A SURVEY OF TYPICAL OOOPEEATIVE STOKES. 7 



religion of those participating. Although the figures were not con- 

 clusive, nor sufficient for tabular presentation, they seemed to bear 

 out the opinion of many of the managers that a cooperative store is 

 apt to be more successful in a community which is made up of people 

 of one nationality. Similarly, in industrial communities, it was 

 found that stores are more successful where a large percentage of 

 the membership is of the same occupation ; and at least one case was 

 observed in which common church affiliation is the basis of successful 

 cooperation. 



The membership ranges from 1,600 to 30, while the average for all 

 the stores surveyed was 228. Although there were some notable 

 exceptions, as a general rule it was found that the success of the 

 stores was almost in direct proportion to the membership. This may 

 be due to the fact that the well-managed store usually has little diffi- 

 culty in increasing its membership, while the poorly managed store 

 soon loses the support of the members with which it begins operation. 



It was surprising to find so small a proportion of the stores con- 

 trolled by farmers' organizations, such as the Grange and the 

 Farmers' Union. As a matter of fact, the farmers' organizations 

 have taken the initiative in starting many stores, but not finding 

 themselves strong enough to support the business out of their own 

 membership, they have thrown the conditions of membership open. 

 Even where such stores have been" successful, they have frequently 

 had a bad effect upon the farmers' organization. In some cases the 

 farmers, expecting great things from their store, have allowed the 

 local farmers' organization to fall into decay, claiming that the store 

 was all the organization they required. In other cases, where the 

 store fathered by a farmers' organization has been a failure, the effect 

 has been even more disastrous to the association. 



The survey brought out the fact that the location has a great deal 

 to do with the success of the store. The best location, however, is 

 not always synonymous with the most expensive or most central loca- 

 tion. Much depends upon the type of trade.' In the case of stores 

 dependent largely upon country trade the proximity of horse sheds 

 and hitching facilities is an advantage. Such conveniences usually 

 can not be had in an expensive central location. On the other hand, 

 there are instances which tend to show that the store should not be 

 located too far from the points where country roads converge. 



Five of the stores studied had undertaken the establishment of 

 branches in outlying districts. Almost without exception, the policy 

 of establishing such branch stores was found to be unsatisfactory. 

 In all cases the branches were found to be a heavy drain on the work- 

 ing capital of the parent store. It was also found that the members 

 in the branch district were inclined to rely for success upon the 

 parent association, thus weakening the branch. It appeared, too, 



