The Daily Worker

By ARNOLD J. ROMS.

The employees of the Co-operative Central Exchange (a co-operative wholesale located at Superior, Wis.) have had great success with their musical comedy show. This is evidenced by the fact that their show is in great demand by the co-operative societies of northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, and by the full houses that they have had for every showing.

The new City Hall at Nashwauk, Minn., with a seating and standing capacity of close to 1,000 was by far too small. It was estimated that at least 400 people were turned back at the door. When shown in the $600,000 Recreational Building of Hibbing, Minn., there were approximately 2,000 people present.

According to reports, the hall at Cloquet, Minn. was packed more than ever before.

Teaches Cooperation.

The program consists of a play entitled, "A Gala Day in a Co-operative Store." It's a sketch of a co-operative grocery store in which questions involving cooperative principles are explained. The co-operative movement as a class movement and its relation to the trade union movement and to other phases of the general labor movement is very capably and vividly explained in discussions with the clerks and customers and in songs specially written for the play. Embodied in the play are acts of all description, such as: Classical, oriental, acrobatic and step dancing; chorus dancing by girl employees in beautiful costumes, trombone, violin and piano solos;

magician; recitations; speeches and repartee. Although many good acts are shown, special mention is due Miss Allie Mae Toivonen, the talented young acrobatic and oriental dancer, who is at every showing applauded for an encore. The program in its entirety is very lively and interesting, and though "light" conveys an invaluable educational message that is easily grasped by the masses of people.

Rehearse In Warehouse.

It is well to mention that the program, which is compiled by the employees collectively-everyone contributing to the best of their ability, has been rehearsed and shown under a great handicap. The training of the girls for the chorus has not been done in an elaborate and well heated hall, but after a hard day's work, in the cold and crowded warehouse of the Co-operative Central Exchange.

One of the large trucks of the Co-operative Central Exchange, with nothing but plain hard wooden benches to sit on, has been used to haul the "gang" to the various places. (One doesn't have to have much of an imagination to know how it feels to ride over rough roads for several hours at a stretch with nothing but a wooden bench to sit on).

It has been a great sacrifice on the part of the youngsters, and though we know that they are well satisfied for having done their share for the cause of the co-operative movement, we take this opportunity to thank them for their efforts and the spirit they have shown.