of the present day. What appears to have been a memorable meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman, who, in replying, advised the members not to look too much to " dividend " as to union, and expressed a hope that the ladies would take the question of Co-operation to heart, as they were the people who held the money. It may be remarked that this meeting was the pre- cursor of many similar gatherings which have exercised an educational and stimulating influence. Chapter XI. 1868 TO 1870. 1868. THE pleasantries of Cook Street and its inhabitants having never been appreciated by the members, and it being felt desirable for commercial reasons to remove to more commodious quarters, the com- mittee explored the whole city, and inspected several " eUgible " and ineligible properties. On loth March, 1868, their choice was fixed on 45, Bishop Street ; on the 12th a lease was authorised to be signed, and five days later a members' meeting confirmed the committee's proceedings. The annual rent was £?,o, and of course there were other recurring expenses to be faced, in addition to a certain amount of capital outlay. The new home was an old-fashioned roomy house, and required adapting to the society's purposes. But the committee were nothing if not energetic. On March 28th they used the place for a regular meeting, and the members, who were accustomed to assemble monthly, held their first general meeting there on April 2ist, 70 i868 Among the new conveniences for trading was a bakehouse, constructed in the back buildings ; and a room over it was the meeting-place. A memorable occasion this was felt to be, and there- fore the function began at 6 o'clock, " in order that the members might partake of coffee and other refreshments prior to entering upon business." About thirty sat down to table. It is not difficult to imagine — and happily some can recollect — the gratification of the members in meeting for a social evening on their own premises. The affair had a domestic flavour, and it was becomingly thrifty, for with the view of saving expense the promoters brought the crockery ware from their own homes. Some of the cups and saucers have been preserved to this day. How the circumstances contrast with those of later years, when the spacious Com Exchange even could not contain all the tea-partying co-operators at one sitting ! But nevertheless it was a not inauspicious beginning, and although " coffee " is the only beverage mentioned, there is credible evidence that every member present was filled with good spirits ! In fact, the refreshment department was so well managed that the toast of " The Ladies " was — ^nb, not drunk, but those who had performed the work were thanked in a vote which was carried with acclamation. A few months previously, some of the members had feared a danger in the society being overburdened with capital. So far from these forebodings being realised, however, the society found itself temporarily short of funds. The structural alterations and the fitments had proved comparatively costly — the "bakery," for 1. Bray's Lane — Grocery Deft. 3 \A'alsgrave-on-Sowe — Grocery Dept. 2. Kenilworth — Grocery and Drapery 4. Bishop Street — Grocery Dept, Depts. 1. Spkingt'Ield Road — C.rocilkv iihn ■J. Bkiiannia S'lKLiiT- -Oruchkv DEI'T 3, 1 AKLi,l>MX -Gl-mCLRV DePI. -1. Ukook SiKtET — Gkoceky Deft. I 868 73 instance, costing upwards of ^^30 — and it was necessary to meet the expenses. The proposed remedy reminds one of the lady who, when a bank manager called to inform her she had overdrawn her account, replied that she could easily get the better of that difficulty by giving him a cheque for the amount ! The course recommended was a similar feat of finance, that has never been usual to co-operators : it was. Borrow money to pay your debts ! The sum of £is in additional share capital was offered by two members if the society generally would co- operate with them by providing the remaining ^^35. Unfortunately the combined wealth of all the other members at this time was not equal to the finding of so large an amount of money even to lend to themselves, although the interest on share capital was 5 per cent, per annum. Therefore, after a long discussion on a point of order, for which some members ever were sticklers, as well as on the merits of the question, it was resolved to authorise the committee to obtain a loan of £50 for six months, with power of renewal if necessary. Proceeding on sound business lines, the society decided that, as the premises had been taken on a lease for three years, the whole of the capital outlay should be written off during that period. Prospects had seemed fair, but the initial difficulties of the committee of management were by no means ended. One was to find a man sufficiently versatile to be sole storekeeper of a small but varied business — groceries, provisions, bread, and pork butchering. True, the committee were responsible for the buying-in 74 I 868 and other work, but they required a real genius of a shopman. The storekeeper engaged was a man in middle life, and the combined duties made his position anything but a sinecure. He had to be baker as well as counterman, and he was also required to deUver bread in all parts of the city. He probably did his best for a time, and although several of the committee-men, the president included, gave voluntary help at busy seasons, the results were not invariably exhilarating. Some members were compassionate, but others thought the man had grown careless, and was not superlatively industrious. It is evident he was decidedly lax in regard to customers' payments, for the committee were re- peatedly called upon to enjoin strict compliance with the rule of " no credit." Again, one member was honest enough to complain of the " long pull " — or rather of being given overweight in several articles ! From a variety of causes a change of storekeeper was deemed necessary, but it was deferred owing to the man being taken ill. If, however, the committee felt compelled to be strict with the storekeeper, they were no less severe with themselves. Money matters were closely watched. Note was taken of absences or unpunctualities, and defaulters were called to account. This notwithstanding meetings were held weekly, frequently twice, and occasionally thrice a week, beside sub-committee meet- ings, personal responsibilities, and attendance as helpers at the counter, together with monthly general meetings of members. Moreover no sub-committee was allowed to give orders unless all the members thereof were present, or the absentees had expressed their views in writing. i869 75 During the year the society joined the Co-operative Wholesale Society ; the committee co-operated with neighbouring societies for advantage in buying ; a Wednesday half-holiday was started, and the metaUic check system introduced. Despite all trials and difficulties, including such matters as sugar and cheese, which were almost as troublesome as they are at this day, the sales reached the fairly respectable total of £1,505 gs. 4d. for the year, and the dividend at the end of it was 8d. in the pound on members' purchases. The committee had a year full of activities ; but each one seems to have laboured as if the issue depended on him alone. From January to December there were nearly seventy recorded committee meetings, and the amount of attention voluntarily given to business management is amazing. How reminiscential of the words of Nehemiah respecting Jerusalem more than twenty-three hundred years ago ! " So we built the wall ; for the people had a mind to work." 1869. Early in the year the members decided that the time had arrived when another tea and pubhc meeting would serve a useful purpose. This was held on February 8th, and the following account of it appeared in a local newspaper : — " The annual meeting of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society was held at St. Mary's Hall on Monday last. A considerable number of the members and friends sat down to an excellent tea, and in the evening a business meeting was held, when on the 76 1869 platfoim were several of the old advocates of Co-opera- tion. The second annual report showed a satisfactory progress during the past year. Several persons addressed the meeting on the subject of Co-operation, and alto- gether the proceedings appeared to give great satisfac- tion." Laconic, very, and slightly disdainful too ; but somewhat amusing reading now that more than forty- seven years have elapsed. The tea was " excellent " — that was praise for the store comestibles and the catering abilities of the ladies. But the writer evidently had no admiration for the " old advocates,'' and apparently no high opinion of the movement either. It seemed worthy of remark, too, that at a Co-operative Society's meeting several " persons " gave addresses on Co- operation ! The proceedings " appeared " to give great satisfaction, however, and therefore what more was there to be said ? Pope has some remarks about " damning with faint praise." This praise was feeble enough, but the society was not thereby — doomed. It lived on, and only the supineness of the members could have brought about its condemnation. At a meeting the next week there were indications of progress. Several new members were admitted ; it was decided to present to the Free Library and other reading rooms copies of Co-operative newspapers, and a desire was expressed to enter into the coal trade. This desire materialised at the March meeting, when arrangements were reported and approved for doing business in coal through established merchants on a commission basis. Transactions were commenced shortly afterwards, and appeared to give general 1869 77 satisfaction. Some members stated that they had been exceedingly well served ; but now-a-days it seems rather curious that in December there should have been a complaint of the quality of coal supplied at 8d. per cwt. Meantime a new storekeeper was appointed, after much consideration, and the committee doubtless thought they had secured a perfect genius, but ere long there was reason to fear that he had exaggerated his abilities when he wanted the post. A meeting held on June 15th was not without some diversion. One member seems to have been slightly hypercritical concerning the quality of certain goods supplied, including groceries. Other members spoke to the contrary effect. The complainer was silenced and the meeting put into good humour by Mr. Caleb Wade, who stated that a lady friend of his who came from Berkswell to purchase tea, said that if the store- keeper continued to supply her until Christmas with so good an article she would give him a kiss ! Whether the conditions were fulfilled and the gushing female kept her promise, there is no evidence to show. Can any veteran give information ? And is it known if such embarrassing bribery is attempted now-a-days ? It is a mere coincidence that the next question was concerning butter ! It appeared there was a difficulty in obtaining a regular supply of good fresh butter in this neighbourhood. For a time the committee had purchased capital fresh butter from the Highbridge Society, but heavy cost of carriage had compelled them to discontinue the arrangement. Mr. R. Illingworth hoped that members would complain strongly at the 78 1870 time if there were any cause of dissatisfaction, rather than take away their custom, as all complaints would receive careful attention, and thus the matter would be righted. In the autumn a series of entertainments was decided upon to raise money for the benefit of the Educational Fund. The committee had a year of arduous application to the business of the society, holding nearly sixty recorded meetings, which were largely concerned with details, but also with troubles arising from the way in which the storekeeper performed his duties, and with the manage- ment of the bread department. This year the turnover amounted to £1,918 13s. lod., but the profits were low, as also was the dividend ; but the president plainly intimated that with more trade by the members a dividend of is. could be paid easily. 1870. The experiences of 1869 were, if anything, intensified throughout the following year, the chain of circumstances demanding strenuous exertions on the part of the com- mittee, and hope seeming ever deferred. The committee might make mistakes, but unfaithful to the cause, or inactive ? Never ! They were also quite frank with the members, and every trying situation was courageously faced. This practice doubtless had a reassuring effect, as there was a gradual accretion to the membership. In February it was deemed to be both advisable and reasonable that no bonus ori a member's purchases should be returned in cash until one share had been 1870 79 paid up, but that any amount thus due should be credited to his capital account. On May 17th Mr. T. G. Read again encouraged the fainthearted, and urged the members not to be afraid of the security of the society because of the absence of dividend. He had every confidence in the committee, and the figures showed the society to be perfectly sound. At the same meeting, Mr. Atkins rated some of the members, who went about grumbling instead of bringing their complaints to the meetings and receiving explana- tions. At the end of the second quarter a deficit was reported. True, the amount was small, viz., £(j lis. 6d. Yet the loss was a fact, although it was stated that the com- mittee had been quite as keen in buying and as careful in management as heretofore. On being interrogated the committee made it clear they were not satisfied the loss was due to carelessness alone on the part of the storekeeper ; but whatever they might think, they had no actual proof of anything worse. Eventually the storekeeper was dismissed, but the committee were advised that in the circumstances the bond he had given was worthless. A temporary storekeeper was found in Mr. Isaac Hamson, of whose honesty and interest in the society there was no possible doubt. What unusual people these co-operators of 1870 were ! With peripatetic grumblers, chronic troubles concerning storekeepers, and minus dividends, they ought to have been extremely downhearted. On the contrary, they twice discussed proposals to hold a picnic, and at the general meeting on August i6th, only three attended (Messrs. Hepworth, AdMns, and Andrews), 8o 1870 and no business could be transacted" owing to the annual flower show at Stoneleigh." At a general meeting on September 20th the president interested the members by reading the preface to the Report of the Co-operative Congress at Manchester (see Chapter I : " Need of Social Reform "). Mr. John Butcher, a well-known and influential co-operator at Banbury, was introduced to the quarterly meeting on October iSth, and delivered a stirring address. On this occasion the report of the society's trading for the September quarter was received, showing a further loss. In December the secretary (Mr. A. C. Scrivener), who had been with the society since its inception, gave notice to resign his office. It may appear surprising that with improved sales, the total for the year being £2,198 17s. 5d., as against £1,918 13s. lod. in the previous year — an advance of £280 3s. 7d. — the results should have been unsatis- factory ; but special difficulties and increased expendi- ture turned the scale against the society for three quarters. At the end of the fourth quarter, however, the clouds lifted, and the members had the satisfaction of learning that a crisis had been passed. The committee's report was somewhat unique : — " We have pleasure in reporting that the quarter ending 28th December last reveals to us a series of surprises. In the first place, there has been an increase in the sales over the previous quarter of more than £100. Secondly, there has been an increase in the subscriptions over the previous quarter, and instead of sustaining a loss, we have reaUsed a fair profit on the quarter's iSyo 8i transactions, which very nearly makes up the deficits of June and September quarters, and while the with- drawals have been somewhat large, it is surprising that they have not been larger. The fact is, if the with- drawals were dissected, it would be shown that very little capital has been withdrawn in consequence of our not having paid a dividend for two quarters, there having been a deficit on both quarters. Now, however, the state of things is reversed, and with the consent of the members we recommend a dividend of 6d. in the pound to members and 3d. to non-members, to be paid out of last quarter's profits, such dividend to be added to the share capital of all those members who are willing thus to appropriate it. " The changes recently made, it is hoped, will place us in a still more hopeful condition at the end of the current quarter. " The withdrawal of our secretary, Mr. A. C. Scrivener, from the post he has held since the commencement of the society, is a matter of regret to the committee, which regret will, in all probabihty, be shared by the society at large. It now devolves on the society to elect a successor, and whoever may be nominated, the committee hope that the members will exercise a wise discretion in their choice, seeing that the well-being of the society largely depends upon its secretary." The report, with balance sheet, was presented at the next quarterly meeting on Jan. 17th, 1871, and after a full discussion, " adopted in its entirety." Chapter XII. The First Branch Store. " A bold peasantry, their country's pride." — Goldsmith. ON the high lands about seven miles from Coventry — on the main road to London — ^is Dunsmore Heath, which is famed for its ancient Dun Cow, an enoimous and ferocious beast with a vicious taste for toothsome young virgins, that was slain by Guy. Mere legend, is it ? Why, did not Guy receive from kingly hands the honour of knighthood therefor ? Did not he become Earl of Warwick, and has not one of the ribs of the monstrous animal hung for time out of mind in Warwick Castle to be seen of visitors ? Nearer to Coventry, on the north side of Knightlow Hill, is a field with the hollowed remains of an old cross, where the Duke of Buccleuch keeps up the manorial custom of collecting " Wroth Money " before sunrise of a certain day in November of every year. It is said the agent is inexorable in his demands. Not because the Duke really needs the money which the taxes produce. O no ! for is he not one of the wealthiest noblemen in the kingdom ? Then all and sundry persons are invited to take breakfast at a neighbouring inn, 1. Dean Street — Grocery Dept. 2. NORTHFIELD RoAD — GROCERY DepT. 3. FoLEsiiiLL Road — Grocery and Confectionery' Depts. 4. Bristol Road — Grocery Dept. 1. Earlsdon— Draperv Dept. 2. Albany Road — Grocery Dept. .'1. \'lCTOR!A S'lREET — DrAPERY AND OUTMTTlNi; L^EPTS, 4. F'lN'LEY— Grocery DEn. FIRST BRANCH STORE 85 when the ducal health is pledged not in cups of coffee, but in bumpers of hot milk and rum ! A short distance to the south of Knightlow Hill is Stretton-on-Dunsmore, a not inconsiderable village, rather remote from the turmoil of modern civilisation, being placidly situated amid the undulating rural scenery of the heart of England. At this rather soporose village the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, forty-seven years ago, planted its first branch store, in what from the very beginning seemed to be somewhat barren soil. Why was it started ? This very proper question was answered at the general monthly meeting of members on March 15th, 1870, the president stating that, having several members at Stretton, the committee had started the branch store for their convenience. It was on a comparatively small scale, the only expense entailed, exclusive of fixed stock, being a commission of 6d. in the pound to the salesman, and 6d. per cwt. for the carriage of goods. What appears to have been a successful meeting at Stretton-on-Dunsmore was held on Monday, December 19th, 1870, " Mr. Faulkner's long room being well filled with Stretton friends." The meeting was called for 5 o'clock, and the usual Co-operative preliminary, a " substantial tea," was participated in by those locally interested ; but owing to the nearness of Christmas, and consequent pressure of business, the Coventry members were unable to reach Stretton until 8 p.m. Mr. Hepworth, president, occupied the chair, being supported by Messrs. A. C. Scrivener (secretary), Edward 86 FIRST BRANCH STORE King, William Jones, Joseph Hammond, and William Jarrams, of Coventry, and Mr. John Butcher, secretary of the Banbury Society. The president apologised for being late, and explained that the party started from Coventry as early as possible, but owing to a variety of difficulties with a " one-eyed " vehicle and a tired horse, the only wonder was they arrived at all. He confessed his disappointment that Co-operation had not made good progress in the Midlands, but offered his congratulations to the Stretton friends upon the results they had already attained. Mr. John Butcher gave an inspiring address, mention- ing the Banbury Society as an example of successful results from very small beginnings, and dealing at length with the subject of Co-operation applied to farming. He urged the Stretton members to be united, to perse- vere, and to be determined to make their store a success. Mr. Edward King expressed his conviction that Co-operation was the only means to better the condition of the working classes. Mr. WilUam Jones made a " telling speech that was well received," and was followed by Mr. Scrivener. " A variety of votes of thanks closed the meeting." What further adventures befell the Coventry members with their jaded horse and " one-eyed " chariot are not written in the chronicles of the society ; but there exists a recollection that when they returned some of them complained of being footsore ! Periodical visits were paid by committee-men and stock-takers to Stretton-on-Dunsmore, and the branch was maintained for many years, but it did not succumb through excessive vitality. Chapter XIII. 1871 TO 1873. 1871. ALL readers of Dickens are familiar with the character of Mark Tapley, who had a whimsical face and merry blue eyes, and was constitution- ally " jolly." He took pride in being " jolly " under every conceivable circumstance. When circumstances were fortuitous he thought there was no merit in being " joUy " — of course one could not help being " jolly " in prosperity. It was in bad fortune, for example in the occupation of a funeral undertaker, or " when the children had the measles and that, and was very frac- tious indeed," that Mark's peculiar virtue would shine. Mark Tapley has caused many a reader who was feeUng wearied and dispirited to take heart again. Now among the early members of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society there was a greater than Mark Tapley. This was Mr. T. G. Read, whose name has already been mentioned. His reasoned optimism and general cheeriness were always as refresh- ing as a summer breeze. They proved of great value during the year 1871. 88 1871 The resignation of Mr. Scrivener taking effect in January, the first important business at the meeting on the 17th of that month, after farewell had been said to the previous year, was the appointment of a secretary. Mr. George Jarrams, warehouseman. Railway Gjttages, was proposed by Mr. Amos Cobb, and seconded by Mr. Edward King. Mr. W. H. Ansell moved, and Mr. Richard Booth, junior, seconded, the appointment of Mr. Joseph Hepworth. That gentleman, however, declined the nomination. He stated that he had made up his mind to accept no remuneration for any services he might render to the society ; and as the duties of the secretary embraced the bulk of the work, he thought the office should be well paid. The members generally agreeing that the wiser course would be to retain Mr. Hepworth in the position of president, Mr. Jarrams was unanimously appointed, and entered on his duties forthwith. At this time there were two problems still before the management. They were : How to influence people to become co-operators ; and How to persuade " co-operators " to co-operate. Both principle and practice were imperfectly understood, and the " good time coming " seemed very slow in arriving. The quarterly report presented at the general meeting on April 25th, stated that there was a decrease in the amount of business done ; but as the period covered was twelve weeks against fourteen in the last " quarter," the decrease was not so great as to occasion alarm. The remedy, however, was in the members' own hands. In this connection the committee gave the members some candid advice, as follows ; — " The best efforts of 1871 89 your committee to promote the prosperity of the society are of little use unless they are supported by you. Is it that you have forgotten the first principles of Co-operation ? We have now been organised as a society four years and only maintained our position as distributors, whereas if all our members had been true to themselves and the cause that is their own, some- thing more than distribution would have been possible by this time. Having reduced our expenses, the profit realised will afford the same dividend as was paid last quarter. If you would like a larger dividend, make your purchases at your own store, and then you will get it. At the Co-operative Congress held in Birmingham during Easter week it was stated again and again, by some of the most thoughtful men living, that Co- operation is the only thing that can bring Capital and Labour into harmony : in other words, that Labour shall have apportioned to it its fair share of profit. Once believe this, and surely there is reason sufficient to induce all workers to work together for the common good." The balance sheet showed that during the last quarter there had been realised a profit of £l4, 4s. iid. On this occasion even the president was downhearted. He expressed his disappointment that the society had made so little progress. After being established four years they ought to be in a better position, and he confessed that could he have foreseen the apathy that still existed, he would have been loth to begin. Re- viewing the success of Co-operation in other parts of England, he instanced Banbury Society, which was of about the same age as the " Perseverance." At Banbury go 1871 they were doing a trade of £350 a week, whilst in Coventry they would be satisfied if they were doing the odd £50 a week ! Still, the society was in a better position than it had been, as they were not paying a bonus out of losses, but out of profits actually made. Then up rose Mr. T. G. Read, who said he did not share the president's despondency. Pointing to the fact that the society had already existed longer than any- previous society in Coventry, he contended that the principle of Co-operation was sound, the constitution of the Perseverance Society was also sound ; but owing to previous societies having proved unsatisfactory people were naturally prejudiced. When it was seen that the society was continuing to pay a dividend, he had no doubt the prejudice would die away, and that there would be an increase in both membership and trade. So he encouraged the meeting, and after some questions had been asked and answered, the report was passed unanimously. At the quarterly meeting in July the audited balance sheet showed a deficit of £5 17s. od. The president, however, stated that the committee had investigated the matter, and were satisfied a nett profit had been made of at least £10 ; but the auditors adhered to their fibres. Mr. T. G. Read again encouraged the meeting, expressing his complete satisfaction with the committee, pointing out that they well knew the causes of the deficiency, and advising the members to still " Persevere." The balance sheet was finally accepted and passed. Changes in the storekeeper about this period caused considerable anxiety and also disturbed business. 1872-3 91 At a special meeting on 24th August a balance sheet made up to the 7th of the month showed a deficit of £13, and considerable discussion took place on methods of stock-taking and of checking the trade done, it being suggested that the quarter's business was not truly represented by a deficit. At this meeting Mr. J. W. Lewis was unanimously elected secretary, vice Mr. Jarrams, who had resigned in the preceding month. By November matters had improved somewhat. A bonus of 6d. in the pound on members' purchases was paid, and the president called attention to the fact that ;^8 8s. lojd. of previous bonuses had been left in the society by members entitled to them. He trusted the example would be followed on the present occasion, as it both increased the working capital and expressed the confidence of the members. Mr. T. G. Read again urged the members to " per- severe," contending that difficulties were a valuable part of men's experiences. The principles of the society being right, and the committee having met aU difficulties in a brave spirit, gave them good hopes for. the future. During the discussion the President mentioned a case in which a member had only paid into the society the sum of 4s. gd., but on leaving had actually drawn out 20s. iid. The business done in the remaining quarter of the year enabled the committee to pay a dividend of 8d. in the pound on members' purchases. 1872-3. The year 1872 started with a membership of 116. At a social meeting in the large room behind the 92 1872-3 store, on February 27th, about eighty showed they were true " co-operators " in one sense, by doing " ample justice to an excellent tea." Afterwards there were speeches, songs, and music. Among those who spoke were the President, Messrs. W. Jones, F. Bamett, C. Wade, J. W. Lewis, and I. Dadley. Mr. Jones pointed out the many ways in which Co-operation might be successfully appUed in production and dis- tribution ; Mr. Wade urged upon the members the duty of making the whole of their purchases at their own shop — the store ; while Mr. Dadley enforced the importance of members supporting the Co-operative News. At the end of March the members still numbered 116, and the dividend paid was is. 6d. in the pound on their purchases. The sales during the year amounted to over ;£2,456, or an average of upwards of £47 a week, and bonuses were paid of is. and is. 2d. in the pound. In April the secretary (Mr. Lewis) having resigned, he was accorded a vote of thanks for his services, and in his stead Mr. George Thorpe was appointed. The annual meeting, held on December 9th, was thus described in the Co-operative News by Mr. William Bunton, of Banbury, who may still be remembered for his good work in connection with the " Banbury Tracts " and other Co-operative pubUcations : — " One of the best meetings that ever took place in the grand old city of Coventry was held last Monday evening in the grand old pile of buildings known as St. Mary's Hall. About 130 persons sat down to tea, and enjoyed themselves heartily. After tea the hall became well filled with a most respectable audience, 1872-3 93 many of whom came from a distance. The Hon. and Rev. J. W. Leigh took the chair, and made a first-rate Co-operative speech. The cause of Co-operation has progressed very slowly in Coventry. Nowhere in England is it more needed, but the repeated failures of bygone years have made the people exceedingly wary of how they connect themselves with it, so that the Perseverance Society, although it has been in exist- ence for five years, can boast of no more than about 130 members, with about £450 capital, and a turnover of about £50 weekly. Having received an invitation to be present, and having a good opportunity, we used all our powers to lift the movement out of the rut it seems to have got into here, and never did effort seem more hkely to meet with success. The audience listened to the several speakers with the greatest attention, and the old hall rang again and again with the cheers of the meeting. Mr. Hepworth, who they say is the Father of the Coventry Society, and the committee had provided some first-class music and singing ; and if such a meeting does not in a very short time double the number of members and receipts, the people of Coventry will never be understood by William BUNTON." At the end of the year, however, certain disquieting matters came to the knowledge of the committee. In January, 1873, the secretary resigned. In February, 1873, Mr. A. C. Scrivener was empowered to make an investigation ; Mr. Geo. Jarrams was recalled to the secretaryship ; and a further change in storekeeper took place. The report of the investigation showed that at the end of the previous year, instead of there 94 1872-3 being a surplus the society had suffered a loss of nearly £50. The consequences were serious. There was a run on the capital, and the committee, through no fault of their own, found themselves in an unpleasant position. An incident occurred, however, which is worthy of being placed on permanent record. The society was probably saved by a woman member who had given notice to withdraw her capital amounting to ^^40. Had that sum been taken out, the society would have been in straits. The committee put a good face on, however, and boldly provided the money, though with difficulty. When the member saw the cash in readiness, her confidence returned ; she decided to leave her investment untouched, and withdrew the withdrawal notice. The committee were greatly relieved, as for the time the situation was saved. The incident was gracefully referred to by Mrs. ShufHebotham on 31st December, 1886 (see chapter XLIIL, " Woman's Work "), and was also mentioned at one of the reminiscential meetings (Chapter XLVIL, Part ij. At the spring meeting, the members received the following report : — " In laying before you the report and balance sheet for the last quarter, your committee are grateful for the forbearance manifested to them rmder circumstances of great anxiety. We hope the cause for anxietj has now been removed, and that the recent changes in the working and official staff of the society wiU be of a more enduring character than some of the preceding ones ; but whether this be so or not, changes, when they become a necessity, must be fearlessly made. 1872-3 95 " Another change is still needed on the part of our members : if you wish to see the society in a more prosperous state, why not support your own shop to the full extent of your purchasing power ? It is not a ' money power ' that is most needed. Capital we have plenty of for our present necessities. But we want a ' basket power ' that shall increase our weekly business. In this way only can prosperity be secured, progress maintained, and dividends swell ypur share capital to enable us to enter on other branches of business. " The indifference of many of our members to Co- operative knowledge is a matter of deep concern to those who are thoroughly imbued with Co-operative principles, and we would urge you again to support the chief organ of the movement, the Co-operative News. " The profits reaUsed have made up for the previous losses, and there is a balance profit of £17 os. 3|d., and by a resolution of a general meeting convened by circular and held on Tuesday, the 22nd April, at the Stores, it was resolved to appropriate the usual 5 per cent, per annum to capital, at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum to reduction of fixed stock, 2^ per cent, to the Educational Fund, and the remainder to be appropriated at the end of the current quarter." The report was adopted. The " changes " referred to in the report included the appointment as storekeeper of Mr. Wm. Carpenter, who had rendered good service on the committee ; and subsequent history may be anticipated by the statement that the appointment proved satisfactory, Mr. Carpenter remaining in the service of the society for a number of years. 96 1872-3 At the summer meeting a balance profit of £16 2s. 6jd. was reported, and a dividend of 4d. in the pound on members' checks brought in was paid for the first half of the year. At the autumn meeting it was reported that the profits amounted to £20 19s. 4|d., and a dividend of lod. in the pound was paid. For the fourth quarter of the year the profits amounted to ;£33 15s. 5id., and a bonus of 5 per cent, on the members' purchases was paid, besides making the usual allocations for interest on capital and i^eduction of fixed stock, and devoting 2| per cent, to the Educational Fund. Not only was the propriety' of opening a branch store discussed during the year, but there was also mooted the question of making one share per member transfer- able instead of all shares being withdrawable, to add to the society's stabihty. In the Co-operative News of 8th November, 1873, appeared the following editorial note, which fairly described the situation at that time : — " Coventry. — This town has been very unfortunate in matters of Co-operation, but we think we may now say of it, in the words of a Lancashire song at the time of the Cotton Famine, ' Better times are coming,' for although the dividend of the existing society is not one-half per £1 that of most of the existing Lancashire societies, still from the jubiHant way in which the committee write in their report we imagine it is much better than anything hitherto done. The trade of the town during the last thirteen years has been of a most uncertain and unprofitable character, mainly owing to 1872-3 97 a change of fashion, foreign competition, and deamess of silk, in working up which a majority of the inhabitants are employed. The next trade of importance in the town is watchmaking, and a fierce competition with America has been carried on during the years we have named. The capital is £475, the annual business ^^2,820, and the profit about £2, per week — not much to speak of in the year's work, but it has had to be done under difficulties of no ordinary character." Chapter XIV. 1874-5. " 'Tis not in mortals to command success, But we'll do more, Sempronius — we'll deserve it." — Addison. 1874. THE pioneers of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society certainly had not been able to command success, but that they had deserved it, who shall doubt ? They had served a long apprenticeship to " one and the same trade in the city of Coventry," that of estabUshing the society, over- coming difficulties that cumulatively were stupendous. These early experiences will be found commented on in later chapters. In 1874, however, the managers and other leaders began to feel they had gained their " freedom " from some of their early cares and anxieties, and to see that recognition was about to crown their earnest, pains- taking, and self-sacrificmg labours. There was distinct encouragement in the enrolment of fifty-one new members during the year. 1. Britannia Buildings, West Orchard. 2. SpoN Street — Grocery Dept. 3. Gu^tuKD Street — Grocery, Drapery, AND Boot Depts. 4. Victoria Street — Grocery Deft. 1. London Road^Groci£ry Dept. 2. Stoke — Grocery Dept. 3. Alderman's Green — Grocery Dept. 4. Somerset Road — Grocery Dept. and Houses. 1874 lOI This meant, of course, increased working capital in the first place, and potentially more business over the counters, as well as useful development. As a fact, the sales for the year rose to £3,630 17s. id., being £511 7s. 3d. more than in the preceding year, and showing a general average of over £69 a week. The available profits allowed of a bonus of 5 per cent, on members' purchases during the first three quarters, and of IS. 2d. in the pound in the fourth quarter, the usual allocations being made to interest, depreciation, and educational purposes. At the April meeting it was decided to open a Penny Bank, and in July the committee were able to announce that the bank had been organised with every prospect of success. Drapery and boot and shoe departments were started in a room over the grocery store at Bishop Street. It was decided that the allocation to the Educational Fund should be a fixed one of 2| per cent, of the net profits, and the first Educational Committee was appointed, consisting of the President, Messrs. Read, Harris, W. Jones, T. H. Adams, W. Jarrams, and Cleaver. A reserve fund, which it may be remarked now exceeds £20,000, with special reserves amounting to upwards of £2,200 in addition, was started with two sums maldng together £13 is. 7d., and a small inve'^t- ment was made in the Co-operative Newspaper Society. In addition to these numerous activities, the Society turned its attention to the pleasure of charitableness, an appeal being received from the Wolverhampton Co-operative Locksmiths' Society for sympathy and help in their loss of about £200 through a fire. The president 102 1874 explained the difficulty experienced by the Locksmiths' Society in keeping in existence at all owing to the deter- mined opposition shown by large manufacturers of the town, and said he thought the case was worthy of support. On the proposition of Mr. W. Jones, seconded by Mr. C. Cookson, it was resolved to open a subscription with the object of helping the Co-operative Lock- smiths ; but unfortunately the fund closed before the money could be handed over, and it was therefore given to the Agricultural Labourers' Strike Fund. The annual meeting on Tuesday, November 3rd, in St. Mary's Hall, partook somewhat of the nature of a domestic gathering. It was essentially practical. About 150 made themselves cheerful at the tea table, prior to a meeting the programme of which consisted of music tempered with oratory, the oratory being leavened with a few statistics, plus a little advice. Mr. Hepworth (president) filled the chair, being accom- panied by several active co-operators, each of whom was at that time prominent in the movement. The attendance is saM to have been " good," and without doubt the quaUty was satisfactory, but as to the quantity there is less certainty. The customary report, presented by the treasurer (Mr. A. Harris) stated that business was being done in groceries, provisions, baking, drapery, boots and shoes — and it might have been added coal-deahng — to the extent of about £3,500 per annum, with a capital of about £550, which was being turned over nearly six and a half times within the year. Of course, a much larger business might be done with even smaller capital ; but an increase of means was not needed so much as an accession i874 103 of members, whose present number (660) was considered small for a town of 40,000 inhabitants. " Some of our citizens," the report continued, " have held aloof from us by reason of former failures, but surely no man's heart need fail him now through fear, when we can show an existence of 7I years without any serious disaster. We have had difficulties to contend with, certainly. But who is there that embarks in business can proclaim himself free from them ? " No one ven- tured then, or afterwards, to answer the question. The report further stated that the committee were of opinion that the small membership was due to the principles and advantages of Co-operation not being so well understood as they should be. The report concluded with an invitation to those present to enrol themselves as members. The chairman afterwards said the term ' ' Co-operation ' ' had been defined as " working together," and so it was ; but that did not fully express the co-operators' idea. What they meant by Co-operation was something far greater than any dictionary definition. He could best explain his meaning by an illustration. During the past year or two the coal owners had been giving the colliers an increase of id. per ton for getting the coal, while they had been charging the consumers a shilling per ton extra and putting that into their own pockets. But co-operators thought that colliers who got the coal should have received a fair share of the extra profits. (Hear, hear.) The civiUsed world had for the most part given itself up to buying and selling and the getting of gain. Hitherto the buying, selUng, and getting of gain thereby had been chiefly confined to a particular I04 1874 class, until the Pioneers of Rochdale were compelled by the very force of circumstances to look out for some way in which they could do for themselves that which they had been in the habit of asking other people to do for them. That was what Co-operation had been doing ever since. Co-operation was not to be confined to distribution — ^not to mere selling of groceries and provisions, or the necessaries of hfe. The Co-operative idea meant going on to the manufacturing for themselves of what they wanted to eat, to drink, and to wear. Until that was an accompHshed fact, co-operators would never rest ; still they must be moving, and they would be moving, on in spite of all adverse circum- stances. (Applause.) Mr. John Butcher, secretary of the Midland Section of the Co-operative Congress Board, described Co- operation as a means by which working men could raise themselves : it enabled them to spend their money to the best advantage. (Hear, hear.) In the course of an interesting address he said that Co-operation was not peculiar to any particular district ; he had heard there was a society at Sheerness which was established before Rochdale took up the cause ; but in the North the movement had been more vigorous than in the South. Mr. Robert Allen, of Oldham, member of the Central Co-operative Board, enlivened the meeting with a humorous speech on various phases of the Co-operative movement. Other addresses were delivered, and songs were given by Mr. W. H. Ward, Mr. F. W. Humberstone, and Mr. J. W. Hepworth ; Mr. J. S Steane presided at the pianoforte. 1873 105 The meeting served a very practical purpose, as in December the society admitted nineteen new members, several of whom became active co-operators, including Mr. J. H. Williams, a future president. 1875- The measure of success which in 1874 had begun to justify ttie faith of co-operators in their principles and policy was increased in 1875. There were two prominent facts for their reward, and for their encouragement to still persevere. The first was that 172 new members were admitted, 76 being at the November meeting alone. Then the sales were upwards of £2,000 more than in the preceding year, the average weekly amount received being over £108. The results may be tabulated as follows : — Quarter. 1st . 2nd . 3rd . 4th . Total ..;^465 4 If Average 1 /5* ;£118 19 3f Thus were co-operators benefited and the society strengthened. Owing to the accommodation at the society's store being insufficient, the general meetings of members were held at the Provident Dispensary Buildings. A resolution was passed in favour of making one share per member transferable, and a special committee was appointed to revise the society's rules. Surplus. i s. d. . 81 6 li . 86 4 4 . 126 11 n . 171 2 6 ./465 4 If Bonus to To Reserve Members per £ Fund. I s. d. 1/4 23 8 1\ 1/6 11 19 9 1/6 31 11 8i 1/6 51 19 3 io6 1875 A movement spontaneously emanating from the mem- bers resulted in a decision to make a nominal payment to the members of the committee. On the committee's recommendation at the December meeting, the society became investors in the Co-operative Insurance Society. Outside the trading transactions the most interesting business of the year was due to the initiation of Mr. W. Jones, who at the quarterly meeting on July 20th said he thought the time had come when some acknow- ledgment should be made to the president for his valuable services to the cause of Co-operation in Coventry, and moved the following resolution : — " That a public meeting be held at some date to be hereafter fixed, at which a presentation shall be made to Mr. Hepworth." This was seconded by Mr. T. Kirby, and carried unanimously. The following were chosen as a committee to carry out the object : — Messrs. C. Kirby, T. Kirby, W. Jones, W. Jarrams, and A. L. Newbold ; these to have power to add to their number. With what goodwill and success the committee and others co-operated in this undertaking will be under- stood from the next chapter. Chapter XV. Eighth Annual Public Meeting. Progress — Increased Benefits — Merit acknowledged — Social Enjoyment. THE Society's eighth annual public meeting proved distinctly encouraging. The committee were able to report further progress ; members had increased in number and reaped proportionate benefits ; provision had been made for social enjoy- ment ; and meritorious labours were to be recognised. The meeting might have been termed a festival. The scene was again St. Mary's Hall, and the date November 22nd, 1875. Upwards of five hundred persons successfully co- operated in a tea, and afterwards, we are told, " the hall was crowded to an uncomfortable degree." But any discomfort was cheerfuEy endured — ^it was all for the good of the cause ! The chairman was Alderman Soden, an ex-Mayor and a Justice of the Peace, and he was supported by another ex-Mayor — Alderman W. H. Hill, also a J. P. Alderman Soden, who was known as a man of clear views and plain speech, who had in other spheres given I08 EIGHTH ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING proof of his appreciation of self-help and good citizen- ship, evidently found the position congenial. He expressed his opinion that the occasion was so important they ought to have asked the Mayor to preside, but of course when they were making the arrangements in October they did not know who the Mayor was going to be, and he (Alderman Soden) accepted the invitation as a great honour. The principles of Co-operation were most laudable, and notwithstanding much hostile criticism, the movement had made rapid strides. In his opinion the artisans and working classes of this country were improving themselves by these means and raising themselves in the social scale. The facts entitled them to every commendation. The secretary (Mr. G. Jarrams) read a statement showing the number of members to be 313, with an average share capital of about £3 per member. The sales had increased during the year by upwards of £1,240, and the net surplus, after paj^ing certain fixed charges, including £8 i6s. gd. devoted to the Educational Fund, allowed of £231 12s. lod. being returned to members in proportion to their purchases. The reserve fund was increased by £79 14s. 5|d. The meeting assumed a special character, owing to a presentation to the President of the society. The chairman had already made some feUcitous references to Mr. Hepworth, and the work of the Testimonial Committee was evidenced by an illuminated address and clock. Mr. A. L. Newbold, hon. sec. to the Testimonial Committee, read the Address, which was as follows : — EIGHTH ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING IO9 " To Mr. Joseph Hepworth, " First President of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society. " Dear Sir, " We the members of the above society, are desirous of giving you some mark of our high esteem and appreciation of the great efforts you have made in the cause of Co-operation in general, and particularly in the interests of your own society. " As our president for upwards of seven years, we know that your labours for the welfare of the society have been indefatigable. We believe that the present flourishing state of the society is in a great measure the result of them, and we feel that such disinterested hard work should meet with some recognition. " We therefore ask you to accept the accom- panjdng timepiece as a small token of our regard, and with it our best wishes that you may long br spared to help the society with your fostering hand, and assist it in attaining still greater success. " Signed on behalf of the members of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society by the Testi- monial Committee, November 22nd, 1875. W. Jones, Chairman. W. Jarkams, Treasurer. A. L. Newbold, Secretary. J. P. Austin. J. T. Lower. M. DoDWELL. W. Naylor. T. KiRBY. W. Perkins. C. KiRBY. H. Penn. J. King. D. Yardley." no EIGHTH ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING The address had been illuminated by a well-known artist, Mr. J. S. Green. In a semi-circle at the top were two figures with hands clasped across a globe, one re- presenting capital, with factory, ship, etc. On the side, filling up the intervening space, were the two figures of Peace and Plenty, symbolising the results of Co-operation. The address was supported by columns in which were represented figures of children engaged in different trades and agricultural pursuits. The whole was surrounded with a border of fourteenth century work. The frame included the City Arms, The timepiece was of black marble, and bore the following inscription : — " Presented to Mr. Joseph Hepworth by the Members of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society as a mark of esteem for his self-denying labours in the cause of Co-operation as their President. "Coventry, 22nd Nov., 1875." Mr. Hepworth, on rising to acknowledge the testi- monial, received an ovation. He expressed his thanks and also his opinion that the efforts of others were equal to his own, and that without them no success could have been attained. He then said : — " With regard to our Co-operative movement, I am afraid that in very many quarters it is little understood, or if understood at all, it is but imperfectly so, for if I get into conversation with clergymen or tradesmen, I find that their ideas with regard to Co-operation are not at all in accordance with fact. It has oftentimes been said that what a man has done, men may do ; and, coming from the North of England myself — for it was there EIGHTH ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING III I was bom and reared — I know something of what Co-operation was doing there long before we started this society in Coventry. It will be in the recollection of many in this meeting that a so-called ' Co-operative Society ' had been in existence in this city long before I settled here more than a quarter of a century ago. That society came to grief, as I am told, entirely through mismanagement, though at that time there were a thousand members, many of whom sustained serious losses thereby. So that when we met and started our society we had very great difficulty indeed in inducing any of the members of the old society to join our ranks. We had therefore to bide our time until it was seen what Co-operation really was, for I have, always denied that the old society was in the strict sense of the term a Co-operative Society at all. We began on the same basis as the Rochdale flannel weavers began some thirty years ago, and for the most part we adopted their rules. We have carried on with those rules from that time to the present, but we never made what we considered to be adequate progress until the last twelve months, and it has been cheering to my heart to feel that during the last twelve months we have been enabled to make such progress as we have done. (Applause.) But I can see no reason why we should not have a thousand members. I do not expect that we shall increase to a thousand members during the next twelve months, but I think we ought to do so in two or three years' time." Mr. Hepworth than forcibly argued in favour of the Co-operative movement, and spoke of its beneficial results on working men, who by it had raised themselves 112 EIGHTH ANNUM, PUBLIC MEETING in the social scale, and said he thought sometimes that it had excelled the temperance organisations in reducing drunkenness. Mr. W. Jones delivered an earnest address, and Alderman Hill also spoke. There was, in addition, an enjoyable concert by members of a glee party and others. Chapter XVI. 1876 AND 1877. 