Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-07-02
How English Co-operators Govern.

must meet the ever recurring con-
flict between Capitalization and fed
Grafton. That question is as old as
! human society. How much self-gov-
eminent shall there be and how local
shall it be? We all want freedom and
our ideal society is one in which
everybody would freely do his full
pare. would be on his best behavior
from choice. Force is an uncomfort
able reminder of Sinking on one
hand and tyranny on the other.
whatever ideas he may have about
the proper authority of political gov
eminent we ought to assume that
voluntary associations can govern
themselves better than any outside
authority can do it for them. All the
European co-operatOrs have followed
the well established English prece-
dent of Independent local societies
combining in voluntary declarations,
which have influence but no author
ity. The English Central Board is
elected by all the federated societies.
1t is supported by voluntary subscrip-
tions $4,000 to $40, 900 year, it is
purely propaganda. Its activity in
inspiring the birth of new societies.
in showing them how to start, helping
them out of troubles and bringing
them into fellowship is something
marvellous. The parliament, backed
by police and army, is net so inhuen-
tial. In the earlier stages efforts
were made by able friends topromote
cooperative production by outside
help. So also in London where Il tran
silent population makes cooperation
difficult many attempts have been
made to establish stores with loaned
capital and attract members by NOM
inal membership fees. Blank failure
has been the result.
Unless there are people who of their
own accord get up the society and
make it their own, it will not live.
Such society made up in large part
of active co-operators will be sure to
affiliate with federation as well for
the benefit of the cause as for the di-
rect advantages. Instead of being
dependent pensioners. looking to a
foreign body for orders and help, they
are self-reliant members of body
of equals. Much better depend upon
mems sense of justice and duty than
on their obedience. The colony idea,
| believe, is better suited to the
American character than stores and
factories. The abundance of prac-
tically free land, the energy and YER
satility of the American character,
the light taxes and freedom of move
ment. all favor the self-supporting
colony.
The commonest cause of failure in
colony ventures is indiscreet selection
of land and location. Here the CEN
trail board with its previous expert
ence could do invaluable service.
When the colonial paper and cor
respondence had inspired the forma-
tion of new colony and the first i'm
portant question of where to go came
up for decision the central board
would be ready to supply wide va
riety of sites. Reformers usually get
enthusiastic, they believe they have
IJierovarad tho ,11+b +o ius+i-a mud so
cial salvation. they dream of mil
lions The central board could tell
them that ten good families and one
hundred acres of really available land
is plenty to start with and they have
the whole world to draw on for more
members and unlimited land at no in
creased cost worth worrying about.
Unahiliated applicants could be adj
vised as TO different colonies and furu-
ished with reliable information and
literature. The board would govern
the lecture field and probably the pub
fishing.
Following the English precedent the
DONIU Wbulu NOT NOuuNCl any NNSllSoH
neither trade nor industry. When
there shall be enough locals to Justify
La wholesale house, or any combina-
tion or property, there would he Joint
association composed of so many of
the locals as choose to invest.
am aware of the apparent advant-
age of unified central authoritative
body to insure uniformity, give sta
bility and avoid yagaries. But | be-
lieve when local option will not carry
out the right thing, compulsion will
not do it. If local colony cannot be
persuaded by the board which they
helped to elect, then they would be
sure to make trouble if subject to
authority. Freedom, and fellowship
and mutual interest are stronger
forces than law.
St. Louis. n. O. NELSON.