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 desirabb. 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. 