1876. THE year was full of interest and incident. To adopt a familiar figure, the cords were lengthened and the stakes strengthened. On January 25th, Mr. Geo. Jarrams having resigned, Mr. Arthur Lamb Newbold, gas rent collector, was elected secretary. Young, energetic, of good business abilities, and with opportunities in his daily avocation, the new secretary set himself the task of lengthening the membership roll ; and in great part owing to his activities 211 new members were admitted during the year. An important matter, dealt with at several meetings, was that of new rules. These being formd necessary, a code was prepared, adopted on May i6th, confirmed a week later, certain special rules added on June 27th, and, with the advice of Mr. E. V. Neale, of Manchester, secretary of the Central Co-operative Board, the whole were formally drafted, and submitted for legal registra- tion. Meanwhile the existing rules had been resc'nded. 114 1876 Continually increasing trade over the counter making further accommodation imperative, the committee, in touch with the members throughout, bought the pre- mises, 45, Bishop Street, for the sum of £500. For a like amount, and also with the members' authority, they bought a site in West Orchard, and ordered the preparation of plans for a new building. The society's affairs showed a decidedly upward trend, which went far to justify these proceedings. In March there were 397 members, with ^^945 share capital ; in May 472 members, with £1,337 share capital ; and in July 492 members, with a share capital of £1,547. The trade account showed that in the second quarter of the year the sales had reached £2,568 i8s. 9d. Therefore the money necessary for the purchase of properties it was resolved at a general meeting to ask members generally to provide. In December the number of members was 583, while the sales during the year were nearly double those of 1875, having risen from £5,639 2s. 8d. to £10,107 9s. id. Commenting on the committee's report for the 39th quarter ending December 20th, the Co-operative News said : — " New members admitted, 77 ; withdrawn and forfeited, 8 ; present total, 583, whose purchases in grocery, drapery, and boots are less than 8s. per week ; and share capital averages £3 lis. od. per member. Reserve fund receives this quarter £60, and now amounts to the respectable proportion of 3s. for every £1 of share capital. The Educational Fund receives 2| per 1876 115 cent, of net profits, and now amounts to over £40, but there does not appear to be any educational work going on. There is a small savings bank. " Fixed stock account appears to be depreciated at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum on the original cost ; and entrance fees, fines, and nomination fees are devoted to the same purpose, amounting for the present quarter to an additional depreciation of 6^ per cent., making a total depreciation allowed on fixed stock to be at the rate of 16^ per cent, per annum on the original cost. " The rent received frorn property, which is freehold, is devoted to the depreciation of the property account, and the account receives in addition the percentage usually allowed by other societies. " All these figures show that the society is making ample provision for its own permanence and stability. We do not know another society which makes such a liberal allowance for the depreciation of its buildings and fixtures, and possessing at the same time a reserve fund equal to nearly 15 per cent, of its share capital. " The distributive expenses are is. 2d. per £x of sales. " Members' dividend is is. 8d. and non-members, lod. " All the society's investments are Co-operative in character. " There is a central place of business and one branch." The remarks as to the financial basis of the society were certainly not unwelcome. It was on Tuesday, October 31st, 1876, that the annual tea, with public meeting afterwards, was held, and it was again in St. Mary's Hall. Of the tea, nearly ii6 1876 five hundred persons partook, while at the public meeting afterwards the hall was crowded. The president (Mr. J. Hepworth) occupied the chair, and the principal speaker was Mr. J. C. Fam, of Manchester, one of the three early local advocates of whom biographical sketches are given in Chapter VI. Among those present were Messrs. J. H. Williams, W. Jones, G. Yardley, W. Jarrams, J. Squiers, many other well-known local co-operators, and representatives of societies at Bed- worth, Foleshill, Wyken, Stretton, and other places. After the chairman had addressed the meeting, Mr. R. Illingworth read the report, which stated that the society had been in existence nine and a half years, and the advance made by it during this year had been greater in many respects than that made in all the previous eight and a half years . The number of members was over 514, against 278 on September 22nd, 1875. The sales had even been more satisfactory, as they showed a larger average of purchases per member than in the previous year. The difference in the totals was also stupendous, the sales for the present year being £9,091 13s. 3d., against £4,683 17s. 4d. last year, showing an increase of £4,407 15s. iid., the increase itself being nearly as large as the whole of last year's sales. The capital of the society had more than doubled, the figures being £1,776, against £841 4s. lod., or an increase of £944 5s. 2d. The profit made during the year, in addition to 5 per cent, per annum interest on capital, amounted to £763 i8s. iifd. About £4 15s. out of every £7 profit, or £517 5s. od. in all, had been divided amongst the members in the shape of dividend on their purchases, and it was especially gratifying that 1877 117 out of this sum of £517 5s. od. no less than £328 ids. 4|d. had been added to the members' share capital instead of being drawn out. The sum of £24 2S. 8d. had been divided amongst the non-members who had dealt with the society, £149 13s. 5|d. had been added to the reserve fund, 1^29 17s. iifd. had been written off fixed stock, and £19 is. iid. had been carried to the educational fund — a fund which up to the present time had been almost idle, but which it was to be hoped would be better employed shortly. The report con- cluded with the expression of an earnest hope that the prosperity of the society would long continue. Addresses were afterwards delivered by Mr. Fam and others, and during the evening there was some agreeable music. 1877. The membership continued to increase month by month, in 1877 no less than 307 new members being admitted, and the number at the end of the year being 834, while the sales expanded to ;£i2,247 4^- '^d., or £2,139 14s. iid. more than in the year preceding. During the first part of the year the general meetings continued to be held at St. Mary's Hall ; but later the members had the satisfaction of meeting on their own premises. It was a year of great activities. Business had to be maintained uninterruptedly, of course ; but there were three matters of supreme interest. First, there was the provision of a building fund ; second, effecting a great public improvement in one of the city's slums ; and, third, the public opening of the new stores. ii8 1877 To carry the society's scheme to success, a sum of several thousand pounds would be required. Where was the money to come from ? There was the rub ! The more enterprising were for throwing the whole responsibility on the general body of members. But would they be equal to the capitaUsing of so serious an undertaking ? The less sanguine entertained honest doubts. The committee hoped they might be, but took into consideration an alternative scheme should one prove necessary. There was every disposition to rely on self-help, and after a considerable amount of preliminary discussion, a special general meeting was held at St. Mary's Hall on Thursday, February 8th, " for the purpose of con- sidering ways and means of erecting the proposed buildings in West Orchard, plans of which may be seen any day prior to the meeting (Sunday excepted) in the Secretary's Office, Bishop Street Store." In the circular convening the meeting, which was dated 31st January, and signed by the president, the scheme was outlined as follows : — " Some £2,000 will be wanted for carrying out the plans of erections proposed, which embrace three front shops, store rooms behind, a large room to seat three hundred people, committee room, secretary's office, and a variety of other rooms, all of which can be easily appropriated. Provision is made in the enclosed yard for a three-stall stable, slaughterhouse, etc. ; these, together with the bakery that has been some months in active operation, will form, when completed, most excellent and compact business premises, well calculated for doing a large trade." 1877 ii9 Apparently the committee preferred not to give a lead — at any rate they presented no recommendation beyond setting forth their views in the following terms : " The opinion of the committee is that these proposed erections have become a necessity to us ; they therefore ask this meeting to confirm the same." Mr. J. H. Williams proposed, and Mr. Jarrams seconded, a confirmatory resolution, which was carried unanimously. Open discussion being invited as to how the money was to be found, various opinions were expressed. For a time there seemed to be a doubt as to whether more than £1,000 could be expected from members, and a building society mortgage for the balance was mooted. Then, suddenly, a resolution was moved " That the members be invited to subscribe the whole of the money required, and to intimate to the secretary before the next quarterly meeting [which was due on April 17th] the number of additional shares they will sign for." This was a bold stroke. It had a dramatic effect. The meeting became energised with a new enthusiasm, and after being seconded the resolution was carried with the utmost unanimity. Chapter XVII. A Public Improvement. IT can scarcely be denied that the whole city was indebted to the Coventry Perseverance Co-opera- tive society for an enterprise which culminated in the autumn of 1877. The site of the proposed new stores was occupied by tenements which few would claim as an example of the survival of the fittest. It was on the south side of West Orchard, by the River Sherboume, a name that is said to signify " Beautiful Stream." Now everybody knows how much of a stream there is since it has been improved ; and as to its beauty — well, it would certainly outrival Eau de Cologne, and it was said to be suitable for growing watercress ! In place of these antique residences the society erected a block of buildings that constituted a pubhc improve- ment and a lasting monument to self-help. The architects were the well known firm of G. and I. Steane ; and the builder, Mr. James Marriott ; works foreman, Mr. Geo. Burton, a member of the society's committee. The frontage to West Orchard is about 70 feet, and, ' in addition, there is a frontage to the river, which bounds 1. 563-5, Stoney Stanton Road— Grocery and Deapek^- Depts. 2. 297-9, Stoney Stanton Road — Grocery and Dkapeky Depts. 3. West Orchard — Furnishing Dept. ,|. King Kdwarp Roio — Grocery I'ept, THE Ol'FICKS, WEST ORCHARD. A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT — 1877 123 the site on the western side, of about 90 feet. The only portion of the old premises retained was adapted to a bakery. The following further particulars are applicable to the building when new — thirty-nine years ago : — On the ground floor there are three shops facing towards West Orchard, viz., butchers', drapers', and grocery or provision shops, the two latter of which have store rooms in the rear. The secretary's room is arranged centrally in connection with these rooms, and also in a position to command the yard, round which are placed the bakery, slaughterhouse, stabling, van shed, etc. There is a cart entrance from the street to the yard, which will allow heavy goods to be delivered at the doors of the grocery and drapery stores, the bakery and flour stores, to large cellars in the basement, and also to the crane enclosure for removal to the upper store rooms. On the first floor is an assembly room, capable of accommodating between three hundred and four hundred persons seated, the principal approach to which is from West Orchard by means of a wide hall and staircase. There are two other approaches — one from the eastern and the other from the.westerft end of the room, independent of the principal approach, altogether affording ample ingress and egress. The room is a very easy one to speak in ; it has a partially open- timbered roof, the principals being wrought and stained. The ceiling and one end are polygonal in shape. It is well lit, principally from the north side ; is 20 feet 6 inches high in the centre, and 15 feet next the walls. There are special arrangements for ventilation, and the 124 A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT — 1877 heating is accomplished by means of hot water pipes. As it is expected that concerts, lectures, and other enter- tainments will be held herein, two retiring rooms have been provided at the platform end of the room, as also an ante-room which leads direct to the platform. One of the retiring rooms is ordinarily used as the committee room of the society. There is a ladies' cloak room at the opposite end of the room, also a kitchen and scullery, with all the necessary arrangements for effectively supplying tea meetings, etc. Over the kitchen, etc., are the baker's sleeping apartments ; and over the retiring rooms there is a large store room. The new premises have a handsome and substantial appearance, are soundly built, and are a distinct improvement to a not very aristocratic neighbourhood. First Meeting in the New Stores. The members of the society held their 42nd quarterly meeting in the Assembly Room of the new stores on Tuesday evening, October i6th, 1877. The president (Mr. J. Hepworth) occupied the chair, and the attendance numbered upwards of 300. The report, which was read by the secretary (Mr. A. L. Newbold), stated that a business of £3,500 had been transacted during the quarter, and that the number of members, which was increasing week by week, was 734- ^It was stated that all the money which was required for the building had been advanced by the members. A special vote of thanks was given to the committee for the energy and attention which they had devoted " to putting up such a beautiful building for us." A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT — 1877 125 The Officers follows : — President : Treasurer : Secretary : Committee : Auditors and Committee at this time were as Mr. Joseph Hepworth. Mr. J. H. Williams. Mr. Arthur L. Newbold. Messrs. John P. Austin, Richard Booth, jun., George Burton, D. Cooke, William Jones, Thomas Kirby, J. T. Lower, and Henry Penn. Messrs. W. H. Ansell and George Tarrams. Chapter XVIII. Opening the New Stores. Notable Progress — 1,200 at Tea — Encouraging Public Meeting. THE annual meeting of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society in 1877 was exceptionally interesting. It was in fact a festival. First, the Mayor of the ancient city took part in the proceedings ; second, the committee reported sub- stantial progress generally ; third, the newly-built stores were formally opened ; and finally, there was a successful tea and public meeting, with important speeches. The memorable day was Wednesday, 14th November. Opening Ceremony. In the afternoon, at a meeting in the new Assembly Room, about four hundred persons were present. The president of the society (Mr. Joseph Hepworth), in opening the proceedings, offered his congratulations to the members on the satisfactory progress of the society, and moved a vote of thanks to the architects (Messrs. G. and I. Steane) for the excellent plans they had pro- duced for the new building, and for the assiduous manner in which they had seen the work carried out. OPENING OF NEW STORES — 1877 127 Mr. J. H. Williams seconded the motion, which was carried. Then Mr. F. Caldicott proposed a similar acknowledg- ment to the contractor. Alderman Marriott, observing that this building added another to the many ornaments to the city that Mr. Marriott had erected. Mr. Wm. Jones seconded the resolution, which was likewise carried. Mr. Jones, in that spirit of equity which distinguishes true co-operators, remarked that if they did not pass a further resolution the contractor would get all the credit due to himself and his workmen. (Hear, hear.) He therefore proposed that an expression of thanks be also given to the workpeople for the way in which they had performed their part of the undertaking. (Hear, hear.) This proposition was seconded from the body of the meeting and carried unanimously. President's Address. The President then dehvered an address, from which the following are extracts : — Three years ago, if any persons had told us we should be dedicating this block of buildings to the business purposes of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, we should have thought them to be proper subjects for the Hatton Lunatic Asylum. (Laughter.) But we do not despise the day of small things. (Hear, hear.) For the first few years our society made very slow progress ; prejudice in some minds, with misgiving in the minds of others, was against us, on account of former failures. Co-operation had yet to win its way in this city. Many said " Let it alone ; 128 OPENING OF NEW STOKES— 1877 like other efforts of a similar kind it will die a natural death," but our outlook now is full of encouragement. (Hear, hear.) When the erection of new stores was deemed a neces- sity your committee called you together in St. Mary's Hall, and asked for the necessary capital. You said in effect that you would find it yourselves, and here we are to-day, having paid all demands made upon us on behalf of the building contract, and your investments here are of such a nature that they cannot take to them- selves wings and fly away. Let the profits on your purchases accumulate for the next three years, and we will pay you every penny of share capital you have subscribed, if you are not satisfied with the 5 per cent, interest you get. (Hear, hear.) Having referred to the effect of Co-operation in putting down adulteration, the "frightful extent" of which was proved by its being found necessary to pass an Act of Parliament for deahng with it, the president referred to the estabUshment of the Co-operative Whole- sale Society in Manchester, and continued : — The common opinion appears to be that Co-operation is simply a scheme for superseding the ordinary sale shops by stores. But Co-operation, as understood by the leaders of this movement, comprehends much more than is expressed by an opinion. Its ultimate aim is to make all men their own storekeepers, and all men who need to work, their own employers. (Hear, hear.) Dr. John Watts, a native of this ancient city, thus writes : — " The economy of retail stores is practically settled, for hundreds of them now exist, and compete with the OPENING OF NEW STORES — 1877 I29 ordinary sale shops, and, after paying 5 per cent, interest on capital, return to their members more than 7I per cent, on the average of their purchases. A further economy is also secured by removing all interest in adulteration ; whilst the managers of the stores have nothing to gain by serving short weight or short measure, or by misrepresentations of quality. " Assuming the system of stores to become universal, let us look to the liberation of the capital now employed by shopkeepers and see what would be the result ? " The wages of the working classes of the United Kingdom are estimated at 350 millions sterling per annum at the very least, and nearly the whole of this enormous sum passes directly or indirectly through the hands of shopkeepers. Assuming that 7J per cent, could be saved by substituting stores for retail shops, the economy thus secured would be 26J millions sterling per annum, or enough to put into permanent productive emplojmient 262,500 men at a capital of £100 per man, which is about the amount employed in the coal and iron trades. Such a saving, continued for 15 years, and invested each year at 5 per cent., would at the end of that term be sufficient to permanently employ all the working men in the nation, whilst if the savings were invested productively each year as gained, the result would be arrived at much earlier." Thousands of people who belong to the great body of co-operators in different parts of the Kingdom would never have saved a penny in the whole course of their lives but for the gentle compulsion which withholds the dividend on purchases to the end of the quarter. 130 OPENING OF NEW STORES — 1877 I think it must be owned that, without looking any further, a great and good work is in progress, and that Co-operation will prove to be a great and abiding advantage to the English people, inasmuch as it will, in addition to what I have enumerated, give a material help to the solving of the capital and labour problem. (Applause.) The President then formally declared the stores opened and dedicated to the uses of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society. (Applause.) The audience showed its loyalty by rising and singing the National Anthem. Co-operators at Tea. Upwards of 1,200 persons co-operated in a tea meeting held in the Com Exchange, and afterwards in the same hall there was a concert. Public Meeting. The Mayor (Alderman Banks) presided, arid was supported by the Hon. and Rev. J. W. Leigh, Vicar of Leamington (afterwards Dean of Hereford), the Rev. F. M. Beaumont, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Coventry, Messrs. E. O. Greening and B. Jones (London), Boswell C. Fisher (Montreal, Canada), J. Hepworth (Coventry), J. Butcher (Leicester), W. Jones, J. H. Williams, A. L. Newbold, etc. In opening the proceedings the Mayor said he under- stood the principles of the society were the education of working men in habits of thrift, temperance, ready- money dealings, and economy ; and any society that OPENING OF NEW STORES — 1 877 I3I inculcated those principles must, he thought, be of the very highest character. (Applause.) The report was read by Mr. D. Yardley. It stated that the number of members on the books was 734 — an increase during the year of 220. The sales had reached the sum of £13,276 los. 8d., an increase of £4,184 17s. 5d. The net profit was £1,223 los. gfd., an increase of £459 iis. lod. Thus the increases were, in membership, 43 per cent. ; sales, 46 per cent. ; and in profits 60 per cent. Of the profits, £917 15s. od., equal to 75 per cent, of the whole amount, had gone to members in the shape of dividend, and of this sum £566 19s. od. had been capitalised. The committee took the opportunity to thank the members for the manner in which they had responded to the appeal for funds to carry out the building of new stores, which had enabled them up to the close of September to pay all demands as they arose, without having to borrow a single shilling. (Applause.) The Rev. and Hon. J. W. Leigh, who was cordially welcomed, in the course of an interesting speech, said he believed that Co-operation would become a great and enormous power for good in this country, as it would be a powerful antidote to the evils of trade unions and strikes ; and as it also encouraged prudence, thrift, and forethought, he should always give his support to the movement. (Applause.) Mr. E. O. Greening, among other things, said he had been so moved by the degradation, poverty, and de- pendence of the working classes, that he adopted the Co-operative movement as the only means that he could see of effectually helping the poorer classes in raising 132 OPENING OF NEW STORES — 1877 themselves out of their present degraded condition. He advised the members of the society to have a living faith in themselves, in one another, and in the greatness of their work. (Applause.) The Rev. F. M. Beaumont, in the course of a sjmi- pathetic address, said he believed the objections to the co-operative movement which were held by retail traders, who were a most honourable and respectable body in Coventry — (hear, hear) — were generally founded on mistakes — on errors. He did not think that retail traders would, in the long run, suffer from Co-operation ; though another class — the publicans — might do so. (Hear, hear.) He thought also that Co-operation would help in the solving of the problem of better housing ; at any rate, instead of the wretched old cottages that formerly occupied the site, they now had an excellent block of new buildings. (Hear, hear.) Mr. B. Jones spoke of the evils of adulteration, contending that co-operators stood for purity of food and honesty in trading. Mr. John Butcher commented on the progress of the movem:;nt and its possibilities ; and Mr. Fisher gave an exposition of true Co-operation as a factor in social reform in contradistinction to the methods of the great London Stores. During the evening some excellent vocal music added pleasure to a meeting that marked an epoch in the history of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, and doubtless gave a new impulse to the movement. Chapter XIX. 1878. " If the wild filly, ' Progress,' thou would'st ride, Have young companions ever at thy side ; But would'st thou stride the staunch old mare, ' Success,' Go with thine elders, though they please thee less." — Oliver Wendell Holmes. " ^ I "^0 butcher, or not to butcher ? " That was I the dominating question of the year 1878. ■*■ In the preceding October the members of the society, in quarterly meeting assembled, had unani- mously thanked the committee "for putting up such a beautiful building for us." Now a part of this beautiful building being a slaughterhouse, at the January meeting it was asked when a Butchering Department would be opened ? There were many difficulties in the way, explained the president, but of course the question rested with the members themselves. Whereupon it was resolved to consider the matter at a special meeting. Accordingly, on February 19th, the pros and cons were fuUy discussed. The committee's apinion was voiced by Mr. G. Burton, who said he thoroughly believed in going into the butchering trade — not at that season of the year, however, but in the autumn. 134 1S7S The great expense and considerable risks of such a department were also plainly stated, and the experiences of societies in other towns quoted. " That the committee already had sufficient on the shoulders " was the dictum of Mr. Wm. Jones, who contended that they ought to manage the business they were in well before they opened a new one. A proposition that the society go into the butchering business at once was made by Mr. C. Checkley and seconded by Mr. I. Hamson. The president concurred with Mr. Jones, and the general feeUng seemed to " go with the elders," for as the result of a series of amendments it was decided to adjourn the meeting for a month. When that time had expired, the members postponed the whole subject for three months, Mr. Jones stating that the committee were in agreement with that course ; and at midsummer they adjourned it for two months further. At the August meeting the president called attention to the fact that two societies in the Midlands had made very heavy losses on their butchering trade during the past quarter. Mr. Wm. Jarrams remarked that if they were to go into the trade, now was the time, or they must put it off for twelve months. The result of these prolonged deliberations was a resolution, carried by a large majority, " that the question be deferred until the committee see their way to go into it." As is well known, the " way " has not yet been seen, the society having expanded in other directions. That the course taken was a prudent one in the circumstances is evidenced by the fact that although 1878 135 the membership increased, the expenses of the " beautiful building " were out of proportion to the total turnover. At the end of 1877 ^^^ dividend had fallen to is. 6d. in the pound, and during 1878 the profits were still lower, till at the close of the year the dividend was reduced to IS. 3d. in the pound. It was apparent that, for a time at all events, the society had built in advance of its requirements ; and that the members were not all efficient co-operators, as the total sales began to decrease. An interesting minute occurs under the date of July 16 — Mr. Joseph Squiers, the now ancient co-operator mentioned in Chapter VI., being admitted a member. The sales during 1878 rose to £16,257 ^s. 8d. — a total which stood as the maximum for several years. Chapter XX. A Presidential Review. " Reading maketh a full man ; writing an exact man ; conference a ready man " Bacon : " Essays " (1597). ACTIVE Co-operators were ever characterised by a desire for enlightenment, with a disposition to learn. In accordance with Lord Bacon's maxims, they were given to reading ; they thought, and they wrote ; while their aptitude for talking was never doubted. ' One of the greatest institutions in connection with the movement is the Annual Congress. Dating from 1869, and continuously held ever since, the Congress may be designated the Co-operators' Parliament. To adapt Tennyson's lines — " And Statesmen at its councils met Who knew the seasons when to take Occasion by the hand, and make The bounds of Freedom wider yet.'' Of secondary importance only in the point of size, perhaps, have been the numerous sectional and district conferences in all parts of the kingdom, when delegates have spent their Saturday afternoons in listening to papers and discussing every conceivable phase of Co-operation. For many years the subjects necessarily A PRESIDENTIAL REVIEW 1 37 related to practical administration ; but there has been a progression into the higher realm of Economics — the science of the production and distribution of wealth. For example, on Saturday, September 30th, 1916, there were no less than three conferences in the Midland area — at Burton-on-Trent, Newark, and Coventry — to discuss the Congress paper by Mr. J. F. Hall, M.A., on " The Economic Results of the War, and their Effect upon the Co-operative Movement." The educational value of these meetings has been incalculable. Without exaggeration it may be said that their quality is as uniformly good as the topics are various ; and in view of possible developments owing to the war, and the impending struggle with opponents of the movement, they are of momentous consequence. At least, it is desirable that Co-operators should be well informed, and enabled to maintain their legal rights and privileges. One of many such Conferences in Coventry was held in the Co-operative Assembly Hall, West Orchard, on February 8th, 1879, when delegates were present from numerous societies in the Midland Section of the Co-operative Congress Board. On this occasion Mr. Joseph Hepworth, president of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, who was voted to the chair, made some piquant remarks in the course of a paper on " Co-operation in Coventry." Mr. Hepworth said : — The first committee-men of our society will never forget the discipline which some of them had to undergo. 138 A PRESIDENTIAL REVIEW Buying and preparing goods lor sale, and taking turn behind the counter, were a labour ol love, being volun- tarily undertaken for the love of others. But the hardest hnes of all to endure were those given by the good wife at home — ten o'clock, eleven o'clock, and sometimes later still, the Co-operative committee would disperse homeward-bound. The first salute at home would be, in some cases, " Late again, as usual ! I cannot imagine what you men find to talk about. We women get credit for being good at talking, but you co-operators will beat us hollow. Upon my word, I wish I had never heard the word ' co-operation,' and if things go on like this I shall wish Co-operation at the bottom of the sea." This is but a specimen of what many a luckless husband, belonging to a Co-operative committee, had to put up with, and, for the most part in dumb silence — answers were of no use : these only added fuel to the fire. One good lady, in her warmth and forgetfulness of love and duty, threatened most dreadful things if there was a continuance of these late hours the whole year round. I mention these things just to show what may be called the domestic Ufe of a Co-operative committee-man. Ordinary members of a newly-formed Co-operative Society know nothing of the martyrdom to which those in office are subjected. If they did, surely the habit of grumbling at every little matter and thing, with which some members are afflicted, would soon pass away. At the end of twelve months our weekly sales were about ;£20, and it was deemed desirable to look out for premises in one of the main thoroughfares of the city, and engage a storekeeper. A large house, 45, Bishop Street, was taken for three years, at a rental of £20 per A PRESIDENTIAL REVIEW 139 annum ; in an out-building at the rear a baker's oven was built, at a cost of something over £30 ; and since the premises were taken for three years, certain arrange- ments were made for writing off this outlay within that time. The storekeeper engaged was a man in middle life, who was to be both baker and storekeeper, and deliver bread in all parts of the city where customers lived, day by day. And a pretty hard time he must have had of it, to get at co-operators scattered here and there amongst a population of 40,000 people. More was expected of the man than any one man could accomplish, and though he had the sympathy of some, there were others who intimated that the storekeeper was getting careless and not over-industrious, and it was time to go in for a change. A change was soon effected by the influence of these disaffected ones ; majorities rule in Co-operative committees, but here, as elsewhere, minorities are often in the right. With the engagement of -our second storekeeper our real troubles began. He was a young man, full of activity and dash, who had been trained as a grocer and pro- vision dealer's assistant in the big town of " Brum " — a man " who knew his business " — one of your fast young men. To co-operators I should like to give this advice : Never have such men behind a Co-operative counter ; they always go faster than a Co-operative committee will be able to keep pace with. This fast young grocer, who " knew his business," was no baker, so the bakery department had to be separated from the grocery and a baker engaged. This nearly doubled the wages paid without a corresponding increase in sales ; the business did increase, but not so fast as to 140 A PRESIDENTIAL REVIEW warrant the entire changes made. For this there was no help. " Time tries all " ; and you may take my word for it the committee of that day were very sorely tried indeed. The grocer and the baker could not agree ! The case was not quite analogous to the baker and butler of Joseph's time ; but it would not have surprised us much if our baker and grocer had been found in prison together. About this time a youth was engaged, and apprenticed to the committee for the time being, but from want of moral training and other causes combined, temptation behind a counter was too much for the lad. A prosecution was talked of, but a better spirit prevailed ; his indentures were cancelled, and work obtained for him in one of our mills, where he still remains. These changes brought discontent all round. At the quarter's end we came out with a loss instead of a profit, consequently there was no dividend — the great desideratum of co-operative societies. The committee next engaged a baker and his wife, the latter to take charge of the store when the baker was at the oven or on his rounds delivering bread. At the end of the first quarter, under their joint management, there was a small profit ; but even this did not continue. Everybody's patience was well-nigh exhausted. It was well known that profits were made, but it was difficult to tell who ran away with them ; so that it became necessary to make another change in the storekeeper. One of our members, a weaver, was selected, who with his family was to live on the premises, rent free, have coals and gas found, and he was to be paid by commission on sales effected. £40, £50, and soon ;£ioo per week were received over the counter ; and it may be said A PRESIDENTIAL REVIEW I4I that from that time to the present we have had a con- tinuous tide of prosperity. So rapid was the growth of the society in numbers, with a corresponding influx of capital, that it soon became indispensably necessary to look out for new premises. We were ambitious enough to think of business premises in Broadgate, for which a very liberal offer was made ; but the owner wanted at least one-third more than they were worth. Our baking trade at that time had far outgrown all our accommodation, the city being then in the full tide of prosperity. Rents having risen 25 per cent, in many cases, it was exceedingly difficult to meet with anything like suitable premises for all our requirements, except at such a cost that we had no means to acquire them. After much deliberation and thought, the site of our new stores was fixed upon and secured for £500. The buildings upon it were in a most dilapidated state, not fit for human habitation, and yet two families were occupying two-thirds of the premises ; and it was a difficult matter, after giving notice to quit, to get one of the tenants to go ; finally he had to be got rid of for a consideration. A golden key unlocks many doors. In the meantime an architect was busy with plans for new stores. These being completed, tenders were invited, one of which was accepted, and the buildings commenced without delay, and for business purposes they are generally acknowledged to be as near perfection as the site would admit of. These Stores, at the end of twelve months from the time when they were opened, stand in our balance sheet at £3,104 i6s. gd., having been paid for by the Coventry co-operators " borrowing the money from themselves," as one gentleman very amusingly put the matter. 142 A PRESIDENTIAL REVIEW A First Lesson in Social Reform. (Thus speaks the loving spouse of a Lancashire man who has been found late at night occupied in a maudlin discussion on the subject of " Social Reform.") If Aw live while yon mon comes i' sect, Aw'U bet he's noan lung eawt o' bed ; Ther's summat bin waitin' o' neet 'At's 'itchin' to get at his yed. If yo' see eawr Jack lookin' bad — He happen may walk a bit lawm — Just tak' it fro' me 'at he's had Fost lesson i' Social Reform ! — Joseph Cronshaw, the Ancoats poet. Chapter XXI. An Interlude. " I can call spirits from the vasty deep." — Shakespeare. IN previous chapters an attempt has been made to present a just view of the early history of the society. In succeeding memoirs attention will be concentrated on the trend of the movement, its general poUcy, and extensions into wider domains ; statistics and biographies being separately grouped, so that details may not burden the narrative. But nothing will be intentionally omitted that helps to elucidate " Our Story." The annual meetings of the society, which served the double purpose of affording opportunities for re-unions of the members, and of keeping the Co-operative move- ment before the public, continued to be held for a long succession of years, and were invariably successful, speeches being delivered on various phases of Co-opera- tion, and music being also provided by the society's own choirs. At length the membership became so large that in the absence of a Town Hall this part of the society's operations had to be modified. It is proper to acknowledge that the society's pro- ceedings have always been fairly reported in the local newspaper press, whose columns have been found useful in the preparation of this volume. Chapter XXII. 1879 TO 1882. 1879. A HEALTHY sense of honour is expressed in the well-known British sporting precept, " Play the game ! " How far such a sense consisted with the action of local anti-co-operators in the beginning of 1879 was pubUcly judged at the time, and therefore needs now no argument. A plain statement of the facts will be sufficient to enable present members to form an inde- pendent conviction on this as well as on recent manoeuvres of those who would shackle the Co-operative movement. From the outset the members and the committee had been actuated by that spirit of cheerful, heroic perse- verance against unnumbered odds which distinguishes the British character. Whatever may be said against Co-operation, this at any rate must be conceded of co-operators — they have played the game ! Co-operation is to them a means of social reform, an exercise of moral and legal rights, a public movement — not a conspiracy against individuals. i879 145 But after eleven years of varied experiences the society^'was now to sustain what was meant to be a deadly^ blow. The president and secretary were, as already stated, in the service of the Coventry Gas Company. Both were men of honour and trustworthiness, with whom no personal fault could be found. Nevertheless, certain persons laid a complaint before the company that these two servants of theirs were connected with a business which was inimical to the interests of some of the company's customers. The intrigue resulted in both president and secretary giving notice of resignation at the monthly meeting on March i8th. Reasons for this action being asked, Mr. Hepworth replied, " Because we have been asked to withdraw our names from our official positions with the society." Mr. Newbold said the Gas Company had spoken well of the society, but placed no alternative before them as servants, and he would rather comply with a " request " than submit to a command. The resignations took effect at the quarterly meeting on April 15th, when the two gentlemen were accorded a vote of thanks for their services to the society. Although severe, the blow was not a mortal one. The attitude of the committee of management to the members was a reflection of the song in Charles Kingsley's Alton Locke : — " Face your game and play it ! " There were 929 members ; the share capital was £5,516 ; the quarter's trade amounted to £3,736, and the dividend was is. 4d. in the pound on members' purchases. 146 iSyg The report of the committee for this quarter (ended March 19th) was rather significant, as the following paragraphs show : — " Tested by our numbers we may say ' as you were/ but by co-operators other tests applied. " Your committee say to each other, ' What are the sales ? ' While you (the members) ask, ' What is the divi. ? ' Profits make dividends, and sales make profits under good management and other favourable circum- stances. " But everybody has found out that times are bad, and thousands of business men are at their wits' end, not knowing how to make both ends meet. To be able to hold our own in times like these is a success. " On this point judge for yourselves ! In the bakery department there is an increase ; but in all other branches of trade there is a decrease, easily accounted for ; and while a few of the shopkeepers say of us ' Those co-operators are doing all the trade,' we simply reply ' It is not true ' ; and if they continue the cry until they become hoarse it will not make it true. " We, like them, wait for better times, believing there is room for us and for them." The filling of the vacated offices required and was given very careful attention. Mr. J. H. Williams, who had been a member since December, 1874, and had served on the committee as well as in the treasurership of the society, was unani- mously elected to the presidency. A decision was come to that the secretary should combine with his duties those of manager, and be a whole-time servant of the society. Applications for i88o 147 the post having been received and duly considered, Mr. Geo. Jarrams was elected by an overwhelming vote ; and he has annually been re-elected 37 times with entire unanimity. During the year an endeavour was made to meet the social wants of the members by opening a recreative club room on Saturday evenings. The sales for the year amounted to £14,860 5s. od. 1880. All are agreed that in the matter of music the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society deserves well of the community. Its connection with the divine art began no less than thirty and seven years ago. The year 1880 practically opened with an endeavour to provide for the elevation of the members by the starting of a singing class on February 7th, the inauguration having taken place on the 31st of January with a " coffee meeting." The teacher was Mr. Henry W. Loasby. In this way began the society's prominent connection with the music of the town, the choirs and concerts under the successive training and direction of Mr. H. W. Loasby, Mr. F. W. Humberstone, Mr. Alfred Petty, and Mr. John Potter having had a great reputation, and many notable successes having been attained. At the January meeting the president (Mr. Williams), who had just been re-elected, acid complimented by Mr. Hepworth on the able way in which he was filling the office, made an application on behalf of the committee for authority to spend £25 on repairs and alterations to the Bishop Street Store. The principal work, it appeared. 148 i88o consisted in lowering the building by one storey and altering the front. Of course there was a long palaver, with rather striking results. It was evident that something must be done, as the property had become dilapidated ; but the discussion turned on the best way of providing for the future. Mr. Trewinard moved that the proposed expenditure be sanctioned, which Mr. Hepworth seconded, with an expression of opinion that they should not part with the property, as it was there they had " made themselves." A counter-pro- position was in favour of closing the store there and opening two small branch stores at opposite ends of the town. More business, it was argued, would be done if the shops were nearer the homes of the people. The committee then made a pronouncement of a policy which has proved fertile in results — they were not opposed to branch stores ; on the contrary, they already had a sub-committee looking out for suitable shops. Thereupon the application was granted. As to the policy of branch stores, it may be remarked that the committee have shown commendable prescience. They early recognised that members whose homes were extending to the uttermost parts of the city and its suburbs could not be expected to take a long journey to the centre every time they wished to make purchases. Shops must be provided for the convenience of the people. Therefore, whenever it was evident that a district was likely to develop, they bought a site, and when the time became ripe they erected a store thereon. The society has radiated, so to speak, towards every cardinal point ; and doubtless its progress in recent years has been largely due to this policy. There are now (1916) over i88i 149 two dozen branches in the city alone, and others are contemplated. During the year the subject of persons being investing members only — attracted no doubt by a safe 5 per cent. — was raised, and a return was asked for. This was pre- sented in September, and showed there were 182 members who had upwards of £1,000 invested in the society, but were making no purchases. This led to a proposal to lower the rate of interest. The sales for the year amounted to £14,915 2s. 6d., slightly more than the previous year ; but the increased cost of goods and other causes resulted in a shrinkage of the profits. 1881. At the first meeting a new question arose, not of the members' but of the society's loyalty — that was, the amount of trade done with the Co-operative Wholesale Society. It was contended that those societies which were the most loyal to the Wholesale Society were paying the best dividends. Moreover, the " Perse- verance " had a considerable holding in the shares of the Wholesale Society. The explanation given was that the committee invariably gave the Wholesale Society the preference, other things being equal. When the business of electing officers was reached, the president surprised the members by stating, with much regret, that owing to business engagements he could not accept re-nomination. Being pressed to con- tinue in the office a little longer, he replied that he was unable to do so. Mr. Williams was then unanimously thanked for his services as president, and after expressing 150 i88i his acknowledgments he consented to act as a member of the committee for three months. The question of presidency was of course highly important. Mr. A. L. Newbold proposed that Mr. Wm. Jones be elected president for the ensuing twelve months, and this was seconded by Mr. Wm. Jarrams. A proposition that in the circumstances the matter be deferred for a month was negatived. Thus there was really but one nomination before the meeting. Unlike the mayor of a corporate borough, who is not only required to be a " fit person," but to take a loyal oath and to declare that he is " seized or possessed " of estate to the value of a thousand pounds over and above " what will satisfy his just debts," no formal tests are imposed on the president of a Co-operative society. That he should be a "fit person " and co-operatively loyal goes without saying, and in this case the qualifica- tions were obvious. Admitted a member in January, 1870, elected a committee-man in July of the same year, a consistent worker, a frequent speaker, and an ardent member of the Educational committee, Mr. Jones was undoubtedly a " fit person " ; but a property qualifica- tion of a mayoral character might have been a different matter. Mr. Jones had a rare, if not unique, distinction. The resolution was carried in his presence. To satisfy some delicate scruples, however, he withdrew, and was again elected in his absence. Thus the election of Mr. Jones was duly carried twice over at the same meeting ! The doubly-elected president of course thanked the members, and said he hoped he should fill the office to their satisfaction. In this way began Mr. Jones's long i882 151 occupancy of the presidential chair — 1881-1886, and 1899 to the present time. During the year the " Monthly Record " of the society was criticised. This little journal had doubtless done some service in keeping the members informed of the society's doings ; but it was questioned if it had any value as a means of propaganda, and on grounds of economy also it was proposed the Record should be discontinued or modified. In December, therefore, it was announced that the " Monthly Record " would be- come a quarterly one, and contain the report and balance sheet. As a quarterly publication the Record was continued for a considerable time, but was ultimately discontinued in favour of a localised " Wheatsheaf.'' The trade of 1881 showed a further decline, to £12,973 i8s. od., and the profits only permitted of a 5 per cent, rebate or bonus. The number of members carried forward was 874. 1882. Not yet was the society out of the wood. Business had not expanded in accordance with anticipations ; the expenses were disproportionate ; the withdrawals during the early part of the year were heavy, owing in great measure to several members commencing business or requiring money for building purposes, and the committee felt that " something must be done to put the society on a more favourable footing." One thing they did with a view to an increase of trade was to re- commend that for a period of three months non-members be paid lod. in the pound on their purchases. In concluding the report presented in July, the com- mittee thanked all those members who had so loyally 152 i882 upheld them in the peist, and again appealed to rnembers generally to support " their own shop." They added : " We only need all to do their duty and then we have nothing to fear. The committee can buy well, make good profits, and if they had the amount of trade that is reasonably to be expected of our members, could pay a much larger dividend " than one shilling in the pound. In the second quarter the turnover showed a shght increase in comparison with the preceding quarter, and also over the corresponding quarter of the previous year. But at the October meeting the committee pointedly asked : What had members individually been doing during the year ? " Instead of an increase of some ;f46 it should be at least ten times as much ! We cannot help what's past," the committee continued, " but we can determine to a very great extent what shall be done during the ensuing twelve months." Co-operators usually have a well-developed critical faculty, and are not generally afflicted with reticence : they speak their minds, and they speak out. At meeting after meeting the position and prospects of the society were reviewed at great length. Of course, after the event, several members had an increased amount of wisdom. They had foreseen that the West Orchard site was not an ideal one ; that the new stores would be too large ; that they were not sufficiently attractive, and so forth. Admittedly the turnover was unsatisfactory ; com- petition was keen ; the net profits were not lucrative. It was evident the ratio of expenses was too high ; there must be retrenchment. But how could this be effected ? The problem was perplexing. Prolonged i882 153 discussions took place on the advisableness of closing the Bishop Street Store. Apart, however, from sentimental considerations, there were business points of view. Would it be good tactics to put up the shutters when the shop was doing a trade of £^0 a week, even though branch stores were started in other parts of the city ? The committee recommended closing, and Mr. Wm. Jarrams sentiently remarked that this was due entirely to the members' own shortcomings. The society followed the familiar parliamentary practice of appointing a Commission, with power to act — five members chosen at a general meeting being joined with the committee, and Mr. Hepworth being called in to give expert advice. Meanwhile questions had arisen about the trading in coal. On the one hand it was alleged that this branch had not been adequately supported. On the other there were complaints of the quality, of delayed deliveries, and some members had seemed aggrieved that coal porters were not as polite as London shop-walkers. In the autumn it was announced that a sub-committee had been appointed to deal with the coal difficulty. As a result the society discontinued the agency system, and started in the coal trade on its own account, suppljdng the members direct — a step which has been fuUy justified, as subsequent balance-sheets have shown. The sales for the year were the lowest since 1877, being £12,700 17s. 8d. " Resignation " has been C5mically defined as the heroism of the man who is beaten. Fortunately the " Perseverance " co-operators showed no symptoms of resignation of this kind, as without their knowing it, the dawn of a brighter day was at hand. Chapter XXIII 1883 TO 1885, A New Departure — One Store Closed : Another Opened. THE Society may be said to have taken a new- start in this year, a progressive policy having a progressive response. In January it was announced that the special joint committee mentioned in the preceding chapter had come to a deliberate and momentous decision. This was to open a branch store in the Hill Fields district and to simultaneously close the store in Bishop Street, the manager of this establishment (Mr. Carpenter) to be transferred on equitable terms to the central store in West Orchard. This decision, said the president, had been arrived at after the most careful consideration ; he believed this was the best arrangement that could be made, and he hoped that in carrying it out the members would give the committee their loyal support. Mr. T. G. Read expressed his approval, and bearing in mind the strong views which had been held anent the Bishop Street establishment, asked the members to sink all their differences and work unitedly with the committee to promote the society's prosperity. iS83 155 The committee acted with great energy. Ere long the Hill Fields branch store was opened in Victoria Street, and gave satisfactory results, a trade of over ;£6o a week being recorded by the end of a year. The remainder of the scheme was carried through, and the shop which had been the Co-operative home for fifteen years was closed. Whatever regrets were felt at the time were changed into satisfaction in after years. The trade for the year increased from ^^12,702 17s. 8d. in 1882 to ^13,647 3s. lod. — or nearly a thousand pounds to the good, and the dividend began to strengthen likewise. At the midsummer meeting the committee took occasion to remind the members that by increasing the trade they decreased the ratio of expenses — which meant more dividend. It was, however, complained that members did not send in their checks regularly, as with the same amount of trade as the previous quarter, checks to the amount of £450 more had been received. At the October meeting the committee, in their report, reverted to the topic of loyalty in shopping, remarking : " Your committee have to thank those members who from quarter to quarter bring all the trade they can to their own store ; and those members who do little or nothing they would earnestly ask to consider their position, and see if during the ensuing quarter they cannot at least render a more loyal support to their stores than they have hitherto done. To make any society a success there must be an earnest determination on the part of both committee and members to work well together." At this meeting a sum of two guineas was voted out of the profits towards a fund to provide a lifeboat to be called the " Co-operator." 156 i884 Arrangements had been made with various tradesmen to supply co-operators, but it appeared from complaints that a certain butcher was giving co-operators a pre- ference in a curious way — he was charging them ^d. to id. a pound more for their meat than was paid by other customers. In the autumn a clothing club was started. 