Page 296 - 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 CW.S.

opposition on behalf of the Oldham and Rochdale mills, which
considered themselves already injured by Dunston, the power was
readily granted. The Banbury Society, indeed, although possessing
a flour mill " dependent to some extent upon the societies around
them," gave hearty support. And in June, 1896, the site of the
proposed mill was announced. Five acres of freehold land on the
north bank of the Thames at Silvertown were to be purchased at the
cost of £2,500 per acre. This was the same price that had been paid
at Dunston. The ground included a wharf and first-class railway
facilities. The direct road, rail, and water communication, it was
said, assured the mill a position superior to that of any other in
London. It was foreseen, however, that, as at Dunston. it would be
necessary to build upon concrete piles. Designed by the Society's
architect, Mr. F. E. L. Harris, A.R.I.B.A., and erected by the
C.W.S. building department, the mill was ready to produce twelve
sacks per hour by the spring of 1900. On April 14th of that year
the rolls were started by George Hawkins, the popular chairman of
the London Branch. The general celebration followed on June 20th,
when the manager (Mr. George V. Chapman) was in a position to
book orders from the six hundred delegates attending.
In view of the Dunston experience, a balance on the wrong side
after a first half year's working at Silvertown was received quietly.
The attitude was justified by a profitable half year within eighteen
months of the opening. This satisfactory state added enthusiasm
to another celebration which took place on April 28th, 1902. By
that date the machinery had been dupHcated, and the new plant
was started by Mr. ShiUito. Upon a balance of the whole period,
1900-5, a profit of nearly £7,000 appeared; then, however, five
lean years followed. At the first opening one of those present to
congratulate the co-operators was a very old friend of the movement,
Mr. Wilson Marriage, an ex-mayor of Colchester, and himself a flour
miller. It may be supposed that he did not represent all his fellow-
miUers. In 1906 and the following years a most determined attempt
was made, chiefly by new firms estabhshed on the Thames, to capture
the co-operative trade. American competition also was felt severely.
Losses were discussed at quarterly meeting after quarterly meeting.
Yet these discussions usually had the effect of renewing confidence.
There were the amounts paid in depreciation, interest, and dividend
on purchases to be considered ; there was also the fact that it was
just the existence of the C.W.S. mills which brought the private
millers round co-operative doors, anxious to do trade at less than
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