The Portland daily press., 1897-06-22
DEBs' PLAN.
Leader of the Social Democracy Chooses
the Western States as Best for the. Coop
Chance.
Chicago Record. J

\OultttgO heCOFu.J
With the State of Washington occupy
ing first thought, it is said that the loca-
ton of the proposed cooperative common
wealth of the old American Railway
Union has narrowed down to two States,
the second one being Idaho. President
Debs is said to favor Washington, and
gives as his reason for doing SO that the
general population is not SO large as that
of the other States proposed, with the ex-
ception of Idaho, it's voting population
is considerably less and it would take
a shorter time to secure control of the
State through the medium of the polls.
For this is how Mr. Debs's followers pro-
pose to make the cooperative scheme
general.
1t is pointed out by those who favor
Washington that if an attempt was made
to get control Of Tennessee, Colorado,
Utah, or Texas, it would take century,
and might never be accomplished. 1t is
known that Mr.. Debs has had correspond
ence with the governor of Washington,
and that he is favorably inclined toward
the proposed effort.
There was no meeting of the new So
cial Democracy yesterday, for the reason
that the committee ON constitution was
not ready to report, but the meeting will
be held this morning.
There has been considerable talk DUR
ing the last forty EIGHT hours of an at
tempt several railroads were making to
get hold of the movement for advertising
purposes, and it has been said that offers
have been made to some of the delegates.
President Debs said last night that he
had heard nothing Of this, and that, SO
far as he knew no offer had been made.
Mr.. Debs said the support of the organ
ization would come through voluntary
contributions, and that already number
Of persons had told him that they would
contribute just as soon as funds were
needed. This will be very soon, for the
first work that will be done after the ad.
journment Of the general convention will
Chicago is to have the general headquart-
ers and it is from here that the project
will be directed.
The committee on constitution will
report that the unit of organization shall
be local branches, which shall be limited
to 500 members. There will be organiza-
lions in all the States and Territories.
In April of each year each local branch
will elect representative to the State
Union, which will meet at the State CAPT
tai in May of each year. At these meet
ings the State Unions will elect repre-
sentative to the National Council, which
will meet each June at the national head
quarters in Chicago.
The National Council will elect board
of managers, and this board will choose
a chairman, vice chairman, secretary
t1o,, oy,io No i've
authority is to be vested in the directory
and to eliminate the one-man power sys-
tenn that has prevailed in many organiza
tions in the past. the chairman's duties
are to be confined to presiding oyel
meetings. An official paper will be pub.
lished weekly and each member will re
ceive copy OF it.
Mr.. Debs said that after the adjourn
ment of the general meeting the direc-
tory will select committee to visit the
various States that are spoken of. Once
the place is selected the first contingent
that will start out will be the men who
are to till the soil and provide the neces
saries of life. These will live in tenn
porary quarters, but they will be quickly
| followed by the building trades. who are
to construct the houses and factories
| This having been done machinery for 6
big clothing establishment, shoe factory
and other factories will be purchased, ant
| those who work will make material fol
| the colony only.
Capital is not to be encouraged, and il
is Mr.. Debs's opinion that it could moi
thrive anyway, for the reason that M
one could compete in anything they got
The three material necessities-food
clothing and shelter-haying been pro
vided, the colonists will then turn theil
attention to the intellectual education O.
| the COLONY