1884. Seqond Local Branch Store. Early in the New Year the committee were formally asked by the members to consider the advisability of opening a branch store in the neighbourhood of Spon End. In the March quarter's report the committee stated : " Our branch store is now taking some £60 per week, and this amount is so encouraging to your committee that we have secured premises in Gosford Street for another branch. We have not succeeded in finding a suitable place for a branch store in Spon End, but hope to do so shortly." A dramatic entertainment was given to raise funds to provide a free tea to poor children, and at the April meeting it was reported that the treat had been given and the expenses had all been defrayed. The report of the committee for the September quarter probably characterised the whole year : " The close of another quarter enables us to again place before you a statement of the society's business for three months, and if the whole was stated in as few words as possible, we should say ' as you were.' The business done is less than last quarter if we take the figures, i884 157 but we are glad to say the quantity of goods sold is more, the low prices ruling making the sales appear low. For several years the sales of the society have kept nearly the same, sometimes a little more or a little less. This is, of course, much better than losing ground ; but it is not gaining the ground the committee think the society ought to gain. There is a vast number of working men all round each one of us, and if Co-operation is a benefit to us — and we most emphatically say it is — it might and ought to be the same to them, and each member should not rest satisfied until at least some of these people can be brought to see the great advantage to be obtained by joining us. It should always be borne in mind that we cannot induce a person to join us and become a purchaser without benefitting the whole society. The benefit of one is the benefit of all. If we can but all see this, and realise what it means, it will be a poor co-operator indeed who will not do his best to make the society a noble success and a greater benefit to all concerned." A proposal came before the October meeting to support the movement for a Technical School for Coventry, and on the recommendation of the committee it Wcis resolved, " after some considerable discussion," and "by a considerable majority," to contribute £5 a year for five years. On November 20th a branch of the Women's Co- operative Guild was formed, with Mrs. ShufHebotham as president (see chapter entitled " Woman's Work "). The trade done during the year amounted to ;^i3,g4i 14s. od., being £294 ids. 2d. over that of the year preceding. 158 i885 Revolution in Bread Making. (a) Proposals. Man and bread are said to be unique in Nature. Bread is admittedly " the staff of life." Therefore the committee and the society had always given great attention to the bakery department. Pure food was one of the desiderata of co-operators from the beginning of their movement. It is not necessary in these later days to describe the mode of bread-making which prevailed, except to remark that, speaking generally, no authority on hygiene would pronounce it satisfactory. It is significant that in the early days of the Perseverance Society it was proposed that an additional Jd. per 4-lb. loaf should be charged as compared with that of other bakers, because the Co-operative bread was pure. The expense of maintaining the old style ovens was very considerable, and it was never felt that the system of heating by inside fires was cleanly, any more than the customary handling of the dough in the process of bread making and baking was salubrious. After prolonged consideration the committee decided to take a lead. A special meeting of members was convened for Thursday, May 7th, 1885, to consider a recommendation re the putting in of new ovens and machinery. The position of affairs was clearly stated in the committee's circular : — " Those members who have attended the meetings of the society will know that from time to time a con- siderable sum of money has been expended upon the i885 159 ovens now at work ; and at present they are in such a state as will necessitate the laying out of a still greater sum to put them in anything like a good condition. " Now, considering the great improvements there have been made in ovens for the baking of bread during the last few years, and the number of Co-operative stores in the country which have been and are putting the improved ones down, your committee think that the better plan would be instead of repairing the old ones, to put the new ones in at once — the great cleanliness in the making and baking of bread being in itself a very strong recommendation in favour of this step, inde- pendently of the economical considerations attending the working of the new system." The committee recommended the installation of a two-decker Mason's continuous hot air oven at a cost of £200, and a dough kneader and flour sifter, with engine to work them, also the raising of the ceiling of the bakehouse. The total cost was stated to be about £600. The President (Mr. Jones) moved the acceptation of the recommendations, believing that the adoption of the new system would give a decided impetus to the society's trade by the great cleanliness in the working, the dough requiring a minimum of human labour. He thought there might be economy in working the new system, but of that he was by no means certain, and therefore did not hold it out as any inducement to consider the proposals favourably. The proposals proved to be acceptable. Therefore, after they had been discussed, and enquiries answered as to the provision of the money, they were adopted, i6o 1885 as to the ovens unanimously, and as to the machinery, etc., with only four dissentients. (6) Description of New Bakery. The work was put in hand immediately, and without any undue delay was completed to the satisfaction of all concerned. The following description applies to this new system of bread making as introduced by the society in 1885 : — The bakery consists of two rooms one above the other. The flour is stored in the upper room, while the machinery for making and baking the bread is in the room below — that is, on the ground floor. Starting at the beginning of the process, it is noticed that the flour descends through a shoot. In its descent the flour not only passes through the shpot, but also through a sifting rhachine, which intercepts all foreign substances, lightens it, and makes it more capable of taking up its due proportion of moisture. In the lower room the " sponge " is prepared, " set " in troughs, and, when ready, emptied into the kneading machine, which is half cylindrical in shape, and fitted with two curved revolving knives, each having five blades, whose first performance is the mixing of the sponge. When, in the course of a few minutes, the sponge is thoroughly mixed, the proper quantities of flour and water, with salt, are added to form dough of the desired consistency. The machine being again started, in about ten minutes it goes through its second performance — the operation of mixing and kneading is complete. i885 i6i Under the ancient system the kneading, as every family bread-making housewife used to reahse, demanded perhaps half an hour or forty minutes' hard manual labour, and although the reflection may not be pleasant, " bikers' bread " sometimes had a delicate flavour of human perspiration. Herein is seen one of the great advantages of machinery in the preparation of dough, for the unperspiring arms of the kneader revolve with regularity and ease, uninfluenced by heat, securing a perfect mixing, combined with absolute cleanliness. After being thoroughlj' kneaded, the dough is emptied into troughs, covered up, and allowed to expand, or " rise.'' It is afterwards thrown upon tables, cut into pieces , weighed, and moulded into loaves ready for baking. The oven is a Mason's patent continuous hot-air two-decker, and is so vast an improvement that it may be described as a new creation. Coke is used for heating, and the saving in fuel alone is not inconsiderable. This, however, is a secondary matter, the great advantage being perfection in baking. Generated at the base in the open air, the heat is imparted externally to the ovens by a system of flues. No fire goes inside the ovens ; consequently they are kept perfectly clean. The heat is under control, and can be applied to the top or bottom of each oven, or turned direct up the chimney as may be required. Very little heat being allowed to escape, the ovens only require heating once in every twenty-four hours for a whole day's baking. The " batch " of bread, when baked to a uniform extent, is removed, and transferred to portable racks without being handled, and from thence to the vans for delivery. i62 1885 On the bakehouse (or ground) floor a 3|-h.p. silent gas engine is fixed, which supplies the motive power, being separated from the bakehouse itself by a glazed partition. Other important accessories are a Drake's patent rapid boiler, for heating the water usee? for mixing the dough ; and a Jennison's patent pyrometer — a kind of thermometer in the form of a metallic bar — which is fitted to gauge the heat of each oven. Throughout the whole process the only occasion upon which the dough is handled is when it is being cut up, weighed, and moulded. (c) Public Interest in the Reformed Method. The setting up of the new hygienic system of bread making excited a considerable amount of public interest. The attention of the Medical' Officer of Health (Dr. Fen ton), physicians, and others was directed to it, and they freely recognised its merits. The innovation was undoubtedly one of the turning points in the society's career. The plant was the first of its kind to be put down in Coventry, but soon other bakers began to follow the example, and eventually a surprising number of hygienic bakeries were apparently established in Coventry. Without doubt the city was indebted to the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society for a dietetic revolu- tion. {d) Opening Celebration. Although the new bakery had been in operation for some weeks, the formal opening did not take place until September 15th. It was celebrated by a pubHc te?, apd soiree, i885 163 Before and after tea, the machinery was set in motion, and was inspected by a large number of members and friends, all of whom seemed favourably impressed with its cleanliness and efficiency. After tea the President (Mr. Wm. Jones) congratulated the members upon the completion of the new plant, remarking that as they had spent something like £600 in providing these improvements, they naturally looked forward to considerable augmentation of their baking business. During the evening a quadrille band, under the direction of Mr. Joseph Ingram, played for dancing, and songs were given at intervals, with Mr. H. W. Loasby presiding at the pianoforte. Annual Festival. This year the annual meeting, held on Tuesday, October 31st, was presided over by the Vicar of Stoke — the Rev. T. A. Blythe, D.D. — about 200 having pre- viously partaken of tea. The Rev. Chairman, in an able and interesting speech, outlined the history of the Co-operative movement, and afterwards proceeded to say that of all the schemes for the elevation of the working classes he considered none to be so powerful and effective as Co-operation. The managers could pay ready money for all the goods they purchased, and in consequence obtained them for the lowest possible prices, and might also be said to have the pick of the market. Under a system of credit, the honest people who did pay were charged a far higher price than they ought to be, in order to compensate the tradesman for the losses he might sustain through the i64 1885 dishonesty of others. He sincerely offered to them his congratulations on the actual position of the Co-operative movement in this ancient city, for it was carefully organised and in a flourishing condition. The Secretary (Mr. Jarrams) read the annual report, which showed that the sales for the past year amounted to ^^12,689 i6s. gd. Addresses were given by the Rev. W. Kipling Cox, Vicar of Christ Church, and the President (Mr. W. Jones), who spoke of the many advantages of Co-operation, and of its benefit to the community at large. A compliment was paid to the chairman, on the proposition of Mr. J. Hepworth, seconded by Mr. Charles Shufflebotham. Chapter XXIV. 1886— 1887. 1886. " They have their exits and their entrances." — Shakespeare. MESSRS. A. Letzer, T. Reynolds, and G. Burton had doubtless saved the society money by their superintendence of the installation of the new apparatus for bread-making. Therefore, at the January meeting, acknowledgment was made of their services. The committee recommended that £6 be granted as a relief fund to be given away in bread. The meeting, however, unanimously resolved to grant £10. A bonus for the previous quarter was declared of IS. 4d. in the pound on members' purchases. On the proposition of Mr. Hepworth, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Mr. Wm. Jones was unanimously re-elected president, and thanked the members for the confidence placed in him. At the April meeting, however, Mr. Jones resigned the office, and without going into details he intimated that he had come to the conclusion that the position i66 1886 could be filled with more advantage to the society by someone else. Mr. Hepworth was elected president pro tem. ; and a unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Jones for his services to the society. The state of trade in Coventry was depressed at this time, and the purchasing power of members was in consequence decreased. The sales, however, showed a slight improvement over those of the last quarter, which so far the committee deemed satisfactory. But " what we want," they reported, " is an increase in the number of members who will spend all they possibly can at the stores, and a little more loyalty on the part of some of the members who are in a position to do more with us." In a paragraph relating to the drapery department the committee had a " dig " at a notorious kind of tradesmen's advertising then in vogue. They said, " This department certainly deserves more attention on the part of members. We do not every other week advertise a ' selling off,' and then state that it has been so successful that we have an entirely new stock to continue the sale. We certainly think co-operators should not be caught in such traps as these. We do an honest trade, and as far as possible endeavour to do the best for members ; the more trade done with us the better position you put us in to do still better, and the more money you spend elsewhere the worse position you place us in." The coal department was at the same time reported to have done the largest trade in any one quarter, the sales being ^^404 3s. iid. i886 167 The dividend for the quarter was is. 4d. in the pound on members' purchases. On May i8th the members proceeded to the election of a president, when Mr. H. Penn proposed Mr. John T. Lower, who was seconded by Mr. Wm. Jarrams. Mr. Lower was one of the founders of the society, and had shown his quahty as a committee-man for §ome years. Several members, in addition to the proposer and seconder, spoke in his favour, and the proposition was carried unanimously. Mr. Hepworth then installed Mr. Lower in the presidential chair, which he was destined to occupy for thirteen important years, and offered him his congratulations. The new president thanked the members for his election, stating that he had not sought the office, but he should do his best to fill it satisfactorily. A brief account of Mr. Lower's career will be found in a later chapter entitled " Our Presidents." The first quarterly report signed by Mr. Lower as president stated that business was satisfactory, being an increase to the value of £480 over the corresponding quarter of the previous year ; but — and there was often a " but " — there was still room for improvement, especially in the boot and shoe department, as price and quality would bear comparison with any goods to be obtained elsewhere. The committee asked that the sales should be kept up, so that the dividend might be maintained at is. 6d. In October the Committee had the felicity of con- gratulating the members on the continued prosperity of the society, including a steady increase in the bread trade, and for the fourth quarter a gratifying balance sheet was presented. i68 1887 The sales for the year amounted to £15. 53^ i8s. od., being the second highest in the nineteen years of the society's existence. 1887. " A strenuous soul hates cheap successes." — Emerson. The year 1887 was an eventful one in the history of Coventry. To start with, there was considerable distress ; a Parliamentary election took place ; the Jubilee of the glorious reign of Queen Victoria was celebrated ; there was a large Warwickshire Bank failure : and in the autumn the Technical Institute was opened. These were all in addition to matters which in normal times would have been deemed of first-class interest. Notwithstanding these distractions, the year w£is an eventful one in the history of the societj'. At the January meeting it again appeared difficult to measure the charitableness of the members' dis- positions. The committee recommended a grant of £8 to the local relief fund, but the meeting unanimously resolved upon a 25 per cent, advance, and made the contribution one of £10. This was, however, a comparatively small incident. There were three circumstances, at least, of great moment. One was the expansion of the bread trade, with consequent increase of responsibilities ; the second was an al fresco festival ; and the third was a year's trading which created a new record, accompanied by satisfactory dividends. To what extent the three were interdependent it was perhaps impossible to say. There I 887 169 can be no doubt, however, that the adoption of the new system of bread-making had influenced pubhc opinion, as the demand for " Co-operative bread " exceeded the means of production. The situation was set forth in the report of the committee presented to the meeting on October i8th : " Your committee have for some time been very much inconvenienced through insufficient oven accommodation for baking, and the bread con- sequently suffering in quality, causing complaints from some of our members, which we are determined to avoid if possible by removing the cause. We have there- fore decided to put down more ovens of the same kind as those we have, and have entered into a contract with the patentee to supply an additional three-decker oven. It is now in course of erection, and when complete will give us the power to double our production." The contract price was stated to be £255, the society to make the necessary preparations. That the matter was of urgent character is show"n by the fact that the committee had taken action first, and asked for authority afterwards. The proceeding was sanctioned, apparently without demur, and leave was also given to provide a store-room for flour at a further cost of £71. These additions to the society's plant and responsibili- ties gave a zest to the annual festival, which was held on Tuesday, November 15th, in the society's assembly room. The tea, at which there was a good attendance, was served by members of the committee and the Women's Guild. In the interval between tea and the evening meeting, many persons availed themselves of the opportunity of inspecting the new " three-decker " and the working of the bakery generally. 170 1887 At the meeting the President (Mr. J. T. Lower) occupied the chair, and in opening the proceedings traced the society's progress from the commencement, informing the meeting that next April they would celebrate its coming of age. He concluded by formally declaring the new oven open. The secretary (Mr. G. Jarrams) read the annual report, which stated that the total sales for the year had been £16,723, an increase of £2,000 over the previous year ; of this sum £1,192 represented the increase in the bread trade. The meeting was addressed by Messrs. C. Shuffle- bo tham and J. Hepworth. A Co-operative picnic was a somewhat unusual event. It was held on Saturday, July i6th, and was managed by the Educational Committee, with the assist- ance of the Women's Guild. It proved so successful that at the quarterly meeting the same month a special vote of thanks was passed to the organisers. The sales for the complete year amounted to £17,133 17s. 2d., exceeding the previous record (1878) by £876 15s. 6d., and the dividend for each of the four quarters was is. 8d. in the pound on members' pur- chases. In their report for the concluding quarter the com- mittee congratulated the members on the continued and increasing prosperity of the society, and added : " We sincerely trust our members will be true to their own store, and bring all the trade they possibly can. Then the year that has just commenced (1888) will show better results than even the one just completed, which has been the most prosperous one in the society's i887 171 history." The committee's principle of action was evidently " Persevere and go forward." In July it was announced that a Midland conference would be held in the society's assembly hall on Saturday, August 13th, and members were urged to attend. The conference proved to be of importance, both in regard to its size and the subject. Mr. J. T. Lower was courteously voted to the chair, and the proceedings were exceptionally interesting. The subject was " Co-operative Agriculture," introduced with an able paper by Mr. W. J. LoveJay, of Rugby. The conference was more academic than otherwise, as it was agreed that an insuperable obstacle to progress on the lines indicated was the state of the Land Laws — before G3-operators could get the land they must get the Land Laws altered, which would be a stupendous undertaking. Co-operators had brains, they had schemes, and collectively they had capital ; but they had no political power to compel legislation of the kind required. Although the proposals may have been immediately unfruitful, there could be no doubt the paper and the discussion were of great educational value. Chapter XXV. Coming of Age. THE year 1888 is conspicuous in the history of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, for on the nineteenth day of the third, month the society reached its twenty-first birthday. Not alone by an individual, but by an institution, " coming of age " is usually regarded with interest, and not infrequently celebrated with rejoicing ; and the attainment of the society's majority was an occasion when the members thought they would be justified in making merry. It was realised that this local branch of a national movement for social reform had now established itself : the new cause in an old city had triumphed over all the perplexities of infancy and youth. The triumph was a fairly substantial one ; and with further " perseverance " and courageous prudence it could be consolidated and larger progress ensured. One fact that entered into these considerations was that the sales during the pre- vious year, amounting to over £17,133, had been the largest in the society's experience. The accompanying photograph of an original poster preserved by the president at the time (Mr. J. T. Lower) shows that preparations had been made for a celebration COVENTRY P)!BSEVERANCfe CO-OPEMTIfE SOCIETY, UMITED. ESTABUSHEP 1867. TBi CfKi»Baltt«» of tb* »bOT« beg lo loform Ibo Marobar. and the Public (tooar^llT tbn tb.T lotwd IE COHIB OF M or HE SOCIETT WCINCSMt 4 THBBSIH. AHIL l» 4 1». ItW. On WKPNESDAY. APJIIL IN. I FIEE TEI TO lEKmS WlLi B8 HF.U IN THE ASSEMBLY ROOM. WEST ORCIURD. Kembon mnrt appir fcr "lalr Tl«ke« .it tha Offlce. durin. Ofll« Honra. betwaen April 4 »nd April U. " ' .fter wUeh date No Prea Tlokete wUfbe U«aed to Meroban. ArrXB T£*. j«^ s>«-M>^B<' MEETINGiCONCER WILL «2 HELD IN THE CORN EXCHMGE, AT 7 O'CLOCK. The Rev. F. M. BEAUMONT h»> kincily <■on^^■lll.■(l to prt^id*-. SPEAKCBS- J. T. W. KITCHEIL, Eh, of Bochdale, 6. HINES, Esq, ef Ipsvlcb, Mr. F. H. SMITH. Mr. HEltBEHT COOPEI! Messrs. A. ic H. HANS(>>. ACCOMPANIST . - - .Mr A HANSON •M^rnxm ■,»-»— »^Jn»« <-■.■«».■■.:■» a»»k «-w«»»-*m.»^-»- ■*-y«'»-K»- On THUHSUAY, APHIL 1«. A ^^ CHILDBEirS FESTIVAL THE COK,lT EXCHjIVITGE, ^T S O'CLOCK:. i»-..i.iMiS"'-.i'j\ i-iv TKKtr o\LY.-wa , , .. Arrea WHICH. AW INVITATION BALL WILL BE DKLD 1^ THK (0B> E\tnAMiE._^^ ^^^ Dancing lo comm-jnoe ol H .jdlr-'K hi .ir,-ii ni .i -■ IV- The TlckeMTc.7 ^be Children a F«.ilivalondInvlt9l^oi Hour- f^CQ April 4 to April H. ■ Tleketi iasued to Member. ..r, Reproduction of Cojiing of Age Poster. COMING OF AGE I75 of an important character. First, a free tea to members ; second, a Co-operative " demonstration " with song and speech — the musicians being well-known local artistes, and the speakers men of prominence in the Co-operative world ; third, a treat to juvenile co-operators ; fourth, a Terpsichorean festival. If co-operators were reputedly hard-headed, of clear views, critical acumen, and much force of character, it was evident they also believed in social brightness ; and the programme, carefully prepared, was carried with much heartiness to a success- ful conclusion. The free t\ a to members on Wednesday, April i8th, was a great undertaking, there being several " sittings down," both in the Co-operative Assembly Hall and the West Orchard School Room. At the evening " demonstration " in the Corn Ex- change, too, there was a very large attendance. The Rev. F. M. Beaumont, Vicar of Holy Trinity and - Rural Dean of Coventry, presided, and among those who supported him were Mr. J. T. W. Mitchell (of Rochdale), chairman of the Co-operative Wholesale Society ; Mr. George Hines, president of the Ipswich Co-operative Society; Mr. J. T. Lower (president), Mr. Joseph Hepworth (first president), Mr. Wm. Jones (ex-president), Mr. George Jarrams (Secretary) ; Messrs. W. McGowran, T. Kirby, C. Shufflebotham, G. Burton, J. Taylor, T. G. Beamish, E. CoUedge (Foleshill), W. Jarrams, W. E. Ward, etc. Chairman's Speech. The Rev. Chairman, on rising to open the proceedings, was received with loud applause. 176 COMING OF AGE He remarked that the Co-operative movement was doing more for the working classes of this country than any other movement could possibly do. Why ? Be- cause it was a self-help movement. (Hear, hear.) There were various movements which had been initiated by those whom Providence had made the custodians of great wealth ; but this movement was based on a surer foundation than any benevolent impulse of philanthropically disposed persons, for it depended on the working classes themselves. (Hear, hear.) It was absolutely independent of anything except the energies and capital of the working classes, and the success or failure of the movement must entirely depend on the way in which it was supported or not supported by them. (Hear, hear.) The Co-operative movement was one of those that tended to the stability, good order, and progress of our beloved country, and if there were any who still had any doubts on the subject, it would only be necessary for them to look into the faces of those whom he saw before him in order to be convinced that that movement must be a good one which had enlisted the S5niipathies of so many citizens. (Applause.) It was now easy to see that the rich — the very rich — were getting poorer ; and the poor — or the very poor — were getting richer. This was one of the best signs of the times they could possibly have, because those who were very rich would not miss what was taken from them by fluctuations in agriculture, while those who were very poor would benefit very much indeed by additions to the wage fund of the nation or savings which by their industry or thrift they might be able to accumulate. (Hear, hear.) COMING OF AGE I77 He was told by those who could speak with authority, that there was a marked progress in national prosperity. They might, he believed, congratulate themselves they were on the right line, and that there was considerable progress being made in the well-being of the working classes. That was something for which they might thank God and take courage. He believed there was no other nation which offered such great advantages to the working classes as England. In Coventry alone there were advantages offered to young men or young women belonging to the working classes which were not to be surpassed in any other town or community. (Hear, hear.) Amongst others he might mention the Free Library, the School of Art, and very shortly they would be reaping the full benefit of the Technical Institute, the whole of which would be within the range of the working classes who liked to use them. If they added to these the benefits to be derived from Co-operation, they would have the means for encouraging the working classes to press onward towards improving their condition. (Hear, hear.) He pointed out that this movement was not in opposition to any other, as was sometimes erroneously supposed. There was always room in Coventry for a very considerable extension of the Co-operative system, and the result would be a great increase in the prosperity of the working classes, who made up the bulk of the population. (Applause.) History of Co-operation in Coventry. Mr. George Jarrams, secretary, read a history of Co-operation in Coventry and the Perseverance Society 178 COMING OF AGE in particular, which was concise and interesting. Free use having been made of the paper in the preparation of this narrative — for whicli acknowledgments are due and are hereby made — it is scarcely necessary to give it in extenso. The following brief summary gained publicity through the columns of the Co-operative News : " Mr. Geo. Jarrams pointed out that some years before the Rochdale Pioneers thought of establishing their store, Co-operation was in existence in Coventry. He described the failure of several societies, including the Labourers' and Artisans' Society, which at one time had upwards of a thousand members. The Perseverance Society was started in 1867 ; a number of members who had suffered considerably being some of the first to join, having the conviction that the principle was a sound one ; and rules similar to those of the Rochdale Pioneers were adopted. The store was first opened on the 5th of April, 1867, the receipts being 8s. gjd. for the first day, and the trade for ten weeks amounting to £114- los. 3d., upon which a profit was made of £3 13s. iid., out of which a dividend was paid to members of 4d. in the pound, and to non-members of 2d. in the pound. In 1887 the sales amounted to £17,133 17s. 2d., and the dividend paid was is. 8d. all through the year ; while the share capital stood at £c),0'2']. The total sales since the society started had been £196,449. During the past ten years the sales had been £145,000 ; the profits £13,460 ; interest paid £2,920 ; dividends paid £8,364 ; depreciation of buildings £736 ; depreciation of fixed stock £962; to reserve fund £220 ; to Educational fund £258." Mr. Jarrams added — and this was not reported at the time — " What the future of the society is to be is COMING OF AGE I79 entirely in the hands of the members ; it will be just what you make it. If you believe the principle of Co- operation to be right, just and true, the committee one and all earnestly ask you to join hands with them. In so doing you will help on a cause which most of the best men of the present day are pleased to see making such rapid strides, and which the working men of the northern counties have proved to be of such immense advantage in raising them in the social scale. Let Coventry working men, then, not be behind them in obtaining the benefits they have shown can be realised from Co-operation, remembering always that ' United we stand, divided we fall.' '' Me. Hines. Mr. Geo. Hines (Ipswich), who was received with applause, delivered an able and instructive address. He congratulated the society on attaining its majority, and having regard to the encouraging character of the report which had been read, he advised them to " be not weary in well-doing." He related several anecdotes showing how necessary it was for would-be co-operators to use tact and judgment in trying to convince their wives of the value of Co-operation. He contended that societies had duties as well as individuals, and the principal one in this instance was to endeavour to carry Co-operation beyond the borders of its own immediate operations, such as starting branch societies in neigh- bouring villages. He advised co-operators to leave their dividends to accumulate in the societies, to provide a fund for use when unexpected contingencies of a serious character arose. He gave some figures to show l80 COMING OF AGE how Co-operation was benefiting the masses of the people of the country. There were nine Co-operative counties — Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Durham, and Northamptonshire. Now in those counties only 22 in 1,000 of the population were receiving poor law relief, while in the other non-co-operative counties as many as 33 per 1,006 were receiving relief. In the nine Co-operative counties one in every five of the population was connected with the Co-operative Society, while in the other counties only one in 35 was connected with a store. These figures showed how much Co-operation tended to inculcate thrift amongst the working-class population. In conclusion he went into a calculation to show how co-operators might, by the accumulation of their dividends, become the owners of the houses they lived in. Mr. Mitchell. Mr. J. T. W. Mitchell, who was well received, argued that Co-operation, or the doctrine of association, was connected with the most notable enterprises the world had ever seen. In its elements it touched the interests of all mankind, and it ought to be shown to children as well as to those who were more advanced in life, that Co-operation really meant unselfishness. He re- garded Co-operation as the secular side of the great work in which their chairman was engaged. He con- tended that the consumer had hitherto not received an equitable share of the benefits arising from distribution, and in order to remedy this there was no better method than the Co-operative system. (Applause.) COMING OF AGE I8l Compliments. Mr. J. T. Lower proposed, and Mr. Charles Shuffle- botham seconded, a vote of thanks to Messrs. Hines and Mitchell for their addresses. This was carried with acclamation, and Mr. Mitchell acknowledged the compliment for both. On the proposition of Mr. W. Jones, seconded by Mr. W. McGowran, a vote of thanks was accorded to the Rev. Chairman, who, in acknowledgment, said he had always taken an interest in the subject of Co-opera- tion, and was very glad of having had an opportunity of doing anything that would help them. Musical. During the evening a programme of vocal and instru- mental music was performed, including a stirring Co-operative song, with chorus, entitled " Hand in Hand," the soloist being Mr. F. H. Smith. The meeting showed its loyalty by closing the pro- ceedings with the National Anthem. Second Day. Early on Thursday evening, April i8th, a festival for members' children under twelve years of age was given at the Corn Exchange. After an excellent entertain- ment, refreshments were served out, and the joyous young people were dismissed. The Exchange was then cleared for the ball, and dancing was indulged in until an early hour on Friday morning. So ended a memorable festival. l82 COMING OF AGE Supplementary Notes. Mr. Geo. Hines subsequently published in the Co-operative News an article on his visit to Coventry, which he entitled " In the City of the Three Tall Spires." " Having been to Coventry," he said, " and I do not see that it matters much whether you are invited to go, or whether you get ' sent ' there, so long as you really go there — and having got out of the place in safety and comfort, and having also experienced nothing but kindness at the hands of its residents whilst I was there, it seems to me to be nothing short of a gross slur upon the city for some persons to be holding out the threat to others of being ' sent to Coventry ! ' " Why, bless me ! the place is neither ugly nor dirty ; and the men are anything but hobgoblins, whilst the women might easily be taken for ' sweet spirits ' — and I had a good opportunity of judging respecting the latter, for wandering and gaping about, as is my wont at times, I found myself at one period in the middle of a group of ladies of all ages, with faces brightened with smiles, and breasts gorgeous with pretty flowers, and who I found constituted the local branch of the Women's Guild. They appeared to be all eager and anxious, as if they might wish to bear out John Wesley's description of the zeal of his followers : ' They are,' he said, ' all at it, and always at it.' And in truth those ladies had their work to do that day ; for to attend to the wants of about i,ioo persons in the way of tea and the accessories is no joke." After some general observations on the city, which show that if he went about with his mouth open, he had his eyes open too, Mr. Hines continued : — " The total population of the city at the present time is said to be about 50,000. Out of this number the Coventry COMING OF AGE 183 Perseverance Co-operative Society numbers 955 members. Not a large proportion, some of our friends might say, considering that the society is now twenty-one years old, but a little enquiry soon enables you to see the wherefore of this. The society had some severe struggles in its early years, which have undoubtedly checked its progress ; but it has steadily grown of late years, and its coming-of-age celebration on April i8th and 19th had been so hearty and thorough that one can but think that the society will get a new impetus. It cer- tainly ought to, for the balance sheet shows the features of a well-managed and consistent co-operative society ; but the balance sheet itself might be improved by the addition of a trade account, whilst the additions and depreciations of ' properties,' ' fixed stock,' and ' oven ' accounts could all be shown in the assets of the capital account, instead of having as now three separate accounts. There is a good reserve fund of ^^517, being upwards of 5| per cent, upon the amount of share capital. From the various property accounts no less than £1,667 2s. 8d. has been taken off for depreciation, leaving property which originally cost £6,258 is. 8d. standing at only £4,590 19s. od. in the balance sheet. The society has also an educational fund ; it issues a quarterly ' Record ' ; it has shares in the Co-operative Wholesale and various productive societies ; it belongs to the Co-operative Union, and takes an interest in propagandist and associative work, such as conferences, etc. But there is plenty of scope for our kind friends at Coventry, and I cannot do better, I think, than reiterate my well-meant injunction, and so much the better because it is not original, ' Brethren, be ye not weary in well-doing.' " Chapter XXVI. TO 1892. COMMENCING in 1875, the society had invested the considerable sum of £656 in the Federal Com Mill at Leicester. This society had a chequered career, and its productions had not always been remarkable for excellency. The undertaking now went into liquidation, and Coventry decided to have no part in any attempt at reconstruction. In July the committee informed the members that the failure need cause them no anxiety. In the result the invest- ment was written off, and an adjustment made from the reserve fund. Mr. Otto Striedinger, who at that time was well known from being one of H.M. Inspectors of Factories, presided at the annual meeting on Tuesday, October 31st, in the Assembly Hall, which, after tea, was crowded to excess, many, indeed, being unable to gain admission. The chairman said that Co-operation, as he under- stood it, was the outcome of that spirit of self-assertion in its best sense, which, however it might frighten some suspicious or ignorant persons or monopolists, he looked 1889 i85 upon as one of the healthiest and wholesomest signs of the age. Mr. Duncan Bailey, of Kidderminster, and the Rev. W. E. Chadwick also delivered interesting addresses, and during the evening humorous and other songs were given. At the end of the year a house-purchasing department to utilise the balance at the bank was resolved upon, and new rules were adopted accordingly. Trade still showed an upward tendency, being £645 i8s. od. advance on that of the previous year. 1889. Early in the year the committee gave considerable attention to the organising of the house-purchasing department, and in the report presented to the April meeting it was announced that the rules were ready, and applications for advances would shortly be received. An explanation of the scheme was published in the Record, in which there was a disavowal of opposition to building societies, which were commendable institu- tions. It was in part an economical arrangement, by using capital that was idle, and partially also a beneficial arrangement for " Perseverance " members. " You may depend upon it," the explanation continued, " that nothing adds so much to the prestige of a co- operative society in the minds of outsiders as good tangible assets — good business premises in which the society carries on its trade, and dweUing-houses in well- selected situations, and tenanted by good co-operators who are fully alive to the fact that every pound's worth of goods they purchase at the store brings them a few i86 1890 bricks nearer to becoming the owner of the house in which they live, and gives a stability to a society which nothing else can so well convey." In conclusion the committee said : " We earnestly hope that the scheme now started may be the means of enabling many of our members to become their own landlords, and that they will be able to bless the day they became co- operators." Under the rules the money available for use in building required to be voted by the society from time to time, and at the April meeting the sum of £2,000 was placed at the committee's disposal. In July it was announced that everything was in working order, and that some advances had already been made. In asking for the use of the first ;f2,ooo the committee had stated that they had come to the conclusion to limit the mortgages — one member one house, and not more than £250. Branch store matters again came up in July, when it was resolved to purchase a house and shop " at the bottom end of Colchester Street " — i.e. New Brook Street — a neighbourhood that was growing rapidly. The number of members in December was reported to be 1,087, ^nd the total trade for the year £19,288 3s. iid. 1890. To promote a good feeling among the employees of the society certain social entertainments had been given, but apparently for the first time mention is made in the minutes for January 22nd that the " annual supper " to the employees would be given on a certain Wednesday evening. 1891-92 iSy In August an additional, purchase of property was decided upon, viz., 34, Bishop Street, having a frontage of 29 feet, and containing an area of about 2,198 square yards, part being occupied already by the society for stabling six horses. At the December meeting it was reported that the membership had reached 1,200. The totality of sales for the year was £22,254 3S- od., exceeding the highest previously recorded by nearly £3,000. 1891. Close attention to business management seems to have been the characteristic of this year. The committee had desired to build over the River Sherboume, but the Corporation appeared to be jealous of this proud stream, for the General Works Committee withheld consent. Use of the capital funds seemed to be growing, and the committee in September obtained permission to deal with a further sum of £3,000. Negotiations having been completed, it was in December resolved to purchase 67-68, Spon Street, for a branch store, and also a plot of land at the lower end of Earlsdon Street as the site of a new store building. The business for the year showed a further increase of £5.877 I2S. 9d., the total being £25,031 15s. 9d., and the number of members being upwards of 1,400. 1892. Coventry in 1892 suffered various distractions — the Vicar Rate War in St. Michael's parish, a Parliamentary Election, a Lady Godiva procession, and the much- I 88 1892 trumpeted opening of a new Company shop in the grocery and provision business. Yet the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society continued in its upward path. The committee had for some time desired to extend the central premises, and at length the opportunity came. In the first weeks of March an advertisement was published in the local newspapers, of which the following was, to the committee, the essential portion : — COVENTRY. TO BREWERS, SPIRIT MERCHANTS, CATERERS FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS, AND OTHERS. VERY IMPORTANT AND CENTRALLY- SITUATED FREEHOLD LICENSED PROPERTIES KNOWN AS THE BRITANNIA VAULTS AND MUSIC SALOON, AND THE THEATRE ROYAL OR EMPIRE PALACE OF VARIETIES. TO BE SOI^D BY AUCTION, BY GEORGE LOVEITT AND SON, At their MART, Exchange Buildings, Coventry, on TUESDAY, MARCH 29th, 1892, at Six o'clock p.m., prompt time, subject to conditions incorporating the common form conditions of the Birmingham I^aw Society. LOT 1. — The important centrally-situated Freehold Wine and Spirit Vaults, Tavern, and Music Hall, known as the " BRITANNIA," or " City Palace of Varietie.s," No. 38, Fleet Street, near the centre of the City, let on lease expiring 25th March instant, at a rental of ;£140 per annum. The premises are comparatively newly built, have a handsome and imposing Grecian elevation, and comprise on the ground floor a spacious Public Bar and Concert Room THE DRAPERY DEPARTMENT. (old BRITANNIA MUSIC HALL/ 1892 igi about 43 feet by 35 feet (inclusive of lobby entrance and orchestra) and 18 feet high, with commodious gallery having Bar fitted therein ; stage 29 feet by 14 feet (including dressing compartments) with 16 feet opening, and living- room and cellar under same ; on the first floor (reached by a separate staircase from West Orchard) lofty sitting and bedrooms, each about 20 feet by 18 feet, two other bedrooms, break- fast room, kitchen, larder, and w.c. ; on the second floor — two good bedrooms ; and in the basement, which has very thick walls, prin- cipally of stone, exceptionally large dry ale and spirit cellars and kitchen. The property has a frontage to Fleet Street of 36 feet 8 inches, to West Orchard of 11 feet 7 inches, and contains 280 square yards or thereabouts. Immediate possession can be arranged. LOT 2. — The Theatre Royal or Empire Palace of Varieties. An idea of the " handsome and imposing Grecian elevation " will be gathered from the accompanying illustration. That the property was very desirable from the society's point of view needed no argument : it was practically next door, and fronted to an important main thorough- fare — part of the " high " street from London to Holyhead. The committee therefore determined upon a purchase if it were possible. At the sale the bidding was very slow, and when it reached £1,200 the property, which had cost the owner £z,5^o, was knocked down to Mr. J. T. Lower, president, for and on behalf of the society. The " Britannia " had been well known in the city for some years, and in it many popular music-^=ill 192 1892 artistes had appeared, and also the notorious Tichbome claimant, Arthur Orton, when his Coventry sympathisers foregathered to meet him and admire his physical amplitude. To the purchase price of £1,200 there was to be added the sum of £190 for fixtures taken at a valuation — making altogether £1,390. From a merely business point of view the transaction was a good one ; and that the " Brit." would prove a valuable addition to the society's properties, obtained at a moderate cost, was quite evident. But what would the members say ? Any fears on this ground were soon dispelled, for when the members assembled in special meeting on April 19th, they unanimously expressed their approval of the action taken by the committee, and also gave authority for the spending of whatever money might be requisite to make the premises suitable for the purposes of the society. And what was to be done with the property ? The committee soon made up their minds. Actuated by great public spirit they decided to have no connection with the liquor traffic ; they refused an offer of £300 by a brewery company for the transfer of the license, and allowed it to lapse without compensation. The premises were soon converted into a central drapery and boot and shoe store. Apart from the social gain to the community by the extinction of a fully-licensed public house, the altered premises constituted a distinct architectural advancement over aqy of the existing co-operators' buildings; and very soon "Britannia" was ruling over activities that were making for the improvement i8g2 193 of those who passed beneath her trident, as she is to this day. Previous to the alterations being effected, however, a concert, arranged by Mr. A. Barnett, was given in the Music Hall. This took place on Monday evening, May gth, and the following was the PROGRAMME. Glee . . . . . . " Oh, who will o'er the downs so free ? " Song . . . . . . . . . . " Fond heart, farewell " Mr. G. A. Maley. Song . . . . . . . . . . . . " Ora pro nobis " Mrs. Barnett. Humorous Song . . " He hadn't been used to luxuries " (Encore : "I forget.") Mr. J. R. Stilwell. Whisthng Solo Mr. Webb Song . . . . . . . . . . . . " My Pretty Jane" Mr. D. Sidwell. Duet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " No, sir ! " (Encore : " Money Matters.") Mr. and Mrs. Barnett. Ventriloquial Entertainment . . . . Mr. F. Lloyd Glee Song . . Violin Solo Song . . Song . . Duet . . " By Celia's Arbour " " Tit for Tat " Mrs. Barnett. Mr. W. Russell. Mr. J. R. Stilwell Mr. G. A. Maley. Messrs. D. and I. S. Sidwell. . . " Bohemian Girl " The Whisthng Coon " " In happy moments ' " Brotherly love " There was a crowded attendance, and the programme being well sustained, the concert proved a success. H 194 1892 Daring the evening, Mr. J. T. Lower (president) gave a short statement of the growth of the society, which liad now been established twenty-five years. Its original membership was 48, with a capital of £64. The proceeds of the first day's business amounted to 8s. gjd., and the takings for the first year to £307 los. lod. In their anniversary week of this year the daily average takings amounted to £115 — (applause) — whilst the total income for the year was £30,194 19s. 9^d. The membership had increased to 1,524, and the capital shown on the last balance sheet amounted to £15,483 7s. 9d. (Applause.) Mr. Lower then spoke of the advantages of Co-operation, and wished success to the proposed extension of the society's business. (Applause.) At the annual meeting in November, in the society's Assembly Room, there was again a crowded attendance. The President congratulated the members on the great increase made during the last year, in members, sales, and capital. Progress had been so rapid as to leave little to be desired, he said. One of the greatest advances was the opening of branch stores ; and it had remained for the co-operators of Coventry to turn a music hall and public house into a Palace of Thrift. (Applause.) The secretary's report showed that the shop in Spon Street was doing a trade of £50 a week. The Britannia Music Hall had been altered to make it suitable for their drapery and boot trade. At the previous Christmas the stores in Gosford Street moved to larger and more convenient premises. There had been paid in interest and bonus to members during the year £3,309 8s. lod., 1892 195 and under the house-purchasing rules they had advanced to members £4,278 3s. 2d., completing the £6,000 authorised for the purpose, and it was felt desirable not to apply for more at present. Councillor W. J. Wormell addressed the meeting, as did also Mr. W. Jones, and a concert was given. During the whole year unremitting attention con- tinued to be given tp business management, while the members on more than one occasion acted in a spirit of generosity. The sum of two guineas was subscribed for the benefit of the West Greenwich Society, which had suffered a loss of £2,000 by the bursting of a water main ; and arising from the accounts for the fourth quarter was a grant of £10 towards the relief of local distress. The total trade for the year rose to £34,505 19s. 2d., and the dividend to 2s. in the pound ; the number of members on the books being upwards of 1,700. Chapter XXVII. TO 1898, 1893. IN addition to the £10 granted to the relief of local distress, as mentioned in the last chapter — which was actually voted at the meeting in January — substantial amounts were given to several relief funds in other parts of the country ; the annual subscription to the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital was in- creased to £5 5s. od., and in October £20 was voted for equal division among the four philanthropic societies in Coventry. That business was moving is shown by the fact that in the autumn power was given to the committee to proceed with the scheme of building a house cind store at Earlsdon, in accordance with a general resolution passed two years previously. At the quarterly meeting in October suitable references were made by the president and Mr. Wm. Jones to the recent sudden death of Mr. Joseph Hepworth, the first president of the society. The turnover for the year advanced to ^^36,216 i8s. lod., having more than doubled itself in five years, besides a business of about ;£i,ooo through various 1893 197 tradesmen on commission, and the number of members was in its twentieth hundred, with a dividend for the final quarter of 2S. in the pound. The proceedings at the customary annual meeting on November 13th led to a rather strong newspaper controversy, an anonymous writer learnedly criticised the accounts, and other correspondents took up the anti-Co-operative tale. The replies were not wanting in vigour and directness. The president of the Coventry Grocers' Association could not but yield to the tempta- tion to enter the fray. " What is Co-operation ? " he grandiloquently asked — and did not wait for an answer. He proceeded to give his own definition, as follows : — " In theory, the greatest good for the greatest number ; in practice a cold-blooded war of extermina- tion of all private traders." And he added the following declaration, which was meant to be very crushing : " An average go-ahead trader can at all times and under all circumstances snap his fingers at the ' Co.' " It is well, sometimes, to see ourselves as other people try to , make believe they see us, and co-operators who knew the facts enjoyed the fun. The controversy served to enlighten the public, and in the course of a short time the society went up by leaps and bounds. In fact, during the controversy itself the sales increased by more than £130 a week as compared with those of the previous year ! At this period it was customary for district associations to present reports to Congress annually on the work in their respective areas, and to the Co-operative Congress in May, 1894, the Coventry District Association sent a report, from which the following passages are taken : — igS 1893 " The Coventry Perseverance Society has rapidly increased in numbers and trade, so much so that it has been openly attacked in the public press by several of the leading traders of the city, who have become jealous of the progress made by the society ; and the Coventry and District Grocers' Association also at their monthly meetings have been discussing the question, chiefly upon the question of income tax, but owing to the spirited and energetic replies written by the president and secre- tary of the Coventry society and others, they have ceased firing, and have retreated from the position with very doubtful honours. "It is well to place these instances on record when they occur, so that the members of other societies may see the importance of being thoroughly united, especially committees, so that whenever an enemy appears they may be able to show a bold and united front. " The Coventry educational department also have been well to the front during the year, having started a choral class under the best master to be obtained, and have just closed the season with a highly successful concert in the Corn Exchange, also ambulance classes both for men and women, and nursing classes for the latter. They have also established weekly pleasant social evenings for men, at which various subjects are discussed, and the meetings enlivened with songs ; and trade unionists especially, as well as all others, have been invited to attend, and the new departure has been fairly successful. A course of lectures also, by Mr. J. A. Hobson, on the ' Making of Wealth,' has been given, which could scarcely have been done but for the assistance given by the society. i894 199 " The Women's Guilds of both Coventry and Rugby have been well to the front during the year, and have done very useful and highly appreciated work on behalf of the movement." 1894. Education has ever been a strong point with co- operators, and the work of the society in that regard has been notable. Absolute unanimity on this or any other point could scarcely be expected in a membership of eighteen hundred, and there were some members who doubted the expediency of maintaining a rule that so much as 2^ per cent, of the net profits should be set aside for educational purposes. Seeing, therefore, that a special meeting was to be held on January 23rd to make some alterations to the rules, notice was given to move that the amount be reduced by one-half, that is, to ij per cent, of the net profits. The subject was fully discussed, but the case for the higher amoimt was ably stated by Mr. W. Jones and Mr. Jas. Clay, on behalf of the educational committee, and the motion was decisively rejected. From its first days the society had paid 5 per cent, interest on capital, but money became cheaper, and this and other circumstances brought about a change. • At the January meeting a rule was adopted providing for the payment of 5 per cent, on amounts up to ^^50, and 4 per cent, on all higher amounts. Trade generally suffered great depression, but for- tunately for purchasers prices ruled low, especially for bread and flour. These conditions accounted for the falling off in receipts of £47t 6s. 2d., although quantities 200 1895 were greater. A dividend of 2s. in the pound was maintained throughout the year, notwithstanding extra depreciation and additional contributions to charitable purposes. 