A CO-OPERATIVE TRAMWAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 50, 26 January 1933, Page 7

A CO-OPERATIVE TRAMWAY.

INTERESTING NOVA SCOTIA EXPERIMENT. A year ago the Cape Breton Electric Company, which operated the electric railway connecting Sydney, Cape Breton and some smaller towns, went into liquidation and seemed likely to close down operations. The employees, facing unemployment —they numbered just 33—pooled their resources, bought the rolling stock and operating rights of the company, reorganised as the Cap© Breton Tramways, Limited, and went to work. They cut down overhead, and economised wherever possible. They worked overtime without extra pay. The president of the system took his place at the controls of a car when his executive duties permitted, and that was the spirit of co-operation which actuated the staff. They appealed to the citizens for support of an enterprise which was giving a very necessary public service.

Recently the new company held its first annual meeting, and the reports were most 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 hop© to do even better.