Page 262 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

The Story of the C.W,S.
president with every great assembly at the Society's headquarters,
the Mitchell Memorial Hall seems, after all, the fittest commemora-
tion of a great leader.
Meanwhile the empty chair quietly had been filled by the election
of the previous vice-president, Mr. John Shillito, of Halifax. One
of his first prominent appearances in the capacit}^ of chairman was
at the London Branch majority celebrations of April 24th, 1895.
" Much interest," said the descriptive writer for the Co-operative
News, " was aroused by the presence of Mr. ShUlito, who was
unknoA\Ti in person to many of those present, but whose quiet
tellmg style soon found favour with an audience which included
many capable and well-known speakers." It was a fortunate year
in which to take office. From 1895 to 1900 the returns of total sales
cUmbed to ten, eleven, twelve, fourteen, sixteen milhons; nor did
they rest for a single quarter at the last-named point. Such growth
soon led to a freeing of the Committee from some old restrictions.
The resolution causing them to obtam the sanction of the meetings
before senduig any of their own members upon deputations at a cost
exceeding £50 was rescinded in 1896. In the followuig year (after
due adjournment and discussion) a new scale of fees and fares was
adopted. Up to this time the highest average payment to each
committee-man (president, branch chairmen and secretaries
included) had amounted to about £170 a year. The new rate
provided 12s. 6d. per meeting, with a maximum of 18s. 9d. per day,
and a payment of £2 weekly in case of absence through illness.
First-class railway tickets were at last allowed, and a mileage each
day of |d. per mile. The positions of president, branch chairmen
and secretaries were to remam honorary. In 1897 larger powers
for dealing Avith surplus funds were given, and the Committee were
authorised to tender for the supplying of Government, municipal,
or other public demands. Half-yearly stocktakings and balance
sheets, instead of the troublesome quarterly returns, were agreed to
for all departments in 1898, as remarked upon in the previous
chapter. In 1899 the secretaryship ceased to be filled by a member
of the Committee. Upon February 24th of that year the Society's
general accountant, Mr. T. Brodrick, was appointed to a position
which since then he has uninterruptedly occupied. This change
immediately resulted from the death of IVIr. Thomas Swann, of
Masbro', who had been conspicuous in the office from 1885 until
his death, which took place in 1899, only five days after he had
attended a meeting of the Committee.
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