COOPERATIVE ORGANIZATION BY-LAWS. -13 



templated organization and the methods to be employed in con- 

 ducting its business. The committee should not forget that the 

 by-laws ought to be a working plan for the organization and there- 

 fore should aim to include in them all points of importance. The 

 local conditions are not exactly the same in any two places and 

 therefore such conditions must be considered carefully in drafting 

 the by-laws. 



The by-laws prepared by the committee should be considered care- 

 fully by the members at a general meeting. At this meeting it is 

 advisable that the by-laws first be read through without interruption 

 or discussion, so that those present may get a general idea of the 

 plan proposed, before taking up the various points in detail. After 

 such reading, the by-laws should be considered very carefully. They 

 should be taken up one section at a time, and ample opportunity 

 should be given for discussion and for making any changes that may 

 be desirable. After each section of an article has been discussed, 

 it is best to vote on the question of adopting that article, before 

 going on to the next. When each article has been considered and 

 passed upon, the matter of voting on the adoption of the by-laws as 

 a whole is merely formal. 



The member who acts as chairman at the meeting should be a 

 capable presiding officer in order to expedite matters, as the work 

 of adopting the by-laws may prove long drawn out unless care is 

 taken to see that the discussion is restricted to the vital point then 

 under consideration. If the discussion is allowed to digress too 

 much, not only does a lengthy meeting result, but it is more difficult 

 for the members to keep their minds concentrated on the important 

 points. On the other hand, care must be taken not to create a 

 feeling that the by-laws are being rushed through, without allowing 

 an opportunity for full and free discussion. 



CAUTION THAT THE DEPARTMENT'S VIEWS OF LAW ARE NOT 



CONCLUSIVE. 



Effort has been made to draw the accompanying by-laws in such 

 form that they will be suitable for organizations desiring to comply 

 with the provisions of section 6 of the Clayton Act. While effort 

 has been made to shape each provision so that it may be in harmony 

 with law, nevertheless, those who contemplate using the material 

 should be cautioned of the necessity for care on their part also. 

 The antitrust laws are not committed to this department for admin- 

 istration. It has no power to give an authoritative ruling as to 

 their meaning. Indeed, the final interpretation of these statutes 

 rests with the courts. It is suggested that those who desire to make 

 use of these by-laws should act in reference to the matter upon the 

 advice of competent counsel of their own choice. 



