“ Powerful and influential, the members of the brotherhoods were the best paid element of the working classes of the country. Their organizations stood alone and independent from the rest of organized labor, not even being affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. ”

“ In the latter part of 1919 and during 1920 several of the brotherhoods turned their attention toward Consumers' Co-operation as a means to bringing down the cost of living. “We realize,” said Grand Chief Stone, “that by a continuous demand for higher wages, even though granted, we gain nothing if the cost of living continues to rise. What we want is, not a rise in wages, but a lowering of the cost of living.” The principal brotherhoods had begun, in 1920, the establishment of a series of co-operative banks throughout the country, as a basis for further co-operative enterprises. ”