A CO-OPERATIVE TRAMWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 19, 24 January 1933, Page 3

A CO-OPERATIVE TRAMWAY.

INTERESTING NOVA SCOTIAN

experiment,

BANKRUPT CONCERN OPERATED

AT PROFIT,

SYDNEY (Nova Scotia), Dec. 19.

A year ago the Cape Breton Electiic Company, which operated the electric railway connecting Sydney, Cape Breton and eonie smaller towns, went into liquidation and seemed likely to close down operations. The employees, facing unemployment —they numbered just 33—-pooled tneir resources, bought the .rolling stock and operating rights of the company, reorganised as the Cape Breton Tiamways, Limited, and went to work. They cut down overhead, economised whenever possible. They worked cveitime without extra pay. The president of the eystem took his place at the controls of a car when his executive duties peimit.ted, and that was the sj.irifc of cooperation which actuated the staff. They appealed to the citizens for support of an enterprise wliich was giving a very necessary public service. Recently the new company I'eld its first annual meeting, and the reports were moslt gratifying. Cape Breton Tramways had paid its way, had a small surplus, and so the shareholders with great enthusiasm passed a resolution to the effect that the employees should have* their wages increased by- 10 per cent forthwith. Next year they hope to do even better.