(GERMANY - CO-OPERATION AND ASSOCIATION 



properly carried out, as faulty work would be prejudicial to their own 

 interests. Nor is it to the purpose to say that they might supervise the 

 work and correct any defects ; this would be, in any case, a more incon- 

 venient system, and cause greater loss of time and heavier expenses 

 than direct execution or the entrusting of it only to certain persons or 

 firms known to be competent and careful in the work of installation. 



Opinions as to the advisability of this monopoly vary even in co-oper- 

 ative circles. It is easy to understand that co-operative federations and, 

 even more, local co-operative societies would be disposed to entrust the 

 work to firms of the locality or of the neighbourhood. And it seems very 

 natural that they should have recourse to them when they can guarantee 

 that their work is good. And the adoption of energetic systems has 

 not failed of good results, as may be gleaned from the declarations made by 

 Herr Saenger, who is a president of a Federation, at the above mentioned 

 Congress at Baden Baden. The co-operative federation of Baden, over 

 which he presides, set itself specially energetically, to destroy the 

 monopoly enjoyed by the large electric firms and to make free competition 

 in the VN-ork of installation in houses possible. To ensure that the work 

 is good, the federation has laid down certain rules with regard to it, to 

 which those carrying it out must conform. 



However much sympathy ma}^ be won by leaving the field open to 

 competition, uniformity in the supply of materials and the work of in- 

 stallation, which is obtained by only deaUng with certain definite firms, 

 has also its advantages, as proved b^'' the experience of the Province of 

 Saxony, reported by Dr. Rabe. 



This course not only guarantees the uniformity and regularity of the 

 whole work of installation, but also offers a possibility of less expenditure. 

 Evidently firms receiving such large orders are in a position to work 

 more cheaply ; so they have been able to grant considerable reductions 

 to the central co-operative societies in question. And these reductions 

 are without doubt a very acceptable source of gain for the central so- 

 cieties, the more acceptable as the gains are apparent from the first when 

 their income sare still very small. 



What we have been saying has given us occasion often to refer to 

 the work of the co-operative federations for the supply of electric power. 

 The enthusiasm and agitation, not seldom unhealthy, in favour of the dis- 

 tribution of electric power in the cotmtry districts, rendered it urgently 

 necessary to institute organizations for the objective and tranquil stud}- 

 of the proposals that have been put forward and to enlighten and advise 

 those concerned. Nor did there seem less necessity for advice and su- 

 pervision on thf part of competent and impartial organizations during 

 the conduct and execution of these undertakings. Wherefore, to supply 

 the need, the co-operative organizations have often founded offices for 

 consultation. The duties of these electrical engineering or advisory' 

 bodies especially include : the giving of opinions, explanatory lectures 

 to those interested, opinions on the proposals of central and co-operative 

 societies for the purchase of current, assistance in the conclusion of cori^ 