1895. In their report to the quarterly meeting in January the committee stated that despite the " fearful depression " the Society's trade had, on the whole, vastly improved, that the society was increasing in usefulness and prosperity, and was in a sound and satis- factory condition. The number of members had now turned two thousand. In asking for additional support by an improvement in the average rate of purchase per member, the committee gave the following warning : " Do not be led away by the puffing handbills and so-called ' presents,' which are only a species of trap to catch the unwary. We believe we may trust you not to thoughtlessly leave your own stocks on the shelves of the stores, while you join in the rush for so-called ' bargains ' of speculative traders in this period of excessive and unhealthy competition." Concluding their report, the committee said : " Our members may feel proud of the society as a commercial concern when we consider the unsettled state of trade that has existed so long. Hitherto we, as a society,- have come out of the commercial struggle remarkably well, and it should be noticed by every one of our mem- bers, but especially by the weak co-operator, to whom it should give more confidence in our movement ; for a society that can hold its own (and this we have done) in the battles and storms of commercial life, so to speak. 1896 201 gives abundant proof of its soundness and stability. The success that has been achieved by Co-operation, and which has been such a friend in time of need, should help us all to be more loyal in the future than we have been in the past." Another sum of £20 was given to the four philanthropic societies of the town. The greater portion of the year elapsed without incident of a special character, although it may be noted that several charitable contributions were voted, including a donation of two guineas to the National Lifeboat Institution. At the October meeting authority was given to the committee to lend a further sum of £2,000 to members under the house-purchasing rules ; and some mis- apprehension was dispelled by the president stating that the contractor for the new stores at Earlsdon was being paid the union rate of wages by the society. The membership still increased, and the turnover for the year advanced by ;fi3,2o8 over the previous year, totalling £49,953 I2s. 8d. 1896. The year's proceedings practically opened with another contribution of £20 to the local philanthropic societies ; and, in all, the society contributed to charitable purposes during the year a sum of £30. Towards the end of the year special business occupied a good deal of attention, the committee devoting much time and thought to bringing important schemes to a head. As a result it was resolved : — 202 1897 1. To purchase a piece of land in Springfield Road, Five Ways, and to erect thereon a branch store and eleven houses to sell to members. Total estimated cost, £3,500. 2. To purchase Nos. 23 and 24, Victoria Street, Hill Fields, to provide for the growing trade, No. 23 being already in the society's occupation. Authorised expenditure, ;£6oo. 3. To invest £1,000 in Co-operative production societies. The sales for the year advanced to £57,999 os. 6d., having doubled themselves in five years ; the number of members increased to 3,011, the reserve amounted to upwards of £2,000, and the average dividend was 2S. lod. 1897. The following paragraph from the report of the Coventry District Association presented to the Co- operative Congress at Perth fairly well describes the position in the spring of this year, including as it does certain statistics for the April quarter : — " The Coventry Perseverance Society is making very rapid progress, so much so that the committee have all their work cut out to keep pace with its growth, the sales for the quarter just ended being over £19,100, or upwards of £6,000 more than in the corresponding quarter of last year. In our last report we mentioned the buying of one of the stores (that had previously been rented) for the purpose of extension and improve- ment ; the necessary alterations are now nearly complete and will be a vast improvement. A piece of land in 1897 203 Five Ways, purchased for the purpose of building a new branch store, has an imposing corner store erected upon it, and eleven cottages adjoining, all being very nearly completed, and the cottages mostly sold to our members under the house-purchasing department. The society is also making arrangements for opening a new branch at Wolston, a populous village five miles away, and where at one time a fairly flourishing society existed. The educational committee have been doing good work, as usual, in classes and in other ways, and have just concluded the season's choral classes with a performance in the Corn Exchange of Haydn's ' Seasons,' which was in every way an immense success. A determined effort was made in the earlier part of the year by the general and educational committees combined to establish a productive society for the manufacture of cycles. Many meetings were held for the purpose, and visits paid by deputation to the Wholesale at Manchester, and to other places, but it was ultimately found that sufficient capital would not be forthcoming to ensure its permanent success, and so it was with very great reluctance abandoned for the present. We hope the day, however, is not far distant when another attempt will be made, and, we hope, successfully." The special charitable donations during the year included £2 2s. od. to the Birmingham Orthopaedic and Spinal Hospital, £20 to the India Distress Fund, and £10 to the philanthropic societies. The number of members continued to increase rapidly, as many as 235 being admitted at one meeting, and totalling to nearly 4,000 at the end of December ; the sales amounted to £82,850 i8s. id.— an increase of 204 1898 £24,851 I7S- 7^- over those of the preceding year — and for several quarters a dividend was paid of 3s. in the pound on members' purchases. 1898. Woman's usefulness in the Co-operative movement was further acknowledged in October by the enlarge- ment from five members to seven of the educational committee, that two women might be included in its constitution, the elected being Miss Alice Kirby and Mrs. Shufflebotham. Additional subscriptions were approved of as follows : To the Kenilworth Convalescent Home, £2 2S. ; to the Coventry Ragged Schools, £2 2s. ; and to the Coventry Fire Brigade, £1 is. The total amount devoted to charitable purposes during the year was £42. On November 29th the society confirmed the purchase for £1,425 of the property known as Britannia Buildings — premises on the east side of West Orchard, and at the rear of the Fleet Street drapery store. All that was now needed to complete the set of buildings was the corner block (West Orchard and Fleet Street). At the same meeting it was decided to reduce the interest on withdrawable share capital to 4 per cent. During the year the number of members rose to 4,435, and the trade done to £88,132, the net profit being £18,168. The average dividend was 2s. 7d. in the pound on members' purchases. Chapter XXVIII. 1898 {continued). Our Great New Bakery. IN Cox Street, by the City Flour Mills, the society, through the committee, had purchased a large plot of land for about £1,000. Now the demand for " Co-operative bread " had greatly increased, and was still increasing beyond the means of production. It was therefore resolved to build on the Cox Street site a new and commodious bread-baking establishment, designed for the purpose, and equipped with the most hygienic and up-to-date machinery and appliances — to go a longer step forward than was possible in West Orchard. Messrs. G. and I. Steane, architects, of Coventry, were entrusted with the preparation of plans, and Mr. C. Gray Hill, of Covenfy, was given the contract. Tall and fair the building rose — in red brick and terra cotta, the total expenditure involved being about £6,000. This was an impudent venture, as some thought, for a society of working men co-operators. It proved to be the biggest bakehouse in the district. How it contrasted with the original 206 NEW BAKERY, 1898 £30 bakery in Bishop Street ! It was the more remark- able as the society was just buying the Britannia Buildings. (See Chapters XXVII and XXIX.) The opening of the new bakery was fixed for Tuesday, November 22nd, 1898, and it was a two-fold function ; inspection of the buildings with tea on the premises, public meeting with concert in the Com Exchange. A large crowd of people visited the bakery in the afternoon, and if any had been fortunate enough to secure the services of an " intelligent guide " they might have listened to a description somewhat as follows : — " You see, ladies and gentlemen, the committee have not used the whole of the land at their disposal, but have reserved some for possible extensions even to this great structure. " The building is three storeys high, and you will notice it has a fine elevation. " The ground floor consists of the bakery, which is 65 feet long by 29 feet wide, and 14 feet high. " We will go inside if you please. Here, you will notice, there are nine of Messrs. Cox's patent heat-trap ovens. The face of this room and the ovens is covered with white glazed bricks. This machine is what is called a " dough divider " ; it is by Messrs. Melvin and Co., and it cuts 48 two-lb. loaves at one operation, and they are weighed automatically. You wiU perceive how great an advance this is over the old system of cutting and weighing by hand. You may say the committee are always desirous of effecting improve- ments — that is, real improvements — whenever possible. Adjoining is a cooHng room for bread ; then there is a mess room for the bakers, and an office. THE BAKERY NEW BAKERY, 1898 209 " Will you please come upstairs ? Here, on the first floor, you see the main room is of the same size as the bakehouse ; it is ii feet high, and contains a three- sack "Adair " dough-making machine, fed from a Gardener's patent flour sifter. Over the mess-room is an engine-room, containing a 6-h.p. Crossley's gas engine ; and there is also a room over the bread- cooling room. " Up still higher, please ! Here we find the top room is of the same size as the other two below. This will be the principal flour room. It contains hoppers through which the flour will pass to the sifter before going into the kneader. You will notice how strongly built the bakery is. That is necessary, because there will be storage for about 3,000 sacks of flour. " Now, we will descend, if you please, and. go outside. At the rear of the buildings you will see there is a good yard, with stabling for nine horses and a shed for vans. " Yes ; the firing of the whole of the ovens will be done from the yard, so that the bakehouse will be kept entirely free from dirt. In short, all the considerations to which attention was given in building the bakery in West Orchard were borne in mind here ; but the whole of this new bakery is planned on a larger scale, and every- thing is of the most advanced type. " These new premises are capable of dealing with more than double the quantity of flour that is baked in the old buildings ; and the committee only want all your custom now to make the venture a complete success. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your polite attention. Good afternoon ! Much obhged, sir, I'm sure. Next party, please ! " 210 PUBLIC MEETING, 1898 Tea was announced to be on the tables at 5 o'clock, and it was once more evidenced that co-operators are demonstrators of the first class. Public Meeting. In the evening the Com Exchange was crowded to excess for the meeting and concert. Mr. J. T. Lower, president of the society, occupied the chair. The annual report of the committee stated that there was again an increase in both the trade and the member- ship of the society. The increase in membership was 688 — the number on the books being 4,362. The sales for the year were ^^88,621, showing an increase of £12,082 over the previous year. The profits, after pajang all expenses and interest on capital, with £141 5s. 4d. brought forward, were £i-Z,^7 19s. gd., and had been disposed of as follows : — Dividend to Members ;£11163 7 10 ,, Non-members 508 18 2 To Educational Purposes, as per rule. ... 318 15 6 To Reserve Fund 503 18 4 To Depreciation of Property and Fixed and Rolling Stock 812 1110 Carried forward 370 8 1 £\3fin 19 9 The present value of property owned by the society was /i3,839 ; fixed and rolling-stock, £1,384 ; reserve fund, £2,845. The penny savings bank was still used very largely : there had been paid in, £2,654 '• V^^^ '^'^^> £2,280 ; and the present claim was £3,489 — an increase of £491 over the preceding year. The share capital of the society, in face of the depressed trade, still grew. Contributions received were £12,799. The present dividend was 2s. 6d. in the pound. TRADE IN 1898 211 A brief address was delivered by the chairman ; and ]\Ir. E. 0. Greening, of London, spoke on the progress of the Co-operative movement and the advantages which it conferred upon the worker. During the evening an excellent concert was given by the following : — ■ Vocalists Miss Florrie Millidge. Miss Annie Smart. Mr. P. Curran. Mr. W. H. Ward. Humorist Mr. W. J. Sutton, of Birmingham. Accompanist Mr. P. Curran. Part Songs by The Crystal Palace Festival Choir — Conductor : Mr. Alt. Petty. Trade in 1898. The progress of the society in 1898 appears the more remarkable when viewed in relation to the state of local trade. Many people were unemployed, and dependent upon charity or poor law relief. The situation was thus described in the Coventry Herald and Free Press of 30th December : — " Eighteen hundred and ninety-eight has been a bad trade year in Coventry ; like its pre- decessor, it has witnessed the continuance of the reaction which followed the cycle boom of 1896. It would not be correct to say that the morals drawn from that event have been abundant, for in truth they have been monotonous ; the principal lesson in the case has been the old lesson of fools and rogues and rogue-fools. . . . There are people identified with cycle company specula- tion who would, if the law were on a satisfactory footing, be now undergoing penal servitude ; everybody knows who they are ; whether they have kept their money or lost it, they are enemies of society." Chapter XXIX. AND 1900. THE report presented to the Co-operative Congress held at Liverpool in May, by the Coventry District Association, nominally for i8g8, really carried the history up to the spring of 1899. The portion relating to Coventry was as follows : — " The Coventry Perseverance Society is still making very rapid progress, so much so that the committee have all their work to do to keep pace with its require- ments. As mentioned in our last report, they were building a new bakery in Cox Street, Coventry. This is now quite complete and in full working order. The buildings are of quite a modem tjrpe, and fitted with rnachinery and ovens of the latest and most approved patterns, and it is altogether one of the handsomest and best-equipped bakehouses in the kingdom. Occasion was taken of the opening to hold a monster tea for the members on the premises, when it was filled to over- flowing. " The society has just bought for extension a large block of property consisting of six shops, adjoining their 1899 213 present drapery department, and called Britannia Buildings, which extend along West Orchard to the rear of the Central Stores, and plans are prepared for the requisite alterations, so that they will be all used by the society for extending their present departments and entering upon new ones, and the City Council have just passed a plan for connecting this building with the central offices by a bridge over the river. It will thus be seen that the committee have not been able to stand idle. " The educational committee have been, as usual, hard at work all the year. The continuation classes Icist year bringing such excellent results, they are con- tinued this year also, and the different classes keep our large room occupied nearly every night, among other subjects taught being shorthand, writing, music, singing, the life and duty of the citizen, common things, etc. ; and the choral class, in addition to attending the Crystal Palace Festival, have just concluded the session with a very successful concert in the Com Exchange. " We should not do justice by this society if we omitted referring to the Women's Guild, which works in perfect harmony with the other committees of the society, and it is not too much to say that the strength of the Coventry society is in no small amount due to the help and work of the Women's Guild." In another paragraph it is stated that one of the district conferences took place at Coventry, " and by the extreme courtesy of the Coventry committee was held in the new bakery, which was just completed, and opportunity was given to inspect the whole of the buildings and machinery — a privilege the delegates highly appreciated." 214 1899 Posing as a " thorough educationalist," one of the members at the adjourned quarterly meeting on Feb. 20th made another attack on the setting aside of 2j per cent, of the net profits to the educational fund. The rule which governed the matter is not without interest in these days. It provided that the profits of all business carried on by or on account of the society shall be applied, inter alia, as follows : — " In promoting instruc- tion, culture, or recreation, by forming ^n educational fund, to which such proportion as the society may direct, and subject thereto, 2J per cent, of the net profits, or such larger sum as any ordinary business meeting may vote, shall be carried." The member in question thought 2| per cent, was too much, and that ij per cent, would be quite enough. The motion having been seconded, the President (Mr. Jones), Mr. Clay, and Mr. Adams opposed any tampering with the fund, and the resolution was rejected. Mr. J. T. Lower, who in another chapter is designated as a typical working man co-operator, had been president of the society during thirteen years of exceptional activity and progress. He had devoted himself zealously and unsparingly to the promotion of the society's interest, and in that regard he had found his reward — he was esteemed for his work's sake. The time had unfor- tunately now come when, from personal considerations, he felt he could no longer continue in office. Although he had been re-elected at the meeting in the previous January, on April i8th, Mr. Jas. Clay, acting-chairman, announced that Mr. Lower had resigned. He had done so in a letter which showed that the severance caused him the keenest pain. The members had no alternative i899 215 to accepting the resignation, however, and tlie oitice of president was once more vacant. The chairman stated that the appointment was in the hands of the members, but the committee had considered the matter, and on their behalf he moved that Mr. Wm. Jones be elected president for the remainder of the term — that was, until the succeeding January. This was seconded by Mr. T. Claridge. Three other names were suggested, but the owners of them declined nomination, and the election of Mr. Jones was carried unanimously. Some very unpleasant episodes in Coventry, caused by the St. Michael's Vicar Rate, were terminated by a scheme for its redemption — buying the rate out, so to speak ; and towards the fund for the purpose the committee, at the July meeting, recommended that the sum of five guineas be granted. The president explained that several of their stores were in St. Michael's parish, and the committee thought the society should do some- thing towards getting rid of the rate. The proposition was contested, of course. There was a principle involved, and very strong feelings had been aroused during the agitation against the impost. But eventually the recommendation was adopted. The society's business had grown to such an extent — a turnover of ;f88,ooo a year and a number of shops — that a feeling was expressed that it would be proper to separate the double duties hitherto performed by Mr. Jarrams, who was overtaxed, and appoint a general manager in addition to a secretary. The subject was referred to the committee in July, and in October they reported that they had decided to appoint a man to take charge of the grocery department and the stores. 2i6 igoo Early in the year a sum of £500 was set aside for the conversion of Britannia Buildings into suitable shops, and other alterations at West Orchard. Some criticisms being offered of the metallic check system, which it was contended was now completely out of date and unsatisfactory, enquiries were instituted respecting other systems, but it did not appear that a change would be advantageous. The turnover for the year — £85,751 19s. 2d. — showed a falling off of ;f2,38o gs. 8d. ; but it still constituted the second highest on record, and the decline proved to be temporary. 1900. In this year, the thirty-third of the society's existence, and the closing one of the century, the sales increased to nearly one hundred thousand pounds — the precise figures being £99,936 7s. lod. — the profit was £16,550 2s. 6d. ; the dividend 2s. 6d. in the pound on members' purchases, and the number of members made a start on its sixth thousand. The society gave away in charitable subscriptions £58. The new stores in West Orchard were opened in February, and a portion of the twenty-three-year-old " beautiful building " was set free for the better accom- modation of the administrative staff. At a special meeting on April 17th, the members confirmed the purchase for £1,800 of a piece of land on the Allesley Road, containing 9 acres and 33 perches, to be used for grazing the society's horses, the money being drawn from the reserve fund. The death took place on December 3rd of a valued member of the committee in Mr. Thomas Kirby. igoo 217 Mr. Kirby, admitted to membership of the society on loth December, 1867, while residing in Alma Street, was a working watchmaker. Portly in build, of genial disposition, and characterised by common-sense, he was filled with the Co-operative spirit. Having been shortly elected to the committee, he devoted himself unstintedly to its work ; taking an active interest in the bakery business, showing judgment in the purchase of horses, and being especially useful in pig-buying — an important branch of the society's transactions. His integrity was indicated by a dictum of his which is well remembered. A parcel of butter not proving altogether satisfactory, he said, with a twinkle in his eye, if the committee made a mistake, it was they who should suffer : they ought to buy the butter and eat it themselves ! Mr. Kirby was of very great service to the society during the long period of his membership of the committee — nearly thirty years — and his death was keenly regretted by his colleagues and all who knew him. It was the period of the South African War, and in addition to other charitable subscriptions, the sum of £5 5s. od. was voted to the Mayor's Fund for the benefit of widows and orphans of members of H.M. Forces, and a like amount to the Midland Daily Telegraph fund. The District Association reported to Congress as follows : — " On April 28th the first conference was held at the Coventry Assembly Room, when Miss Llewellyn Davies's paper on ' Co-operation in Poor Neighbourhoods ' was read. The discussion which followed was not at all in its favour, the paper being severely criticised. After tea, the tone of the delegates' 2i8 1900 remarks was reversed as they were conducted through the new portion of the Perseverance's premises, venti- lating their feelings with praise and good wishes for continued prosperity, which the society deserved in the endeavour To meditate, to plan, resolve, perform, Which in itself is good, as surely brings Reward of good, no matter what be done. Here is a faint idea of the society's workings during the year : Increase of members 326, increase of share capital ^^3,044, increase of trade £i2,'/58, total paid away to members in dividend ;fii,699 ; also very liberal con- tributions to reserve fund, depreciations, and educa- tional department, which carries out its work to per- fection. The choir, it will be remembered, have shown their ability at the Crystal Palace by making a name for themselves in the Co-operative world. The society has given attention to local elections, and successfully run the society's president (Mr. Jones) for a seat on the School Board." It was on the whole a prosperous year, but the nine- teenth century did not expire without giving the society a kick. Chapter XXX 1901 TO 1903. 1901. " There's water here, there's water there : There's water, water everywhere.'' IN some such words as those printed above, hundreds of Coventry's inhabitants might have murmured their plaint on the first day of the Twentieth Century. For wateriness it was the most sensational New Year's mom on record. So much rain had fallen during December that the area of the Sfierboume basin above Coventry had be- come more or less water-logged. Then in the last forty-eight hours of the old year there was an altogether abnormal downpour, which increased to a maximum on Sunday, December 31st. The river, being wholly unequal to carr5ang away the water which flowed into it from all sides, became torrential, and then swelled beyond its banks. The rise at some points was about 13 feet, and what is called " ponding " took place over more than three miles of streets, covering an area of upwards of a hundred acres. In scores of houses the water was so abundant that the inhabitants took refuge 220 igol in the upper storeys, where they were suppHed through the windows with food and drink by persons in vehicles, while there was witnessed the strange spectacle of boats in the streets. Portions of Coventry had for the nonce a Dutch-like aspect. At the bridge near the Central Co-operative Stores in Fleet Street, the water rose to a height of 13 feet 5 inches above the bed of the stream, reaching a maximum of more than three feet above the crown of the arch at 5 a.m. A considerable extent of the neighbourhood was flooded. The deluge was of course quite impartial in its visitations — it paid six feet of its respects to the church of St. John Baptist, and visited the Co-operative stores and offices likewise, filling basements and inundating yards and ground floors to a depth of several feet above the street levels. Not only were the buildings themselves affected, but a large amount of merchandise with other possessions was damaged or destroyed. The committee, and indeed all concerned, had an uncomfortable time. They worked vigorously and incessantly ; but even at the quarterly meeting, after a fortnight had elapsed, the president stated that the full extent of the damage had not been ascertained. It was known, however, that the society had suffered a heavy loss. When the disaster had been dealt with and orderliness had been restored, it was found that the total loss was about ;fi,5oo. This was immediately covered by a draft from the reserve fund ; but even yet the effects are not obliterated. The Coventry District Association's report to the succeeding Congress contained the following reference to the flood : — igoi 221 " The most important event took place during the closing hours of the nineteenth century. This district was the scene of destructive floods, which did damage to the Perseverance Society of ;f 1,500 ; hence the great value to be placed upon good depreciation and reserve funds, proving by this disaster the practical benefits derived from the wise distribution of profits. Again, the wisdom of the educational department in its past work — ' Like bread cast upon the waters ' — must here return after many days, having taught the members how to stand firm by the old ship in the time of trouble caused by that rainy day." Doubtless fearing a reduced dividend, many members withheld the sending in of their purchase checks, but the payment of 2s. 6d. in the pound was recommended to the April meeting, leaving a margin of £250 os. id. to be carried forward. A resolution was proposed, however, that those who had sent in their checks as usual should be rewarded by an extra dividend of 6d. in the pound, which would have required a draft of £300 from the reserve fund. Other counsels prevailed, however, for on a vote being taken the proposal was not accepted. Mr. W. H. Ansell intimating that he did not wish to stand again for election as auditor was not nominated, and he retired from the position in July. Thereupon the president moved that the best thanks of the meeting be given to Mr. Ansell for his long and faithful services to the society as one of its auditors, speaking very highly of their value. Mr. J. T. Lower, in seconding the resolution, eulogised Mr. Ansell, and reminded the meeting that he was a member of the first committee. 222 igoi thirty-four years previously. The resolution was passed unanimously, and Mr. Ansell expressed his acknowledgment of the compliment. The suggestion being made that the society should possess some per- manent memorial of Mr. Ansell, the matter was con- sidered by the committee. As a result a portrait was provided, and still occupies a conspicuous position in the board room, the frame of it bearing a suitable inscription. In the autumn more property was purchcised — two front shops and one private house in Gosford Street, leasehold, with about fifty years to run, purchase price ;^8oo. The president informed the special meeting on October 15th that there was no ground-rent to pay, and " it was stated at the sale that at the end of the lease there did not appear to be anyone to claim the property." The turnover for the year amounted to £110,715 I2s. od., and a dividend was paid at 2s. 6d. in the pound on members' purchases, the net profit being £19,823 2s. 6d., and the number of members 5,357, whose share capital was £59,522. Early in the year the branch store at Stretton-on-Dunsmore had been discontinued. The District Association reported to Congress as follows : — " The progress of the Perseverance Society, Coventry, has again proved a credit to the members. The increase of trade at the society's model bakery has compelled the committee to provide a further extension. A branch for boots and drapery, in Victoria Street, has been opened. The total membership is 5,357, an increase of 339 ; sales £110,715, an increase of £10,779, dividend and interest paid £15,382, added to depreciation and MR. W. ANSELL (AUDITOR) 1902 225 reserve fund £1,485, to educational purposes ;f342. Space permits but a slight reference to the valuable educational department of the Coventry Society. A peep into one educational room reveals Earl Grey's Challenge Shield, . the much coveted trophy splendidly earned by the society's choir at the Crystal Palace, with honour to performers and conductor (Mr. Petty). In another room is seen a row of typewriting machines, with the click, click, click of members' children learning the art of typewriting. Another new departure is an ambulance brigade, already receiving press comment for useful work rendered in the city streets, sports ground, etc., and members may well feel proud of it." 1902. '-' But proputty, proputty sticks, an' proputty, proputty grows " — Tennyson. The most conspicuous business of this year was in relation to " proputty " buying, to provide for extension of business in accordance with the branch store policy of the society. The trade at both the Gosford Street and Brook Street branches had grown so considerably that the committee felt it desirable — in fact necessary — to go further afield. Therefore, as practically a new town was growing up in the district beyond Payne's Lane, they recommended to a special meeting in April the purchase of 440 yards of land in Britannia Street. Sanction was given to this proposal, and to similar recommendations respecting 675 yards of land in Somerset Road, on the Radford side of the town, and 800 square yards of land on the Stoney Stanton Road, near to the Canal Bridge. It was 226 1903 also decided to buy four cottages in Brewery Street, to stave off litigation respecting right of light — it being better to spend money in buying property than in law proceedings, said the committee. Certain of the Private Traders' Associations having attempted to perpetuate their presumed " vested " interests by persuading manufacturers and others to boycott co-operative societies, and a Co-operative Defence Fund being proposed to the tune of ;f 100,000, the society determined to guarantee £300, to be called up pro rata if and as required. The turnover for the year advanced by £11,233 los. ii|d. as compared with the previous year, the gross amount being £121,949 2s. 11 Jd. 1903. At a special meeting in January, sanction was given to the purchase of 890 square yards of land at Geoffrey Wood's Cross — the corner of King Edward Road — for the erection of a branch store and six houses to be sold to members. The district was described as rapidly growing with a working class population. In October, at the quarterly meeting, the president made a feeling reference to the recent death of Mr. William H. Ansell, for over thirty years auditor — viz., elected January, 1871, retired July, 1901 — and who had always discharged his duties most ably and con- scientiously. A most important and at the same time interesting matter was dealt with at a special meeting in October — that of the amalgamation of the Kenilworth and District Co-operative Industrial and Provident Society with the 1903 227 Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, Ltd. The Kenilworth Society had been estabhshed for thirty years ; it had good store buildings at Park Road, in a populous district ; it had a history, and it was solvent. But for various reasons it was now thought that amalgamation would prove beneficial to both the Perseverance Society and the co-operators of the picturesque town five miles away. The Kenilworth Society had been valued by the Co-operative Wholesale Society, and was reported to be worth 20s. in the pound. The amalgamation was proposed to be effected on that basis. The scheme was fully discussed, of course. Some of the members, as usual, had their doubts, but the committee supported the proposal to amalgamate, and on a vote being taken it was carried by 135 to 30, which was well over the requisite three-fourths majority. At a subsequent special meeting the resolution was confirmed. Similar resolutions were carried by the members of the Kenil- worth Society. The amalgamation therefore became an accomplished fact, and on the completion of the pro- ceedings 228 Kenilworth members were transferred to the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society. Chapter XXXI. 1904. POLITICS and Religion have never been allowed to vex the Co-operative movement. On the contrary, men — and women too — of divergent beliefs have been united in personal friendships and zeal for Co-operation. Herein was common ground of action in promoting the public good. This independency of political parties has undoubtedly been a source of strength. Questions directly relating to food come in a different category : they may be classed with Economics or with Social Science. When the Protectionist agitation was in force a few years ago, there was a danger of cleavage ; but the proposals cut across party creeds, and it was possible to hold particular views without being dubbed " political." Co-operators could not regard with in- difference any fiscal changes that would restrict the supplies of food : such restriction would be a negation of one of their primary objects. Nevertheless, the committee of the Coventry Per- severance Co-operative Society were on delicate ground in January of this year when they asked for authority to join with other bodies in opposing food taxation. 1904 229 This authority was not very easily obtained, some of the members fearing the introduction of a political apple of discord. Ample discussion in such a case was serviceable ; and it could not be said that words darkened counsel. The fact was elicited that the committee viewed the matter solely as it affected Co-operation. A circular letter from the Parliamentary Committee of the Co-operative Congress Board showed the seriousness of the incrccise that would take place in the price of food if the taxation proposals were carried, and that Co-operation would be vitally affected. As will have been seen from earlier chapters. Co-operation was, in part at least, a product of the " good old times " of the Com Laws ; our pioneers had experienced the rigours of dear bread and semi-starvation, while their successors were familiar with the history of reform. Many of those who now understood the inwardness of things regarded a food taxer as an arch-enemy of Co-operation. There was little, if any, difference of opinion on the principle, but there was audible dissent on the policy of joining in the controversy, notwithstanding the Parliamentary Committee's warning. In the result, authority was given by 43 votes to 29 — a decided though not large majority ; and the committee made it clear that if the power were used at all, it would be used discriminately and judiciously. About this time the growing requirements of the society, especially in respect of grocery and provisions, created a difficulty — ^the committee foimd themselves cramped for warehouse room. Consequently it was resolved to provide a central warehouse either by buying or building. Fortunately some eligible property came into 230 1904 the market, which the committee secured the option of purchasing. This was an extensive building in West Orchard, erected by Messrs. Laxon and Sons, provision merchants, and opposite to the Britannia Buildings Stores. The price was £2,375. A special meeting was accordingly held on 4th May, at which approval of the purchase was moved by the president, seconded by Mr. Lower, who thought the premises most suitable for the trade of the society, and carried unanimously. A fortnight later, a further special meeting was held, when the purchase of land at the western end of London Road, comprising 189 square yards, with a frontage of about 23 feet, on which to build a branch store for the Much Park Street district, was recommended. Apparently there was a feeling that the site was undesirably near the Workhouse and the Cemetery, for it was pointed out that a position nearer to St. John Street would have been preferable. The president (Mr. Jones) said the committee were of the same opinion, but an ideal site was not obtainable. The recom- mendation was adopted. THE CENTRAL PROVISION WAREHOUSE. Chapter XXXII. Our Central Warehouse. " The kindly fruits of the earth." — Litany. THE recently erected property in West Orchard, which the society bought in 1904 of Messrs. Laxon and Son, bacon and cheese factors, re- quired comparatively little alteration to make it iit for a central warehouse. Built not for ornament, but for the purposes of trade, the warehouse could hardly be regarded as outwardly beautiful ; but of its potential usefulness there could be no question. And it has proved a timely and valuable acquisition to the society's resources. Its front elevation rises three storeys above the street level, but it has four floors. In the extensive basement is installed machinery of the latest type for fruit cleaning, and coffee grinding and other operations are carried on. The three floors above are used for warehousing the various commodities which grocers in a large way of business are expected to supply, including manufactured tobaccos. There is a cart entrance ; also bacon washing and drying rooms, and a cold store with plant for creating and preserving a low temperature. 234 OUR CENTRAL WAREHOUSE All goods which may be classed to " groceries " and provisions are received here in bulk ; checked, classified, prepared, and warehoused. Reciprocally, the goods arc selected, re-packed according to requirements, and dispatched to the twenty-six grocery shops. Motor lorries, vans, and other vehicles are constantly arriving and departing. The central warehouse may be described as the heart of the society's grocery trade. A visit to it would furnish subjects for fruitful lessons to Co-operative students in trade geography, the natural history of commerce, and the far-reaching ramifications of the Co-operative movement. It is a veritable emporium of romance as well as of commodities. The stocks in normal times show how " the kindly fruits of the earth " — the products of most parts of the world — are grown, gathered, manufactured or prepared, voyage perhaps thousands of miles, and are here laid as it were at the Coventry Co-operators' feet. What inexhaustible themes might be found for an enthusiastic class-lecturer to discourse upon ! Here can be seen tea from China, India, or Ceylon ; coffee from Arabia, East and West Indies, Liberia, or Brazil ; cocoa from the West Indies, Central or South America ; spices from the East and West Indies, or the coasts of Africa ; currants from the Ionian Isles or Greece ; raisins from various countries bordering on the Mediterranean Sea ; sugar from the East and West Indies, Java, or America ; rice from the Tropics or the swamps of Carolina ; arrowroot from the Bahamas ; tapioca from Singapore and the East Indies ; butter from Ireland, Normandy, Denmark, or New Zealand ; cheese from Holland, America, New Zealand, or Canada ; OUR CENTRAL WAREHOUSE 235 oranges from Spain, Jaffa, or California ; apples from Canada, California, America, and Australia ; oats from Scotland or Canada ; eggs from Ireland, France, Russia, and other countries ; canned comestibles from many different countries ; onions from Spain or Egypt ; and so on The Central Warehouse is under the control of Mr. R. Potts, general manager of the society, with Mr. H. W. Wale as head warehouseman, and a staff of a dozen or more assistants, the organisation being as nearly perfect as possible. A general idea of the value of the goods handled in the central warehouse may be gathered from the fact that for the year ended 5th September, 1916, the society's retail turnover for " groceries " was ^^353, 222, or an average of more than £6,700 a week. A clear apprehension of the work done may, perhaps, be assisted by a statement of the approximate quantities of some of the goods which pass through the central warehouse in a year : — Tea 255,456 lbs. Coffee 9,360 lbs. Cocoa 2,444 grosses of tins and packets = 351,936. Sugar 1,800 tons. (The distribution of this commodity is of course now sub- ject to Government restrictions.) Butter 230 tons. Jams 300,000 lbs. Biscuits 10,400 tins, averaging 8 lbs. each = 83,200 lbs. Currants - 134,750 lbs. Lard - 161 tons. Bacon 457 tons. Cheese 160 tons. 236 OUR CENTRAL WAREHOUSE Eggs pre-war time, 2,000,000 (two millions). Flour C.W.S. " Federation " Self-raising, in bags containing 1^ lbs. each, 600,000 bags. Sweets 31,000 lbs. -Soaps (28 kinds) 832 tons. Soda - 260 tons. Tobacco Fancy, 28,704 lbs. Twist, 9,360 lbs. Cigarettes, 9 J millions. Although much of the merchandise comes carriage paid, and the society is responsible for a large pro- portion of the cartage, the amount paid to the railway companies is very considerable. When members go into West Orchard to draw their dividends, increase their share capital, or transact business of any kind whatsoever, they will perhaps give an interested glance at " Our Central Warehouse," one of the many freehold properties owned by the society, and by no means the least important. Chapter XXXIII. 1905-6. 1905. TRADE in Coventry being depressed, and the Mayor having opened a relief fund, the society decided, at the January meeting, to contribute £25. The sum of £25 was also given to the Poor Children's Boot Fund. In July a special meeting was held, when the president explained that in consequence of the store premises at Earlsdon being too small for the growing business there, it was proposed to buy a site at the city end of Earlsdon Street and the comer of Poplar Road, comprising 275 yards of land, and thereon build a new store. It was in contemplation to convert the present store at No. 6, Earlsdon Street, into a dwelling house. The proposals were duly confirmed. In September another amalgamation scheme matured — that of the Stoney Stanton Road Prudential Co-opera- tive Society, whose store was between Red Lane and Paradise. This society dated from 1832 ; but for its successful continuance as an independent concern 238 1906 " the times were out of joint." The Prudential Society had, moreover, absorbed the Alderman's Green Hope Industrial Co-operative Society, which was another struggling enterprise in a district largely occupied by miners at the various collieries in a neighbourhood several miles away. Both Hope and Prudence suggested amalgamation with Perseverance, in the expectation that such a trinity would co-operatively prove victorious. After due enquiries and valuations a scheme was drafted on a 50 per cent, of share capital basis. The Stoney Stanton Road property consisted of grocery and drapery shops, bakehouse, and cart shed, also a plot of land at the side of gateway, the frontage being 160 feet, and the area 1,640 square yards. The Alderman's Green property, some two and a half miles further away from Coventry, on the same main road, consisted of a double- fronted shop and house, also a small butchers' shop, and six cottages, and comprised an area of 6,360 square yards. The terms arranged were approved on both sides, and the scheme of amalgamation was carried through with all the requisite formalities in September. 1906. This year opened with a parliamentary election in progress. Trade proved good ; there was a great influx of artisans and others ; and the total population of Coventry increased proportionately. Building went on apace ; houses were erected ; schools were enlarged, and generally Coventry was prosperous. The public mind was largely occupied with various matters of special interest affecting local administration, such as the want of a town hall, a refuse destructor, water supply. 1906 239 and so forth. Not many prominent edifices were erected, but many castles were built — in the air ! Apparently it was a year of quietude for the Coventry Perseverance Society's committee, attention being concentrated on what may be styled domestic affairs. The customary quarterly meetings were held, and the reports showed the society to be sharing in the city's advancement. All previous records were exceeded by the sales amounting to /|2ii,435 2s. 2d., an advance over the previous year of £32,048 12s. y}d. ; and the society continued its policy of strengthening the reserve fund. Meanwhile schemes of development were quietly maturing. The Co-operative Congress being held in Birmingham it was expected that Coventry would join in the honour of its reception. That expectation materialised at the January meeting by the members voting £50 towards the expenses. The president (Mr. Jones), Messrs. J. Clay, W. Compton, G. Jarrams, and R. Stynes were accredited to the Congress, and the president took part in the proceedings. An Exhibition of Co-operative productions was held in Curzon Hall, at the opening of which Councillor W. Lander, of Bolton (chairman of the Exhibition committee and a director of the C.W.S.), presided, in the absence of the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, who was unwell. The Bishop of Birmingham (Dr. Gore) delivered an address. The president of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Lander and the Bishop, remarking that they had heard two common-sense addresses which the delegates would 240 1906 do well to instil into the minds of their members. The two great essentials of the Co-operative movement were education and discipline. If working men would submit to the same discipline under managers appointed by themselves as they did under private capitalists, they might do a great deal more of the trade of the country. No general could lead a successful army unless he had absolute discipHne amongst his troops. There must be a great will power to conduct any large business concern — the lesser wills had to submit to the greater. A bishop, in his inaugural address at one of our Congresses, said he knew several large employers who would not hesitate to pay a manager a thousand pounds a year ; and he asked where they would find a company of working men willing to do this ? Brains had to be paid for. Dis- tributive societies could help productive societies effectually by education. In Coventry they started' evening schools nine years ago, and now they had 1,206 students, over 900 of whom qualified for the Government grant, which amounted last year to £510. A portrait of Mr. Jones was published in the official account of the Congress. The report to this Congress of the Coventry District Association made the following local references : — " Coventry Perseverance Society has proved a friend indeed to the Prudential Society, Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry, which, after an existence of 73 years, became in need of help, and the unfortunate members have been greatly benefited by Coventry's friendly action in taking them over as a branch store. If the true history of the ' Prudentials ' could be circulated amongst similar non-progressive societies, possessing co-operative 1906 241 theories without and only commercial practices within, holding aloof from the Union and from Co-operative ideals — such societies would profit by the lesson." At the same Congress the death of the veteran Co-operative leader, historian, and premier journalist of the movement, Mr. George Jacob Holyoake, was reported, a resolution expressing appreciation of his life and work was passed, and it was resolved to raise a memorial to his memory in the shape of a building to form an educational centre. Events may be antici- pated by the statement that a sum of upwards of £25,000 was raised, towards which the Perseverance Society in July, 1907, contributed ;fioo. A handsome and useful building was erected in Manchester, and it is called " Holyoake House." Towards the end of the summer a storm broke over the whole grocery trade. It became known that several of the largest soap manufacturing firms were forming a trust, or what was called a " combine." It was feared that the results of monopolising or " cornering " the raw material would send up the price of the finished product, and would be very injurious to the public interest, as the only object of the " combine " would be to make huge profits out of that cleanliness which is said to be next to godliness. Incidentally the retailer would be still further harassed and his reasonable profits vanish.- The grocery trade was therefore up in arms, and drastic measures of retaliation were threatened, including an absolute boycott of the " combine " firms. Co-operators were of course affected, but to a somewhat less degree, having means of production in their own hands through the soap works of the Co-operative 242 1906 Wholesale Society. This attempted " combine " lent piquancy to the annual meeting of the society, which was held on 5th November. As usual, the meeting was devoted to business and music ; also, as usual, the gathering was largely attended, the Public Baths Assembly Hall being crowded, and denunciations of the soap trust or " combine " fell on sympathetic ears. The president (Mr. Wm. Jones) occupied the chair, and was supported by Councillor W. Lander, of Bolton, a director of the Co-operative Wholesale Society. The annual report showed record trading, viz. : — £203,847 4s. 3d., an increase over the sales of the previous year of £32,746 os. gd. After allowing for depreciation £2,069 2s. 2d., interest on capital £4,219 2s. 5d., and all working expenses, the profit was £27,035 7s. 9|d. This, with the balance of £511 5s. 5d. brought forward, had been disposed of as follows : — Members' dividend £24,976 7s. 6d., non-members' dividend £187 2s. 4d., grants for charitable and social purposes £177 i8s. 6d., educational account £671 9s. 6d., reserve fund £1,000, alterations to ovens £495, carried forward £38 15s. 4jd. The freehold property and fixed and rolling stock that cost the society £51,123 i8s. od. had been depreciated by £20,369 4s. 2d., and now stood at £30,754 13s. lod. The reserve fund was £9,745 IS. od., an increase of £1,216 3s. gd. The penny savings bank claim was £8,334 IQS- 4|d., an increase of £1,277 i2s. 5|d. There had been advanced to members on house property £25,431 2s. iid. The share capital of the society showed an increase of £14,357 4s. 7d., and was now £105,986 13s. gd. The increase in membership 1906 243 was 1,242 on the year, and the present number was 8,799. During the year the drapery and boot depart- ment had been extended to Kenilworth, and the new store at Earlsdon would be opened for trade before Christmas. The President said they had had a very prosperous year, and if the members took any item in the balance sheet they would find they had made steady and good progress. They had increased the reserve fund, wiped a considerable sum off fixed stock and buildings, and generally the society was in a stronger and much better position than it was a year previously. The " soap combine," of which they had heard so much, was not born for the public benefit. Did they ever know a combine that was ? He never did. They lived in days of syndicates, trusts, and " combines " — in days when they had large capitalists — men who could handle wool, cotton, wheat, silk, or anything else. He did not know where the trusts were going to end, but they did not know as much of trusts and syndicates in this country as they did in America and Germany, and they did not want to. The soap people had become Americanised ; and he saw in a paper a few days ago that they were about to have a large meat trust in England. As showing the public feeling in Coventry against the " soap trust," he stated that in September the Coventry Perseverance Society purchased from the firms belonging to it thirteen tons of soap, and two and a half tons from the Co-operative Wholesale Society. In October, they purchased fifteen tons from the Co-operative Wholesale Society and nine tons from the " combine." He was delighted to think that members would have the common 244 1906 sense to buy their own soap — the soap that was made in the works of the Wholesale Society. And that was the moral he wanted them to learn from this great " combine." If they would only consider their own interests, and look after themselves the same as the " combines " did, they would purchase the soap they manufactured themselves. He mentioned this because if they looked at the balance sheet they would see that they had very large holdings in the Wholesale Society. The committee always purchased as much as they possibly could from the Wholesale Society, and from the productive works which existed in England, and they would be able to purchase more when people considered quality a little more and quantity less — if, for example, they bought fewer men's boots at 4/6 and 5/- a pair ! He hoped they would consider these things, and let them during the coming year sell more of their own goods and less of other people's. Mr. Lander said the Coventry Perseverance Society, as far as he could gather from the report, was in an excellent position. Their finances were sound ; their loyalty might be described as " fair." After some general observations on the subject of Co-operatiun and its progress, Mr. Lander proceeded to remark that they were just at the beginning of perhaps the most important era of industrialism that they had passed through for a very long time. The " soap combine " was only an indication of " combines " yet to come. It was only the beginning of the fight. What hope had they against " combines " unless they entered into industry in a greater rneasure, and took their share in controlling the ra^v materials, the markets of the 1906 245 world, and, more than all, in controlling the methods that should be employed in connection with the wage- earners of the country ? The hope of the workers was in combination in industry to the fullest extent. The musical programme included choruses and part songs, which were admirably sung by the Co-operative Festival Choir, conducted by Mr. John Potter. Chapter XXXIV. 1907 TO 1909. 