CONTINUOUS GROWTH.
When the new buildings at M‘Neil Street were commenced the private loan fund was again opened, but now money was coming in so rapidly with the continuous growth which was taking place in the membership of societies that the committee recommended again that this fund should cease. How continuous and great was the increase in the share capital of the Society is shown by the fact that on one occasion the new shares issued in the months of June and July totalled 1,320; while, on other occasions, shares were applied for by single societies in batches of 600, 800, and 1,000. When the first M‘Neil Street premises were opened in 1887, the Federation consisted of thirty-six societies, and was doing a trade of slightly over 400 sacks a week. At the majority celebrations in 1890 the number of society members had grown to forty-three, and the turnover was 715 sacks weekly. Now at the end of another four years the membership had grown to fifty-two, and the turnover to 1,254 sacks. Thus, when the Society had attained its semi-jubilee, it was doing a trade of £137,500 a year, and making a profit of £11,600; while the output of the twenty-fifth year was 64,308 sacks, and the average dividend for the year was 1/(4½).
Undoubtedly the progress made from the opening of the new bakery had been little short of marvellous; yet, good though it was, it did not satisfy the committee, for there were still societies within easy reach of the bakery which gave a large proportion of their trade to outside bakers, and at least one was yet without the pale altogether. On the other hand, one society distant over 100 miles from the centre was getting a regular supply of bread, although this was soon to stop when the society began to bake for themselves. Difficulties of delivery still existed, and seemed to form the ground for a large number of the complaints which were made by societies. A further proportion of such complaints dealt with the prevalence of underbaked bread, which was but another phase of the delivery difficulty, as the bread was too quickly fired in order that the vans might get away on their rounds at the earliest possible moment. These difficulties it was hardly possible for the committee to overcome successfully, for the situation was dominated by the Bakers’ Union, who for a time decreed a five o’clock start. After a time, however, the Society was successful in arranging for a four o’clock start, and just before the conclusion of the period with which we are dealing a three o’clock start was arranged for. This arrangement made for the lessening of worry to the Bakery officials by allowing the bread to be well baked and yet to be ready for early delivery; but it meant for the bakers the turning of night into day. In this connection it is worthy of note that in the last four months of 1893, after the new hours for the bakers came into operation, no complaints whatever came in from societies.
Mention has already been made of the cake trade and of the beginning of the cake shows in order to foster that trade. It was growing rapidly, and the sales for the season 1893–94 reached the grand total of 32½ tons, representing 14,533 cakes of 5 lbs. each in weight, and 4½ tons of shortbread. The tearooms and the purvey department also were flourishing, and were showing useful profits on the turnover. It is said that there is nothing new under the sun, and everyday experience goes to prove the wisdom of the Hebrew philosopher who is credited with having been the first to note the fact. At the quarterly meeting which was held in December 1893 notice was given of a motion to print synopses of the minutes and distribute them to the societies before the quarterly meetings. The motion was defeated, but it kept on making its appearance on the agenda with unfailing regularity until a few years ago it found favour with a majority of the delegates. Another motion of which notice was given at the same meeting, and which found a great deal of favour with the delegates when it came up for ratification at the 100th quarterly meeting, was a proposal made by Mr William Barclay, Kinning Park, on behalf of that society, that the shares of the Society should be raised from 10/ to 15/ each. The motion received the votes of a majority of the delegates, but as it meant an alteration of rule a two-thirds majority was necessary, and so it too was lost, as was also a proposal for raising the purchase qualification for a vote from £160 or a fractional part thereof to £320. At the quarterly meeting, however, perhaps the most notable thing done was the election of Mr James Bain, of Glasgow Eastern Society, as secretary. Mr Bain thus completed twenty-five years of service as secretary at the 200th quarterly meeting of the Society, held in March last. Mr Bain had served, however, a period as the representative of his society on the board of the Federation ere his election as secretary.
