2nd issue.
The Stalin Central Workers’ Cooperative (initially the Yuzovka Workers’ Cooperative) was the largest non-state issuer in Yuzovka (Stalino). The cooperative was founded in 1888 on the Larynska side, i.e., in the factory part of the settlement. At that time, the cooperative was called the “Consumers’ Society near the plant of the Novorossiysk Society.” According to old-timers’ recollections, it issued its own coupons (orders) redeemable for food products from the agriculture of the Novorossiysk Society, located at the Peski farmstead. At the beginning of the 20th century, the cooperative opened branches (shops) on the 1st Line (now Artem Street), the 10th Line, and at the Vetka mine.
In 1924, along with the city, the cooperative changed its name as well. In 1924, the SCRC was the largest cooperative association of employees of the Yugostal trust, which, in addition to the Stalin Metallurgical Plant with its mines, included the Makeevka and Enakievo metallurgical plants and mines. As of January 1, 1924, the Stalin Central Workers’ Cooperative brought together 7,541 workers in its ranks. In total, 21,000 people worked at the plant and the mines. The share capital in January amounted to 23,950.78 rubles. In April of the same year, the number of shareholders was increased to 7,938 people.
In January 1924, for the benefit of the cooperative there were 2 general stores, 8 branches (medium-sized shops), and 6 kiosks (small shops) in operation. Several bakeries baked 7,213 poods of bread monthly. Canteens opened in the second half of 1924. In June, 5 more shops, 5 bread kiosks, and 20 tobacco stalls were additionally opened. In April 1924, the population bought goods worth 415,496 rubles. A few more facts: bread was sold by the cooperative at 7 kopecks (at the market it cost 16 kopecks), meat at 16 kopecks per pound. Up to 30% of these goods were sold for monetary substitutes, or in other words—bonds—of their own production.
What could be bought for this money? Any item from the assortment of the Cooperative’s shops. Any—except alcohol. More precisely, alcohol was dispensed as well, but in the press in the summer of 1924 a campaign unfolded in support of banning the sale of “the green serpent” for merchandise checks.
Control commodity check 1 Kopeck 1924.
Stalin Central Workers' Cooperative.