1907. TO butcher or not to butcher ? " was again a prominent question in 1907. The subject had been mooted several times during the previous twenty-nine years ; but the committee had not deemed it prudent to .embark on such a sea of troubles as the butchering business seemed likely to be. Some of the members, however, thought that meat being an im- portant article of diet, the society should go into the trade of " purveying " it from higher considerations than finance, and enforced their contention by remarks in the Report of the Medical Officer of Health. The committee, of course, had the experiences of other societies before them, and were not prepared to take the risk. At the July meeting the subject was brought up in a definite form, and instructions were given to the committee to make enquiries, and supply what informa- tion they could to the next quarterly meeting. In October, therefore, the committee presented a report which stated that enquiries had been made of about fifty societies engaged in the trade, and having igo8 247 considered the replies they recommended that it was not advisable to take any further steps ; Mr. Harris alone dissenting. The president moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr. Keene. Mr. Smith spoke strongly in favour of the society entering into the trade, expressing his belief that the society should act from a sense of duty in suppl5nng its members with meat prepared under the best conditions, and quoting the Report of the Medical Officer of Health in support of his views. An amendment that the report be referred back for further consideration was negatived, and eventually it was adopted. The year opened with a special meeting on January 14th, when it was decided to purchase a piece of land, 5gi square yards in extent, near the existing premises at Stoke, for the purpose of building a new store, to provide for a larger trade in a growing district. Again, in October it was resolved to buy two other plots of land, one of 250 square yards in Northfield Road, Gosford Fields Estate, and the other of 286 square yards at Dean Street, on which to erect two additional branch stores. In October it was reported that the membership had in- creased by 886 in twelve months, the total now being 9,679. During the year the sales were ;£233,703 iis. gd., an increase of £22,268 gs. 7d. over those of the previous year. igo8. The society having now a membership of about 10,000, and the annual turnover amounting to upwards of £200,000, the question of the audit system was raised. Some members called for a public auditor, while others 248 igoS asked, Why change, when we elect auditors whom we know and can trust ? The subject was discussed at the January meeting, on a definite motion for the appoint- ment of a public auditor. The committee guided the members into a virtuous course, suggesting a supple- mentary special audit by a pubhc auditor every three years. This compromise was accepted. At the April meeting, Mr. T. H. Adams expressed his opinion that the result of the special audit was most satisfactory, and also showed that the elective auditors had done their work ef&ciently. In April the sum of ;£5oo was agreed to be drawn from the reserve fund to be spent on new machinery for the bakery. A proposal that the committee should commence in the milk trade for the whole of the members, by establishing a Co-operative dairy as early as possible, was altered to one that the committee enquire into the matter and report ; and this was agreed to. Having made full enquiries and carefully considered them, the committee came to the conclusion that the time was not opportune for so hazardous a venture as the milk trade. This view being accepted by the members at the October meeting, the matter was adjourned. Depression of trade caused a considerable amount of unemplo5nTLent in the city. This adversely affected the spending power of a large portion of the population, and for the first time for some years the society's takings, although considerable, were not progressive — in fact, they relatively decreased. The turnover for the third quarter was £54,431 os. ii|d., being less than that of the corresponding quarter of the previous year by 1908 249 £509 ^8s. lojd. The departments, explained the committee at the October meeting, that showed a faUing off were the drapery and furniture, clothing and coal, " which, as a result of trade in the city being bad, would suffer first." Nevertheless the balance profit available for division was the substantial sum of £b,4&2 OS. 6d. This being much less than the usual amount, the committee recommended that £826 6s. 6d. be taken from the reserve fund to maintain the half-a-crown in the pound dividend. The share capital of the society had decreased by £2,202 to £132,018 ; while the penny bank claims were £8,122, a decrease of £405 on the preceding quarter. These two items certainly showed the value of thrift and the great utility of the society from a savings bank aspect. The report and balance sheet were adopted. That the local trade depression was severe is shown by the fact that the Mayor opened a relief fund. Towards this the committee recommended a grant of £100. An amendment stipulated £40 to the Mayor's fund, £25 to be used in relieving distressed members of the society, £25 to the feeding of poor children, and £10 to the Children's Boot Fund. This allocation of amounts was negatived. Then a further amendment was proposed — it was that the sum of £100 be devoted to assisting poor members of the society, the distribution to be entrusted to a special committee. This was carried by 125 votes to 117, and a committee of twelve was appointed, four of its members being women. At the same meeting the committee announced their intention of opening the shop next door to the grocery store in Gosford Street as a boot and shoe store. 250 1909 It was likewise reported that the committee had plans passed to pull down the old bakery at the rear of the West Orchard building and to erect a new building in continuation of the front premises, which would give several additional rooms. A further matter of interest was the recommendation to purchase No. 9, Victoria Street, and to remove from the present premises, the rent of which had been con- siderably increased. It may be mentioned that in addition to the special relief fund of £100 distributed by its own committee, the society gave away during the year to various benefi- cent purposes, including Coventry and Birmingham hospitals, the several philanthropic societies, etc., a total of more than £()0. Notwithstanding the depression in trade the society's sales amounted to £239,530 i8s. lod., being £582 7s. id. more than in 1907. To the ensuing Congress at Newcastle-on-Tyne, the District Association reported that " Coventry has experienced a ' slump ' in trade, and has passed through a very trying year, but its work educationally has gone on increasing in extent in spite of it all." 1909. One of the first matters of business in the New Year was the report of the special committee having in hand the distribution of the sum of £100 granted in the preceding October for the benefit of distressed members. The members of the committee had taken such a sympathetic interest in the work, and discharged their igog 251 lesponsibilities with so much discretion, that the society accorded them very hearty thanks. The site of the Bristol Road Stores, having a frontage of 88 feet, with a frontage also to Centaur Road of 30 feet, and containing about 2g3 square yards, was decided to be bought at a special meeting on April 21st. At the same meeting the president called attention to the proposed alteration in the check system. In October he stated the new system was to start with the next quarter, and asked members to do all they could to make it work smoothly. The number of members at the end of the year was upwards of 11,000 and the sales for the year showed a gratifying increase after the " slump," totalling to £246,85g 13s. y^d., or £7,328 14s. gjd. more than in igo8. The District Association's report to Congress contained the following local reference : — " Coventry society has also experienced a welcome revival in trade, and considerable addition to its membership. The Climax check system has been adopted this year, one new branch has been added, and plans for two more have been passed." Chapter XXXV I9IO TO I912. I9IO. THE adoption of the new check system involved the calling in of all metal checks. The result showed there had 'been an enormous accumulation in members' hands : it amounted to ;£ii,ooo. This was one of the facts which proved the necessity of a system that would ensure each purchase being recorded at the time and duly credited during the current quarter. The sales for the previous quarter had amounted to £64,790 14s. iid., and the money available for disposal was £8,483 i6s. 3|d. To pay an all-round dividend of 2s. 6d. in the pound required this surplus to be supplemented, and the committee recommended to the January meeting a draft on the reserve fund of £1,187 14s- 2d. A proposition was made that a divi- dend of 2S. 3d. in the pound be paid, but the views of the committee received endorsement, and thus matters were straightened. Yet another line of business for the society was suggested — that of a laundry ; and the committee were instructed to obtain information. At the April igio 253 meeting, however, the president reminded the members that they had a Co-operative dairy under consideration, and asked that the laundry question be postponed. The meeting assented. Among the votes for beneficent purposes was one at the July meeting of £zo entrusted to the Women's Guild for the purchase of sick room appliances, to be lent to members. To bank with the Co-operative Wholesale Society was decided upon by a majority of four only — 81 against 77. Decent living accommodation being one of the social objects of the Co-operative movenient, the committee were in accord with it in asking for power to spend money in building a few cottages at Alderman's Green. As stated in Chapter XXXIII, a part of the property acquired by the amalgamation of the " Hope " society consisted of several cottages, which proved to be insanitary. They were not connected with any drainage system, and the Foleshill District Council took action. The committee came to the conclusion that any money spent upon them would be wasted. They therefore had plans prepared and passed for five front cottages, and proposed to construct a street and build more cottages if there proved to be a demand for them. The outlay now contemplated was about ;^4,ooo. The members gave the requisite authority for proceeding with the scheme. At the October meeting a report on the milk trade question recommended the society to establish a Co-operative dairy, although the committee were not unanimous in the matter. The pros and cons were well discussed, and a resolution to adopt the committee's 254 igio recommendation was put to the vote and carried by a majority of 14 — 87 votes to 73. The committee were then given the necessary powers to start in the trade, which they did in 1913, as described in a later chapter. An important purchase of property was confirmed at a special meeting on October i8th — that of Nos. 38 and 39, Smithford Street : two shops and back premises next above the Fleet Street Stores, the property being at the rear of the society's main building in West Orchard. The purchase price was £3,040. The property being let on a repairing lease prevented the society taking immediate possession, but it was bringing in a rental of £120 a year. Still another proposed expenditure of capital was brought before the members at a special meeting on December 19th. The committee had secured a piece of land at Swan Lane, opposite the Canal Beisin, and adjoining land acquired by the L. and N.W. Railway Company in connection with their new loop line. It was 4,770 square yards in extent. There was a street made through the middle of it, with drains laid ; and the price was £1,050. The committee hoped also to purchase another plot of land by which they would obtain the whole of the frontage in Kent Road and Swan Lane. Full authority was given as the committee desired. At the same meeting the sura of £50 was voted to the Penycraig and Mid-Rhondda Co-operative Society, to enable it to meet heavy withdrawals and also help the members, who were in distress owing to a strike. The society made substantial progress during the year, the sales being £278,191 i6s. 4d., or upwards of £31,000 igii 255 more than in the preceding year, and the members increasing to 13,000. The District Association presented a report to the Congress at Bradford, 1911, in which they said : — " Coventry Society has had a thoroughly good year for trade and membership. Two new stores have been built and opened in the suburbs, one opened in the centre of the town, and two more building in the new districts. Large pieces of land have been bought for further extension, and a mandate secured from the membership for the society entering into the milk business." 1911. The year opened amid excitement engendered by a parliamentary election ; in June the King's Coronation was celebrated ; in August a serious strike of railway servants took place ; during many months the National Insurance Bill and the local housing difficulties were much discussed ; and a movement was started by retail tradesmen to organise a " Shopping Week." Nevertheless, the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society proceeded along the upward path, lengthening its membership roll, enlarging its capital, and increasing its turnover. An interesting diversion was provided from February 25th to March 4th, in an exhibition of productions manufactured by the Co-operative Wholesale Society. This was held in the Drill Hall, Queen Victoria Road, and was under the auspices of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, the president of which (Mr. W. Jones) took the chair at the opening ceremony. The 256 igii Mayor (Alderman Lee, J. P.) formally declared the exhibition open, making one of his humorous speeches, in which he spoke of the antiquity of Co-operation. Mr. Miles Parkes, a director of the Co-operative Whole- sale Society, also took part in the proceedings. The exhibition was open free, and attracted some thousands of visitors, who were astonished by the excellence and variety of goods " produced from Co- operative Capital in Co-operative Factories by Trade Union Labour under the best conditions." The exhibition included the following : — Biscuits and sweets from Crumpsall, Manchester ; Preserves, marmalade, pickles, and vinegar from Middleton ; Boots and shoes from Leicester, Heckmondwike, and Rushden ; Soaps and candles from Irlam, near Manchester ; Tobacco from Manchester ; Woollen cloths and clothing from Batley and Broughton ; Tea and Coffee from London ; Cocoa and chocolates from the Luton Works ; Shirts, mantles, millinery, and underclothing from Broughton ; Flannel from Littleboro' : Sweets from Silvertown ; Drugs and sundries from Pelaw ^^'orks ; Corsets from Desborough ; Hosiery from Huthwaite ; Linings and sateens from Bury ; Buckets and fenders from Dudley ; Bacon from Tralee (Ireland) and Herning (Denmark) . igii 257 The special working exhibits included soap-milling, sweet-boiling, cigar and cigarette making, brush-making by hand, and manufacture of clothing. The exhibition was enlivened by music by a succession of bands, also by several sampling stalls, together with a Co-operative refreshment bar, Withal, the exhibition proved an efficient means of advertising Co-operation and the quality of C.W.S. productions. The chief transactions at the society's meetings this year had relation to special votes of money for beneficent purposes, and the purchase of land. At the January meeting £100 was contributed towards the cost of the proposed new wing of the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital, and £2 2s. od. towards the support of poor boys who gained University scholarships. Inclusive of these amounts the society gave away during the year a total sum of £230 iis. 6d. At a special meeting in April it was resolved to buy 500 yards of land on Foleshill Road for the erection of a branch store, and a house in Victoria Street, ad- joining the drapery store there. At another special meeting in July two land purchases were confirmed — 500 yards at corner of Bray's Lane, Stoke ; and 350 yards of land fronting to Windsor Street,by which the back land of the branch store in Spon Street could be utilised. The local District Association reported to the Congress at Portsmouth, 1912 : — " Coventry Society is also expanding rapidly. Additional stores have been opened, and land acquired and plans prepared for more in the outlying districts of this rapidly growing city. The large dairy buildings are in the builders' hands, 258 I9I2 and additional and extensive wharfage has been secured for the increasing traffic in coal." The membership increased to upwards of 14,000, and the sales for the year amounted to ;f3ii,95i os. 6d., being an increase of ;£33,759 4s. 2d. The official census which was taken in April of this year showed the population had increased by 36,399 since 1901, or more than 52 per cent., the total population of the County Borough together with that of the rural parishes of St. Michael and Holy Trinity being returned at 106,959. During the same period the membership of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society had in- creased from 5,092 to 13,677, and the sales from £110,715 I2S. od. in 1901 to ;£3ii,95i os. 6d. in 1911. 1912. Merely as a matter of local history, it may be recorded that after many months of discussion, elaborate organisa- tion, and considerable advertising, a " Coventry Shopping Week " was held from April 29th to May 4th, 1912. Its purpose was to " prove that the Coventry Retailers are able and can provide all that is needed by the purchasing public." And as a historical fact it may also be mentioned that coincidentally the Coventry Perseverance Co- operative Society made considerable progress. During the six months ended June there was a net increase in membership of 997 ; the sales were £20,352 gs. gd. more than in the corresponding period of 1911 ; while in the twelve months ended October there was an increase in membership of upwards of 1,600. 1912 259 At the January meeting it was proposed and seconded that the society take up the laundry business, the results attending similar ventures elsewhere being adduced, and opinions expressed that the business would be very useful and a commercial success in Coventry. The president informed the members that the committee had no objection to the laundry business on its merits, but they asked that the proposal be deferred until the dairy business was started and working successfully. Ultimately the committee were asked to make an investigation and report. Two women members were responsible for a resolution passed at the October meeting, Mrs. Corrie moving, and Mrs. Keene seconding, " That this meeting of members instructs the delegates of the management committee to the next quarterly meeting of the Co-operative Wholesale Society to vote for the ' minimum wage ' to be paid to all . Co-operative Wholesale Society's employees." The society's contributions during the year to bene- volent purposes amounted to £77 7s. 6d., including £10 los. od. to the Children's Care Committee, ;£io los. od. to the " Titanic " Disaster Relief Fund, £10 los. od. to the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital, and £27 among the several philanthropic societies. Three special meetings were held at which confirmatory resolutions were passed with respect to purchases of land and property as follows : — 1. (July) Additional land at Swan Lane, consisting of 2,900 square yards. 2. (October) The site of a new store at Kenilworth, consisting of 735 square yards of land on the 26o 1912 Warwick Road. It was explained that Kenil worth being so scattered, some members had a mile to go to the store in Park Road, and it was believed that a store in the position recommended would be convenient and successful. 3. (November) The premises adjoining the society's central warehouse in West Orchard, and lately occupied by Messrs. Webster and Bennett, mechanical engineers, with an area of 1,150 square yards and floor space of 9,006 feet, the purchase including a large weighing machine, shafting, and runaway crane. These premises have been con- verted into extensive show rooms for household furniture with a well -designed and handsome new front. The capital outlay in respect of these three purchases was upwards of £3,300. The society's turnover for the year amounted to £362,759 19s. 9d — an increase over the preceding year of £50,808 19s. 3d. Chapter XXXVI. 1913- Our Model Dairy. {From a pamphlet issued by the Committee in 1913, " Coventry Co-operators and a Pure Milk Supply.") AT the quarterly meeting held on the i8th of October, I910, of the Coventry Co-operative Society, the members instructed their manage- ment committee to establish a milk department. This being an entirely new business to the society, steps were immediately taken, by visits to kindred societies and by consultations with experts, to ascertain the best methods by which milk could be procured, and should be handled and distributed. As a result of investigations it was found that a central dairy with adequate machinery was a first essential, and having further considered the matter in all its bearings, it was decided : — First, — That the dairy should be built on the best known lines ; Second, — That the equipment should be of the latest scientific and hygienic order ; and 264 OUR MODEL DAIRY — 1913 Third, — That its dimensions should be such as to provide for a large and continuously growing mem- bership for many years to come. A dairy — meeting, as we believe, all these require- ments — has just been erected in Swan Lane, and is now prepared to distribute milk to all parts of the city. The reasons which have induced the committee to provide such a complete and efficient dairy are not only that anything other than the best is unworthy of the Co-operative movement, but that the establishment of a pure milk supply is of inestimable value to any com- mimity. Its appreciation has grown rapidly of late years, stimulated by the frequent advocacy of Medical Officers of Health and other experts interested in promoting the best hygienic conditions of our food supply ; for milk is the one perfect food which of itself will support life in young or old persons. In cases of debility, in the rearing of children, in combating disease, in restoring the convalescent, in sustaining the aged, the first need is pure milk. For the busy worker there is nothing to compare with it for convenience in pre- paration and comparative ease of digestion. As a stimulant and restorative free from depressing after- effects hot milk is unsurpassed, while merely as a beverage nothing is more welcome than a draught of pure, clean, wholesome milk. In all these considerations it is essential that pure milk should be provided under the best hygienic conditions obtainable. The conditions under which milk offers a menace, instead of a help to health, have come to be more fully understood owing to the researches of science. The dangers to which it is exposed are known and are now OUR MODEL DAIRY — 1913 265 capable of being counteracted by the intelligent adapta- tion of modern methods and skilful appliances. The enemies to be fought step by step, from the source of supply to the fireside, are dirt and the omnipresent germ. The methods of handling, of cleansing, of storing, of delivery, have each to be carefully watched, and in themselves made preventive of danger. All this has to be done without materially increasing the price to the public over that which they have been accustomed to pay for a much less satisfactory article. Milk users rarely concern themselves about the dangers to which they are constantly exposing them- selves by the defects in ordinary methods of their milk supply. They leave that to the sanitary inspectors ; but as the law now stands, while it is an offence to sell milk to which a little pure water has been added, yet if the milk contains germs of disease, which may entail years of suffering, no notice can be taken of it. To ensure a pure milk supply four possible avenues of danger have to be closed : — First, — The danger of an impoverished milk supply due to adulteration ; Second, — The danger of an infected milk supply, due to disease in the cow, such as tubercle, scarlatina, etc. ; Third, — The danger of a contaminated milk supply, ■ such as that which has been responsible for epidemics of typhoid, scarlet fever, diphtheria, etc. ; and Fourth, — The dangers arising from simple uncleanness, defective dairy methods, etc. It is an admitted fact, and one attested by many fatal epidemics, that infected milk may cause scarlet 266 OUR MODEL DAIRY — 1913 fever, tjrphoid fever, diphtheria, and severe sore throat. It is also certain that in some circumstances the milk of tuberculous cows may cause consumption in mankind, and another danger — perhaps more serious in the sum of its ill effects than all others together — arises from merely unclean milk. This refers not only to the odious sediment so often seen in milk, but also to matter not visible to the naked eye, derived from half -cleaned chums, cans, jugs, and bottles in which the milk may have been contained at some time. The equipment of our model dairy has been so designed that all the aforementioned dangers are entirely avoided. The dairy itself is situated in Swan Lane, and stands upon high ground, well back from the road so as to avoid dust, and faces west. As befits a Co-operative enterprise, the building is of the soundest construction, is of well finished appearance, and set off with a shrubbery in front. The exterior is of brick red, with stone facings, and character is given to it by the finely carved head of a representative type of dairy cattle. Another decora- tive and yet historically valuable feature is a tablet inscribed with the names of the society's present board of directors. Passing in through the main gates we come to the loading deck for receiving milk and sending it out again. This deck is about 44 feet in length, and affords ample accommodation. On the right hand side of the main entrance in the south wing of the building is the bottle inspection department, which Ojjens into the bottle washing room, a spacious compartment, 40 feet by 30 feet. Attached to this is the general store. Next to the bottle inspection department is the chum-washing PASTEURISING AND CLEANSING MACHINES. BOTTLE WASHING MACHINES. OUR MODEL DAIRY— I9I3 269 room, quite separate, in which is sunk a well. On the left of the main passage is seen the cold lobby, with cold storage rooms on either side. These are constructed on the most hygienic lines possible, being lined with white glazed tiles on the walls, and with hard mastic rock asphalte on the floor. All milk not required for immediate use is put into these cold rooms until next day, and no change whatever takes place in the nature of the milk so kept. The cold rooms are so arranged that a circulation of cold dry air is maintained at 35/40 degrees F. while the plant is at work, and the temperature is kept steady during the night and while the plant is at rest by large retainers full of brine. On the opposite side of the passage is the refrigerator room, pasteuriser room, cooler and bottle- filling rooms. The end of the wing is taken up by the boiler-house and pumping-room. The main portion of the building is on the ground floor, but there is a store above the boiler-house ; also a testing-room and suitable accommodation for the employees. All the sanitary out-buildings are placed a good distance from the main premises. All parts of the building are well lighted, principally from roof lights. The interiors of the walls are of glazed bricks of various colours, not only for ensuring absolute cleanliness but giving quite a pleasing appearance. It is electrically fitted through- out for lighting and power purposes, and the current taken from the city mains. The water required will be drawn from the well sunk on the premises, but for emergency purposes the city supply is also available. A large quantity of boiling water will always be required 270 OUR MODEL DAIRY- I913 for washing purposes, and steam for this will be supplied from a Cornish boiler. It is a point worthy of note that by employing machinery for cleansing the bottles and crates, boiling water can be used, which is impossible when this process has to be carried out by hand. Provision is made for dealing with 6,000 gallons of milk per week, but the building will accommodate plant for dealing with double that quantity. It should not be long before this is wanted, when the public of Coventry once realise the improvement offered by means of our dairy for supplying milk, whose quality and purity can be thoroughly relied upon. An outline can only be given of the process through which the milk passes. It may be interesting to state that the milk upon being brought in is measured in a standard measuring drum having a gauge inside, so that the quantity of milk taken into the dairy from the persons suppljdng can be accurately ascertained. The Milk Drum. From this drum the milk is pumped by a specially constructed pump provided with suction and discharge (Connections and bye-pass flow adjuster, so that the quantity of milk pumped can be regulated without stopping or slowing the pump. The piping through which the milk passes is of a special sanitary t5^e, with cleaning plugs at various points, so that the pipes can be thoroughly cleansed and sterilised. The Pump. These pipes convey the milk to an overhead tinned steel tank with a capacity of about 150 gallons. From OUR MODEL DAIRY -1913 27I this tank the milk is distributed over a warmer, which heats the milk to about 90 degrees, and it then flows into a cleansing and dirt extracting machine. Pasteurising and Cleansing Machines. The fact that the milk is liable originally to contain a good deal of dust, and in addition to take up dust and dirt in its passage from point to point, makes cleansing a most important process. No amount of straining will take this fine dust out of milk, and as the dust forms one of the chief habitats for harmful micro- organisms, it is necessary to extract the dust, and this is done by the centrifugal milk-cleansing machine. This machine is specially built for this purpose, and so con- structed that it does not separate the cream or cause the milk to foam, but effectually takes out the dust and dirt in a very efficient manner. From the cleaner, the milk flows into a pasteuriser, and here undergoes a very important process. Pasteurisation kills all active forms of harmful germs, and it delays decomposition, so that the milk remains fresh and sweet for a longer time. The milk is rendered more digestible, its flavour is quite unaltered, the fat and lactalbumen are unchanged, and it furnishes a complete safeguard against any risk of infectious disease conveyed by milk. Pasteuriser. The pasteuriser is a machine consisting of a tinned copper vessel provided with a steam jacket. The milk is let into the tinned copper vessel and heated up to about 170 F., and then the milk is automatically elevated by this machine on to a cooler. 272 our model dairy — i9i3 Milk Cooler. The milk reaches the cooler at about 167 degrees, and is reduced in temperature first of all to about 60/65 degrees by water circulation inside the cooler, and is then reduced further to about 40/45 degrees by cold brine circulation in the bottom part of the cooler. The milk leaves the cooler at a very low temperature, and runs direct into the receiving tank of the bottling machine. The bottling of the milk is a most interesting and important feature. The milk bottling machine is arranged to fill 12 quart, 20 pint, or 20 half-pint bottles at one stroke, and it delivers the milk straight into the bottles and fills them up to exactly the same level, securing the utmost accuracy and cleanliness in the operation. The bottles of cooled milk are then put into the cold store rooms. Another important feature in our dairy is the efficient cleansing of utensils, and special machinery has been installed for this purpose. Bottle Washing Machine. When a crate of dirty bottles comes in it is soaked and put into the cleansing machine. There the bottles and the crate are cleaned inside and out, without the bottles leaving the crate at all. Having been inspected, the crates of cleaned bottles are then filled with milk, and capped with fibre discs, the bottle never leaving the crate until a full bottle is handed to the consumer, and a dirty one put back into the crate. The thorough cleansing and sterilising which the bottles receive in the washing and sterilising machines is an invaluable OUR MODEL DAIRY — 1913 273 part of the process. Special provision is also made for the cleansing and sterilising of the milk churns. It will be seen that the whole plant has been designed with a view to efficient and economical working. All the machinery has been supplied by Messrs. Enock and Co., Ltd., of London, one of the first engineering firms in the country making dairy machinery. The motive power will be electricity, and everything has been done to bring the dairy fully up to date in every detail. We can confidently claim it to be a model in its equipment, and that it will turn out really pure wholesome milk of the very highest hygienic quality. Summed up in terse style, the advantages of our new method of milk delivery are : — 1 . No dirty or rusty cans. 2. All milk delivered in perfectly clean transparent bottles. 3. Protection from contamination from bacteria- > laden dust of streets. 4. Absolute purity ; all bottles are filled and sealed at the dairy. 5. Freedom from objectionable sediment. 6. Full measure guaranteed. , The management committee now ask their fellow members, and also the general public, to give the society's model dairy milk a trial, as they are confident that after doing so no one will wish to return to the unhygienic methods of supply. Our model dairy was opened on 5th April, and its pro- ducts have elicited the highest praise from all consumers. Owing, however, to certain circumstances, the bottle system has been suspended. Chapter XXXVIl. 1913 AND 1914 (to July). 1913- SEVERAL special incidents characterised the year 1913. The membership increased by 1,542, and the sales improved over those of the pre- ceding year by £31,461 13s. iid. The votes for benevolent purposes included £100 to the Welsh Mining Disaster Relief Fund, and amounted in all to £182 7s. 6d. Two purchases of land were resolved upon. The first, in January, was a site containing some 763 yards, having a frontage to Humber Road of 76 feet and to HoUis Road of 96 feet, costing about £300 ; the second, in April, a site at Walsgrave-on-Sowe consisting of 358 square yards, with a frontage of 45 feet, and costing about £yj. With reference to this second site it was stated that the society did a considerable trade in Walsgrave and District by van, and it was thought likely that trade would be increased by opening a suitable store there. Of a much more important character was a third recommendation. It was to purchase the comer pre- mises adjoining the Central Stores, known as the boot 1913 275 repairing establishment of " The Wonderful Gibney," having a frontage to Fleet Street of 30 feet and to West Orchard of 45 feet. By the purchase the society would become the owners of an extensive comer block. The price, ;^3,500, included goodwill, machinery, fittings, and fixtures. The matter was discussed, and not all the members were at first agreed, the price appearing to be rather " stiff," but it was pointed out that the site was an important one, and that good positions had to be paid for. This was really the key of a commanding position, and would facilitate the maturing of plans for a complete range of premises of a striking character. The purchase was confirmed. These premises, after being retained for a short time as a boot repairing shop, have been replaced by a handsome stone building surmounted by a dome, with internal fittings of the most modem style, and devoted to men's tailoring and outfitting departments. An incident occurred at the quarterly meeting in January which eventuated in an important change. The tellers in the voting for election to the committee handed in their return, and this was announced to the meeting. Subsequently it was discovered there had been an error in the counting, 36 votes having been allocated to the wrong name. This affected the relative positions of two candidates, one of whom had been declared elected, whereas the majority had really gone against him. On the advice of the solicitor of the Co-operative Union, special meetings were held, the declaration rescinded, and a fresh vote taken, when the first real voting was confirmed by a considerable liiiiajority. There was a general feeling, however, in favour of an 276 I9I3 improved method of voting. Having carefully con- sidered the matter, the committee came forward in December with a ballot system on the general lines of that prescribed for Parliamentary elections. With a slight amendment, accepted by the committee, the scheme was adopted, and the rules of the society altered accordingly. Towards the end of the year a proposal was made for an entirely new departure by the society. This was the direct employment of labour in the building trades in all its sections, and at the quarterly meeting in October a special committee was appointed to make enquiries and report with suggestions. The report to Congress at Dublin by the Coventry District Association contained the following summary of the society's progress in 1913 : — " At Coventry all things have prospered. New stores have had to be opened at Stoke and on the Foleshill Road, and the dairy machinery supplemented and completed. This branch of the society's business is now in a flourishing condition, and is growing rapidly week by week. A start is being made with a works department to take over the building operations and other similar work, and there is plenty of work waiting for it to do. Trade Eind membership have increased very much, and are still doing so. " The work of the various educational committees and Women's Guilds should be noted, as their efforts to promote Co-operation in this district have met with much success, and we are grateful to them for all their help." The report concluded with a tribute to the memory of one who had also been a respected member of the 1914 (part of) 277 committee of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society — " We regret to have to record the death of our colleague, Mr. A. T. Keene (Coventry), who passed away after a severe illness'on 12th February, 1914. He had been for nearly ten years a member of this district committee." 1914 (part of). The year 1914 having been so eventful, it will be convenient to divide the history of it into two portions — the first from January to July, and the second the five first months of the War period. At the January meeting the special committee appointed in October presented their report in favour of setting up a works department, the management committee assenting with the proviso that the works department sub-committee should be appointed by the general committee, who were responsible to the members for the conduct of the whole of the business of the society. The report was thus adopted. This being the occasion for nominating a woman mem- ber of the educational committee, Mrs. Shufflebotham, whose term would expire three months later, expressed her wish not to be re-nominated. Mrs. Shufflebotham had served on that committee continuously since 1898 (see Chapter XXVII. ), and a vote of thanks for her long services was carried unanimously. A movement for keener recognition of trade unionism culminated at the April meeting, when it was resolved that all employees should be or become members of their respective trade organisations, unless past age. At a meeting in June it was decided to enlarge the committee to president, secretary, and ten members, 278 1914 (part of) each of the latter to serve two years and be ehgible for re-election. In July the committee brought forward a recommenda- tion to take on lease from the Freemen's Trustees a plot of land, 398 square yards in extent, on Albany Road, for a new store, at a ground-rent of ^^5 per annum. Several members spoke against the recommendation, and it was ultimately referred back to the committee for three months' reconsideration. The committee's recommendation that they have power to buy a plot of land, Radford Road, 286 yards in extent, with a frontage of 30 feet, belonging to the Newcombe Estates Company, was confirmed. A society that is registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893, amended 1913, is under the obligation of causing its accounts to be audited at least once a year by a public auditor, an official appointed by the Treasury. The Perseverance Society being so registered, the system of elective auditors was brought to an end. At the meeting on January 20th, therefore, the committee had reminded the members of the position of the society under the Act, and recommended that the audit be placed with the Co-operative Wholesale Society. The recommendation was adopted, and this arrangement has been continued Chapter XXXVIII. The War Period. August, 1914, to October, 1916. " When war begins, then hell openeth." — Old Proverb. THE great European War, the most stupendous the world has seen, will ever be remembered by the present generation, and When personal recollections begin to pale, then sober historians will take up the tale. How long warfare will continue, even now (November, 1916) none can foretell. It has been waging for over two-and-a-quarter years, and the testing of Britain's strength and that of her Allies has not yet passed. War's Immediate Effects. With the declaration of war in August, 1914, the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society was called upon to share in the National tribulation and to manifest its patriotism. It has done both. At least five kinds of difficulties arose. These were in relation to military requisitions ; railway traffic ; shortness in supplies ; increasing prices ; less man- power. The society has withstood all these. 280 THE WAR PERIOD Then there were the various funds by which all classes had an opportunity of showing their patriotic spirit ; heavier taxation ; various measures for the defence of the realm. In respect to all these things the society has adopted no mean attitude. First, horses and vehicles were commandeered ; next train services were either suspended or disorganised, and as a consequence supplies of goods became shortened and intermittent. Men of the National Service reserves were called from their peaceful labours to join the fighting forces, others to make munitions of war ; voluntary enlistment was started, and for the time being the best laid schemes did " gang agley." Students of foreign politics and militarism, the ambitions of dynasties, were convinced that the war would be on an appalling scale, that men, and more men, and still more men would be required, and every nerve would have to be strained to prevent the Empire from being overthrown. A great scarcity of the necessaries of life was feared, and many people predicted a collapse of trade. The legend " Business as usual " was displayed in many shop- windows, only to be laughed at, and proved to be futile in allaying pessimistic apprehensions. Such a war had not been thought possible, and at its starting there was general consternation. Prices began to rise, stocks were withheld in hopes of greater gain, visitors to the seaside hurriedly returned, and the idea spread that the British people were threatened with starvation. For a time there was something in the nature of a panic. Shops were besieged by customers, and inordinate quantities of goods sought to be purchased for the filling of larders. Usuedly cool-headed Co-operative housewives became THE WAR PERIOD 281 alarmed, and the crisis was worsened by mistaken prevision. The Stores had actually to be closed as a preventive measure, the while stocks could be replenish- ed ; but excessive demands continued for several weeks. Meantime, the management were not idle ; fortunately they were able to secure other horses and vehicles, by means of which trade was maintained, although it was far from being " Business as usual ! " Events moved rapidly. From time to time other men were called up, and the society encouraged volunteering as far as possible. Schemes were thought out for " carrying on " in the interests of the general body of members. Gradually female labour was introduced to replace that of the men who had left, and to liberate others. A liberal plan of " maintenance allowance " was adopted, and in many ways the loyalty of the society was demonstrated. And not only were the first necessities of life for existing co-operators restricted, but new demands were created by an inflow of members. Sugar supplies became a most difficult problem. Government stepped in, and having bought up available stocks, enforced limitations based on three-fourths only of the quantities obtainable by distributors in 1914. Then coal became not altogether a " burning " subject, for little could be obtained to burn : there were accumulations at collieries, but railway rolling-stock could not be liberated by the authorities to convey it to the places where it was wanted. Restricted supplies and high cost, plus fresh taxation, have affected all kinds of commodities, and unfortunately are likely to continue to do so indefinitely. Changing situations, varying only in degrees of acuteness, 282 THE WAR PERIOD have had to be dealt with, and in their measures the committee have endeavoured to serve the best interests of the members collectively. The times have called for intelligent action in accordance with the Co-operative motto : " Each for all, and all for each." The attitude of the society and of the committee of management will be reflected in a resume of the proceed- ings during the period under review — August, 1914, to October, 1916. Gratifying Progress of the Society. In July, 1914, the number of members was 18,898. In October, 1916, it was reported to be 22,561, being an increase of 3,663, more than 2,300 of whom were enrolled in 1915. That notwithstanding restricted supplies, higher prices, reduced parcels deliveries, and other adverse circumstances, the membership increased so substantially, speaks volumes. It may be fairly taken to indicate both faith in Co-operation and con- fidence in the Perseverance Society. Many and severe have been the society's trials in former years, but that it has so far endured such an unprecedented testing, and actually waxed stronger, must certainly be a source of encouragement to all concerned. Branch Store Policy Continued. Despite the war, and the abnormal conditions existing in the city, the committee have maintained their policy of providing for the wants of a growing population in various parts of the locality. Certain of their proposals have fallen through owing to the vendors insisting on requirements which the committee were not prepared TH£ WAR PERIOD 283 to recommend. The transactions have, nevertheless, been somewhat remarkable for a period of war. Further consideration having been given to the question of the leasing of land in Albany Road, which had been referred back to them in the preceding July, the committee repeated the recommendation at a meeting on September 6th, 1914. What had been done in the meantime was fully explained, and the members gave the proposal their endorsement. The purchase of a small plot of land adjoining the society's property, 34, Bishop Street, was sanctioned at a meeting on October 15th, 1915, and likewise the purchase of 700 square yards of land at the rear of the bakery in Cox Street, to provide for bakery extension. Yet again a land purchase proposal was brought up at a meeting on April i8th, 1916, when confirmation was given to the bujnng of 3,025 square yards of land at Spon End, with several cottages thereon. The price agreed upon was £1,000. The property was let at a rental of £100 a year, but the members were informed that some of the cottages would have to be renovated or closed. War Fund and other Contributions. Considerable contributions have been made by the society to various war funds. On September 6th, 1914, the sum of £500 was authorised to be drawn from the reserve fund for a contribution to the Prince of Wales's fund. Several members expressed an opinion that the money should be used solely for the relief of civil distress caused by the war, and not for soldiers and sailors, who should be cared for by the State. The president, and Messrs. Harris and Cundliffe, who were all members of the 284 't'HE War perioC Relief Committee, promised to do all that was possible towards this end. Apparently a feeling existed that some formal expression of opinion touching this matter was advisable, for on October 20th, at the quarterly meeting the following resolution was moved by Mr. W. E. Wood, and, having been seconded, it was carried : " That we, the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, Limited, having recognised our responsibility through our grant to the Prince of Wales's fund, desire to express our opinion to the proper authorities that the time is opportune and in the best interests of the nation, that the Government should adequately provide for the dependents of our soldiers and sailors who are fighting the nation's battles, thereby relieving the Prince of Wales's fund, and enabling it to meet all phases of civil distress in a more liberal and satisfactory manner." At the same meeting the committee were empowered to spend £25 for the Belgian relief locally if required. Other contributions included £50 to the Mayor's Fund for Coventry Soldiers and Sailors' Day ; gifts to employees in Army, £2 2s. od. ; ;^io to the Grocery and Allied Trades Fund in aid of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and the British Red Cross Society ; and £10 to the Lord Roberts Memorial Workshops for Disabled Soldiers and Sailors Fund. It may also be mentioned that in 1915 the annual subscription to the Coventry and Warwick- shire Hospital was increased from ten guineas to twenty guineas ; and that in April, 1916, ten guineas were voted towards the fund for the Women's Hostel, Coventry. In addition to the foregoing, some hundreds of pounds have already been paid to dependents of employees in the National Service. the war period 285 Committee's First Report in War Time. When the committee came before the members at the quarterly meeting in October, 1914, the war was of course the subject that was uppermost in everyone's mind. In their report the committee said : " Little did we think that before the close of this quarter the country would be at war, and trade, as you are aware, upset as a consequence. Fortunately, we are getting supplies, although limited in some goods, and at advanced rate of prices ; these, if continued, and if the war lasts is almost sure to be the case, will naturally affect the profits in most departments. We cannot help this, but we can, by our loyalty to our own store in making all the purchases possible in all departments, so that with the best endeavour of the committee to supply members at as reasonable prices as possible, the society may not suffer in trade. It is an anxious time for all, but the co-operative movement, with the united efforts of committee and members, will come through and still continue to prosper." The committee specially appealed for all possible support for the drapery, boot, furniture, and clothing departments. Although the sales had increased by £10,056 in value over the corresponding quarter of the previous year, it was necessary to take ;f548 2s. 9|d. from the dividend equalisation fund to pay the customary dividend of 2/6 in the pound on members' purchases. What the District Association said. The following paragraphs are extracted from the report of the Coventry District Association presented to the Leicester Congress, 1915 : — 2»t) TH£ WAR Period " It is gratifying, at the close of the year 1914, to be able to report that, taking all things into consideration, the societies in the district promise to come out very much stronger and sounder than might have been expected Reports show that, in spite of serious dislocation caused by the outbreak of the war, by the upleap in prices, by the absence of many trusted em- ployees, and by difficulties in transport and supply, good progress has been maintained, and that the loyalty of members, although tested in many ways, has stood the strain in a remarkable degree, giving promise when peace conditions again prevail of a progress far exceeding all previous records. " Coventry society reports total sales in 1914 of ;f43g,i45, an increase for the year of £44,924, and a large increase in the membership. Passing through a very trying time at the outbreak of the war, the better sense of the members soon recovered its balance, and although troubled through bad supplies, through limited railway accommodation, and other causes, the normal state of trade (except in prices) has now been almost resumed, and trade is going on as before. No special additions to the property of the society have been completed, but a fine block section of the new central premises scheme is in the builders' hands, and hastening towards completion. Three new branches will be erected during 1915, and other developments are in contemplation. " A tribute to the work of the various Women's Guilds and Educational Committees should be paid, as much of the progress of societies in the district is due to their untiring efforts on behalf of the movement." the war period 287 Retirement of Mr. Jones from Educational Committee. The retirement of the president (Mr. Jones) from the Educational Committee was communicated to the quarterly meeting in January, 1915. Mr. J. Clay there- upon voiced the regret of the members at the official severance of Mr. Jones from the educational work of the society, and moved that an acknowledgment of the great services he had rendered in that behalf for many years be entered on the minutes. Mr. Wm. Adams seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The president, thanking the members for their kind resolution, explained that he did not now feel able to give the time required for both the committee of manage- ment and the educational committee ; but he resigned his place on the latter very regretfully. Business Difficulties and Committee's Reports. The events of the last two years are too well known to require more than a brief recapitulation. Of the difficulties with regard to coal supplies, the necessary limitation of sales to members, and the doling out " black diamonds " with the care of costly jewels ; of the rise in the price of flour, and the falling off in quanti- ties ; of the eternal sugar shortness and uncertainty of the Sugar Commission's rulings ; of the constant ebbing away of labour ; of milk difficulties ; of the famine in eggs ; of the general rise in the price of commodities of all kinds ; of the necessity of sacrifice and inconvenience being patiently borne ; of the large amount payable to retained employees by way of war bonus on wages ; of the considerable sums being paid 288 THE WAR PERIOD on account of military service maintenance allowance ; of the conviction that growers and manufacturers, shippers and merchants, were taking undue advantage of the nation's extremities — of all these things the tale has been freely told. A digest of the committee's reports may, however, be placed on permanent record. In January, 1915, the committee stated that the effects of the war were beirig felt much more. Flour was dearer, and likely to be dearer still. The coal trade was in a very critical position, as many colliers had joined the army. The greatest difficulties were with railway transport, and it behoved members to be as careful as possible. The best would be done to supply all, and the exceptional circumstances must be pleaded for any shortage. The war continued to be the chief topic discussed in April, when the committee said : " We regret that the war still lingers on, and as a result prices for most goods are dear, and likely to continue so. The profits made this quarter have been helped by stocks we had on hand before the advances, but having to go into the markets now will make a difference, and it will not be surprising if we feel the results of this as time goes on. It is a good sign to see the increase in capital ; it behoves the members to leave the dividend to be added to capital, and to help to prepare against the time coming when certainly things will not be so brisk nor wages so high. In no other way can you save so easily ; it is loyalty to your own store in spending there all you can, and getting the profits from what you eat and wear, that does it. Self-help is the best help, and this is the object of our rnpvement ; and whep the workers can agree THE WAR PERIOD 28g and trust each other, the productive side of the move- ment will be fully developed. Finding emplo5Tnent for our own members, and also obtaining some hold on the sources of supply of the material required, so that we may not be entirely dependent on outsiders, are the main objects to aim at in the future." The report of the committee in July, 1915, dealt with other themes as well as that of the war. It men- tioned that the store a:t Walsgrave-on-Sowe, which was being erected by the society's works department, was nearing completion ; that the new store at the comer of West Orchard and Fleet Street should not continue in the builders' hands much longer ; that a grocery store in Albany Road was being built by the society's own