Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-11-12

WSdlUll.
So we proceeded to Seattle to meet
Comrade j. B. Fowler, who so boldly
declared for the colonization work in
one of the issues of the Social Demo
GRAFT" after the convention, arriving
in that city about the tenth of Septem-
Der. Comrade De Almond following
two weeks later.
We found the Washington comrades
keen witted, practical Socialists, many
of whom had had practical experience
in previous colonies, and knew the
rocks on which they had split.
1t was continuous discussion and
conference and finally it was decided
to organize new corporation under
the laws of the State of Washington,
to take the place of the Cooperative
Commonwealth Company which was
organized under the laws of the State
of Kansas by the Colonization Commits
sion to hold the title of the land and
other property that might be acquired
under collective control.
We were moved to this step by the
fact that it would cost as much for
the cooperative Commonwealth Com
pany to come in and do business in
the State of Washington as it would
be for us to organize a new corpora
ton and make it a home company
PnciHoc, flie mould
by three days journey to Topeka
which we would have to take every
year if we retained our Kansas
charter, and perhaps oftener.
To our Eastern comrades it may not
look so, on the map, but in the cars it
is long, tedious and costly journey,
and one that could not be avoided, so
it was decided to reincorporate.
Other urgent reasons impelled to that
cause which it is not now necessary
to go into detail
While we were Incorporating, the
question of raising revenue was
brought up and discussed. Under
the system then in vogue, the amount,
too small in the beginning had been
reduced to twenty-five cents per quar-
ter, and this went to the general
work, leaving nothing for colony
work.
Voluntary contributions were the
only means by which funds could be
raised, and was the method mistaken
ly pursued by the Constitution of the
S. d. of A. for the colonization de-
partment to get it's needed sinews of
war.
Experience has demonstrated that
such a process would not work. No
one could be found who desired to be
in the position of continually begging
for what the members ought to give
as means for carrying on the work
entrusted to their servants and what
they were demanding to be done.
The writer was heartily sick of writ
ing to persons to send in contribu-
tions, when if they wanted the work
done they should have provided the
means beforehand with which to do it.
Another feature of human nature
was that when members had paid a
stated sum, no matter how small or
large, they considered their duty
done, and would not contribute any
more. So it was decided to fix on
monthly dues Of 81, which every per-
son must pay if they desire to be
selected for colony work.
The former name was too long.
There was also growing feeling that
union might be arranged between
the S. d. A. and the B. G. G. forces,
and the latter might not desire to
radically depart from their present
name, while there was Socialist
political organization which had
adopted name very similar to that
of the S. d. of A.
80 it was decided to organize 1.-THE
Cooperative Brotherhood and leave
places on the board of trustees for
Representatives of the B G. C. so
that when the union took place, if it
did, there would be ready instru-
ment or form for the united forces.
Thus with means for raising re-
venue and of bringing about a union
of forces, if such should be deemed
advisable by both parties, the Co
operative Brotherhood was organized
the latter part of September
Comrade De Almond and the under
signed spent about two weeks looking
up land, and finally he and Comrade
I Fowler selected our present location.
at the head of Henderson Bav. and