The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-02

One of the most interesting sociological
experiments eve. attempted in the United
Safes is now in operation in thirty one
States and Territories Under the control
of the men interested are twenty three
manufactures, all on the cooperative plan.
G.. Is. de Bernardo, the originator Of the
idea and the central figure In the move
ment, tells the story CT the enterprise as
fellows:
The Labor Exchange, as the idea is de-
nominated, is primarily for the purpose OF
solving the great problem of how 10 best
give all men employment rhe original
plan was calculated to embrace tho best
features Of the community experiments
which have heretofore been attempted, and
at the same time to avoid the errors which
the promoters of these experiments had
fallen into 1t was believed mat the COM
munity idea. so far as forcing All persons
in sympathy herewith to dwell in the
| same locality. was an error. 1t really is
something of a curtalment of personal lib-
| erty TO say TO an individual, Here :falt
thou dwell thou canst not be of us.
With the belief that the results aimed
at by the community idea could be gained
without burdensome restriction, AMI tina. 1t
| could be demonstrated to the world that
| there was a reasonable solution OF the
| problem Of comfortable existence for all,
with misery for none, the experiment
which is represented by the Labor Ex-
| cnanBe was lnausuTdleu.
| The exchange was duly incorporated in
the State of Missouri the headquarters
being at Independence, town located near
| Kansas City, on the northwestern border
of the State. From here the work OF ex-
tension was carried on. The members OF
tho exchange believed that, i'm as much as
the course of higher development there
would be less than in ordinary manufac-
turing pursuits for workers. some plan
should be adopted by which the workers
should be given the opportunity for COM
Portable and happy existence, which to a
certain extent seemed less open to them
than in the past.
1t was also believed that where oppor-
tunity existed for men with capital to es-
tablish and succeed that there also was the
opportunity of those who placing their ag-
gregate funds in one operation, should es-
tablish, manufacture and sell the very ar
ticles which the capitalist would produce,
and thus themselves benefit By the same
causes which enabled a man with a neces-
sary amount of funds to greatly increase
the same. There Is no time when there Is
not opportunity for the success OF labor
upon the co cooperative plan, provided the
business, whatever 1t may be, is operated
With the same degree of care and fore
thought which business man will bsstow
upon his own affairs.
The exchange, as it is called, Is not con
Quoted on the principle of share and share
alike. The returns from labor are divided
pro rata among thcse who contribute ma
terial and others who contribute labor An
accurate record of this Is kept in every
place where the exchange has a branch
and each Of these branches acts only fol
itself, the returns from its operations 60
ing to the members thereof There is nc
contribution to q parent organization be-
You'd that necessary 10 keep up the gen
eral organization Headquarters which en-.