Page 155 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

Bootmaking at Heckmondwike.
In more than one of these developments the Scottish Wholesale
joined. The Northern society shared also in a business visit of
committee-men and buyers to America.
It was this first trans-
atlantic tour of committee-men, together with a trip beyond
Hamburg, which aroused questioning.
The cost of deputations,
especially those sent out by civic bodies, is a stock subject of
criticism and satire in all democratic circles. But the various
business tours of its committee-men and buyers have been of great
value to the Wholesale. Apart from the general knowledge gained,
chance introductions, discoveries, and acquaintanceships have
opened channels of regular supply, while the steadiness of C.W.S.
trade, involving the repetition of orders satisfactorily executed in
the first case, has reduced to insignificance the cost over numerous
transactions of any initial prospecting. In the case of this American
visit, the benefits and advantages of the journey echoed through
many pages of the committee's minutes. They record how one
detail alone had repaid the expense, and " they in Scotland were
perfectly satisfied with this." If we are to accept a well-known
estimate of Scots character this should have closed discussion.
Notwithstanding a change of management necessitated by Mr,
Butcher temporarily quitting co-operative employment, the C.W.R.
Leicester Boot and Shoe Works grew steadily. On May 31st, 1884,
a second large extension was celebrated. The opening was preceded
by "a substantial tea" and social evening, given by the Committee
to the employees, and attended by nearly a thousand persons
During the proceedings the annual value of the supply was stated to
have increased from £30,000 to £90,000. Yet already a second boot
works had been estabhshed at Heckmondwike. This was for heavy
bootmaking, of which Leeds is a centre. The Heckmondwike
factory was leased in 1880. An ex-manufacturer, who (it was said)
had renounced his own successful business in favour of the
C.W.S., was appointed manager. It is not surprising, though rather
melancholy, that a few months later this enthusiast was asked to
resign. A new manager was found in the Leicester Works, but it
was some time before the first profit was accounted. One loss incurred
in 1882 remained from a strike. The dispute arose over the giving
out of work. The men's union, however, declined to support the
dissatisfied workers, and the strike fell tlu'ough. Thereafter the
Heckmondwike Works pursued a generally even and uneventual
course of mLxed profits and losses, with profits predominating.
Competition with "garret-masters" or sweaters in Leeds was one
119