“At Lewiston April 10th, 1901, the organization felt itself sufficiently strong to enact the following business:
At a meeting of the Board of Directors the following business was transacted:
1. Provisions were made for giving employment at once in the following branches of labor to Co-workers;
Carpenters and Builders.
Masons.
Clerks and Salesmen.
Cooks and Waitresses.
Dressmakers, Tailors, Suit Makers, etc.
Farmers.
Organizers of Co-operative Clubs.
2. It was voted to erect a large building on the site adjoining our present Caf’e’ where the following business shall be done:
(a) A market maintained for the sale of meats, groceries and provisions. (Now in course of erection.)
(6) A wholesale business for the sale of general merchandise to our Co-operative Club members.
(c) Home offices of the Co-operative Association of America.
3. The association has secured for manufacturing purposes the top floor of the B. Peck Co’s Department Store building. We have here a floor space of 22,700 square feet, having 39 large windows, with both passenger and freight elevator service. Four hundred Coworkers can be put to work here in this department.
4. It was decided that the Co-operative Association, on May 1st, should take entire charge of the Cafe1 on its property on Main street, and employ only Co-workers.
5. The following people pledge the sum of money indicated opposite their names in a Certificate of Deposit (a loan for five years without interest) as described in pamphlet. This creates an immediate permanent income of $50.00 per week for the Association from this source alone.
J. H. Crowley, Lewiston, $5 00
REPORT OF DIRECTORS.
L. T. Chabot, Lewiston, 5 00
M. J. Fox, 5 00
E. J. Fogg, 2 00
C. W. Fogg, 2 00
J. F. O’Brien, 2 00
Wm. Richard” 2 00
Geo. Ramsey, 2 00
Reginald Ware, 2 00
Edwin Douglass, 2 00
John West, 2 00
Louis L. Peck, 2 00
Wm. Schoefleld, 2 00
Rev. Hiram Vrooman, Boston, 2 00
Rev. C. E. Lund, Lewiston, 2 00
Outside donor, 1 00
Mr. B. Peck gives $500.00, taking a Certificate of Deposit. Similar loans are solicited from friends of this movement.
6. Arrangements were made so that the Secretary, Rev. C. E. Lund can devote his entire time to the interests of the Association from May 1st, the Secretary being our only salaried officer.
7. A quarterly periodical will be published and mailed as second class matter, the next number appearing in May. Subscriptions solicited at 40 cents per year. Associate Members will receive it free.
Later when Co-operative Clubs are formed, a weekly bulletin will be issued, giving list of merchandise for sale and stating prices.
The products of Associate Members offered for sale will be advertised free in this bulletin.
8. Agencies are to be established everywhere possible for
(a) The formation of Co-operative Clubs of Associate Members.
(b) The securing of Co-workers at $300.00 each.
(c) The enlisting of Associate Members at $2.00 per year.
(d) The sale of the book “The World a Department Store.” $1.00 a copy.
(e) Subscriptions for Quarterly Pamphlets, 40c a year. A liberal commission will be paid to responsible agents.
On the first of May the Secretary gave up a most happy pastorate of four years at Orono, Me., to engage at Lewiston in the work of the “religion of humanity.”
In the office work Miss Addie Stockwell has proven a most efficient Co-worker as stenographer and typewriter.”
Reference Data:
The Co-Operators: The Organ of the Co-Operative Association of America , Issues 2-3, by Co-Operative Association of America, 1901, pages 15-6