works department ; that plans were being passed for piggeries at Swan Lane, new stables at Bishop Street and Brewery Street, and that when these were com- pleted, it was in contemplation to make a considerable extension of the Bakery, Cox Street. The war still continued, and high prices ruled, and there was difficulty in getting goods. For the moment flour was cheaper, and consequently the price of bread was lower. The committee had decided to invest the sum of £7,000 in War Loan at 4 J per cent, per annum under Government security. The report presented in October contained the following : — " The new clothing and outfitting depart- ment at the corner of Fleet Street and West Orchard is nearing completion and will shortly be opened. The new store at Walsgrave will be opened on October 2nd. Other alterations at Bishop Street and Cox Street are being prepared for. There is still much difficulty in 290 THE WAR PERIOD getting supplies from wholesale houses, and also in transit by rail. Your committee are doing all possible to get them, but owing to the high prices ruling and this difficulty of supply it behoves members to economise as much as possible and avoid all waste. Those of you who read the Co-operative News will have seen that a great desire is expressed by a large number of members of the movement that some steps should be taken to get at the sources of supply, and doubtless more will be heard of this question. The greater loyalty of our members will make this thing easier— by making greater demands through the Co-operative movement for all our wants." In their report presented to the quarterly meeting in January, 1916, the committee urgently appealed to the members to be their own light porters, so as to reduce the delivery of goods, and said : " Do all you can in all ways, even at an inconvenience, during the war, and so help to release men to get this job finished." They proceeded to give the following advice : " We have had war before, and felt its effects after, but never like this. It is most essential that all shall economise in all ways. Save all you can, and save it in the Co-operative move- ment, where it will be used to your advantage and is always at your command when required. Heavy taxation will prevent the price of goods from coming down again to what they were before the war. The loss of life will cripple the industries of all nations for a long time to come. The same applies to the society. Advice from all leaders of the movement is, ' Do not spend more than you are obliged in buildings, build up your reserves, look after depreciations, encourage your THE WAR PERIOD 29I members to invest all savings in their own stores.' Those societies and all individuals who take this advice will be wise, and so provide for whatever may be in store after the war." In April, 1916, the committee said, among other things : " The corner site of Fleet Street and West Orchard cost the society ^£3,500, of which £1,500 was written off some quarters ago [January, 1915], and the writing off of £2,000 this quarter will wipe off the original cost of this site, so that the property now stands at its true value Fifty per cent, of excess profits made the Government require as tax, and this the committee are providing for. If the society makes more in the future they will require sixty per cent. . . . Doubtless many members have been inconvenienced by not being able to get supplies of all goods required ; but the com- mittee are doing all possible to get supplies from merchants, and also the delivery of goods which, through the shortage of labour, is bad. It is a constant source of anxiety to your committee, and your inconvenience they very much regret. Let us hope it will not last much longer." A more hopeful tone marked the opening of the report which was dealt with at the July meeting, from which the following are extracts : — " The Committee are glad to report trade in all departments good ; but they still have great difficulty in getting supplies in nearly all departments. Sugar has been very short, and although we have a slight improvement, we cannot promise that it will be maintained — in fact the same apphes to many articles that we sell. Members will do well to look ahead ; if the war lasts, it is going to be worse instead 292 THE WAR PERIOD of better. Through shortage of supplies and shortage of labour your management are continually in diffi- culties. . . Our payment to families of the men who have gone was £205 this quarter. The committee promise to do all possible to supply members with goods to the best of their ability ; but you must look to being short of some goods : it is impossible to avoid it under present conditions. . . The works department car- penter's and blacksmith's shops are now completed at Swan Lane, and machinery in same. Additions have been made to the garage at Gosford Street ; and stables for sixty horses are being put up at 34, Bishop Street. The balance sheet dealt with at the meeting on October i6th, 1916, was the first six-monthly one. It stated that the sales for the period were £330,520 los. 5d., being an increase of ^^38,701 15s. lojd. over the corresponding period of last year, but continued alteration upwards in price of goods made it difficult to siscertain the increased trade done. The report continued : " We have paid as war bonus to employees during the six months £2,713 I2S. od., National Service allowance £493 9s. od., sick pay £94 9s. 7d., and non-members' dividend £143 IIS. ii|d. War bonus and National Service allowances are purely war items, which in normal times would be available for profits, but are now gladly paid under the exceptional circumstances ruling at the present time. The balance carried forward is large (£4,200 i6s. 2id.), but this and more will be required to meet our liability for excess profits duty. You will note we have paid as excess profit £1,172 9s. od. This is up to June, 1915. A further nine months is now due to March, 1916 and will be about £6,500 ; the next year will close with our THE WAR PERtOt) 293 next balance sheet in March, and this will then have to be provided for. Under these circumstances the committee only recommend a dividend of 2s. 3d. in the pound ; and it is doubtful if this will be maintained. It is impossible, with the very high prices ruling, to make the usual rate of profits, and provide for excess profit duty, and pay all the other extra charges. Other societies are feeling the effects, and also reducing dividends to meet the altered circumstances. Difficulty in obtaining supplies of goods still continues, and seems likely to do so, and our difficulties in delivery to members will get worse. More men are going, and likely to go, and it behoves members to do all possible to minimise the delivery question by fetching all possible themselves." Excess Profits Duty. At the quarterly meeting on October 17th, 1916, Mr. Price protested against the payment by the society of excess profits duty, and moved the following resolu- tion : — " That this meeting accepts the report and balance sheet with regret, and notes the management have remitted over £1,000 as excess profits duty. The meeting requests the management committee to seek what expert advice they think fit, with a view of securing the return of this amount, and to prevent any further payment being made. That the management committee secure all information possible through the Co-operative Union and Co-operative Wholesale Society, and en- deavour to get an effectual protest made through other Co-operative Societies, as this meeting cannot believe that it was the intention of the Treasury to charge a so-called excess profit when a lesser profit than prior to 294 fHE WAR PERIOD the war is returned to the members. This meeting turther requests the management committee to so arrange prices charged for goods as to avoid the business showing a greater amount of bulk profit than shown prior to the war, even if such arrangement demands the elimination of dividends." Mr. Manley seconded the resolution. Mr. Clay stated that the committee had no objection to accepting the resolution, and would do all that was possible to avoid " excess profits " in the future, by lowering the prices of goods ; but this would probably reduce dividends as well. The resolution was adopted. Government and National Food Supply. As far back as January, 1915, Mr. Price moved that a resolution be sent to the Government respecting the wheat supply and the high prices, and asking them to deal with the matter in the public interest. This was seconded by Mr. Manley, and carried. The president promised that the committee would do all they possibly could in support of the resolution and the object aimed at. Similar resolutions have been passed by various bodies throughout the country. Apparently the Government were very slow in taking any action, for it was not until November 15th, 1916, the announcement was made in the House of Commons that regulations would be issued under the Defence of the Realm Act to control commodities and prices. The powers pro- posed were : To appoirlt a food controller ; to fix prices of food where supply would be unaffected ; to discon- tinue " white " flour bread ; to deal with milk and THE WAR PERIOD 295 potatoes first ; to check extravagance in sweets ; to prevent waste or unnecessary destruction of any article of food. Mr. Runciman, President of the Board of Trade, in announcing these regulations, said the Government had been driven bit by bit, very much against their will, to sanction these regulations. It was impossible to have food regulations which did not bear hardly upon somebody, but the Government had the right to ask people at home to accept some hardship in order, that those who were giving up far more than their comfort for the country might be allowed to reap a glorious victory. Chapter XXXIX. Figures of Progress : 1867 to 1916 (Oct.). A Graphic Summary. STARTING in 1867 with 48 members, the k Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society had an original capital fund of £64 is. 7d. There is now a membership of 22,561, with a capital of ;f322,428 I2S. 3d. The first store was a small shop rented at less than 6s. a week. Now the society has 26 grocery stores, seven drapery stores and a millinery department, one boot shop (boots being also sold at drapery shops) and a boot repairing shop, a large bakery, two con- fectionery shops (confectionery being also sold at grocery stores), a clothing and outfitting store, a furnishing store, six coal wharves, a central provision warehouse, a model dairy ; and, in addition, a range of central offices, with committee rooms, employees' recreation room, and an assembly hall ; also stables, garage, grazing field, and other property and land — part of which is let on lease or rented to tenants. A GRAPHIC SUMMARY 297 In 1868, a few shillings, being dividend on purchases, were allowed to remain as capital in the Co-operative Wholesale Society. The society has now placed with that undertaking £9,140 in shares, and £44,797 i8s. 6d. on loan — a total of £53,937 i8s. 6d. There is also a large investment with various other Co-operative productive societies. With the sum of £13 lis. 7d. a reserve fund was started in 1874. This fund now stands at £20,258 7s. 7d., while there is also a dividend equalisation fund of £795 7s- 5id. The society's educational fund was founded in 1867 with 6s. lojd. The total amount which has passed to that fund is £18,630. Under a scheme of house-purchasing for members' benefit, business began in i88g, the sum of £2,000 being placed at the committee's disposal in April. The amount advanced to members on house property now stands at £74.302 9s. 6d. Land, buildings, and fixtures have cost £139,960 os. 5d., from which there has been written off for deprecia- tion £56,780 los. 9d. The present nominal value is therefore £83,179 9s. 8d. — viz. : Property, £70,224 6s. id. ; Fixtures, etc., £12,955 3s. 7d. In the first three quarters of the society's existence (1867) the sales amounted to £397 los. lod. In the three quarters of 1916 the sales have amounted to £484,260 4s. ofd. A statement showing the progress in the society's sales year by year is published in each quarterly report and balance sheet. Divided into five decennial periods the figures are as follows : — 298 A GRAPHIC ; 5UMMARY £ s- d. 1867 (3 qrs.) to 1876 32,264 5 3 1877 to 1886 .... .... 142,058 13 9 1887 „ 1896 .... 319,008 18 10 1897 „ 1906 .... 1,281,177 7 li 1907 „ 1916 (3 qrs.) .... 3,564,261 15 9 Total Sales •■■•£5,338,771 8i There has been returned to members in the form of rebate, bonus, or Dividend on Purchases .... ....£619,853 A general average of more than £12,000 a year. This, amount is what Co-operative purchasers have actually saved in their expenditure by dealing at their own shops, after establishing and building up the society, providing education and recreation funds, and liberally subscribing towards objects of social welfare. It does not include interest on shares or deposits. The society started with voluntary labour. Now there are between four and five hundred employees. Prior to the war the figures were 404 males and 41 females — 445 ; but the proportion of female services has been largely increased owing to military require- ments. Chapter XL. Our Historical Calendar. 1867 — Society constituted and business commenced at Cook Street. First Public Meeting. 1868 — New Store, Bishop Street, opened. First investment in C.W.S. 1869 — Coal agency started. 1870 — Branch Store started at Stretton-on-Dunsmore. Mr. A. C. Scrivener, first secretary, resigned. 1871 — Mr. G. Jarrams elected secretary (January). Mr. G. Jarrams resigned (August). Mr. J. W. Lewis elected secretary. 1872 — Mr. J. W. Lewis resigned. Mr. G. Thorpe elected secretary. 1873— Mr. G. Thorpe resigned. Mr. G. Jarrams again appointed secretary. 1874 — Penny Bank opened. First Educational Committee appointed. Drapery and Boot and Shoe Departments opened at Bishop Street Store. Reserve Fund started. 1875 — Testimonial to President (Mr. Hepworth). Pony and cart bought for bread delivery. 1876 — -Mr. Jarrams resigned ; Mr. A. L. Newbold elected secretary. Property — 45, Bishop Street — bought ; also site in West Orchard. 1877 — ^New Stores, West Orchard, built and opened. 300 OUR HISTORICAL CALENDAR 1878 — -Butchering business postponed. 1879 — -President and Secretary resigned. Mr. J. H. Williams elected president. Mr. Geo. Jarrams appointed secretary and manager. 1880 — -Singing Class started. Committee promulgate branch store policy. 1881 — Mr. WiUiams resigned ; Mr. Wm. Jones elected president. Mr. J. C. Farn, veteran co-operator, died (October 13). 1882 — -Coal trade started, supplying members direct. 1883 — Victoria Street Store opened. Bishop Street Store closed. 1884 — Gosford Street Store opened. Branch of Women's Co-operative Guild formed. 1885 — New system of bread-making installed. 1886 — Mr. Wm. Jones resigned ; Mr. J. T. Lower elected pre- sident. 1887 — ^Additional Ovens installed at Bakery, West Orchard. Dr. John Watts, eminent co-operator, died (February). 1888 — ^Society's " Coming of age " celebrated. House Purchasing Scheme adopted. 1889 — Business started in house purchasing. House and shop, Colchester Street, bought for branch store. 1890 — Property, 34, Bishop Street, bought. 1891 — ^Spon Street Branch Store opened. Site of new store at Earlsdon bought. 1892 — Britannia Music Hall bought and converted into Stores. Removal of Gosford Street Store to larger premises. 1893 — Death of Mr. Joseph Hepworth, first president (Sept. 12). 1894 — Death of Mr. Charles Shufflebotham (May 17). 1895 — New Stores at Earlsdon built. 1896 — Springfield Road Store opened (June). Nos. 23 and 24, Victoria Street, bought. Earlsdon New Store opened (June). 1897 — Dividend reaches 3s. in the pound. 1898 — New Bakery, Cox Street, opened (Nov. 22). Britannia Buildings, West Orchard, bought. Interest on Share Capital fixed at 4 per cent Educational Committee enlarged and two women members elected. OUR HISTORICAL CALENDAR 30I 1899 — Mr. Lower resigned ; Mr, Wm. Jones elected president (second time). Mr. R. Potts appointed grocery manager, 1900 — New Store (Britannia Buildings), West Orchard, opened (February). Field at AUesley Road bought for grazing purposes. Flood started (December 31). 1901 — Disastrous Flood (January 1). Stretton-on-Dunsmore Branch closed (March). Property, Gosford Street, rebuilt for Branch Store. Mr. W. H. Ansell retired from auditorship after 30 years' service. 1902 — Purchase of sites in Britannia Street, Somerset Road, and Stoney Stanton Road. Guarantee of ;£300 to Defence Fund against a boycott. 1903 — Amalgamation of Kenilworth Society. Death of Mr. W. H. Ansell, retired auditor. Site bought for Store at Geoffrey Wood's Cross. 1904 — Central Provision Warehouse, West Orchard, established. Land bought for Store at London Road. 1905 — Amalgamation of Stoney Stanton Road Prudential Co-operative Society (including Alderman's Green Society). Land, Earlsdon Street and Poplar Road, bought for New Store. 1906 — Threatened " Soap Combine." 1907 — Northfield Road and Dean Street sites bought. 1908 — Gosford Street Drapery Store opened. Victoria Street Drapery Store bought. Old Bakehouse, West Orchard, taken down, and several new rooms built. 1909— Bristol Road site bought. New Check System for Purchases adopted. 1910_Property, 38 and 39, Smithford Street, bought. Land in Swan Lane bought. 1911 — Exhibition of Co-operative Productions. Land at Foleshill Road, Bray's Lane, and Windsor Street bought. 1912 — Additional Land at Swan Lane, site of New Store at Kenilworth, and Property adjoining Central Provision Warehouse bought. 302 OUR HISTORICAL CALENDAR 1913 — Model Dairy opened (5th April). Lands at Humber Road and Walsgrave-on-Sowe bought. Corner Property, Fleet Street and West Orchard, bought. 1914 — Scheme for Society's Building Works Department approved. Plot of Land secured at Radford Road for Store. Mrs. Shufflebotham retired from Educational Committee. Employees' Trade Union Resolution passed. Mr. R. Potts appointed general manager. 1915 — Mr. Wm. Jones retired from Educational Committee. New Stores at Binley Colliery and Walsgrave-on-Sowe opened. 1916 — Albany Road Grocery Stores opened. New Clothing and Men's Outfitting Department, Fleet Street and West Orchard, opened. Mr. A. C. Scrivener, first secretary, died. 1917 — Society's 50th Anniversary ; Constituted March 19th. 1867. Chapter XLI. Co-operators' Architecture. " Sermons in stones." — Shakespeare. THE history of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society may be read in its buildings. The first store was merely a tenement in a neighbourhood that few would call picturesque. Shortly the society occupied a house in a more or less sordid main thoroughfare. Next there was built a modern edifice, substantial and well-adapted to its purposes, but unpretentious : there was no money available for ornamentation. When the Britannia Music Hall in Fleet Street was bought, decoration entered into the scheme of reconstruction : the new shops were compar- able with others in which like businesses were conducted at the time. And why — the question was asked — should not co-operators have as fine shops as other classes of the community ? In the building of district stores, ideals were further developed. These branches exhibit three characteristics. First — Utility, or adaptation to the intended purposes ; second — Homage to Hygeia, the goddess of health, in the selection of special materials to ensure light and sweetness ; third — Architecture, in the form of grace and adornment to a limited extent. 304 CO-OPERATORS ARCHITECTURE combined with decorative internal fitments. In the society's dairy, built in 1912, all the resources of science and inventive genius were drawn upon to erect, fit, and equip the establishment with a view to ensuring perfect purity together with the richest quality of the articles of diet produced. While it is said there is no beauty without utility, the building is not solely utilitarian. The dairy may be chaste in its general lines, but there is architecture in the stone dressings, in the carving of the head of a specimen of the bovine kind, in the tablet inscribed with the directors' names, and in the general harmonisation ; while both nature and art contribute adornment in the shrubbery. It is fairly claimed to be a model dairy architecturally and otherwise. Finally, dilapidated tenements have been replaced at the comer of West Orchard and Fleet Street by a stone edifice which not only combines utility and salubrity, but also architectural' importance. When the plans which have been prepared are completely carried out, the Central Stores will be a distinct ornament to the city and com- pare with the most handsome buildings of societies in any other part of the country. The various styles here enumerated may be taken as symbolising the start, development, and growth to maturity of the modern movement for social progress in Coventry — Co-operation. If the " sermons " in these stones became articulate, from what texts would they be preached ? It may be hazarded they would be topics such as " Self-help," " Economy and Thrift," " Keeping out of Debt," " Honesty in Business," " Application and Perse ver- ttnce," " Helping others," " Working together." Corner Block — Part of Scheme for New Premises, West Orchard and Fleet Street. co-operators' architecture 307 " Architecture is frozen music," said Prof. F. W. J. Scheling, who wrote long before the German degeneracy. Now, if the music in the architecture of co-operators' buildings in Coventry could be made liquid, what ideas would be expressed ? It may be suggested there would stream forth a sj^mphonic poem, descriptive of the different periods of Co-operation in Coventry. The first movement would bewail the wretchedness, the poverty and the ignorance of the working class in the pre-Co-operative era, and develop into a more cheerful tone indicating a gleam of hope. The next movement would be firmer and more sprightly as the Co-operative vision became clearer and there began the enterprise of self-help and fraternal effort. The third movement would describe the struggles, the hopes, the disappoint- ments, the buffetings of outrageous fortune, the per- severance of spirit, and the assurance of reaUsation. The final movement would Celebrate the deliverance that had been won in the toilers having come into their own, trumpet tones preparing the mind for a volume of harmony leading to a grand climax of satisfaction, joyfulness, and repose, with the suggestion that the best is yet to be ! All imagination ? A mere vision ? Doubtless ; but has it not been declared of old that " where there is no vision the people perish " ? And in the vision here poorly set forth there is no copyright. Any aspiring musician may without fee or license adopt it and improve upon it in a composition that may well prove sublime. Chapter XLII. Educational Work. By James Clay. THE following chapter is a short resume and comment on the work of the Educational Committee of the Society, and provides some interesting features in the history of the Society and its relative position to the social and educational activities of the citizens during the period of its existence. It is somewhat to be regretted that the records of its earlier years have not been sufficiently preserved to give any reliable data of its procedure from its first inception as a committee, but we have enough evidence to show that its main line of work lay in providing means for the promotion of the best known forms of social life among its members, although the spasmodic flights into higher realms of education generally ended in " croppers," and it found the line of least resistance in members' teas and entertainments of various kinds. It was of necessity that this was so, as it was essential that the comparatively small band of social reformers who saw in Co-operation the dawn of a better day for the toiler should have some means of social intercourse OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. 30q and fellowship other than that provided by the collective trade of the society, and also some channel by means of which missionary effort should find a mutual outlet and take a public place in the communal life. To find the wherewithal to meet these needs was apparently fully in the minds of the first committee of the society, as we find an item in the first balance sheet published, as follows : — " To Education, is. 6d." Truly it is well not to despise the day of small things. When that balance sheet was passed it was never within the minds of the enthusiasts who delightedly set aside the modest sum of eighteenpence that a similar pro- portion of the quarter's profits in 1917 devoted to the same object would reach over ;£i,ooo ; but inasmuch as it bore the same proportion to the profits of that day, it was an earnest of things to be. Fortunately at that time there was no separate com- mittee whose special function it would have been to properly dispose of this quarter's grant of one-and-six, or there would have been some cogitation required as to the most effective way of spending the same in the interests of the membership. All the same, it was a testimony to that broader out- look of those pioneers that out of the poverty they were willing to give a proportion that others might be taught the principles they themselves believed in. It is traditional that at many of the social meetings of the members of the early days, the little to be had from the profits was of necessity supplemented by the individuals attending. One hears of gatherings at which members brought their own " crocks and spoons," and in some instances provided the eatables also ; but 310 OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. these little things only served to stimulate their enthusiasm and prepare the way for larger days and wider opportunities. The first Educational Committee was appointed on October 17th, 1876, and it is noteworthy that the title and name of this first committee was " The Educational and Recreation Committee " of the Society, clearly indicating that its work lay not only in the propagation of Co-operative knowledge and ideals, but also in the providing of means of social life among the members. The absence of the records of these early years leaves us much in the dark cis to the doings and the personnel of the committees of these times, but it is evident their work was seriously hampered by lack of funds and had to be within strictly defined limits, allowing little margin for either speculative effort or risk of loss. The first records extant are dated April 28th, 1888, and we find that at this meeting Mr. W. Perkins was elected chairman and Mr. H. J. Penn secretary, while the other members of the committee were Mrs. M. Shufflebotham and Messrs. Booker and Jackson. It is evident at this time that a publication of some sort was in existence, inasmuch as at this particular meeting there is a resolution " That once a quarter a ' riddle ' be introduced," evidently in the publication referred to, probably some form of " Record," which afterwards had a limited monthly circulation. No specimen is given as to the kind of conundrum that evidently found its way into the columns of the periodical aforesaid, nor any indication of the results of this early instance of the " pushing " journalism of later days, but it was evidently an honest attempt to give the " Record " OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. 31I more of a fireside character tiian liad formerly been the case. In the July of that year we also find a highly iateresting entry — to us in these days — of a resolution to hold a picnic at Warwick, to which is added the significant proviso " that the parties attending must find their own refreshments." There thus appears to have been, even in those days, a " food shortage," either from lack of funds to adequately cater for those attending, or from the hope that if the "parties " carried this regulation out loyally and " found their own " all would be satisfied. We regret to read, however, in a subse- quent " minute," that it was resolved " not to hold this picnic," the idea evidently not having " caught on," In fact, this seems to have been the fate of many well meant efforts, either from the want of support by the membership or from other causes ; but it should also be remembered that Coventry at various times in these years passed through seasons of great depression industrially, and one is not surprised that many of these attempts fell through, although the way in which the committee " comes up smiling " after each dis- heartenment is beyond aU praise, and speaks volumes for the enthusiasm of the workers of those times. In this year there was conceived and projected a series of lectures by local celebrities and gentlemen resident in the town, which is a high testimony to the work of this committee, and although it was two or three years before the whole of the lectures were given, it is interesting to find the attitude of these gentlemen was distinctly friendly to a movement which was sneered at and contemned by the large majority of the 312 OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. inhabitants, and one notes with pleasure the names of tho Rev. J. Heaviside, Canon Beaumont, Mr. Montagu Wilks, Mr. E. J. Allen, and others of the foremost citizens, who willingly answered the invitation to lecture to the members. It is to be feared that the membership did not always, any more than they did in later times, appreciate to the full the advantages offered by these events ; but it is well to chronicle that these gentlemen remained staunch friends of the movement until death or other causes removed them from the city. We discover in September, 1888, a reference to a sing- ing class, at which prizes for sight reading were offered. This is the first intimation of any attempt of the kind, and although apparently not a success, may have paved the way for the revival of choral music which was such a marked feature of the work later on. Many changes occurred about this time in the per- sonnel of the committee, and we find that in January 7th, 1889, Mr. W. Jones attended, after his election to the committee, and remained with the connection unbroken untU his retirement in 1915. In April he was elected as chairman, and retained the position during the whole of the years he served on the committee. A first attempt was also made in this year to cater for the juveniles — classes and prize essays were instituted, but no means of ascertaining their probable success or failure are at hand. In this year, i88g, a much bolder step was taken in the institution of lectures under the Cambridge University Extension Scheme, and although from the records this seems to have resulted as a financial loss, OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. 313 it appears not to have acted in any way as a deterrent to future action on these Unes. At Christmas, 1889, the first of the long series of annual entertainments to the children of members was arranged for, and the then wonderful " magic lantern " was called into requisition, although on a later occasion the use of this was discontinued, as it was found that the " very juvenile " section were more frightened than amused at the darkness that added to the effect. In the year 1891 the growth of the society had caused the educational grant to increase from the modest IS. 6d. to a much appreciated £10 per quarter, and enabled the committee to make a small grant to the Women's Guild for special purposes — a practice which has not been allowed to die out. A very interesting event occurred in April, 1892. The society having purchased the Britannia Vaults, in Fleet Street, and the license being allowed thereby to lapse, the taking over of the premises was celebrated by a concert on the premises before it was reconstructed as a drapery establishment for the members. In July of this year a grant of £25 was made to the Technical School " in accordance with the wish of the quarterly meeting," and in response to the desire which existed at that time for the establishment of technical training centres throughout the country. This was the period when England was waking up from her sleep, and preparing to catch up the lee-way of half a century of inertia in educational affairs. We note that in August of this year (1892) the men's ambulance classes, with Dr. Richardson Rice as lecturer, were in full swing, and this connection was maintained 314 OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. for many years, during which these classes were, as they are now, a great success. This work had been going on for some years under the local branch of the St. John Ambulance Association, but about this time the society's classes were made a centre of themselves, independent of outside authority and completely controlled by the committee who paid for them. Co-operative Festival Choir. October I2th, 1893, saw the opening night of the singing classes instituted by the committee under the conductorship of Mr. F. W. Humberstone. The surprise of the evening was the fact that some 300 aspirants for musical knowledge attended and were divided into two classes — those over 16 years of age and those under. By this rough and ready method the singing classes of the society were started, and from this meeting emanated the choir that eventually won so much renown for itself, not only in its own vicinity, but in the Co-operative world. It was evident that an enormous amount of " spade work " had to be done before such material could ever be made to produce results to be admired, but in Mr. Humberstone the society had acquired a gentleman possessed of the very essentials requisite for the task. With a profound knowledge of his subject, a peculiar fitness for the role of teacher, a great S3mipathy with his pupils, and an unquenchable optimism in the possibilities of results to be obtained, he faced the task with fervour, and did not leave it tiU the choir had so far attained a standard of excellence as to in a few years take its place in the great choirs that annually • • ■ HH^^S •ii^ft*?^ 1 .^ll^^^^V' ■■ ^' ^^^ r >:'r -:,::: -, " H hi o o Q W w a; OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. 3I7 assembled at the Crystal Palace for the yearly Co- operative Festival. " He laboured, and others entered into his labours," but the triumphs of later years would have been impossible but for the splendid work that, as teacher and conductor, Mr. Humberstone did for the Coventry Co-operative Choir. With the appointment of Mr. Alfred Petty to the conductorship, in 1898, the activities of the choir took on a wider scope, and the formation of a special com- petition choir marked a new era in its career. In 1900 the choir became the holder of the Earl Grey Shield, won in open competition at the Crystal Palace, and repeated this success in 1902, in the same year winning also the Midland Challenge Shield at Wellingboro', and in 1903 and 1904 carrying off the Nottingham Musical Festival Challenge Shield. Great credit for these results was due to the untiring enthusiasm of Mr. Petty in his work, and to the loyal support of the students under his tuition, to the earnest- ness of all, and to the fostering care and help of the Educational Committee. The list of successes of this choir would be a long one to chronicle. It is sufficient to say that its honours were more than any other co-operative choir could boast of, and that in 1907 it again became the holder of the Earl Grey Shield, and yet again in 191 1— thus having won this coveted trophy four times — and in the same year recapturing the Jesse Boot Shield at the Nottingham Festival. Mr. Petty was succeeded in his of&ce by Mr, John Potter, who also added to the long list of successes, both at the Palace and in other open competitions at 3l8 OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. Leamington, Birmingham, Blackpool, and other places ; winning also in 1912 the Curwen Challenge Cup and Chandler Silver Challenge Cup. As a means of contributing to the musical education and entertainment of the citizens of Coventry the choir had few equals, and the efforts of the committee to utilise this splendid agent were many and various, not always meeting the patronage and support they deserved. At one time an attempt to establish the much abused " Saturday Pops " in Coventry was made, and a splendid programme prepared for the concert, with a uniform charge of 3d. per head for admission, and it was fuUy expected that a huge success would be the result, but to the great surprise of the promoters and performers, only a few attended, and as it was apparent that Coventry did not require these, the whole project was abandoned after the first experiment, much to the regret of the promoters and to the loss of aU concerned. Many are the disappointments and surprises of caterers for the public. Courses of Lectures. Reference has been made to the effort to introduce and carry out a scheme of University Extension Lectures in 1889, with its subsequent failure. In September, 1893, the committee made representations to the local Technical Institute committee, with the result that the Oxford University Extensipn scheme inaugurated in the city a series of lectures on " Political Economy," by Mr. J. Hobson, one of the finest exponents of that peculiaily dry but intensely interesting subject, and these again were a success. Other series followed by Dr. Samways, the Rev. Hudson Shaw, and other OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. 319 lecturers, and formed a very valuable agency for education in the city. In all these the Educational Committee valiantly seconded the efforts of their fellow townsmen to promote the higher education of the peopli , always stipulating that these courses of lectures should be made to come within the reach of the ordinary worker who wished to attend. Among other agencies employed by the Educational Committee a debating club was started in 1896 for men, and after a stormy existence was discontinued, but during its brief if eventful career it was instrumental in bringing to the notice of the local authorities the advantages of the lectures then being given in many towns under the Gilchrist Trust scheme, and through a resolution passed at one of the club's meetings, these extremely fascinating and highly educative science lectures were introduced to the city, a town's committee being appointed to carry out the provisions of the Trust, and for many years these lectures and others organised and carried on by town's committees delighted, entertained, and educated the citizens at a ridiculously small charge for admission. The birthplace of the whole scheme, was, however, the Co-operative Society's Debating Club for Men. Many other series of lectures have marked the course of the society's history, and have formed part of the educational work of the society's committee ; but the advent of the picture show has caused this form of entertainment to lose some of its power of attraction for the public, and it has fallen into a back rank, to the distinct loss of the mental standard of the public generally. 320 our educational department. Evening Schools. It was in 1897 that the question of estabUshing evening schools under the Board of Education was first mooted and considered by the Educational Committee. At that time there were in existence no evening classes of any kind in the city at which youths and girls of over school age could attend, and the streets of the city were nightly thronged with young people who, in the words of the song, " were all dressed up and nowhere to go," except to promenade the streets of the town till, foot weary, they turned at last for home, or arrived at an age when they were welcomed in the club or " pub." but with very few means of passing their leisure hours in either congenial or beneficial pursuits. With this state of things the Education Committee were profoundly dissatisfied, and at the instigation of the chairman, Mr. Jones, seriously considered the question of opening classes for these adolescents as a double means of helping them. There were at that time in existence the singing classes referred to, and the ambulance classes, and with these and other projected classes a scheme was submitted and approved of by which the classes would come under the Board of Education for inspection and also be allowed a grant on attendance of students at same, and it was intended to open the school in January, 1898. At this juncture the whole scheme was thrown out of gear and almost ruined by the action of the local School Board of that date, who refused permission for any of the teachers under their control to take up evening school work, although they permitted head OUK EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. 32 1 teachers under the Board the privilege denied to assist- ants. This curiously illogical " ban," however, only set more fast the committee's resolution to proceed with the work of catering for the young folk of the town, and by securing teachers not under the control of the School Board set going four classes, with the result that at the end of the half session of 1898 a Government grant had been earned and received of £11, and the evening school scheme fairly launched. When the time arrived for opening the next session, in September, 1898, it was found that the local School Board had reconsidered its position and the " ban " on its assistants removed. This gave the committee a free hand, and with Mr. Alfred Seeley acting as head teacher, and Messrs. Dawson, Petty, and French as teachers, the school opened with nine subjects, including the singing and ambulance classes. These were all a great success, and proved conclusively that the need for such classes was great in the city. As a matter of fact, to such an extent had the classes justified their formation that the Coventry School Board, convinced now that such classes were needed in the city, obtained the necessary permission, and followed suit, making evening schools in nearly all their elementary school buildings, and staffing their own evening schools with the teaching staff of the day schools, thus executing a complete volte face in this matter and proving the wisdom of the society's committee in the action they had taken. For this new session the school earned £73 as grant, and from that period to the present time the schools have been a uniform success. 322 OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. During the last ten years the number of classes held during the session has generally been about forty each week, with a teaching staff of fifty persons. The average grant earned by the schools is about ;f6oo per annum, and this amount is generally half the expense of the upkeep of the schools. A roll of some i,ooo names forms the list of students, and makes altogether one of the most successful evening schools in the country. The classes are periodically visited by H.M. Inspectors of evening schools, who invariably commend the organisation and discipline of the classes. For five nights in the week, from the commencement of September till the close of April in the following year, the rooms of the society in West Orchard and the rooms attached to West Orchard Sunday School are fiUed with eager students, children of members mostly, whose studies are divided into courses, both commercial and domestic, so that a thorough secondary education is afforded them at a nominal cost to each. Opportunity is given at the close of each session to test the progress and attainment of such students as care to enter the examination of the Union of Educational Institutions, whose certificates, when obtained, form a very great advantage in obtaining situations of the better class in commercial life, and many students have availed themselves of these privileges. A very high average of passes at the examinations is generally the result of the year's working, while almost every session sees two and three of the Union prizes carried off by our students — a very great honour indeed, when it is borne in mind that the examinations are open to all England. OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. 323 During the years many changes have taken place in the methods and system of teaching, many in accordance with the changing policy of the various heads of the Board of Education. In the earlier years it was found possible to have lecture classes in such subjects as " The life and duties of the Citizen " and " The Science of Common Things," with 300 students. The subjects were illustrated by the lantern, and were very popular ; but, later on, orders from the authorities caused these classes to cease in this form, and what is known as the " course " system was adopted. This possesses many undoubted advan- tages, but does not have the attraction for the young people that the older classes did. The annual prize distributions, which are held in August each year, are always a great event, and are appreciated highly by the students and parents. For many years these were held first in the Corn Exchange, then, when this building was converted into a music hall, they were transferred to the Drill HaU. Here some 1,000 persons would assemble to hear the addresses of gentlemen whose sympathies were with the educational efforts of the society, and to listen to the singing of the choral classes connected with the school. The prizes of the year have been distributed by successive mayors of the city, church dignitaries, heads of large industrial concerns, and leaders in the educa- tional work of the city and other gentlemen in high social position in the city and county, and all have expressed their surprise and admiration of the extent and excellence of the work of the schools. 324 OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. That these classes have filled a great want in the lives of the young people of the city there is indisputable evidence, while there is also no doubt that the rooms of the society form a more congenial home for these students than they can find in the elementary schools of the city, a fact which has proved a subject for surprise to more than one of the inspectors whose duty has brought him in contact with our work in West Orchard. Before leaving this question of the classes organised and " carrying on " under the education code of the Government, it is only right to allude to the services rendered the schools by the head master, Mr. Alfred Seeley, to whose enthusiasm and untiring zeal much of the long-continued success is undoubtedly due. Mr. Seeley has, combined with exceptional powers of organisation and a great capacity for hard work, an enthusiasm for education that few possess, and these qualities have enabled him throughout the long and trying experiences of the years to guide the enterprise in many difficult situations and through many troublous times. The uniform and unqualified success of the schools under his care are the best testimony to the high abilities he has brought to bear in the conduct of them. From small things he has seen grow up an educational institu- tion in his native city that is hardly rivalled for efficiency by any school in the country, and he has the satisfaction of knowing that this verdict is endorsed by the most critical form of investigation to which his work is subject, viz., the visits of H.M. Inspectors of Evening Schools, who do riot tolerate inefficiency, and whose unquaUfied praise of the schools have been repeated over and over again. OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. 325 The work of the head master has been seconded loyally and well by a devoted band of teachers, many of whom are now serving their king and country in the armies in the various fields of this widespread war, and but few remain of the men who gathered round the head master in the years when the schools were growing by leaps and bounds, but to them and their work must be paid the tribute they well deserve and the hope expressed that in a short time they may return in health and strength to the scenes of their earlier triumphs. It is somewhat difficult to attempt comment on any special part of the work of the schools, but it is well to mention here that the classes instituted for adults have been an equal success with those for the younger people. Notably is this the case with regard to the Ambulance Classes. The formation of the first of these has been referred to, and they have been continued in an unbroken sequence for over a quarter of a century, probably a record in ambulance work. At first intended for men only, these classes were affiliated to an ambulance brigade of small dimensions and troubled existence, but, being fostered by the Educational Committee, the brigade flourished, and at the outbreak of war nearly every man was drafted to work in some one or other of the units of the R.A.M.C, thus putting into valuable practice for the alleviation of suffering the knowledge obtained when no shadow of such an emergency had crossed their path. It was, however, apparent that what was good for the men to know would be equally useful for the women in the membership, and courses of ambulance and home 326 OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. nursing were instituted and taken up with vigour and enthusiasm in 1894, and proved a great blessing and success. Here, too, the needs of the war called loudly, in 1914, to many of the students and several entered various Red Cross hospitals and devoted themselves and their knowledge to the care of the wounded, and in this work we wish them " god-speed." These classes for adults have always been a great success, while the high percentage of passes in the examinations of the St. John Ambulance Association testify to the excellent tuition of the teacher. Dr. Linley Heald, and the work of the two superintendents. Miss H. Parker and Mr. W. J. Cotton, whose long experience and extensive knowledge are always at the service of the students of the classes. Mention should also be made of the Cookery Classes which for some ten years have been held in the various cookery kitchens of the local education authority, to whose courtesy in allowing the use of these kitchens we are deeply indebted. Replete with all appliances necessary for the students' use, and situated in parts of the city easily accessible, these Council cookery kitchens have proved a great boon to the students in our schools, enabling them to obtain a complete and useful course of domestic instruction when applied in conjunction with the other subjects taught in the schools. Citizenship. Also, among subjects for adults, the classes in Industrial History and Citizenship have been held at intermittent periods, and we are pleased to say that OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. 327 much valuable work has been accomplished in these classes. The study of these things calls for a close application, and it is grateful to find that when circum- stances permitted many men and women gathered to read together and discuss those problems, on the correct solution of which a right understanding of the control and government of public affairs depends. It is with regret that we record that here again, as once before referred to, the unceasing demands on the time of the workers has prevented the holding of these classes during the continuance of the war ; but despite these obstacles it is the determination of the Educational Committee to revive them, as they believe in their immense value to the worker in view of the problems that wiU face this country in the near future. For the Juvenile. The children of the members have not been neglected by -the Educational Committee. Realising that you cannot at too early an age foster ideas worth having in the young mind, they have persistently carried out a series of entertainments, both summer and winter, for the juvenile portion of the members' families. For the last three years large gatherings of four or five thousand have been held in the City Cricket Grounds, at which suitable entertainments have been provided ; while at Christmastide entertainments are held in various parts of the areas in which the membership reside, and about 4,000 children look forward each year for the return of the happy annual affairs. Thus from a very early age the idea of the " Co-op." is associated with the good things of life, and later years see these 328 OUK EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. young folks turn their attention to the society that in childhood thought of and helped them. Other Forms of Work. In many other ways the committee endeavour to carry out the " educational and recreational " work confided to them. The invitation concert given in March of each year to the aged and poor, when 600 or more guests are invited and a pleasant evening closes with a small presentation parcel of useful goods, is a feature of the work that has yielded many happy results. District meetings are held at varying places and periods, at which addresses on Co-operation are given by members of the committees and others, and these are always highly appreciated. This has now been the practice for many years, and has proved of great value. At one of the outlying branches — viz., Walsgrave — the Education Committee have made, with the help of the members there, the branch hall over the store a centre of social life for the district, and the result has well justified the experiment. During the winter months classes and lectures are held every night during the week, and are uniformly successful. For a long number of years the annual meeting of the society was held successively in the Corn Exchange, Hertford Street, and then in the Baths Assembly Hall, and on these occasions the part of the Educational Committee consisted in providing the musical section of the evening's programme. This was generally the work of the Festival Choirs, and for over fifteen years it formed a very highly attractive feature of the gatherings. OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. 329 During the winter sessions of 1913-14-15 a series of ii'orkers' conferences was held, at which delegates from all the workers' organisations in the city attended, and subjects were discussed on the Saturday afternoons of common and vital interest to the workers. These meetings were highly educative and of great value, as showing the many ways in which Co-operation could help in the alleviation of distress and the uplift of the toiler. These unfortunately had to cease owing to war conditions in the workshops. In the distribution of Co-operative literature the Com- mittee have found the pages of the Wheatsheaf (now a household need) extremely useful, and 6,000 of the monthly magazines are distributed gratuitously to members and are highly appreciated. The Yearly Calendar published by the Educational Committee is also highly prized, giving as it does the dates of matter and times that affect the membership in relation to the society's work. An annual order of 10,000 is only just sufficient to meet the needs for this form of information. The Co-operative News, the weekly organ of the movement, is on sale at every store, at a halfpenny cost to the purchaser, and should be more in circulation than it is at present. Long Services. Before closing this short resume of the educational work, a word should be said as to the long services of some of the ladies and gentlemen who have worked for the society through its means. Notable is the case of Mrs. M. Shufflebotham, who was one of the earliest members and whose connection. 