The directors of the Co-operative Society propose, in the recommendations printed in another column, a scheme, which, if adopted, will make a considerable change in the Society's methods of doing business. The change would be practically to a plan very similar to that of the famous Rochdale Pioneers. Instead of selling goods at the lowest possible price, they are to be sold not much below ordinary retail prices, though still somewhat below them. On that method, the Society will naturally make profits; and these profits are to be divided at the end of each year among all members. That is, a member will get the gain from the Society's operations not so much in the shape of a reduction of price on each purchase, as in the lump sum returned to him at the end of the year. On the other hand, any person connected with the University is permitted to buy at the Society's store, even though not a member. Such persons will get the advantage of somewhat lower prices than ordinary retail prices, will have convenience of the store in Dane Hall, and the certainty of not being cheated as to quality and price of goods. Only members are to have the privilege of discounts with affiliated tradesmen.

The greatest advantage of the new scheme is, as stated by the directors, that it would enable the Society to deal with all persons connected with the University. The Society ought to be a general agent for various objects, which it cannot touch at present. It ought, for instance, to print and sell at cost the various abstracts, summaries and outlines used in so many courses of instruction. It ought to import all the foreign text-books used. It cannot do these things while its dealings are restricted to its own members, an obstacle which is removed by the new scheme.