The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-10
BELIEVES IN COOPERATION.
Walter Thomas Mills Believes 1t the
Peoples Salvation.

Walter Thomas Mills outlined the
method and history of the co-opera-
tive farm and community established
by him. at large gathering in the
assembly hall of the st. Paul Commons
last evening.
Mr.. Mills prefaced this with a short
statement Of the present economic sit
uation the world over. He said that
mankind has changed the reading of
the commandment Thou shalt not
covet," until it now reads, Thou shalt
covet, and get everything you can"
There is a necessity, so he said, for
deVising some plan by which man can
not serve his own interests without
serving society, and by which he cannot
serve society without benefiting him
self. Individual interests must cease
to be at war with each other.
The educational system of our schools is at
fault Mr.. Mills thinks, for while they
cram the mind they neglect the training of
the body; the very influence of the schools
and colleges is to~discredit labor and to re-
gard manual labor. as misfortune and dis
grace. In referring to the political phase, he
said that the only danger which might come
to American institutions is the danger aris-
ing from despair; that the labor elements in
becoming discouraged, may become desperate
and arise to overthrow all organized institu-
tons, out of which chaos new civilization
will be created.
Mr.. Mills was once a preacher and he says
that for years he held forth to pulpits pews
and spires in a dignif1ed way-and then he
actually became converted! He left the pull
pit and made the cause of humanity from an
economic standpoint his life work. AS the
result of this, he organized a cooperative
colony in Northern Michigan, but it was
dispossessed of its tract of land and forced
to move.
They then-a year ago last March-moved to
Illinois on a farm about sixty miles from Chi
cago renting $50 acres of land. There were
AZ in the colony and they had their tools,
some agricultural implements, twelve cows
and a few pigs. They planted the land in
corn, sorghum, oats and vegetables. They
built cottages and a school house, where
Mr.. Mills presided for some time later turn
ing that task over to an assistant and go
ing to Chicago. ~
In Chicago he raised a collection and Dor
rowed money with, which he purchased a
horse and wagon and small stock of grocer
les, opening "a cooperative store. This has
now been added to by restaurant and car
penter shop, and this little community now
numbers &c persons. They all share alike
in everything; they eat at one common table
and live together in perfect harmony. Mr..
Mills humorOusly added that he was the only
one among them who had a steady job and
that job was in looking for work. Their cost
of living is only 81 a week each. The res
taurant has been open only short time, and
about four weeks ago he announced in card
that all people were invited to eat there
amounted to 81, the second week, S. the
third week, $3.50, and the fourth week, ST.
Last year the farm and city community
cleared 81 024 above all expenses
Arrangements are now being made 20 ri We
the school to Chicago and enlarge it, taking
in course of study OF fifteen years, which
will include two years in kindergarten work,
three in the primary grades, and five each
in the grammar and academic studies. The
course also includes a thorough course In
mechanical training. The pupils are received
at the age of four years, and the school year
is divided into four terms of twelve weeks
each, with weeks vacation between. The
children work in the forenoons and study in
this afternoons. So far it has proved success
full.
Preceding Mr.. Mills last evening, Rev.
Howard MacQueary, Of Minneapolis, spoke
briefly. He said that the competitive system
of labor could not endure much longer; the
cooperative system must replace it. Educa-
ton in economic conditions is a. necessity,
and much is being done to aid it by organ
lied labor The clergy, of which he is one,
he said. must abandon the dogmatical and
get down to the practical religion.
Labor" continued the speaker, lis treated
as a commodity. but 1t is not a commodity,
it is a service" The outcome of these con-
ditions should be by evolution not by revo
luton; there should be development of the
good and a pruning of the bad features of
present conditions.