The morning call., 1894-05-14
ALTRURIANS IN BERKELEY.
Theirs Will Be a Colony for People
of Means.


of Means.
Right in the shadows of Berkeley's 8
classic university has been started new
social scheme.
That is, its origin is there. but the pros
pective community has not yet been given
local habitation. though its name is
blazoned forth with the euphonistic title,
"Altrurian Community"
Several weeks ago about a dozen resi-
dents Of Berkeley met and exchanged
ideas on the social problems OF the day.
All were familiar with advanced literature
on the subject. These people organized
into "Altrurian Community No. l." Charles
S. Preble. a capitalist, was chosen presi-
dent and Frank E. Nelson secretary. The
name of the new organization was chosen
from the title TO a series of Letters
from Altruria," now being written by W.
ID. Howells in the Century Magazine. One
of the most enthusiastic supporters of the
new scheme is Mrs. Charles S. Preble, the
wife of the president.
What is the leading idea of this new
cOmmunity?' was asked of this lady at
her Berkeley home yesterday.
"The idea is to carry out the principle
taught by Christ, DO unto others as you
would have others do unto you.'
ITO accomplish this we have established
Altrurian Council No. l. This is merely
a fIaterDal organization ana the intiatory
step to become an Altrurian. or member
OF the community. which is not yet estab-
lshed.
"The community will be somewhere in
Central California, but the site is not vet
picked out. The community will be gov
erned in way to carry out the principles
of corporation as set forth by Edward Bel
lamy. Its government shall be wholly
nationalistic ana its religion the brother
hood OF man. IL is proposed to organize
LABOR into community where IL may be
employed for its own advancement.
Mind you, the fundamental feature of
our scheme is to preserve the domestic
relations just as they exist now, only to
kill the selfish parts. Our innovations
only strike at the economic and social
parts of civilization. There can be no
successful community without the home
ana pure domestic relations.
again. we do not believe in Coxey. or
his ism, but think that his followers
should be taken care of by organizing COM
muDitles like ours, where the idle can
work out their salvation by helping them
selves. Our object is TO do away with all
charity which encourages pauperism.
Help should be extended to idle persons.
but not in the shape of continuous charity.
They should be given the means to help
themselves.
THE Altrurian Council will be COM
posed of men and women of means The
entrance fee will be $50. 1t will not be
necessary to live in the community to join
the council. Here is the. idea: Suppose a
rich man has a poor idle neighbor or
friend. He does not want to be giving
him money all the time Well, be gives
him share in the Altrurlan community
to set him along. There by his own. in
dustry and work the man can build him
self up. This Is true charity"
Mrs. Preble is an enthusiastic Altrurian.
and scorns to be thought dreamer, or a
believer in dreams. Still less does she re-
gard the charge that the records of the
world would seem TO show the amentable
fact that an ideal community requires ideal
men and women.