CO-OPERATION. 9 



keeper, so the store-keeper buys of this central purchasing syndi- 

 cate. As the stoi'e-keeper is independent of the custom, so is the 

 syndicate independent of the store-keeper. A repetition of the same 

 development, except on a difterent plane. 



The goods now, for each retail store, ai'e bought in bulk by the 

 syndicate from the manufactory without the intervention of any 

 wholesale house. The goods come direct, are fresh, in style, in mod- 

 erate quantity, and at bottom prices. In progress of time this syn- 

 dicate may have a representative in every state. And as consumers 

 are also producers, and buyers, sellers, there will be a universal 

 exchano;e or brokerao;e of commodities. Have and Want will find 

 an automatic clearance, and the number of 'middle men' be reduced 

 to perfect accuracy. 



COMPETITION. 



Now that our Monitor is fairlj^ launched, it will be seen, from 

 the pool's nature, that it must have a tight. But her victories are in 

 the interests of peace. We make no war upon ti'aders in the com- 

 petitive, pi'ofit-making sense. We rather pity their lot, and would 

 gladly assist tiiem in imloading their goods. But some capitalists, 

 superlatively wise in tlieir own conceit, will not be run ashore by a 

 'cheese box.' They will break us up, if it takes their last dollar. 



Now, while our ca])italist is just cutting under our prices, and 

 drawing away our custom, how can we keep up our expenses ? We 

 do not aim to 'make money,' neither have we any to lose. In 

 the tight, tlien, with capital shall we not go down ? No, two ways 

 are open. First, our store is so lightly equipped, it can stand a 

 running tire, until we exhaust our adversary's exchequer. Second, 

 our pool, in guaranteeing a minimum of custom, can alibrd, for such 

 great advantages, to keep its organization idle. For, the moment 

 it should die, capital would again put up its prices to cover its loss. 

 But, if it only sells at cost, we can then undersell it, for, fi'om the 

 nature of our organization, their cost price is above that of our's. 



If we had no opposition, what should we be good for ? The 

 point is however, in so overcoming our opponent, as to be accelera- 

 ted in our progress. So that our capitalist would not ouly lose his 

 trade, but his capital also. And where would he tind it ? In the 

 hands of the pool. For, the process we are inaugurating, is the 

 transfer of one system into that of another. Just as a wine mer- 

 chant, by means of a syphon transfers a full cask into an empty 

 one. And in this operation w« work with nature and, as by force 

 of gravity, are reinforced by all her power. 



