Eddy, Arthur Jerome: The new competition: an examination of the conditions underlying the radical change that is taking place in the commercial and industrial world ; the change from a competitive to a cooperative basis (New York [u.a.], 1912)

CHAPTER XI

HARMONY
I
Cooperation means a broader outlook than the mere
quest of money.
It may be said once for all that no organization can
live beyond the exigencies of the hour unless it has an in-
terest above dollars and cents. The desire to make greater
profits may bring men together but it will not hold them
long, the motive, is too sordid to encourage any large de-
gree of enthusiasm, and without enthusiasm no movement
can go forward.
Pleretofore combinations, associations, pools, agree-
ments have all been for the one object, higher prices. Men
who disliked each other heartily came together for the
sole purpose of making money, they were willing to swal-
low their aversions for the sake of a few dollars; they
would lunch and dine together with a great show of friend-
ship only to denounce each other roundly on separating.
In these combinations to advance prices the man who
had a decent regard for his word was always the loser
since he adhered to the understanding longer than the
others.
There being nothing to hold the members together ex-
cept an agreement that few intended to keep, it is not sur-
prising the old line associations fell apart about as fast as
they were brought together.
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