The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-06-11

Much better known than the lie
Claire Cooperative Institution in
Paris, is the "Familistere," at Guise,
Mr.. Godin's achievement, for it can no
longer be called an experiment. This
undertaking, as well as that of Mr.. LIE
Claire, is interesting. because, without
aggressive agitation, its object was to
place on a juster basis the relation be-
tween the capitalist and the worker.
To the impartial inquirer, it is patent
fact that there are great hardships
weighing on many classes of workmen
in our present industrial system. How
TO provide against these is question
daily gaining in interest. Manifold are
the experiments tried in various coun-
tries, valuable always, if not as exam.
piles to be initiated, as failures to be
avoided. France, the birthplace of rad
zeal ideas, has not been behind hand in
practical illustrations of her theories.
and. it is rather remarkable, has sup
piled the two best, most admirable in
detail, and most truly successful CO.
operative schemes of this generation,
Mr.. Godin's especially not limiting it
self to one establishment, but taking in
a whole community of workers.
Mr.. Godin, of Guise, in the Province
of Aisne, in France, is the owner of
large iron works. of a forge and foundry.
As far back as 1859 he erected gigan-
4 Of h.,, Il x,-1,s l.
his staff of officers reside, together with
his workmen. He did not rest satisfied
with the excellent results obtained
through endowing his employees with
every advantage of education, provision
for domestic comfort and the like, but
he went farther. Developed his scheme.
six years ago, Mr.. Godin reorganized
his works on system of associating
capital and labor, giving to all those
employed, after payment of their regu-
lar wages, an interest in the concern, on
the principle that each producing ele-
ment ought to share in the profits in
proportion to the services rendered.
We shall begin with description of
the social palace. named Familistere, "a
word coined by Mr.. Godin to describe this
enlarged family home. The dwelling
houses consist of three large blocks. the
principal being inhabited by twelve hun
ired people. the two smaller ones bv six
hundred. Eighteen hundred to two
thousand is the number thought neces-
sary for the purposes of carrying out to
the full extent thorough system of
teaching, of mutual insurance for the
sick, the aged. the widows and orphans,
these being chief features of the ideal
workingman's home. Besides these
blocks, there are special school-houses,
a theater, restaurants, bakeries. bath
and wash-houses. nurseries, studios for
drawing and modelling, workshops and
foundries, as shown by our illustrations.
The Palace stands in a large garden;
then there are parks, too, and Kitchen
gardens. cultivated by the members of
the association. The river rOise runs
through the grounds. In each block
is large square space covered with
grass, and each floor has a gallery
facing the court. The entrances and
staircases are at each corner. All sani-
tary arrangements are as good as pos
sible. The garbage is collected in
special rooms with large trap-doors.
from the openings of which the ashes
are thrown into the cellars. Thence
they are removed daily. On the ground
floor of the buildings are the store
rooms, meat-markets, and shops, all
conducted on a cooperative principle.
Much stress is laid on the fact that
Mr.. Godin and his officers reside in the
palace, and exercise through their e1-
ample an excellent influence on the
general tone of the community. Unity
and good fellowship is developed
amongst the members, whilst each has
his own home and enjoys perfect lib
erty. So good moral tone has been
attained that in twenty-five years it was
not once found necessary to have re-
course to the law or the protection of a
court of justice. Could there be bet
ter proof of the softening, civilizing in
fluence of joint interests and of an ex-
tended home life? All the inhabitants
of the Familistere are known to one an
other, and the conduct of every one,
whether child or adult, is open to in
,spection.
A great advantage is the constant
meeting of parents and teachers, who
thus are enabledao communicate with
each other. There are about four hum
dred children who derive benefit from
the splendid educational system, and
sixteen teachers of both sexes. The
babies are admitted to the nursery and
kindergarten at all ages-from their
birth to the fourth year. A special
building contains these nurseries-play-
rooms to which bathrooms and kitch-
ems are attached. The illustration
shows us a large hall divided into two
parts. in one of them is circle en-.
closed by double rail. and il is be-
tween these that the little ones learn to
walk. Piazzas go all round the build
ing. Mr.. Godin. wide s is the range
of mis- ideas, does not disdain to 60 into
the smallest details, and his ingenious
device for furnishing the cost is
as original as it is hygienic.
A sheet is laced firmly to the iron
frame of the cot. and instead of a mat
tress thick layer of bran is put on top
of it. covered by another sheet. Bran
is not effected by dampness, and as
any part of it can be easily removed,
the beds are kept nice with little trouble.
The milk consumed is furnished by q
special dairy kept on purpose. The
mothers take their babies home at night;