In looking over the various reports of contracts made during the time the stables and biscuit factory were in course of erection, it is interesting to note that one or two small contracts were secured by the S.C.W.S., particularly in connection with engineering work. Amongst other things which they did was the supplying of an elevator for the biscuit factory.
CHAPTER XI.
FURTHER EXTENSIONS.
MORE TEAROOMS—INCREASING BUSINESS—NEW BISCUIT FACTORY AT WORK—ANOTHER EXTENSION—MORE GROUND PURCHASED—NEW BAKERY OPENED—THE POSITION OF THE FEDERATION—NEW STABLES—ORGANISATION—MANAGER OR NO MANAGER?—RELATIONS WITH THE C.W.S.—THE BIG BOYCOTT—RELATIONS WITH MASTER BAKERS—SOME NOTEWORTHY ALTERATIONS—THE FARMING ASSOCIATION—ACCIDENTS—THE OATCAKE DEPARTMENT—ADVERTISING AND ENTERTAINING—DONATIONS—A WORKS DEPARTMENT—A FOUR YEARS’ RECORD.
So successful were the tearooms in Renfield Street proving that, at the 101st quarterly meeting of the Society, the directors sought power to increase the number of these places of business. There was a difference of opinion amongst the delegates as to the best course to pursue. Some were not in favour of any further extension of this branch of the business, and carried their opposition so far as to move an amendment that power be not granted. Others favoured the principle, but urged the committee to “hasten slowly,” and moved that power to open one only be granted. The vast majority of the delegates, however, were fired with the enthusiasm of the committee, or, at least, were prepared to trust them not to go further than was going to be for the benefit of the Society; so the powers sought, which were “to open one or two more tearooms as opportunity offered,” were granted by a large majority. The result of this permission was that rooms were taken at Glasgow Cross—they will be remembered by most Co-operators. They were leased for ten years, the rental being £100 for the first two and a half years and £115 for the remainder of the period. Steps were immediately taken to have them fitted up as first-class tea and dining rooms, and it was decided that they should be lighted by electricity. The premises were opened to the public on 25th October, when there was a large gathering of representatives from the societies in the Glasgow and Suburbs Conference area, friendly and other societies, and trade unions. Mr M‘Culloch presided, and the rooms were declared open by Mr Maxwell, president, S.C.W.S. Mr Glasse, Mr Bain, Mr Chaddock, and other gentlemen also delivered addresses.
While negotiations and preparations had been proceeding for the opening of the Cross tearooms, preparations were also being made at the bakery for the opening of a dining hall and bread shop, and shortly after the function at the Cross these also were opened.
The next venture of the Federation was in Paisley Road, where, on 25th May 1895, tearooms were opened. Following on the opening of the Paisley Road premises, no alterations took place in this section of the Society’s business until the end of 1897, when the committee, having failed to come to an arrangement with the factor for the Renfield Street premises, and being faced with the prospect of having to pay increased rent for the premises if they renewed their lease, decided to accept an offer of premises at 102 and 104 West Nile Street at £300 rental per annum. It was decided that the tearooms should be known as “The Union Rooms,” and also that electric lighting be installed. Quite a long time was spent in fitting up the new premises so as to make them thoroughly worthy of the part which it was hoped they would play in the social life of the Co-operative community of the city and district, and it was not until the 28th of June 1898 that they were formally opened. The premises comprised a tearoom and smaller rooms and offices on the ground floor, as well as two large flats above. To celebrate the opening the board had decided that a tea should be given to the regular customers of the Renfield Street premises, and of these about 100 attended at a social gathering. A jovial evening was passed in song and sentiment, and many kind things were said of Mr Watson, manager, and the new premises.
Meantime, the Society had undertaken yet another venture in the catering line. In connection with the National Halls, Main Street, Gorbals, there had been a catering department, which was giving up business, and the business and plant were purchased by the Baking Society, a tearoom and an auxiliary purvey department being established there in the spring of 1898.