330 OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. though broken at one time, was in all over twenty years with the committee. Much of this time Mrs. Shuffle- botham was also president of the Women's Guild, and in the dual capacity did excellent work wholeheartedly and well. Mr. Councillor W. Jones, who was elected in 1889 and made chairman in the same year, remained in that office until his retirement from the committee in 1915, and during that long period was devoted to the work not only on this committee but in the city at large, serving on the old school board and on the local education authority in succession, being later appointed chairman of the Education Committee of the Council of the City, the highest honour his colleagues could pay him and a tribute to his unceasing labours. Mr. William Adams was elected in 1897, and for 17 years remained a member of the committee, earning the high esteem of his fellow members and receiving on his retirement an illuminated address as a token of their appreciation of his labours for the membership. In 1901 Mr. W. Compton first joined the committee, and stiU remains a member, and has rendered valuable aid to his colleagues in aU forms of their labour. Mr. James Clay wels elected in 1893, and the same year was appointed secretary to the committee, and has held the office unbrokenly up to the present time. The present chairman of the committee, Mr. W. E. Wood, was elected in January, 1910, and accepted the chairmanship on the retirement of Mr. Jones. Mr. Wood is an enthusiast in co-operative and kindred work, and under his leadership much good work for the members has been done. OUR EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT 33I The other members of the present committee are Mrs. E. Chalker, who is also secretary of the Coventry branch of the Women's Guild ; Miss H. Parker, whose work in the Women's Ambulance Classes has been alluded to ; Mr. J. H. Pendlebury, who is secretary to the Coventry Men's Guild ; and Mr. W. T. Newlove, whose work as organiser of the building trades specially qualifies him for useful work on this committee. To the high ideals and unswerving loyalty of those members who have passed over the " great divide " or who have retired from the activities of service we pay the tribute due. To those of us who remain comes the call to " carry on," so that through the years the " unceasing purpose runs," and those who follow us may say that we did well for the city we lived in, and served our day and generation faithfully and well. Chapter XLIIl. Women's Work in Co-operation. " The female woman is one of the greatest institooshuns of which this land can boste. It is onpossible to get along without her. She is good in sickness — good in wellness — good all the time." — Artemus Ward. A S Theodore Parker long ago pointed out, a woman / \ has the same human nature that a man has, ■*- ^ the same human rights — to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — the same human duties ; and they are as inalienable in a woman as in a man. The Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society has never placed a ban on women members. From some points of view it might be argued that they have the greater concern in the movement, for are they not the housekeepers and don't they spend the money ? i Mr. Holyoake, in his " History of Co-operation," tells a good story of woman's sagacity. He says — Women were often the best friends of the store, and persuaded their husbands to become members when they had not the sense to do so themselves. In promoting industrial partnership plans they often show quicker wit than their husbands. I heard one say at a partner- ship dinner of Messrs. Gimson's men at Leicester, that ■ WOMEN S WORK IN CO-OPERATION 333 he had no faith in getting anything that way. His wife said, " Well, don't be a fool. You join, and give me your share of the profits to buy a new gown with." He made the promise, and found she had enough the first year to buy her three gowns, and then he added, laughingly, he " was sorry he had made the promise." (Vol. n, page 237). Nearly forty years were to elapse, however, after the starting of the Rochdale Pioneers' Society before women were enabled to form an auxiliary of their own — ^not in opposition, but as the complement to the ordinary administration, and to work in their own sphere. The Women's Co-operative Guild dates from 1883, its objects being, says " Hazell's Annual " for 1916, " to educate women in Co-operative principles, and increase their power and activity in the movement. It has 31,500 members in nearly 600 branches. Its main lines of work have recently been in the spread of Co- operation among the poor, the housing question, anti-credit, divorce law reform, and citizenship cam- paign." The title is self -commendatory : none can disagree with the contention of Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the American poetess, that the term Woman is far grander than that of " lady." Of honourable women there were not a few who had espoused Co-operation, and who had all along been connected with the Perseverance Society. In fact women were among its first members, and their work has been a part of the institution. Very shortly after the inauguration of the Women's Co-operative Guild it was determined to start a branch in Coventry. The 334 women's work in co-operation first meeting was held on November 20th, 1884, eight members being present, and a president (Mrs. Shuffle- bo tham), a secretary (Miss Shuffle bo tham) and other officers being appointed. Shortly afterwards the branch was affiliated to the national organisation. The first social function appears to have been an al fresco gathering by invitation of the president (Mrs. Shuffiebotham) at her house, Canley Cottage, Whor Lane, when the members not only had a treat in viewing the gardens, but in learning something of the nature and habits of busy bees. The last day of the year 1886 was celebrated by a friendly and convivial meeting in the Assembly Room, West Orchard, commencing with a party at 5 o'clock, and ending with a dance when the bells were ringing in the New Year. The tables being cleared, a musical and miscellaneous entertainment commenced at 7 o'clock and was brought to a close at 9 by a cordial vote of thanks to the chairman and president of the society. The meeting passed off well, all being pleased. During the evening the following address was read by the president of the branch (Mrs. Shuffiebotham) : — " Although the Coventry branch of the Women's Co-operative Guild has been in existence two years, this may be regarded as our first annual meeting. Yet I think it will be acknowledged that we have not been idle. At the commencement of every movement difficulties will naturally arise, Eind we were not without them ; but the committee of the Perseverance Society, by giving us the use of a room free, have made these difficulties much less, and we have gradually increased in number up to the present time. Starting with seven WOMEN'S WORK IN CO-OPERATION 335 members, we now number thirty-five, the attendance being very good. " As there may be some present who do not under- stand the objects of our Guild, it will perhaps be well that I should explain in this brief address some of the purposes we seek to carry out in our meetings. The first of these is to gain greater knowledge of Co-operation, and to do our best to spread this knowledge among others so that we may become more united and useful to each other in self-help and independence. The store we look to as the initial step to greater things, but unless we are loyal to the store these greater things may never be attained. " At our fortnightly meetings, which are very pleasant, we read and work together, and at other times do all we can to assist the committee of the store at their meetings and entertainments, and have just commenced a sewing class. We think if these guilds had been started by the women years ago, when Co-operation was such uphill work, much more progress would have been made — but ' better late than never.' I am afraid in those early days we women were a drag upon the wheel, and thought this Co-operation was a fad of the men to take them from their homes, and were selfish enough to wish to monopolise them for home consumption, disregarding the fact that there are social as well as domestic duties for both men and women. To the honour of our sex we have lately seen, however, what a woman can do when thoroughly in earnest ; for we learn that at Southam, where a small society had been estabUshed and through mismanagement had got into difficulties, so that there was a danger that all or nearly 336 women's work in co-operation all the savings of the poor labourers who established it would be lost, a woman steps forward, and by her good business ability sets both their house and books in order, so that there is every likelihood of its flourishing. And even here in this good old city of Coventry, when the courage of the men had failed, and was oozing out, so to speak, from their finger ends, the firmness and good faith of a woman saved the store and taught that lesson of perseverance embodied in its title. I sincerely hope this lady is living, so that we may make her an honorary member of our guild, if unable to attend our meetings." Another annual gathering held on Saturday evening, December 31st, 1887, possessed many points of interest. The meeting was held in the Co-operative Assembly Room. The president of the society (Mr. J. T. Lower) occupied the chair, and a varied and pleasant programme of songs, readings, etc., was gone through, apparently to the satisfaction of all present. The entertainment was followed by a number of dances till the old year took its departure. During the evening the financial account for 1887'was read by the Secretary (Miss A. Kirby), and the following report was read by the president of the branch (Mrs. Shufflebotham) : — " By the kind permission of the committee of the Perseverance Society we commenced the year as we hope to end it, in this room, by a merry dance. " We started the year with a full complement of members, as many indeed as the room placed at our disposal would hold, so we could not consistently ask more to join. These, we are pleased to say, have kept well together during the year. At our suggestion the WOMEN S WORK IN CO-OPERATION 337 committee have most considerately had the room enlarged, which will add very much to the comfort of the members, and will enable us to invite more to join us. Having, by the successful sale of our work on Monday afternoons, succeeded in getting a few pounds in hand, as you will learn from the balance sheet, we hope to use this in getting a class up for the study of nursing or cookery, and especially do we wish to interest the young women belonging to this society in such things, as they are of so much importance to their future welfare and usefulness. We are pleased to note that substantial progress has been made in the sales in all departments of the Perseverance Society, and we hope and believe some of this progress has been due to the Guild. A large field of usefulness is still open in this direction. " The work especially of productive societies who share profits with workers should be asked for, and, if good and supplied at a reasonable price, purchased in preference to any other, for by this means the workers can be helped in a practical way to emancipate them- selves and become their own employers. It is little use preaching up Co-operation unless we practise it ! Sticking to your own shop, and adding to your own as well as its prosperity, will be far more likely to bring on the good time when honest labour shall everywhere meet its just reward, than running after cheap shops started by others, who either want to make profit out of you or sweat it out of working men or women whose poverty makes them powerless to resist. " The ' coming of age ' of the Perseverance Society next spring will, we trust, be celebrated in a befitting 338 women's work in co-operation manner, and we also trust that all the help we can give will be heartily rendered to make this celebration a grand success and show to outsiders that now we have passed the age of infancy we mean to do the work of grown-up men and women. " In a place like Coventry, if people were only half awake to their true interests, we should soon double or treble our membership. This celebration should be made a means of awakening some of them at least from their slumbers." The remainder of this chapter on " Woman's Work " is written from memoranda kindly prepared by the committee of the guild : — For many years good and useful work was done under the presidency of Mrs. Shufflebotham and a committee of willing workers, a room being provided on the West Orchard premises by the kindness of the management committee of the society. The first object of the members of the guild was to spread the principles of Co-operation, and at the same time help on any work which stood in need of such assistance as they could give. Garments were made and given to poor children ; old garments renovated, and sewing and cutting-out taught ; while reading from the Co-operative News and other literature was made a point of as an educational work. Funds were raised by small weekly gifts from members, and concerts and dances ; these, with the proceeds of sales of work, went to charitable purposes, and a gift to the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital of an invalid chair. women's work in co-operation 339 A singing class was also formed, with Mr. W. Ward as teacher, and was well attended. At the end of five years a grant of £5 was made by the Educational Committee, the work having been carried on previously without any financial assistance. The guild members were always an:jcious to place their services at the disposal of the society's committee in their social and educational efforts, and they have assisted on many occasions. Increase of membership was almost impossible for some years, owing to want of accommodation ; but a larger room being eventually found, invitations were issued to those who were Ukely to join, and with grati- fying success. Mrs. Shufflebotham, at the end of twenty-five years' service, decided to resign her position as president, but consented to remain a guild member. A presentation was made to her of a flower and fruit stand, which carried with it the esteem and respect of all the members. The members unanimously elected Mrs. M. A. Keene to the position of president, which position she has continued to hold to the present time. On the com- pletion of ten years' presidency the- guild acknowledged her services by presenting her with a flower and fruit stand. The presentation was made by two of the oldest members, who were amongst the first committee, viz., Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Kenning, who, together with Mrs. Kirby, Mrs. Burbury, Miss Shufflebotham, and the late Mrs. Coulson, and Mrs. Ward, did so much earnest work at the beginning. The membership has increased, and before the war was considerably over one hundred paid-up members. 340 women's work in co-operation A most useful and much needed work has been carried on by the lending out to Co-operative members of all kinds of appliances for sick rooms, with spinal carriage, bath chairs, and crutches. Applications for all these articles have been so numerous as to fully justify the expenditure. A very small charge is made to cover repairs, the initial outlay being granted up to £20 by the members of the society, the guild undertaking the care and management of the articles, with Mrs. Newbold (secretary) and a committee. A free tea and entertainment are also given annually to two hundred men and women over sixty years of age, an event which is looked forward to with pleasure by the aged guests. The sewing and cutting-out have now been given up, and an entirely educative Co-operative work is aimed at, such questions as the abolition of credit trading and entrance fees, women's work on committees, suffrage, and divorce law reform receiving consideration at the guild meetings. Maternity and children's welfare have been given a good deal of attention. The guild has representatives on the committees for these objects, and they are among those who desire the responsibility for the two latter subjects to be placed on the shoulders of the municipal authorities. The additional accommodation and the increase in the amount of the annual grant from the educational committee have enabled the guild to enlarge its various spheres of work, and the education of women members, so that they may become more loyal co-operators cind understand and teach others what are the great under- lying principles of the movement. The grant has also o WOMEN S WORK IN CO-OPERATION 343 enabled the guild to send delegates to conference and congress, who are pledged to bring reports so that the whole of the members may get the benefit of papers and discussions. Co-operative and other friends are invited to visit the guild meetings and give addresses on any interesting questions, so that the educational side of the work may be on a broad basis, and the desire to help the great movement and its various agencies fostered in the hearts and minds of the members that they may hand on to their children the knowledge of co-operative principles. The guild feels much indebted to the educational committee of the society for making it possible for them to hold classes and a two days' school once a year, to which members of neighbouring branches are invited. As a result, two members sat for the Co-operative Union's examination last session, and passed — viz., Mrs. Kemp and Mrs. Biggs. The latteris also a Sectional Council member and has served on the District Com- mittee. Mrs. Keene has been a guild worker for many years, being elected three times sectional council member, and also president of the district. She also has a seat on the board of directors of the society. Mrs. Keene is, too, a guardian of the poor, having been first elected to that body in 1907. The guild has for some years had two representatives on the educational committee. Mrs. Shuiflebotham and Mrs. Tipson were the earlier members, later on Mrs. Corrie, and now the guild secretary, Mrs. Chalker, is in that position. 344 women's work in co-operation The present officers and the committee are as follows : President : Mrs. M. A. Keene. Vice-President : Mrs. A. E. Corrie. Treasurer : Mrs. A. M. Gandy. Secretary : Mrs. E. Chalker. Committee : Mesdames Allen, Smith, York, Biggs, Proctor, Haywood, and Roxborough. The meetings are held on Wednesday evenings, and the committee are very glad to welcome any friends or intending members, at half-past six o'clock, in the guild room. " We should fail in our duty did we not give a meed of praise to the Women's Guild, whose value it is impossible to over-estimate ; for we can say without fear that the Coventry and Rugby societies are all the stronger and better for having a good branch of the Women's Guild attached at each place, working harmoniously with the educational and general committees for the good of the societies." — Report of the Coventry and District Conference Association for 1896. Chapter XLIV. The Men's Guild. Its Objects and Programme. ' ' I never yet met a man who had seriously forecasted the means by which his fellow-men could be bettered who did not detect the readiest means in Co- operation. The kindliest and most genial men have laboured for and advocated it ; the shrewdest and most prudent have commended it ; and if the mass of working men fairly grapple with the problem, and undertake to work it out, the present progress of the English nation will be as nothing compared with its future.'' — Professor J. E. Thorold Rogers. THE youngest branch of service connected with the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society is the Men's Guild. There has seemed need of organisations to specialise in spreading the light of Co-operation and re-enthusing co-operators. Women's Guilds have given strength to the movement ; and guilds of Co-operative men have opportunities for promoting social development on Co-operative principles. The fundamental object of a Men's Guild is to promote Co-operation, harmoniously working with the society to which it is an auxiliary, and 346 THE men's guild by education and advocacy to permeate the mind of the community. The National Co-operative Men's Guild was started in 1910, and the following is a statement of its Objects. Primarily : To arouse, maintain, and increase interest on the part of men co-operators of all sections in the working and development of the Co-operative movement. Generally : To make known the principles of Co- operation and assist towards their universal application to human affairs. Motto : " Unrestricted Co-operation for all purposes of life." The local branch was formed in 1914. The project was introduced at a quarterly meeting of the society by Mr. J. H. Pendlebury, and an affirmative resolution passed, upon which the Educational Committee took action, members of various trades unions and others being invited to a meeting at which a provisional com- mittee was elected. Those responsible for the initiatory proceedings made it quite clear that they desired the guild to become a useful auxiliary ; to bring home to their fellow co- operators their personal and collective responsibility to the society and the movement, and to press forward into new spheres. Interest had already been aroused in trade union circles, which led to the transference of considerable sums to the C.W.S. Bank ; while the Amalgamated Society of Engineers instituted a Co-operative Com- mittee " to enquire into the constructive principles of THE MEN S GUILD 347 Co-operation, and to diffuse the knowledge amongst its members." Their report of December, 1913, states : " Our outlook extends from the trade union members to local Co-operation, wholesale, national, and inter- national co-operative effort, and the attendant blessings of peace and goodwill. The ever-changing economic position of the workers and the advantages of a better understanding of the co-operative ideal have been brought before you as opportunity offered, and will be continued during 1914." Other trade unions acted similarly, and the Trades Council showed its confidence in the move- ment by appointing the C.W.S. its bankers. Moreover, the classes in " Industrial History," held by the Educa- tional Committee, 1913-14-15, stimulated the desire for organisation. The inaugural meeting was held in the Co-operative Assembly Room, West Orchard, on Wednesday, October 14th, 1914. It is recorded that there was only a small attendance, but the spirit of the meeting was satisfactory. The chairman was Mr. J. Eamshaw, and the honorary secretary pro tem. was Mr. J. H. Pendlebury. The report of the proceedings to date contained the following passages : — " In view of the changed outlook in the Co-operative field of activity consequent on the present crisis, it is suggested that the following facts be borne in mind : — " The resolution of quarterly meeting proposed the consolidation of local forces and aspirations, and the provision of a common platform, and a clearer under- standing of Co-operative principle and practice in its 34^ THE men's guild relation to the individual, the community, the nation, and the international aspect. " Even in a period of prosperity there was need to give wider expression to our ideals and aspirations, and those responsible for the resolution sought to give practical effect to the excellent propaganda work of educational committees at their conferences for workers, by the formation of a local guild branch. " In the meantime the war, with its devastating influences, intensifies the co-operators' difficulties in regard to future problems, and demands frorn us, individually and collectively, our serious and strenuous endeavours to realise the co-operative ideal in the work of the guild in the manner specially recommended by the Union." The following elections were made : — President : Mr. J. Earnshaw. Secretary : Mr. J. H. Pendlebury. Assistant Secretary : Mr. A. Sheldon. Committee : Messrs. Ainsbury, Compton, Wood, Burrows, Perkins, Taylor, Newlove, Etheridge, Cooper, and Pattison. At the periodical meetings, which are by no means stiff and formal in character, subjects of co-operative interest are discussed, and action taken as seems desirable — all based on the fundamental principle of loyalty to the society and harmonious working as an auxiliary. The year 1915 was one of consolidation and seed-sowing — the difficulties of the times, owing to the war, having to be overcome. In 1915-16, however, there was a fairly good programme, which included the following : — THE men's guild 349 " Co-operative Control of Raw Materials, Prices, and Workers' Savings " : Mr. J. H. Pendlebury. " Democracy and the War, with special reference to the apparent failure of Democracy to maintain its proper function during the War Crisis " : Councillor Wale. " An Examination of the reasons for the failure of Demo- cratic forces to be of real use to the people during the War " : Mr. W. T. Newlove. " Women and Democracy " : Mrs. M. A. Keene, President of Coventry Women's Guild. The members also accepted with pleasure an invita- tion to attend an important meeting of the Women's Guild. On Midsummer Day, 1916, a conference convened by the Men's Guild was held at which delegates from co-operative societies and gardeners' allotment associa- tions met in the Co-operative Assembly Room, to con- sider the possibility of united action in furthering the acquirement of land for cultivation by working men. Mr. W. R. Wood, chairman of the educational committee, presided over a good attendance. The proceedings were taken part in by Mr. Pendlebury, Mr. W. B. Rainbow (secretary of the Federation of Allotment Holders), and Mr. G. Streetly (secretary of the National Allotment Holders' Association). There was an interesting dis- cussion, and the following resolution was adopted : — " That this conference, having regard to the urgency of the food problem, pledges itself to take practical steps to secure more equitable control of land used for the purpose of food production, and other land in the district which can be used for that purpose." A further conference was held on Saturday, October 14th, when Mr. E. G. Morrell read a paper on " Steps 350 THE MEN S GUILD towards more equitable land tenure," which was well discussed. On September 23rd, 1916, a meeting of the Birmingham District Council was held at Coventry, when delegates were present from Walsall, Birmingham, Coventry, and Worcester. An evening meeting was also held, at which Councillor Jones, J. P., president of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, took the chair, and in welcoming the Council, members of the women's and men's guilds, and friends, about 100 in number, he said that in the Co-operative movement there was work for all. Women's and men's guilds were very helpful, and would be very important in the future. Seeing from day to day the development of multiple shops, he was of opinion that co-operators should increase and not relax their efforts. There was no movement more able to uplift the workers than Co-operation, which had a great future. The men's guild and the women's guild could and did organise and educate the members, and he commended their work. The programme for 1916-17 includes " Co-operative Insurance," " Joint Work with Labour organisations," " Co-operative Control of Raw Materials," " Excess Profits and Income Tax," " Amalgamation and Over- lapping." In view of the jubilee of the society, the branch has decided to hold a week-end school at a date to be announced in the Wheatsheaf. The suggested subjects are " Glimpses of Industrial History as shown in Coventry's Story," and " Co-operative History, with special reference to the Coventry Perseverance Co- operative Society.'' THE MEN'S GUILD 35] The officers (1916) are : — President : Mr. W. Compton. Vice-President : Mr. W. T. Newlove. Treasurer : Mr. E. Sheldon. Secretaries : Mr. J. H. Pendlebury, 43, Mickleton Road, and Mr. T. Barrow, 140, Melbourne Road. Committee : Messrs. P. Scott, P. Etheridge, W. T. Newlove, R. Potts, S. Thomas, and J. Neale. Auditor : Mr. J. E. Price. Additions to the guild are earnestly invited. The primary qualification is membership (either personally or through the household) of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society. Candidates for admission agree to " abide by the constitution and rules of the National Co-operative Men's Guild, and do their best to forward its objects, to uphold and spread a knowledge of Co-operative principles, to extend the application of those principles to social affairs, and to aid in all ways and at all times the establishment of a truly Co-operative Common we alth . ' ' All information may be obtained of the secretaries or other officers. Chapter LXV. Our Presidents. " The history of what man has accompUshed in this world is, at bottom, the history of the great men who have worked here." — Carlyle. IN the whole fifty years of the existence of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, there have been but four different persons occupying the presidential chair, viz. : — Mr. Joseph Hepworth 1867 to 1879 Mr. J. H. Wilhams - 1879 to 1881 Mr. William Jones 1881 to 1886 Mr. John T. Lower - 1886 to 1899 Mr. William Jones (second time) 1899 to — Of these four gentlemen, three are still living — Messrs. Jones, Lower, and Williams. Excellent portraits of all of them adorn the walls of the society's committee room. Mr. Hepworth. Mr. Joseph Hepworth was bom at Delph, on the borders of Yorkshire and Lancashire, and about four miles from Oldham, on loth April, 1818. Coming to Coventry in 1854, at the age of 36, his first appointment was that of librarian of the Subscription MR. JOSEPH HEPWORTH (eX- PRESIDENT) 354 OUR PRESIDENTS Library in Hertford Street. He shortly accepted a clerkship with the Coventry Gas Company, remaining, with his wife, responsible for the library until it was handed over to the city to form the nucleus of the new Free Public Library. Under the Gas Company, Mr. Hepworth was advanced to the position of cashier, which he held for the remainder of his life, the latter portion of his tenure being under the Coventry Corporation, who acquired the gas undertaking in 1884. Mr. Hepworth, who was of course well known, and it may be said as well respected, was ever given to altruistic labours. A member of the West Orchard Congregational Church, he was at the head of a class of young men, by whom he was held in great affection ; and his keen interest in their social welfare led him to meet them of a week- evening for mutual edification. Fifty years ago the rate of working men's wages bore no sort of comparison with that of the present day ; but those young men pos- sessed character, and what may be described as a holy discontent with things as they were. Always an advocate of self-help and thrift, Mr. Hepworth constantly urged the members to endeavour to improve their social position by associating together for a common purpose. Notwithstanding his zeal in religious work and his serious altruism, he had a good sense of humour, and the most morose person was not proof against the infectiousness of his almost convulsive laughter. Young men were therefore ready to listen to him, and to accept his advice. Being acquainted with the early history of the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers' Society, the form of associated effort which Mr. Hepworth recommended OUR PRESIDENTS 355 was that known by the not very euphonious name of Co-operation. In this way was brought about the formation of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society in 1867. Thenceforward the greater part of Mr. Hepworth's leisure was spent in promoting the Co-operative move- ment in Coventry and elsewhere. It was but fitting he should be elected first president of the Perseverance Society, and this office he was annually re-elected to fill until 1879, when he became the victim of an intrigue. The Coventry Herald put it very softly when it said " he was forced to resign in consequence of tradespeople complaining to the directors of the Gas Company that one of their servants was promoting a movement opposed to their customers' interests." About 1874 Mr. Hepworth was elected to the Midland Section of the Central Co-operative Board, and about 1886 he was appointed Midland representative on the Educational Committee of the Co-operative Union. He attended many of the annual Congresses, whereat he made acquaintance with other leaders of Co-operation and assisted in the national movement. In 1881 at Leeds, he read a paper on " Co-operative Production " ; in 1884, at Derby, he gave a paper on " Surplus Capital "; and at Lincoln, in 1891, he presided at the third day's session. Mr. Hepworth died in harness. On Tuesday evening, September 12th, 1893, he attended a meeting of the Coventry Co-operative Watch Manufacturing Society, of which he was president, at the offices of the society, 35, Mount Street. Having returned only a few days previously from a visit to America, he was conversing 356 OUR FRESIDENTS about certain information he had obtained which he thought might be useful to the Coventry watch trade, when he was seized with a fainting fit, and died in the arms of Mr. Charles Shufflebotham, the r.ecretary. The funeral took place on the following Saturday, at the Coventry Cemetery, when deputations attended from various Co-operative and other organisations. The Rev. George Bainton, minister of West Orchard Chapel, who had known the deceased gentleman for ten' years, officiated throughout, and at a memorial service the following day, paid an earnest tribute to Mr. Hepworth's personal life and his altruistic labours. At the, succeeding annual meeting of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, on November 13th, 1893, the following reference was made in the committee's report : — " They were reminded by the death of Mr. Hepworth, the founder and for many years, the president of the society, that those who started the work were now growing old in the cause. They laboured long and earnestly when they had no benefit to share and the benefits received to-day were the result of the good foundation laid by the continued earnest work of those early promoters of the cause." To the honour of Mr. Hepworth's memory it should be recorded that he gave his services freely to the Coventry Perseverance Society, his only tangible reward being the present, in 1875, of which mention is made in an earlier chapter. He enriched the community in which he lived, but like many other public benefactors, he died a comparatively poor man. MR. J. H. WILLIAMS (EX-PRESIDENT) MR. ]. T. LOWER (EX- PRESIDENT) our presidents 359 Mr. Williams. Mr. J. H. Williams was the representative in Coventry of a Liverpool firm of watch manufacturers. He joined the society in December, 1874, was first a member of the committee, for some time treasurer, and was elected president in April, 1879. At that time the condition of the society gave rise to considerable anxiety. The number of members and the amount of trade done remained stationary, but owing to increased cost of goods the surplus was less ; a flour difficulty had to be dealt with, and in 1880 there was a loss in the boot and shoe department. The " dividend " of course decreased ; it came as low as is. in the pound. The resources of the management were severely taxed, but the committee and officials bravely struggled on. Mr. Williams resigned in January, 1881, on account of removal, and is believed to be still residing in Liverpool. Mr. Lower. Mr. John Thomas Lower is a senior member of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society, his pass book being No. 3. He is a son of the late Mr. Thomas Ascough Lower, who was at first a ribbon weaver, but afterwards better known as the City Crier for many years, and as a musician. Mr. J. T. Lower was born in the Hill Fields district on August 13th, 1842. By apprenticeship to the watch trade for seven years he acquired the freedom of the city. He has worked at his calling for the greater part of his long life, and is now in receipt of benefit as one of the senior freemen. 360 OUR PRESIDENTS Not only was Mr. Lower an original member of the society, but he was elected on the first committee, and is the only surviving member of it. He may be characterised as a typical working man co-operator, and an earnest pioneer of the modern local movement. On retiring from the committee in January, 1881, he received from his colleagues a written expression of regret and of thanks for his past services. In 1886, while still a private member, Mr. Lower was invited to accept a nomination for the presidency, and was duly elected to the position. In that year the society's sales amounted to ;fi5,530, and the return on members' purchases was at the rate of is. 4d. in the pound. He was annually re-elected for the next twelve years. Mr. Lower was a very Eissiduous president, and it is probable that his concern for the society involved more time and energy than he could reasonably afford as a working man. He found a recompense, however, in its almost continuous progress. At one time the dividend mounted to 3s. in the pound, but afterwards it settled down to 2s. 6d., which was the rate in 1899 on sales totalling to nearly £86,000. During his presidency — viz., in 1892 — the society bought the Britannia Music Hall, Fleet Street, and turned the premises into shops. The Britannia Buildings on the east side of West Orchard were purchased a few years afterwards. Mr. Lower was a delegate to a number of Co-operative Congresses, and in 1894 and 1895 was a member of the Midland Section of the Co-operative Board. He also took part in many local and district conferences, and during his presidency and many years' secretaryship of the Coventry District Conference Association he visited every co-operative society in Warwickshire. OUR PRESIDENTS 361 At a District Conference held at Kenilworth, in the spring of 1893, Mr. Lower read a paper prepared at the request of the Kenilworth Society, on " Unity in GD-operation." He pointed out the regrettable amount of disunion in the movement, caused by some who lived and worked in it only for themselves, and not for the general good. He also complained of the want of more unity among the societies in the district, and main- tained they would never get all the good there was to be had from the movement until the societies, as well as individuals, formed themselves into a solid and united body to resist every attempt to sow disunion among them. He suggested that the Kenilworth, Stoneleigh, Leek Wootton, Coventry, and other societies in the immediate neighbourhood should unite to form a dairy farm in the splendid grazing district around Stoneleigh and Kenilworth, and said he had ascertained that several farmers in the district would be willing to take up shares in a genuine concern. In 1888 the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society suffered from the strange affliction of " surplus capital." A proposal was even made that members should be asked to reduce their holdings ! Mr. Lower, however, argued, that as the members had entrusted their capital to the committee, that body ought to devise a means of its profitable emplo5rment, and he was instrumental in bringing into existence the house- purchasing department, which was started early in 1889. Several branch stores were opened during his presidency. When Mr. Lower retired from office in 1899, th^ membership had started on its second thousand and the prospects of the society were satisfactory. At the age of 74 his interest in it is maintained. 362 OUR PRESIDENTS For about a dozen years past Mr. Lower has been engaged in clerical duties at the inspection and marking- off department of the Daimler Company's works, and on gth July, 1915, he was given a present by the workmen and office staff at the celebration of his golden wedding. He was complimented, too, on his unvarjdng punctuality as a six-o'clock-in-the-moming man, and on his good health, capabilities, and agreeable character. Councillor William Jones, J. P. From his earliest days Mr. Jones has had an acquaint- ance with the Arctic region of poverty. He was bom at the Holbrooks, Foleshill, on August 10th, 1841. His father, like many other poor men, was rich in a family of seven children, six of whom are still living, the most .juvenile being 69 and the oldest 81 years of age. The family came to Uve in Coventry in 1845, and the mother died two years later. Mr. Jones was never sent to a day school : the only " secular " instruction he received was from teachers connected with the Wesleyan Sunday School, Lockhurst Lane, which, although a Churchman, he most gratefully remembers. When only eight years old the lad was put to work connected with ribbon weaving, and was afterwards placed with a Mr. Pa3me, in Carpenter's Lane, Foleshill, to learn the trade, and stayed with him until he was in his twentieth year. Then came the great strike of i860, and the collapse of the Coventry silk industry. Mr. Jones, like many others, migrated to Lancashire, to be employed in calico weaving. The " Cotton Famine," arising from the American Civil War, occurred very COUNCILLOR W. JONES, ESQ., J. P. (PRESIDENT) OUR PRESIDENTS 365 shortly afterwards, to a great extent depriving two millions of persons of their usual means of livelihood, and gradually reducing them to destitution. Conse- quently for several months Mr. Jones had very little to do, earning only about 6s. 6d. per week, out of which he had to pay half-a-crown for lodgings. Living on 4s. a week certainly did not leave a very great margin for luxurious indulgence, and the hardships he endured he does not care to recall. He has been known to say, however, that a similar experience would be very good dis- cipline for some of the young " knuts " of the present day ! At the end of 1861 Mr. Jones returned to Coventry, and the following year he was married. About eighteen months afterwards he again migrated — this time to Leicester, engaging in elastic web weaving, at which he remained about five years. Returning once more to Coventry — this time for a permanency — ^he obtained employment with the Coventry Elastic Web Weaving Company, with whom he remained three years. Then came a momentous decision — he determined to make an attempt to burst the bands of his social environment. It happened about 1872 a number of " working men firms " were formed in Coventry, and one of these Mr. Jones joined, having seven partners. Starting in premises at Wellington Street, Hill Fields, the firm had uphill work for a long period, Mr. Jones, who was appointed manager, frequently toihng from six in the morning until ten at night : it was a case of strenuous labour and hardship in the present with hopes for the future, and it was necessary to continually add to capital what amounts could be saved from individual wages. The firm struggled and persevered against many odds 366 OUR PRESIDENTS until a measure of success was achieved. When the use of elastic webbing went out of fashion, the manu- facture of other textile fabrics was introduced, and the business became soundly established and fairly pros- perous. Subsequently the firm removed to extensive premises on the Foleshill Road, where they continue under the style of Dubock, Jones, and Co., the only remaining members of the original partnership being Mr. Jones and Mr. Dubock. Like other men whose careers have been handicapped by their youthful disabilities, Mr. Jones has always been intensely con- cerned in education. For a time he was one of the managers of St. Peter's National Schools. He was for some years a member of the Coventry School Board, from which he passed to the Education Committee when the local authorities were re-constituted under the Act of 1902. He became vice-chairman, and from 191 1 to 1914 he was the elected chairman of the com- mittee. Not only as member of public bodies, but in many other capacities he has assisted in education, by promotion of popular lectures and other means. Since 1912 he has represented Stoke Ward in the City Council, and in July, 1913, he was placed in the Commission of the Peace for Coventry. It will be seen that Mr. Jones was of the right sort of stuff to make a good, active co-operator ; he had shown " grit," his experiences had brought home to him the necessity of measures for the uplifting of the working classes, and that these measures must be taken by the working classes themselves. He already believed in the co-operative principle, and he saw the movement was calculated to benefit him and others in the same social OUR PRESIDENTS 367 rank. On the 29th January, 1870, therefore, he joined the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society. In the following July he was elected to a casual vacancy in the committee, and with the exception of one break, due to his own volition, in 1886, he has been a committee- man ever since. For many years he has been a member of the committee of the education department, for a long time its chairman, and always a supporter of its well-considered activities. In 1881 Mr. Jones was elected to the presidency of the society, when its circumstances were not very favourable. Several important measures were adopted during the next five years, at the end of which he resigned for reasons unconnected with the society, but in the belief that the society would benefit by a change. In 1899 Mr. Jones was again elected president, and he still remains the members' choice for the position. Many of the important steps which have been taken since Mr. Jones's second accession are mentioned elsewhere in this book, but it may be stated that during this period of office the annual sales have increased from £85,751 to considerably over half a million sterling. What that fact means only those who have been charged with managerial responsibilities can tell. Mr. Jones, who is remarkably active for his 75 years, is ever in favour of rational enterprise, and he can see ahead as far as most people. He has strongly supported the society's evening school, and when measures for brightening the lives of the people are under discussion his attitude may as a rule be safely forecasted. Mr. Jones is a Progressive. He has been a great reader, and this fact, coupled with his life experience, personal thinking, feeling and acting, has given him 368 OUR PRESIDENTS that " true knowledge which grows from a living root in the thinking soul." He has been brought into contact with the actualities of life, and has been a close observer. He has no limited outlook, and he shows great tolerance for the sincere views of others. His desire and capacity for work may naturally abate, but he is far from having arrived at a rest-and-be-thankful state : he would never be content with a life of idleness. During his prolonged period of co-operative activities and prominence of position, Mr. Jones has of course been frequently called upon to speak in public. He made his debut at a village meeting forty-six years ago, and it is officially recorded that his was " a telling speech which was well received." This was the more remarkable, as Mr. Jones had had no training or practice in any yoxmg men's class or debating society. It cannot, however, be claimed that he is an orator — rhetorical fireworks or flights of eloquence are beyond his sphere. He reads — he thinks — he feels — and therefore has something to say. He says it — and says it in his own way. He speaks as he feels, and he is always listened to. He thus fulfils the first condition of effective public speech. On the 21st August last, at the distribution of prizes to students of the Society's evening school, he delivered an address which was admittedly impressive. While speaking of the value of the school and encouraging the students, he looked to the future ; he foresaw great changes in our system of education after the war, and he advised young people to be prepared for them, to take advantage of every facility for improving them- selves, and thus do their part in making for national efficiency. It was an earnest address, and in Mr. Jones earnestness has always been a conspicuous quality. Chapter XLVI. A Secretarial Trio. I. Mr. Alfred C. Scrivener 1867-1870 II. Mr. Arthur L. Newbold 1876-1879 III. Mr. George Jarrams - 1871, 1873-6, 1879 Mr. Scrivener. Mr. Alfred C. Scrivener was the son of Mr. James Scrivener, a Coventry watchmaker, well known in the Nonconformist musical world, and an original member of the society. A young man of character and ability, Mr. Alfred C. Scrivener, at the time a clerk in the office at the Coventry Gas Works, was most suitable for the post of secretary ; he started the book-keeping on a sound system, and was of great assistance in the initial stages of the society. At the end of 1870 he resigned. He afterwards received an appointment with the Wigan Coal and Iron Company, and removing from his native city, resided for many years at Birmingham. In 1872 he undertook an investigation into the society's affairs, and furnished a report on which the committee took drastic action. 370 A SECRETARIAL TRIO Mr. Scrivener ever retained an interest in the society. Being communicated with concerning its early history, on February 4th, 1916, he wrote a letter which has a tragic interest. Mr. Scrivener said he was ill and obliged to let everything go outside the demands of business, the difficulties having been intensified by his being without clerks for a fortnight, and he asked " Could Mr. Jones make it convenient to come over and have a chat with me ? " That letter, his son states, was probably the last one Mr. Scrivener ever wrote, as he died next morning, suddenly, from a heart attack, and was buried on February 9th. Mr. Scrivener married a daughter of Mr. T. G. Read, who is mentioned in the chapter on " Starting the Society." Me. Newbold. Mr. Arthur Lamb Newbold was also a Coventry man his parents being engaged in the ribbon trade. At the time of his appointment he was a collector for the Coventry Gas Company, passing with their undertaking into the service of the Corporation in 1884. He, too, was well known as possessing great ability, and he energetically worked for an increased membership. The erection and opening of the society's stores in West Orchard took place during his secretary- ship. In 1879 he, with the president (Mr. Hepworth), was compelled to resign, owing to the pressure of anti- co-operative customers of the Gas Company. A few years ago, in consequence of ill-health, Mr. Newbold removed to Southend, where he died. MR. G. JARRAWS (SECRETARY) a secretarial trio 373 Mr. Jarrams. Mr. George Jarrams, a son of Mr. William Jarrams, for many years in the service of the London and North- Western Railway Company, and iirst attendance ofScer of the Coventry School Board, was bom at Railway Cottages, Warwick Road, Coventry, on February 13th, 1850. Educated first at the Boys' British School, King Street, and afterwards at Baker, Billing, and Crow's Endowed School, Cow Lane, Mr. Jarrams was appren- ticed for seven years to Messrs. Carter and Phillips, a prominent firm of ribbon manufacturers, and became a freeman of the city. He had not completed his apprenticeship, when on January 17th, 1871, he was appointed secretary of the society in succession to Mr. Scrivener, being then under 21 years of age. He held office for seven months ; assuming it again on February 4th, 1873, at a critical time in the society's affairs. After about three years' service, however, he resigned, and subsequently joined the staff of Mr. Frank Barnwell, ribbon and trimming manufacturer. Priory Row. In March, 1879, the secretaryship again became vacant, and the committee invited applications for the post of whole-time secretary and manager. Mr. Jarrams had not only proved himself during his previous periods of service as secretary, but he had also time after time been elected auditor. At the age of 29, therefore, he was exceedingly well qualified for the post ; and from a goodly number of candidates, which included several other well-known co-operators, he was selected and almost unanimously appointed. 