PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING CO-OPERATION 



49 



the organization and demand that the organization shall deal in the 

 same way not only ^4th its members, but with the public in general. 

 Third, they must not use the organization as a club to make buyers 

 pay more or to get sellers to sell for less. Use it to buy, sell and to 

 transact whatever business it was intended should be transacted. It 

 needs the profits on your business in order to succeed. Remember, 

 you are a part of the organization. If you make it a success by your 

 support, you will receive the benefit; if you do not give it your loyal 

 and undivided support, you have no right to the benefits nor will you 

 receive them. 



Co-operation does not in any way imply that some shall receive 

 special benefits, and one of the great dangers in cooperative develop- 

 ment is from the professional promoter who is organizing to get him- 

 self a position. Have none in the organization except those whose 

 interests are mutual and who will stand on the same level. 



Successful co-operation may be summed up in a few words. It is 

 the strengthening of effort by uniting many individual efforts in a 

 common cause. Its strength is illustrated by the bundle of sticks. 

 A single one offers little resistance, but when there are many firmly 

 bound together, they will stand great pressure. Every individual 

 stick which becomes weak weakens the whole, so when a member 

 fails to give his best the strength of the organization is reduced just 

 in the ratio which his power bears to the power of the whole organiza- 

 tion. 



When enemies of the institution assail it, stand by it without fail. 

 Then is when it needs your loyalty more than at any other time. A 

 fair weather friend is not worth much to any man or organization of 

 men. 



If every member will pledge himself to loyalty and honesty, good 

 common sense and business methods will insure success. Failing in 

 either, there is no chance for success. 



