St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-05-09

mechanics from the Machinists' union of the
K. of L. met together to discuss the general
situation of labor and capital. 1t was brought
out in an impressive way. First, that safely
invested capital earns only per cent. as a
general rule and wherever it Is more there is
also propOrtiOned risk and losses. Secondly,
that higher cost of labor means higher cost
OF living, and no possible gain to labor or cap
ital. Thirdly, that hours of labor for the same
wages can only be diminished by labor-saving
appliances, by better and more work, which
may largely be done by concentration
and cooperation of the powers and
means of laboring people and capitalists.
Wages may be raised in the most effectual
way, by increasing the purchase power of
wages, in buying directly from manufacture
ers and producers in cooperation and thereby
avoid the 90 per cent. expense and profits of
WhOleS ale and retail trade, whereby So of
wages will buy 81 of lifes sustenance; that
working people in cooperation should buy
their goods through purchasing clerk on
thirty days's credit, and after receiving the
goods pay the manufacturers or producers
price for them, thereby avoid fraud and es-
tablsh direct dealing with the producers.
Fourth-That permanent employment, ma
terial independence and homes for the work
ing people may be easiest secured by the Or
ganization and cooperation of 5000 persons
claiming 100 acres Of free government land,
or total OF $50, 900 acres, which when
settled in its wild state will be worth
vi per acre, and give 5000 persons
capital OF So, 760, 600, while 500 person, or
S600,OOO, would be sufficient for q good start
to develop the resources of the land, and in
three or four years, or, at the longest, six or
seven years. the organization could do that
which L. Pullman has done in South Chicago
IN the last five years-build up a city with
5000 persons and families of $4,000 to 10000
people; and create on the worthless prairie
to each person city home worth So, 600; and
improve the land around the city to a value
OF $50 per acre, or 81 600 for each $50 acre
claim, thereby creating real estate value of
S1.0O0 for each member of the organization,
and commonwealth of S42, 600 for the
entire community, opening a market for
building material, machinery, implements,
groceries and other business, and
giving employment and permanent
homes to Idle workingmen and women.
AT our meeting an organization was effected
under the name of Unity for Life, With the
object to cooperate and concentrate the
means and powers of the working people, es-
tablish each member in material prosperity
and independence, to cultivate with the most
effective means the physical, social, mental
and moral life of all its members. Regular
officers were elected, the secretary was in
structed to prepare pamphlet in which the
objects OF the organization may be presented
to workingmen. capitalists and the people to
make arrangements for public meeting. en-
list the help Of the public press and the as
sistance of speakers for cooperation and
unity for life, and engage all possible means
to advance the cause and objects of the Or
ganization. a public meeting will be held
some time next week. to which the working
people, capitalists and people will be invited
for a discussion on cooperation and unity
for lie.
Minneapolis, May 7.