374 A SECRETARIAL TRIO With what efficiency and acceptabihty to all con- cerned Mr. Jarrams has filled his responsible office, many people know ; but at what personal painstaking and not infrequent self-sacrifice few can comprehend. A word which has come into familiar use is " swank," meaning affectation, show, swagger, boastfulness, aggressive self-assertion. The Germans are not entirely innocent of these vices, and call them " schwank ! " Now all that the term signifies, whether of the British or German kind, Mr. Jarrams is not : he never asks for the limelight to be turned on him. He is just — Mr. Jarrams. The work behind the scenes is of vital importance to the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society ; and Mr. Jarrams has laboured abundantly. If there be room for criticism at all, it might be suggested that his shrinking from publicity, and his usual reserve of speech are not always understandable. He is, however, not a talker ; his forte, as Artemus Ward, the American humorist, would say, is " doing." Official utterances of course he is called upon to make ; but in the making of ' them there is an entire absence of egotism. When he speaks it is for edification. His statements are reliable — and reliability sums up the man. Mr. Jarrams has never measured his exertions by his pajnnent ; " early closing " of his .personal work depart- ment is not provided for in any Act of Parliament, nor is the phrase likely to be entered in his private vocabulary. He is a co-operator both in spirit and by conviction ; the principles and possibilities of Co-opera- tion are to him a perennial inspiration ; he has continuously devoted himself to the society's interests for 38 years. A SECRETARIAL TRIO 375 From small beginnings, when in one person were combined secretary, manager, cashier, clerk, and correspondent, the society has grown until now there is a large and well-organised staff, with various heads of departments, and the accounts are constantly examined by a pubhc auditor. The offices are a hive of human industry. Those who have worked longest with Mr. Jarrams know him best. To give deserved honour is ever a pleasurable duty ; and- the committee gladly bear testimony to the official and personal worth of the secretary, Mr. George Jarrams. Chapter XLVII. Reminiscences — Grave and Gay. I. " The feast of reason and the flow of soul." — Pope. BY a happy inspiration the committee were led to invite certain veteran co-operators to meet with them and converse about the early days of the Perseverance Society. On April ist, 1916, there thus met the committee : Mr. T. H. Adams. Mr. Arthur Harris. Mr. J. T. Lower. Mr. Henry Penn. The chair was occupied by Councillor Wm. Jones, J. P., president of the society, who was supported by Mr. James Crompton, J. P. Mr. George Jarrams, Secretary. Mr. James Clay, secretary of the Educational Committee, etc. The committee found dehgh-t in being the hosts, whilst the guests manifested youthfulness of heart and faithfulness to the cause. The pioneer period of Co-operation in Coventry belonged to a past generation. REMINISCENCES — GRAVE AND GAY 377 Nevertheless, recollections were vivid, the conference animated ; and the meeting proved to be in many ways advantageous. What follows is necessarily a summary, and gives but a faint indication of the vivacity of the company. The chairman began by explaining that early in 1917 the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society would complete the fiftieth year of its existence, as the first store was opened on April 5th, 1867. The committee were of opinion that the Jubilee should be properly celebrated, and one means they had thought of was a book containing the history of the society, which would be circulated among the members. Probably several meetings of this kind might be found desirable, as recollections would be stirred, and much information forthcoming, by way of supplement to the minute books. Mr. Lower : Mr. Joseph Hepworth was undoubtedly the " father " of this society. It really originated in a sort of mutual improvement class which we held in a small room at the back of West Orchard Chapel. A few of us used to meet there occasionally, and one would write a paper and the others present would be asked to discuss it. We were all of us earning a very small wage at the time, and we began by saving a very small sum such as 6d. per week. Mr. Hepworth had been associated with the movement for some time, and he used to give us his experiences. We began with the intention of making ourselves our own employers, and although our minds were not set on any particular trade, we were most of us engaged in the watch trade. We found out, however, that it would be many years before we could save enough capital to make a start. Therefore, with 378 REMINISCENCES — GRAVE AND GAY the example of the Rochdale Pioneers in our minds, we concluded that the best thing we could do would be to save money and endeavour to supply ourselves with the necessaries of life. When we did decide to form a Co-operative Society, we had to get a lot more into the class than we had at first. When we started the first co-operative store in Cook Street, we knew that we should not be able to employ anyone to do the work. The committee there- fore used to meet every night for about two or three hours, and in turns do the shop-keeping, weighing-up, carrpng parcels home, etc., not only for themselves but for other people as well. This is a rough outline of how the society started, and this is how it was carried on for the first twelve months. We then saw the shop in Bishop Street, which was very queer at the time ; it had tiny windows and no baker's oven. We decided to take this shop on a lease, and we engaged a man named Bradbury to do the baking and to deliver the bread to members all over the town, while his wife looked after the shop. We paid this man the magnificent sum of 25s. a week, and continued on these lines for some eighteen months. Mr. Hepworth never spared himself, neither did any of the committee ; and when we moved from Cook Street to Bishop Street, one or two of them devoted the whole of the day to the task of removal. Messrs. Ansell, Welsby, and Amos were amongst the first committee, being also trustees of the Foresters, who had a mortgage on the property in Bishop Street. When the lease expired, the Foresters were not anxious to renew it, so the society took the property off their hands. MR. R. POTTS MANAGER REMINISCENCES — GRAVE AND GAY 381 The Secretary : The mortgage weis conveyed to the society through Messrs. White and Locke, of Leamington. Mr. Lower : I am the only remaining member of the first committee. Mr. Penn : What led me to join the society was that for some time I was connected with West Orchard Chapel, and I knew Mr. Hepworth well. I joined his Bible Class, and I never knew anyone who took such a great interest in young men as he did. One of his favourite sayings was : " Never ask anyone to do anything that you can do yourself." When the society first started it met with a great deal of opposition. I joined Mr. Hepworth's class when I was only 21, and I always knew him to be such a good man. As far as he was concerned, I never saw anyone so devoted to anything in my life as he was to Co-operation. He used to come very often and pray that God would make this society a success. He used to say to us, " You young men make one mistake : you think your education has finished when you leave school, instead of which it is only just beginning." On one occasion he said to me, " You must get a house of your own " ; and when I did get one on the Foleshill Road, he said, " I don't know how they can build it for the money." I can't help but speak of the great interest he took in young men, and I am sure he was one of Coventry's benefactors. Mr. Lower : It is very nice to hear of a man like Mr. Hepworth, who was evidently the guiding star of the society ; but I take it that what we want more than anything now is the history of the society itself. Mr. Crompton : Still, we like to get some idea of what sort of a man Mr. Hepworth was, and Mr. Penn has given us that idea. 382 REMINISCENCES — GRAVE AND GAY Mr. Lower : Mr. Hepworth came from Yorkshire. Mr. Clay : You would naturally think that a man who could come into a town with such ideeis in his head must have had previous experience. Mr. Harris : I cannot add much to what Mr. Penn and Mr. Lower have stated. I can quite bear out what has been said of Mr. Hepworth, and it is quite right that one of his leading principles was to do the greatest good to the greatest number. When it was pointed out to him that Co-operation was bound to tread on someone's toes, he said, " You must do the greatest good to the greatest number," and he did all this work with no selfish motive, as I know he would never take any money for what he did. The Secretary : Yes, it is on record that he refused remuneration ; and I know it is a fact. Mr. Harris : They made me treasurer, which position I held until we were on a sufficiently broad footing to take the money to the Bank. I remember a lady member, who had the sum of £40 in the society, giving notice to withdraw it, being afraid it was not safe. The committee said she could have the money, and they got it together to pay her ; but when she came and saw it on the table ready for her, she said she did not want it, and would leave it in. Her action was the salvation of the society, as this was almost the whole of the money in the society, and had she taken it away in all probability the society would have coUapsed. Mr. Penn : With reference to bujdng. Mr. Hepworth once bought a barrel of meat which cost £5, and he thought he had done a good stroke of business. It stayed in the yard for a long time, and we all wondered REMINISCENCES — GRAVE AND GAY 383 what it was. He said, " I will have some of this meat taken out, and I will prove that I have done right in buying it." We were all asked to take a piece of it, but no one would except Mr. William Jarrams, and as it did not go off very well it was sold to a man in Gosford Street. We used to have the butter from Cumberland for a long time, and I remember one very businesslike action of Mr. Hepworth's was, he used to go round the market every Saturday night and note the current prices, so that he could tell if we were selling our goods at a fair price. He was willing to get goods from anyone and an5rwhere, so long as the quality was suitable. It was discussed again and again whether we should first of all open up a place in Well Street or West Orchard, and Mr. Hepworth said that West Orchard was prefer- able. The Corporation then would not allow us to build over the brook, which was a pity. Mr. Crompton : We are in West Orchard, and we shall have to stop here ; but the plans are passed which will enable us to build over the brook when the time comes for us to do so. Mr. Adams : I was also connected with Mr. Hep- worth's class, and I think Mr. Lower mentioned 6d. as being the sum saved each week ; but I only paid 3d., which was the minimum. There is one man above all others who comes out in my mind, and that is Rochester Illingworth : he was scarcely out of his teens at the time he first became connected with us. He came from Yorkshire, and his father was the first manager of the Leigh Mills. He came from the home of Co-operation, and was a young man well able to express himself. Go-operation had been tried in Coventry before, and 384 REMINISCENCES — GRAVE AND GAY although that attempt had failed, this society started soon after. The late Mr. Charles Shufiflebotham lost a considerable sum of money in the old Co-operative society, and I think it says a great deal for that family's idea of Co-operation that although they lost rather heavily in that society, as soon as this one started they were amongst the first to join. I was not on the com- mittee, but I was closely connected with them. They required aU the assistance they could get, and I took my share with the members of the committee in serving out little articles in the tiny shop at Cook Street. I joined the society at its commencement, and I have been a member ever since, and I am glad to see the society so prosperous. I think the members of to-day have but very little conception of the difficulties we encountered at the commencement. It caused Mr. Hepworth consider- able pain because some of the people to whom we were in opposition tried to get him out of his position at the Gas Office. I must say that Co-operation injured many trades- men very considerably at the time, and I do not think any small tradesman was more hardly hit than I was myself. Mr. Lower : There has been mention made of a co-operative society being in existence before this. The one I remember was the Coventry Labourers and Artisans' Society in Much Park Street. There was also a co-operative society started after ours at the top of St. Peter's Street, and I also believe there was one in the early " thirties.' The Chairman : When I was first made president of this society Mr. lUingworth said, " Mr. Jones, if ever you want me, let me know," and he was always most willing to give all the help he could. REMINISCENCES— GRAVE AND GAY 385 Mr. Lower : Mr. Caleb Ambrose was another very good helper to the society. He kept a grocer's shop himself, and he was always willing to let us have a supply of goods at a little percentage over cost price. II. A further meeting of a similar character was held on Saturday, July 29th, 1916, when additional interest was given by the presence of Mr. Wilham Adams. Mr. W. E. Wood (Chairman of the Educational Committee) and Mrs. Chalker (member of the Educa- tional Committee and secretary of the Women's Co-operative Guild) were also present. The conference lasted with unflagging interest for nearly three hours. Naturally, much of the con- versation turned on the scope and style of the proposed Jubilee Book. Many of the suggestions made are embodied in the work. Most of these, with other matters of ephemeral nature, are therefore not recorded. Notes of the first re-union having been read, The Chairmun (Councillor W. Jones, J. P.) stated that arrangements had now been made for the preparation of the Jubilee Book, and this meeting had been convened not only for a pleasant re-union but for the purpose of eliciting, if possible, information on certain matters that were at present obscure. He understood that some questions would arise from examination of the early minute books of the society. It was first pointed out that the records of proceedings leading up to the society's formation were apparently not among the archives of the society ; and the question was asked : Does any gentleman know if the minutes 386 REMINISCENCES — GRAVE AND GAY of the preliminary meetings are in existence, and where they are to be found ? For the time being the enquiry seemed to be fruitless. Mr. Lower thought it possible that the minutes mentioned would be among those of the young men's class in which the society originated. Mr. Clay : Did all of the members of that young men's class join the society ? Mr. Lower : No ; about twenty-five of them did. Six of those who belonged to the class never joined. As soon as the society started, several railway men were enrolled as members. Mr. T. H. Adams : I have some recollection of one of those preliminary meetings. Mr. William Jarrams, father of our secretary, was, as you will remember, for many years a much-respected railway servant. He joined the society, and undoubtedly a number of railway men followed his example — they joined through his influence. The Chairman : A great number of railway men in the country have supported Co-operation. Question : On March 19th, 1867, a general meeting was held, Mr. Hepworth presiding, and there being twenty " members " present. It is stated that the minutes of the provisional committee were read and confirmed, and other definite steps taken. Evidently the society was actually formed at that meeting ; it was then born, so to speak, and twenty-one persons assisted at the birth. (Laughter.) The chairmsm called upon " members " to take up shares, and fifty-two were taken, to be paid up at once. The first store was opened for business on the 5th of the next month — REMINISCENCES — GRAVE AND GAY 387 April, 1867. Which date should be considered the society's birthday ? (Laughter.) Mr. Lower.: I should say the day we started business. Mr. Clay : You could hardly call it a Co-operative society until it had done something. Question : Would not the opposite view be the more correct one ? You could scarcely do business as a society until after your society had come into existence ? Mr. W. Adams : Should not the date of enrolment of the society be considered its " birthday " ? Question : Is it not the fact that many companies are formed — that is, legally " born " — some time before they begin business ? Must not a society be constituted before it can begin operations ? — and must not the Perseverance Society have been formed — that is, duly constituted — before it could take a shop and open a store ? The Chairman : That seems to be the case. For instance, the Co-operative Wholesale Society was enrolled in August, 1863, but it did not begin business until March, 1864 — seven months later. I should think the day on which we constituted ourselves a society, and appointed officers and committee of management, would be really our birthday. Therefore, as a society, we shall be fifty years old on March 19th, 1917. The view of the chairman was unanimously accepted. Question : At the second meeting, 26th March, 1867, the name of " Mr. T. Read " appears as that of a new member ; and he made some encouraging remarks. Was that Mr. T. G. Read who had been designated the " factory operative " ? Mr. Perm : It was. Mr. T. G. Read rendered very good ser-"ic.e to the society, although he had suffered 388 REMINISCENCES — GRAVE AND GAY by the earlier attempts at Co-operation. He was a very good speaker, and came into prominence during the strike in the ribbon trade in i860. He .always put a good feeling into our meetings. Question : There is another point. At a meeting on January 17th, 1871, Mr. Hepworth stated that he had made up his mind to take no remuneration for his services. He appears to have adhered to that determination. (Hear, hear.) At the quarterly meeting on July 20th, 1875, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. T. Kirby, that a public meeting be held, and a presentation made to Mr. Hepworth " in acknowledgment of his services to the cause of Co-operation in Coventry," and a committee was appointed to carry out the resolution. So far, it does not appear from the minutes that anything further was done in the matter. Can any gentleman throw light on that point ? For once, recollections were at fault ; no one appearing able to make reply. [The presentation took place on November 22nd, 1875.— See Chapter XV.] Mr. T. H. Adams : There is one thing that has not been mentioned, and that is with regard to Mr. Hep- worth's death. According to my recollection, lie went to a meeting of the Watch Manufacturing Society, and was stricken and expired in the meeting room. I think some special attention should be paid to this, because we can say that it was really through Co-operation that he met his death. Qitestioner : Mr. Adams is quite correct in his recollec- tion. Mr. Hepworth had^ only returned from America REMINISCENCES — GRAVE AND GAY 389 the week prior to his death. On Tuesday evening, September 12th, 1893, there was a meeting of the Coventry Co-operative Watch Manufacturing Society, at 35, Mount Street. As you will remember, Mr. Hepworth was rather stout. Mount Street is somewhat steep, and No. 35 is nearly at the top. Mr. Hepworth attended the meeting, and during conversation was suddenly stricken, and died immediately from heart failure. Mr. Lower : He returned to England on the Thursday prior to his death. There was a board meeting of the Corn Mill in Nottingham on the Saturday, which he was due to attend, but he missed his train and was too late for the meeting. He was greatly upset by the incident, and there is no doubt the excitement had something to do with his end. Mr. Perm : I remember he also had a rough passage coming across from America. I believe he fell out of his berth. The Secretary : He was president of the Midland Federal Corn Mill. Question : There is an impression that Mr. Hepworth died a comparatively poor man. Is that correct ? The Chairman : I think it is. I know he lost a good deal through speculations. The Windmill Hill Fields building estate was a great loss to him, and so were the sand pit and brick yard. Mr. Wm. Adams : Mr. Hepworth once said that " any fool could make money," but this proved that it takes a wise man to keep it. (Hear, hear.) Question : It is stated in the minutes that the first meeting- at the new stores in Bishop Street, on PI 390 REMINISCENCES— GRAVE AND GAY April 2ist, 1868, was "socially celebrated" with coffee and other refreshments — (laughter) — the nature of the " other refreshments " not being described. (Laughter.) The Chairman : I think it may be taken as a fact that the liquid refreshment was coffee only. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Wm. Adams : I remember that event quite well. The society had no crockery, and to save the expense of hiring, the wives of members were asked to bring what crockery they could. (Laughter.) In fact we have some of the crockery at our house now, that was used on that occasion. The meeting was held over the bakery. (Laughter.) Question : As you know, Mr. Chairman, a great deal of criticism is directed against the Co-operative move- ment as being a mere dividend-making concern, and there is a danger, perhaps, of the present day co-operators looking too much at the business aspect of Co-operation. But it is evident from the minutes that you have had ideals — business being a means to an end, that of the social and intellectual elevation of the people, and you have gone far in this direction. In the proposed book it is desirable, is it not, to show how the ideals have been maintained, and to remind the members of the fact ? The Chairman : Precisely so. We have done a great deal by means of lectures, conferences, evening schools, and other efforts. I think the meeting quite sympathises with the view that the ideals of Co-operation should be given a proper place in the book. (Hear, hear.) Question : The early ideals of Co-operation were to make life more worth living, and while devoting a great deal of attention to intellectual advancement, you have by no means neglected the social side — you appear to REMINISCENCES — GRAVE AND GAY 3gi have had some very successful and enjoyable gatherings here ? The Chairman : That is so, and particularly children's gatherings. What we have done in regard to music is also worthy of being recorded. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Clay : It is a curious fact that the Educational Committee was appointed in the first place as an Educational and Recreation Committee. The Chairman : Mr. Clay, as secretary of the Educational Committee, will doubtless be able to give great assistance in that matter. Question : It appears from the minutes that as far back as 1877 — thirty-nine years ago — you decided to subscribe annually to the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital. It would be interesting, would it not, to ascertain all the sums you have subscribed to charitable purposes ? You appear to have given a considerable amount of money away ? Mr. day : Yes ; it would be considerable in the aggregate. Question : The financial statement read at the first public meeting seems to show that although you started in a small way, your finances were placed on a sound basis. First, you paid interest on capital ; then you depreciated your fixed stock ; next you set aside something for education. Not until you had done these things did you pay a dividend on purchases. (Hear, hear.) Lastly, you retained a balance in hand to carry forward. The reserve fund seems to have been started somewhat later, but still at an early date, was it not ? Mr. Lower : Yes ; it was quite an early date. I know that at about the time we put £260 in the Federal Corn 392 REMINISCENCES — GRAVE AND GAY Mill we began to increase our reserve fund quite rapidly, so that when the loss came we were able to get over it. The Chairman : It will be interesting to you to know that about two years ago our auditor met the committee, and we discussed with him the financial state of our society. He was asked what he considered our position was, and he said he knew of only one society in the country that was stronger than the Coventry Perse- verance Co-operative Society was. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Clay : The best explanation of our financial position I ever heard was given by our president at a meeting some time ago. He said if all the members were to sell out, there would be 25s. for every pound a member had in the society. (Hear, hear.) Chapter XLVIII. Our Legal Status. " Laws are the very bulwarks of liberty. They define every man's rights, and stand between and defend the individual liberties of all men." J. G. Holland, Gold-Foil IV. THE Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society is not a friendly society, registered under the Friendly Societies Acts, and thereby enjoying the exemptions and privileges which friendly societies enjoy. The society's system is not a form of joint-stockism. Says the Dictionary of Political Economy : "To regard the mechanism of the Co-operative Movement as simply an adaptation of ' shopping ' is to completely mis- apprehend its character. Equally erroneous is the superficial estimate of the store system as a form of ' joint stockism.' The store, it is true, contains the stock-in-trade of the shop, but its social significance lies in its being the centre of a consumers' league, the organised expression of a social standard of requirements. The constitution of the Co-operative Society is, after all, the best guarantee of its social character. If that constitution were of a merely joint-stock character. 394 OUR LEGAL STATUS. as is so commonly alleged by critics of Co-operation, we should expect to find people going into the movement for the acquisition of shares, and using their position to enhance the value of, and increase the return upon their holdings. This, however, does not happen. There is never a market, in the recognised sense of the term, for Co-operative shares. The share list is never closed to new comers." — Vol. I, pp. 418-9. Our society is registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts. In the early days of Co-operation every individual member was liable for the whole of the debts of a society to which he belonged. Now the liability of a member is limited to the amount of the shares he actually holds. The rules of the society are binding, and may be legally enforced. Protection is given to members, their wives, children, and heirs, in enforcing their just claims, and against any fraudulent dissolution of the society. Income tax is not chargeable on the " profits " of its business, if the number of the society's shares is not limited. The society is a body corporate — that is, it can sue and be sued ; it can hold and deal with property of any kind, including shares in other societies or companies, and land, to any amount, provided that the liability of such other societies or companies is not unlimited. Members are not liable, and cannot be made liable, for any debts contracted by the society subsequent to the transfer or withdrawal of their shares ; nor can they be made liable for debts subsisting at the time of the OUR LEGAL STATUS. 395 transfer or withdrawal unless the other assets are in- sufficient to pay them, and in such cases they cannot be made to pay more towards them than the sum remaining unpaid on any share which they have either expressly agreed to take or treated as their property, or which the rules authorise to be treated as such. Any persons above sixteen years of age may become members and may legally do any acts which they could do if of full age, except hold any office. A society must have its accounts audited at least once a year by a public auditor. A member has power to hold up to £200 in the society, and may nominate up to ;^ioo of his holding in the society to any persons to take this investment at his death, and may revoke such nomination. (A uscrful summary of the Law relating to Societies under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act is published in the C.W.S. Annual, 1916.) Chapter XLIX. Co-operators and Income Tax. " Envy is blind, and knows nothing except how to depreciate the excellences of others." — Livy. OBSERVERS of public events will have noticed the gathering of forces for another assault on the Co-operative position. The State's need of money is deemed to have provided the enemy with a favourable opportunity, and anti-co-operators are promulgating their doctrines under the thin disguise of " Patriotism." Forewarned ought to mean being forearmed. Co-operators must actively prepare to defeat once and for all a powerful " combine " of would- be spoliators. The old-new weapon is the taxation of co-operators' thrifty expenditure, by imposing Income Tax on Co-operative Societies. As Co-operation has already been defined (see Chap. Ill), and the subject of Co-operative Societies and Income Tax is being fully discussed elsewhere, it is proposed to merely state and illustrate a few elementary principles. Income Tax, as the term plainly means, is a com- pulsory levy of a definite portion of one's income for the service of the State. CO-OPERATORS AND INCOME TAX 397 The income of a person is, of course, the amount of money he receives. It includes salaries, wages, profits of trade, rents, interest on investments, and the like — in short, income is what comes in. Co-operation, on the other hand, is a form of judicious management of domestic finances. It relates, not to what comes in, but to what goes out : it is economy in spending. " Every prudent man dealeth with know- ledge," says Solomon ; and " a virtuous woman looketh well to the ways of her household." The whole subject may be said to be contained in this brief explication of terms. In Co-operation, the members of a society join together to buy their requirements wholesale and to serve to themselves by retail ; after paying the necessary ex- penses of distribution they share equitably in the saving of expenditure. Co-operation is much more than this, of course ; but, for the present purpose, only the business aspects are under consideration. Anti-co-operators are indifferent to the ethics of Co-operation, or its contribution to the social welfare. As before remarked, they are co- operating to smash Co-operation, by taxing co-operators on their outgoings as well as their incomings. Their opposition is rooted in fallacy and nourished on envy. It is important to keep in view the distinction between income and expenditure, and even at the risk of needless repetition the terms may be defined again. Income is what comes in ; expenditure is what goes out. Income Tax is a tax on income ; Co-operation deals with out- goings, or expenditure. This difference between income and expenditure may be familiarly illustrated. 398 CO-OPERATORS AND INCOME TAX Mr. and Mrs. Wageamer have a total income of ^2 los. od. a week. Of this sum they have, say, 30s. to spend in procuring their household requirements. They may spend the whole at one ordinary shop, if they please to do so ; but the expenditure is net. By going to several shops, where prices are " cut," and buying " leading lines," they save through the generosity of the " up-to-date " tradesmen perhaps a halfpenny in the shilling on the whole — equal to lod. in the pound, or IS. 3d. of their thirty shillings. But by joining the Co-operative Society and purchasing at their own stores they save, say, ijd. in the shilling, or 2s. 6d. in the pound — equal to 3s. gd. of their thirty shiUings. In neither case is there an addition to the amount they have coming in ; that has not been increased by one penny, but they get more for their money. Ought such economy, frugaUty, thrifty deaUng, or saving in expenditure to be taxed ? To an unbiassed, unenvious mind there can be only one answer. Take another illustration. A young couple arrange to be married. They are prepared for a first outlay of ^50 in furnishing their happy home. They spend their ^50 at the shop of a tradesman, who, in consideration of their paying cash, makes an abatement or gives a discount of 7,\ per cent.=£i 5s. od. Is that sum of 25s. an addition to the man's income, and ought it to be taxed ? Certainly not ! It is merely a saving in expenditure. Then take the case of two up-to-date co-operators who also are preparing for holy matrimony. They likewise have £50 to expend. They go to their own furnishing shop in West Orchard, lay out their money CO-OPERATORS AND INCOME TAX 399 to the best advantage, and pay cash. They do not take their rebate or discount at the time, but at the end of the quarter, when the proportionate amount to be returned has been definitely ascertained. Instead of 2^ per cent, they receive, say, lo per cent., or 2s. in the pound -;f 5. Is that an addition to the man's income ? Is it trade profit within the usual meaning of the term ? The only answer is NO ! it is a saving of expenditure : it is thrift, economy, prudent spending. Is it liable, or should it be liable, to assessment for Income Tax ? Envious middlemen say Yes ; but common-sense says NO ! The Law says NO ! An impartial Departmental Committee, after hearing both sides, says NO ! Official practice says NO ! It cannot be too emphatically stated or reiterated that income tax is a tax on income ; it is not, and never was, intended to be a tax on prudent spending. As before remarked, instead of taking his rebates, or discounts, or bonuses at the time of each separate purchase, the co-operator allows them to accumulate for three months. He then draws a part of the surplus in what is conveniently, but nevertheless inaccurately, called " dividend " ; the remainder he applies to educational purposes and other forms of social benefit as may be determined by the society of which he is a member. For example, during 1915, the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society devoted to its educational fund £1,760 7s. od. ; to national service allowances for the benefit of dependents of employees, £628 i8s. od. ; to sick allowances, £155 5s. 4d. ; and to charitable and other objects, £91 i6s. od.=total, £2,636 6s. 4d. 400 CO-OPERATORS AND INCOME TAX There are two facts which should be borne in mind. First — the nature of the surplus, collective discounts, or savings of expenditure is not changed by being dealt with quarterly, instead of day by day or week by week. Second — equally with all other classes of citizens, co-operators are assessable to income tax if their individual incomes (not counting " bonus," " rebates," " discounts," or " dividends " on purchases) exceed a certain amount per annum. Income tax is a tax on incomes of all alike, whether they be co-operators or no. The contentions of anti-co-operators are only respect- able because of their hoary age ; but they are being advanced as something quite new. At the Bolton Co-operative Congress in April, 1872, Mr. Thomas Hughes, M.P. (afterwards his Honour Judge Hughes), addressed his presidential remarks fully to this question. He stated that it was an old subject between Co-operative Societies and the Govern- ment, and that the retail traders in London and else- where had just formed a Tradesmen's Protection Association, and had issued a hostile circular from the offices of the " National Chamber of Trade." He pointed out the underlying fallacy of allied tradesmen in holding that they were the only " legitimate " traders, and that as such they had a vested interest in the trade of the nation. " The true test," he contended, " by which the case is to be tried, is the public good ; and it must be considered both from an economical and moral standpoint." The rebate, or share of surplus, was not a profit, but a saving of expenditure, which the co-operator made b^' using an economical method of doing liis own business. CO-OPERATORS AND INCOME TAX 4OI As a matter of fact the point had been successfully fought out by the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers in 1856 {vide Holyoake's " History of the Rochdale Society.") The case against assessment was lucidly summed up by Mr. P. H. Holland, in the Co-operative News of May 4th, 1872. He said : — " The use of the term profits instead of discount gives rise to the common idea that the amounts returned to the customers of co-operative stores are liable to tax. " It is, however, evident that such amounts are not profits, but merely deduction of cost allowed to the customer after the real expenses of the store have been actually ascertained, instead of being estimated with more or less accuracy, as ordinary discounts usually are. If we could be quite sure beforehand what balance above expenses there would be at the end of the year, the so-called profit might be safely allowed in the form of immediate discount at the time of purchase ; but as estimates are always uncertain, as a matter of prudence and convenience it is safest and best to retain the balance until its amount is ascertained ; but the amount paid back to the customer is, however, merely a deferred discount, and it must be best to give it that name, and so avoid all misapprehension. " If the prices charged at a co-operative store were the same as those charged at ordinary shops, and part of the sum received were returned when the accounts were made up, the discount would be much more than equal to the real profits the shopkeepers could have made had the money been spent with them, for many losses and expenses shopkeepers must suffer and incur 402 CO-OPERATORS AND INCOME TAX are not incurred by the store. The store, whicti does not give credit, makes no bad debts, suffers no loss of interest nor cost for collection, and need spend far less in show to attract customers. What is returned to them is not income, but saving — to tax which would be impolitic as well as glaringly unjust." A resolution passed at a public meeting in Sunderland on 17th November, 191 6, reaffirmed Mr. Holland's view of more than forty-four years previously, in the following terms : — " That this meeting, having regard to the fact that co-operative ' dividends ' represent a saving effected by co-operators by economical shop- keeping, and are in no sense income, affirms its unshake- able resolve to resist the imposition of the Income Tax on such dividends, and calls upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer to resist the pressure beng brought to bear upon him towards that end." For a full consideration of the subject, reference should be made to articles in the Wheatsheafhy Mr. T. J. Harris (member of the Coventry Society's management committee) ; to the publications of the Co-operative Union ; and to the ably-conducted journal of the movement — the Co-operative News. Chapter L. The Soul of Co-operation. " The Ideal remains true, even if our own little picture of it is broken. The Ideal is eternal.'' L. G. MOBERI.Y. A NOTABLE cartoon appeared in Punch in the early days of the Great War, entitled " Unconquerable." It depicted the Kaiser, with the ruins of Belgium and a stream of homeless people as a background, in a jeering attitude, resting his hand on the hilt of a sword in its scabbard, con- fronted by the King of the Belgians standing erect, alert, his head uplifted, an expression of noble defiance on his fine countenance, and in his hand a naked sword. The Kaiser : "So you see — you've lost everything." The King of the Belgians : " Not my soul." " Wealthy and industrious Belgium," says Fr. Velmirovic, " though she has lost her body, has found her soul. Never in modem history has the soul of Belgium been seen so clearly as in this war, since the great trial came in the form of the German invasion and the sore desolation of Maeterlinck's country." " In suffering only the true hero can be recognised," says a Serbian proverb ; and notwithstanding Serbia's tragedy, can anyone doubt that the soul of Serbia is still alive ? 404 tHE SOUL Oi? CO-OiPERATlON It has been remarked that " the Gc-rmau never showed more efficient inefficiency than when he flouted the soul of France" ("The Graphic," July 14, 1916 : " France's Day "). " To-day," says Mrs. Cobden-Unwin, " the soldiers of the Alpini tell us the spirit of Garibaldi is there with them among the snow-clad mountains, and he will, they say, surely lead them to victory " (" The Book of Italy"). Likewise the Kingdom of Bohemia has for many long years suffered under Teutonic oppression and persecu- tion, attempted subjugation and extermination. " The crushing of Bohemia," remarked the Times in a review of Dr. Seton-Watson's " German, Slav, and Magyar " (July 6, 1916) " is an essential part of the Pan-German programme The reign of terror in Bohemia and Moravia since the beginning of the war has not been less marked than in occupied Belgium." But the soul of Bohemia is not lost, and it is not impossible that ere long Bohemia will be reborn a free and independent nation, working out a great destiny. It has ideals, and ;he motto : Byli jsme a Budeme ! — " We have been and we shall be ! " So, too, with the Co-operative Movement. Every form of opposition and attempted suppression that could be devised has it been called upon to suffer. Nevertheless, it has endured, and survived, and grown. If in the main the past fifty years have been a period of progress, they have been a period of struggle, not only in founding, establishing, and going forward, but in overcoming obstacles and withstanding vicissitudes of no ordinary character. A merely selfish, " divi-hunting" o w hJ S THE SOUL OF CO-OPERATION 4O7 enterprise must have succumbed ; but Co-operation has been saved by the vitahty of inherent principles : its soul still lives. Nor was the opposition always open and direct Insinuation, boycotting, conspiracies against individuals, back-stairs influence, and other devices have been resorted to. Persuasive inducements have likewise been fabricated. Coupons, checks, bonuses, presents with purchases, price-cutting — each in its turn and occasion- ally all at one time have been used, by which customers were attempted to be beguiled into the belief they were getting something for nothing : imitating the names of " Stores," specious publications in which to puff their goods, and so forth. What temporary success attended these tricks of trade, it is impossible to say. What is essential is that Co-operation has withstood all attempts to demonstrate that individual or company traders carried on their business solely for the benefit of the public. Co-operation was built on a firm foundation of economic principle : its soul still lived. We in the twentieth century can but imperfectly comprehend the difficulties that were encountered by the working men co-operators in the middle of the nineteenth. It needed great faith and severe economy to provide any working capital wherewith to make a start ; clear thinking, caution, constant activity, watchfulness, readiness to seize opportunities were required to transact business on sure lines, to arouse the public from a lethargy sometimes born of despair, as well as to meet honest opposition. Not alone had argument to be met by argument, but the prejudices of those who had come 408 THE SOUL OF CO-OPERATION to think that the rights of " private " traders were as sacred as the " divine " right of kings, had to be swept away. It cannot be denied, however, that some of the keenest thinkers and ablest public men of the age have supported the Co-operative movement, and that it has produced some of the finest of personalities. Practical experience in novel spheres of activity had to be acquired gradually, and often through pain and trials severe enough to test the stoutest optimist. Unselfishness is the sheet anchor of the co-operative vessel ; but individual selfishness here and there cut the cables. It occasionally appeared as if the body of Co-operation was killed. But still the soul lived. The path of social reformers often led through unequal conflicts ; but although co-operators occasionally appeared to have lost all materially — and many, in fact, were the personal sacrifices — they adhered to their faith, they never lost their soul. In times of distress, persecution, and apparent defeat, new impulses spring forward, fresh energies are born, ideals are pursued with greater vigour ; and those who share in the prosperity of Co-operation to-day are in- debted to the labours, the sacrifices, the optimistic endeavours of their forerunners. A true co-operator is necessarily an optimist, and optimism is defined as the faith that leads to achievement. The founders of our society wisely chose " Persever- ance " as part of their title. And they persevered. The beginnings of the society were humble enough — progress was not in any sense phenomenal. But, as Smiles has remarked : " The best institutions are things THE SOUL OF CO-OPERATION 4O9 of slow growth, and are shaped by experience, which includes failures as well as successes ; and finally, they require age to strengthen them and root them in habit." [Thrift, Ch. VII.) A parallel to the lofty idealism of the Belgians is afforded by the lofty idealism of the social reformers in Co-operation. They, too, appeared at times to have lost everything. But the co-operative reformer, when taunted, might have replied " Not my soul ! " Doubtless many people are attracted to co-operative stores by the prospect of a " dividend " on their pur- chases ; they study economy by wise spending, as being their own shopkeepers. But in time they realise that trade is only one aspect of the far-reaching ramifications and activities of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society. And that " dividend " is a misnomer may be gathered from previous chapters. The fundamental principles of the co-operative move- ment, however, are ethical and social : moral, because they underlie the duty of individual members towards an organised body, and of an organised body towards individual members : " Each for all, and all for each." And they are social because they underlie efforts at reform or betterment of the position and conditions of the civilised body of mankind. Thus in the educational work of the society, not only have general subjects been taught, but special subjects, such as political economy, " duties of citizenship," and ambulance work, sick nursing, and kindred branches of study have been given a prominent place. And that the soul of Co-operation has not been lost in the later materially prosperous time of Coventry 410 THE SOUL OF CO-OPERATION must be admitted by an unprejudiced and dispassionate student of the past work of the fiociety and of its present operations. In this connection attention may be directed to the chapters on the Education Committee, which has existed since April, 1874 ; the Women's Guild, started in 1884 ; the support given to various institutions and movements for the relief of suffering humanity ; and generally for the advancement of the public weal. Nor have these altruistic manifestations been merely sporadic or ephemeral : they have been gradual, sustained, consistent growing indications of the life of the unselfish soul of Co-operation. Of each of the sincere, brave, persevering pioneers of Co-operation in Coventry and of their successors, may it not b': said with Emerson (" The Problem ") — " He builclcd better than he knew ; — The conscious stone to beauty grew." And is it not the duty of the inheritors of the great enterprise which has been so hardly won to keep the soul of Co-operation alive ? Epilogue. Addressed by the Management Committee to the Members. IN this book is related " Our Story " of the origin, rise, and development of the Coventry Perse- verance Co-operative Society, Ltd. From small beginnings, with at certain periods slow progress, and despite errors of judgment and misfortunes, our society has grown until it has exceeded all anticipa- tions. That it has been and is a power in the city cannot be gainsaid. While it has greatly advantaged its members it has benefited the citizens generally ; and few can deny that in Co-operation there is a remedy for many existing anomalies. These are anxious times for all subjects of the British Empire. Especially are they so to co-operators, who have given freely of their manhood and their savings for the preservation of their country. We have still more serious times ahead. We must be prepared for economic warfare. We must be whole- hearted in adherence to our cause ; we must thoroughly acquaint ourselves with every phase of the subject of Co-operation, both for and against ; we must clearly and undauntedly advocate our ideals ; we must stoutly contend for every one of our rights and privileges in law and equity ; and resolutely persevere in going forward. 412 EPILOGUE Wliat the future of the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society shall be depends primarily on the spirit and conduct of every individual member. We must be true to our own name — " Perseverance " — and to the motto of the Co-operative movement — " Each for all, and all for each." In paying tribute to the lives and labours of those who have gone "before us, and those piotieers who still remain, we may express the hope that our society will continue to prosper, that its. highest ideals will be -realised, and that ere the Coventry Perseverance Co-operative Society attains to its Diamond Jubilee there shall have been ushered in an era of universal peace and goodwill. We appeal to you all to act well your parts. Signed — William Jones, President. George Jarrams, Secretary. Richard Potts, Manager. James Clay. William Marston. Thomas Lines. Richard Stynes. Thomas James Harris. Edward Cundliffe. William Henry Rose. BIary a. Keene. Fred Whitmore. Annie E. Corrie. West Orchard, Coventry, ■January, 1917. Appendix. THE one hundred and ninety-ninth quarterly report — from September 5th to December 2nd, 1916 — presented at the meeting in the Stevens Memorial Hall on Tuesday, January i6th, 1917, was as follows : — " Half-yearly balance sheets having been adopted, this quarter we only give the summary of sales for the three months. These are £187,598 12s. 2id., an increase of £30,362 is. 6|d. over the corresponding quarter of last year. " Number of members admitted, 651 ; withdrawn, 271 ; present number on books, 22,941. " We have received as subscriptions during the quarter £14,435 7s. lod., and paid as withdrawals £23,501 2s. gd. " Penny Savings Bank subscriptions, £283 15s. 2d. ; withdrawals, £277 i8s. 4jd. " Advanced to members on house property, £700 ; repayments received, £1,897 '^7^- 5"^- " Reserve fund is £20,258 7s. 7d. " Your committee recommend that an interim dividend be paid this quarter of 2s. in the pound. When stocks are taken next quarter, and the result of the half- year's trade known, the dividend will be in accordance with results. 414 APPENDIX " The quarter has been most trying for your com- mittee and management. The disorganisation of our staff, occasioned by military requirements, and continued shortage of supphes, have made it impossible to meet the requirements of our members ; nor is there any prospect of things improving, particularly as that practically all supplies being in the keeping of private interests we do not stand to gain most favoured treatment from those in control. " Most seriously, too, have we been hit by the iniquitous application of the excess profits tax ; and as the committee are asking all members to sign a petition upon this subject, they desire to take this opportunity to acquaint members how they as co-operators stand in relation to that tax. " In the first place, it should be borne in mind that income tax is solely a tax upon individuals, and that a proposal made in 1904 before a Government Committee of Investigation to make of co-operative societies a unit basis for income tax was characterised by that com- mittee as unjust. " Secondly, that the ' profit ' from which dividend is paid was declared by that committee as being not profit in the generally accepted meaning of the word, but savings ; dividend being in essence deferred discount. " Thirdly, that the excess profits tax, as applied to private traders, companies, and corporations, allows them, firstly, a start before it begins to count, and, secondly, a 40 per cent, share of the spoil they obtain from the public. " Fourthly, that for the purpose of this tax co-opera- tive societies have been made the unit basis. APPENDIX 415 " On the inception of this tax the Chancellor of the Exchequer made what was termed a concession, that instead of levying the tax on the bulk surplus it is levied on the average rate per member. As applied to the Coventry Society it works out as follows : Our pre-war ' profit ' is returned as £2 i6s. od. per member, re- presenting an annual average purchase of £22 8s. od. Therefore, if prices had remained normal, any increased trade done by members would have been penalised. But the increase shown in pounds sterling does not represent increase in quantity of goods sold, but less. In the first place, we pay an excess price for all goods, due to increased cost of freightage and handling and market manipulations ; where this has resulted in extra taxable profits in the businesses concerned it is we who have paid them. With the 40 per cent, share to the food barons, and because we have been thus exploited, we are again called upon to pay a second instalment. " If there is any other word than ' unjust ' that characterises this proceeding, we should hke to know it. " The committee hope, therefore, that members when called upon will straightway sign the petition and help the canvassers in seeing that no one member escapes the necessary interview. " In conclusion, the committee are doing, and will continue to do, their best to make the present difficulties as light as possible to members, and would remind members that the life of all institutions is made good by their ability to overcome adversity. With the continued loyalty and support of our members the committee look forward with confidence, that when the 4l6 APPENDIX present dark cloud is lifted from our national life the Co-operative movement will make strong strides towards its destiny, and that among the leaders the Coventry Society shall take no unworthy place." The committee made the following recommendations : That £2 2s. be voted to Royal Orthopedic and Spinal Ho?pital ; £3 3s. to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ; £2 2s. to the Coventry Ragged Schools ; £1 IS. to the Kenilworth Convalescent Home ; £5 to the Poor Children's Boot Fund ; £1 is. subscrip- tion to Mansion House Association ; £5 5s. to the Coventry Care and Maternity Committee ; £10 los. to the Central Committees of Women's Guild. The report and recommendations were adopted. 200TH Quarterly Report and Meeting. The report of the Committee for tlic quarter ended 6th March, 1917, was accompanied by the half-yearly balance sheet. The essential paragraphs of the report were the following : — " Your Committee herewith place in your hands the result of the working for half-year ending March, 1917, and trust it will meet with your approval. " The sales arc £379,238 is. lojd., an increase o\'cr the same period of last year of £68,261 17s. 7d. The profits are £46,044 is. 2d. Interim dividend paid December was £18,451 8s. od., thus leaving £27,592 13s. 2d. Your Committee recommend a dividend of 2S. in the £, which will require £18,700 ; to Educational Fund, £1,171 13s. od. ; to provide for Excess Profits APPENDIX 417 from March to September, 1916, £4,750 ; and carry forward £2,971 os. 2d. " Number of members admitted during quarter, 860 ; withdrawn, 296 ; present number on books, 23,505. " We have received as subscriptions £26,603 i8s. 3d. Witlidrawals have been £66,537 ^^s. gd. " House Purchase Department Rules. — We have ad- vanced £3,559, and the repayments have been £4,960 I2S. 4d. " The Reserve Fund is now £18,699 ^^s. 2d. " Property and Fixed and Rolling Stock have cost the Society £144,239 5s. od. We have depreciated this by £60,002 13s. 2d., and the nominal value is £84,236 IIS. lod. " Balance at Bank on deposit is £31,823 i6s. 3d., and on current account £14,309 12s. 5d. " You are being waited on to sign a petition protesting against the Excess Profits Tax, which, when complete, will be sent in to the proper authorities. We have paid this quarter £6,674, which covers nine months to March, 1916. We are providing £4,750 out of this quarter's profits, which will clear us to September, 1916, and there will be a further amount due from this quarter's profits. " The Committee still find great difficulty in getting supplies of most goods, and the number still increases. Wc must ask you to bear with us in the difficulty, and we will do all possible to meet your requirements. More men are leaving our employ for military purposes, and this also increases our difficulties." The following figures are abstracted from the summary of sales for the half-year : — 43,669 25,793 5,335 9 9 17 4 4 2 ;£379,238 1 m 418 APPENDIX ;£ S. d. ;£ S. d. Groceries 222,630 3 5 Bread 61,300 3 1} Milk 17,394 8 0^ Confectionery 3,094 1 1 SJ -—^ 304,439 6 OJ Drapery 18,325 11 9i Millinery 4,349 13 7i Tailoring 2,169 8 4 Outfitting 8,121 2 5 Boots 10.703 13 2 Coal Furniture Total Sales for Half-year . The following figures were appended to the balance sheet : — £ s. d. Trade, March (half-year), 1917 379,238 1 lOJ Increase this quarter over March, 1916 37,899 16 Increase of Members this quarter — 564. Share Capital of Society 304, 146 19 Reserve Fund of Society 18,699 1 1 2 Advanced to Members upon House Property 73,783 13 11 The 200th quarterly meeting of members was held in the Stevens Memorial Hall, New Buildings, on Tuesday evening, April 17th, 1917. The President (Councillor Jones, J. P.) being unwell, the Committee arranged for Mr. James Clay to take the chair. A considerable number of members attended, and anticipations of unusually interesting proceedings were realised during a long and animated discussion on the APPENDIX 419 report and balance sheet. Keen and forceful, the criticism was mainly directed to " the policy or want of policy " of the committee on one particular subject. Constitutionally, it was argued, the members in meeting assembled were the directors of the general policy of the society ; but the committee had apparently failed to recognise that fact. Chief complaint was made with respect to the tax on excess profits, whereby it was contended the members had first to pay taxes as citizens, and again as co-opera- tors. The view was expressed that the committee ought to have so regulated prices as to have obviated the difficulty, dividend-producing not being a primary object of Co-operation. In this connection it was alleged that the resolution of the members six months previously had been ignored {vide Chapter XXXVIII, section headed " Excess Profits Duty "). Bulk profits were even larger. The meeting ought to be told where the profits had been made, and why the members should be exploited for the purpose of providing money for unjust taxation. It was absurd to ask for the signing of a document praying that the excess profits duty should not be imposed, while the committee were plainly showing the Government what a profitable field of taxation Co-operation was ! Societies in other towns, notably Birmingham, had taken effectual steps in the matter, and whj' should not the Coventry Society have done likewise ? Another grievance concerned trading with non- members, it being stated that outsiders had been supplied with goods, of which loyal members had to go short. Dissatisfaction was also expressed with the 420 APPENDIX coal business, a number of district depots being sug- gested. In several directions it was sought to be shown' that " the Committee had not risen to the occasion," that in some respects their methods were not satisfactory, and that the present organisation of the society's trade was not perfect. Councillor Poole, Mr. W. T. Newlove, Mr. A. G. Carter, and others took part in the discussion, for which the utmost freedom was allowed. Three circumstances are worthy of note, viz. ; — No complaint was made of the quality of the goods supplied by the stores ; no vote of censure or want of confidence was moved ; nor was the report proposed to be amended. Replying on the Committee's behalf, the chairman was courteous and conciliatory. Far from resenting- criticism, he valued it. To suggest, however, that the committee had ignored the resolution referred to, and taken no steps to fulfil the wishes of the members in ■ meeting assembled, was going too far. The committee admitted that in what they had done they had failed, but it was not for want of trying. They certainly had not been, and did not intend to be, supine in the matter. It was exceedingly difficult in the continually varying state of the markets to adjust prices ; but the com- mittee had flatly refused to raise the price of bread, as the general bakeis of the city had wished them to do. Moreover, they had reduced the dividend twice, and some of them desired no further reduction if it could be avoided. If asked whether they considered the balance sheet satisfactory, the committee would at once answer that they were not satisfied with it, and they admitted that in the chief matter in question they had not achieved- APPENDIX 421 success. The committee had, however, given the subject the most anxious and prolonged consideration, and had thought it better to fight the Excess Profits Duty than evade it. They Irad decided upon a certain course, and had been disappointed. As to the general administration he pointed to the unexampled difficulties caused by the war, the constant depletion of the staff by military requirements, and the consequent frequent changes, when experienced persons had to be replaced by persons of no experience. The suggestion of district coal depots had been found impracticable, as more labour would be required than was available. In other departments they had utilised female labour very largely, and the women had worked splendidly ; but no one would wish to see women employed in the coal trade. He pointed out that not only were they short of labour, but there were times when it was impossible to obtain supplies. On behalf of the committee he promised that all points which had been raised and the various suggestions made should be carefully considered. The chairman afterwards moved the adoption of. the report and balance sheet, asking the meeting to realise the simple fact that although the committee might not be able to accomplish everything they desired, they had but one object in view, which was the benefit of the society and the members at large. Councillor Poole, although expressing himself as still dissatisfied, seconded the motion, which was carried with hardly audible dissent. On the recommendation of the Committee the meeting voted the following sums of money to the objects named : — 422 APPENDIX i s. d. Coventry District Association 1 1 Society for the Prevention of Crneltj' to Animals . . . ■. 1 1 Co-operative International Alliance 2 Queen's Hospital, Birmingham 2 2 Coventry Police Court Mission 2 2 Institute for Soldiers, Co-operative Hall, Great Yarmouth 10 6 Devonshire Hospital, Buxton, for Rheumatism, etc 5 5 Girls' Hostel, Coventry 5 5 Mayor's Fund — Lord Roberts' Scheme for Wounded Soldiers 50 £69 6 6 Subsequently the members confirmed the purchase of the residence known -as Leipzig House, 29, White Street, which, it was explained, would be of great advantage in that the site adjoined the Society's bakery in Cox Street. This business closed an animated and memorable two hours' meeting, a record of which completes the Jubilee History of the Coventry Perseverance Co- operative Society. CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 1924 087 522 482