The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-03-02
Il
COOPERATIVE INDUSTRY
As n Means OF Transition from Social
Isolation and AntRgOnism 10 Uni
VersAI Concord and Happiness
BY E. P. GRANT.
NUMBER TX


Organization OF Labor.
Sec 5, Formation Of Industrial Groups;
Node Of reH1lmer0ting Labor according
to is Product.
In the last number an effort was made
to explain the formation of groups, and
mode was indicated by which the indus
trial efficiency Of the several co-operators
who constitute a group may be determin-
ed. 1t may be objected that the mode
prescribed is complicated, and requires Ia
borious and difficult calculations, espec-
tally in the case nf a numerous group
By way of reply it may be remarked, lst,
that the unequal efficiency of the several /
members Of o group must be determined /
in some way, for otherwise it is impossible |
to fulfill the important condition of reward /
according to production, which the system |
We aim to construct cannot dispense with, |
though Communism and the system of |
wages may and unless there be a near |
approximation to justice in rating the CO.
operators, disaffection is sure to ensus, |
and to be followed inevitably by discord |
and disorder: I'd, that though the mode of
proceeding suggested may involve some |
complication IN the case of a group con- |
sisting of large number of co-operators,
vet the calculations even then, though |
perhaps somewhat tedious, will not be
difficult, and a little practice will enable
any one who has mastered the primary
rules of arithmetic to perform them with
.rapidity and ease But in considering
this problem the fact should not be lost
sight of that each group is, within certain
limits, an Independent corporation, hav-
ing power to make rules or bylaws to
regulate its internal affairs, and will there
fore always be at hbertyto adopt or re-
iect any particular mode which may be
recommended. The authority Of the Com
mune will extend only to prescribing this
mode, (or, If possible, better one in the
event that the group shall devise no other
more satisfactory to itself 1t IS my be-
lief that the Office of discriminating be-
tween the members Of a group in respect
to their efficiency in labor will, IN general,
be entrusted to its Captain or Industrial
Chief, but l do not recommend this mode
in the beginning, because it might sug-
gest the idea of an arbitrary and odioUs
exercise of authority. The Chief of a
properly constituted group Is however
sure to be in cordial sympathy with all
his associates, for his reputation, as their
standard bearer depends upon their earn
est and effective Cooperation which he
cannot but wish to secure; he will there
fore endeavor to fix their industrial rank
Justly, and without any bias from preju-
dice or favoritism, while his competency
viii be entirely free from suspicion
Whatever errors may be committed at
first, experience may be relied upon to
| correct them, and, in due time, to discover
the best means of doing whatever the
new organization may require. AS
means of securing justice under any of
these modes, the fact should not be for
gotten that groups ought to be, and pret
/ ty surely Will be, assemblages Of friends,
who have rallied round some chief in
| whom they have confidence, while they
are at the same time in mutual sympathy
with each other, and that being associ-
| ated, their sympathy IS certain to increase
/ by their Joint endeavors to promote their
| common interest, especially If they are
| successful. If not successful the group
Will Of course dissolve, as 1t should, for if
| success cannot be attained all reason for
its existence ceases.
We have supposed a group formed for
| the cultivation Of twenty acres Of com
| The crop being matured, harvested and
prepared for market, is found, as we will
| also suppose, to amount to 500 bushels
40 bushels to the acre,-and we Will sup
pose it sold to the commercial agent of
| the Commune for 80 cts. per bushel, yield
ing $40O. We will suppose further that
| that the Commune buys it for its own
consumption, for its table, its horses, cat
tie and other stock, and not for sending it
away to be sold IN external markets. But
the Commune has raised upon its domain
q surplus of corn beyond its own wants
it therefore pays the group the price which
its corn would bring at the nearest mar
ket at which sales can be regularly made
and thus a regular price established, de-
Quoting the cost Of transporting and sell
ing it there, including not only actual ex-
penses, but insurance against risks If any
would be incurred. If this fact were 9th,
erwise, that is, if the home production
were insufficient to supply the wants o
the Commune, rendering Importation nee
essary, it would have paid the price a
the most accessible market, without de
= duction, but probably in no case NOR,
: than that price. Still the group shoulC
: not be obliged to sell to the Commune
If not satisfied with the price offered, !
4 may deliver to the Commune the shar
due to capital, (already stated as usuall
4 | one-thIrd,) and procure its own share t
be marketed, at its own risk and expense
by such agency as it may select but i
that case in order that assessments fc
general purposes may be properly mad,
It must render an account OF the proceed
of the sale to the proper departments
!; the Commune. Or it may, by mutual a
d rangement, have the whole crop sol
. abroad on Joint account in such manner {
rr may be Judged best or have it put
rs store to await a better market if prices
~ harvest time are unsatisfactory, subie
Il to expenses Of storage and other reasons
M ble charges. In every case the proceet
c Of sale ought properly to be paid to Il
ldd Treasurer Of the Commune, but perha
of no more Will be insisted on than that Il
he group shall pay over whatever belongs
N | others, including all taxes and contrib
b. | tions to which its share Is subject. F
M is ita leading gobject OF our proposed organ
OF Zation TO make all action spontaneous
TO the utmost possible extent, and no int
,d. ference with individual liberty should
err allowed which is not Indispensable to pl
rF gi tect rights or to preserve order.
hat The Commercial Department of I
nat pa. Commune will purchase Of groups all
mi products Of their industry which Il
be may deliver to IL in q saleable condition
iav If such products are needed by the Co
: Of mune for its own consumption, the pI
Will DC uclcILuluCu III lLe manner alIet
r. explained. If not and market must
sought for abroad, the purchase will
made according TO established commer
principles, the price being regulated
the basis of that paid at the point VIII
the the commodity viii probably be sold
his, ne, a commodity Is not sufficiently an OBJ
city city Of traffic in any accessible market to h
any known and definite price. as may
70 the case with garden vegetables, sucl
salads, for example, which must be I
.,;e1 sai9 fresh, and will lose their value very
lIoI after gathering, it can perhaps be pur,
the sed only for the use of the Comm
Inar- and the price must be regulated by
east cumstances, partly by the supply as C
5,sy6 sJsSt pared with the demand, and partll
G de- may be, by the prices in the nearest
e lSSl which reports the prices of similar
even cles, though it should seldom exceed
# be- perhaps equal, one half the retail p
sST; erns in such markets If at any remur
i'll. ting price the supply exceeds the dem
the price should still be reduced W