“Yes. Well, now, my plan is this: As soon as the shop gets on its feet, in a manner of speaking, we’ll fix on a moderate interest — say 2½ per cent, per year — and then, after laying a bit aside for a dull season, and paying all expenses, divide the rest of the profits among the members according to the money they have spent in the shop. That’s the idea, mates. Just you think about it.”
The men looked at each other, some nodded, some shook their heads, some scratched them, in their efforts to take in this novel idea.
One man suddenly slapped his thigh, and gave a delighted chuckle. “Well,” he said, “that beats all. Why, the more we spend the more we’ll get. Our Mollie will like that.”
There was a general laugh at this brilliant idea, and then the debate began; and that night when closing time came there were more debates with the “Missis” at the fireside of many humble cottages in Rochdale.
From Our Story: a history of the co-operative movement for young people (1903) by Miss Isa Nicholson of the Preston Branch of the Co-operative Wholesale Society. Nicholson was commissioned to write it by the Society, for use in schools.