The Press., 1898-02-10
want to start a Community.


 A branch of the labor exchange, a na- as "the greatest movement know VII to civil izAtion," has Just been organized at East hampton, the charter having been re- ceived this week. The branch starts of with l5 members, 10 men and women, sturdy Germans all, the men being em- ployed In the suspender factories and are dissatisfied with their present conditions. Tho forming of this branch Is the first step in the movement by these people to establish . cooperative, profit-sharing community, In which each member shall contribute to the support of the whole and share the benefits accruing. The charter members feel that they are oppressed by gxiBting conditions governing labor and they are anxious to break away from the restraint of corporation rule and do busi- ness by themselves and for themselves. The men are w"avers, good workmen, with considerable mechanical ingenuity. The wives are strong and courageous {; they have unbounded faith In their hus- bands, and are ready to sacrifice for a time that the desired end may ultimately be accomplished. These people depressed and discouraged, dlstrustful of their em- ployers and the power of money, are slowly making plans for the establish ment of a community where they may work and share the profits of their toll, and arc hopeful of attr acting the atten- ton of some man with interest enough in the scheme to advance a few hundred dollars to make a start possible.
 The labor exchange which encourages this plan has its headquarters at Inde- pendenoe, Mo, the charter granted the Northampton branch being signed by G. B. DeBernardi, president and U. F. Sar- gant, accountant.
 The exchange now counts 70branches, only few of which are in the East. The one at Easthampton Is the only one in New England, 1t Is said the nearest branch be- Ing at Paterson, N. J., where some felt hat makers are trying to plan. The mem- Der pledges himself not to enforce the payment of any balance which may be
 
 money, but to accept commodities or ser vices at market price In lieu thereof. He Is entitled to the privileges, benefits, ad- vantages, rights and protection guaranteed to members in good and regular standing and Is commended to all members and branches of the labor exchange with the request that ''in all respects and under all circumstances they do unto him as they wish to be done only"
 The members of the new East hamp pton branch have set their faces toward Staf- ford as the place where they desire to try the community scheme, and are hoping that the means will be forth oming to make 1t possible for them to buy farm and mill in that town which has been ad. vertised for sale by Otis Mann. The farm consists of 200 acres of land with dOO, ,OO0 feet of lumber on 1t. There Is 6 two-stoIy mill 45 by 50 feet in size, form erly used for manufacturing packing cases, water power furnished by two tur. bine wheels fed from Q mill pond held by A stone dam, two houses with 20 rooms and lot of live stock. All this Is offer cd for e6COO, S16OO down, the rest pay able in annual lnstalments of $500. Mem. bers of the branch already own two loomI for weaving suspender fabrics and four. horse power engine. But they can only muster about &25O toward the first pay msnt. This Is where they need a philan throplst and they will do the rest, they say The fond dream ls for a few families to SC to Stafford, set up the two looms In the mill and begin manufacturing suspenders for which n ready market Is assured through the medium of the exchange bring on the other families as the business grows, enlarge the community when neceasary and grow ln stength. The two looms arc now in operation In house O one of tho members of the branch, and experimenting Is carried on in a small way in the home. One of the members is a practical farmer, he says, and hC would run the agricultural end of the com m0nity and everybody would have enougt to cat. There will be interest in thu scheme n it Is tried, as another illustra. RA0sa nR Ahm aoCimIlaf idam --- IQng.3ga0f RA