The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10
co-opERATIvE COLONIES
Reverand w. Z. Copeland Describes the
Burley Settlement and Cooper
atiye Brotherhood.

atiye Brotherhood.
Rev. w. Il. Copeland OF the Unitarian
church delivered an address last Sunday
evening on the Cooperative Brother
hood" which embodied some interest
ing information in regard 10 the social
istic colony at Burley, Washington.
Mr.. Copeland commenced his ad-
dress by referring to the great stimulus
which had been given 10 the study Of
the economic problem by the publ.
lication Of Edward Bellamey's Looking
Backward" which had entirely changed
the thought Of 80 many people.
The speaker said, however that, the
new social order proposed in Looking
Backward was "but revival Of the old
Easenic Brotherhood 10 which Jesus
belonged, and Of the Christian Churches
which for almost three centuries were
Commonwealth. Never forget in the
dscussson Of social questions that Chris
tianity in It's beginning was a social re-
FORM"
IL is in the endeavor to realize some
Of the benefits Of social reform with
out waiting for all the people 10 learn
the lesson being taught by the trusts,
that colonies have been started. Some
have proved failures, but that is not 10
be wondered at when we consider the
proportion Of competitive business
ventures which fail. Each failure has
been a step in education.
Describing the colonies on Puget
Sound. the speaker aaid
"Three years ago Equality was started
in skagit county, Washington. This
colony had two very hard years, hard
work and short commons, but now has
begun 10 prosper, and Is Offering great
attractions 10 the weary workers Of the
United States. There are disadvantages
but there is freedom and certainty Of
support, and each month witnesses
gain. Here, again, remember that q
similar venture under the comparative
system would have had harder time,
nor would have made such rapid progress.
"As more colonies were started, the
errors Of the old movements were recti-
fed, and one OF the latest, most compre-
hensiye and wisest is the Co operative
Brotherhood at Burley, Washington.
"The townsito IL 10 miles northwest
Of Tacoma, reached partly by water and
partly by land in three hours. II is ON
tide water at the mouth OF Burley creek,
the land along whose banks belongs 10
the Brotherhood for about n mile, and
which creek carries water enough to
furnish electric light and power for the
town. The land belonging TO the colony,
some 2GO acres, IL rich bottom land, on
which are found large alder and cedar
trees, that will when manufactured add
much TO the wealth Of the town. From
the townsite can be seen the Olympic
range Of snow.coyerod mountains as well
M the Cascades, with Mount Tacoma
towering over the foothills, and to the
south stretches Henderson bay. The
situation is attractive and with the
natural improvements the town will
grow moro desireable.
"The village Of Burloy, has now
some 20 houses, saw, planning and
shinglc mill, u box and broom-handle
factory, cooperative store, hotel, laun-
dry, carpenters, blacksmith, harness
and shoe shop, two school houses, one
for the kindergarten and the other for
older scholars. There are on the ground
some 100 peop'e, men women and chill
dren, living together In peace and con-
tontment, and free from the anxiety Of
competitive strife, which prematurely
ages 20 many.
The Cooperative Brotherhood differs
from other co operative movements in
that Il proposes 10 continue indefinitely |
the ioundiog Of settlements, or where
there are not enough members for
settlement, the founding OF cooperative
stores. IL Is not proposed TO build
merely one town ON Puget sound,
but many towns all over the Pacific
Coast and, by and by, all over the
and 10 have also chain Of
cooperative stores, aud all working to-
gether for tho benedt Of tho whole,
While the agitation for national co.
operative Is TO bo commended, we need
some present relief from the cial mis-
art.a a., ~. I,.,.,... a., A.. l.,.,,..
~ tho 90 operative Brotherhood was
started to form homes, whore the pco-
Pile could escape from their social thmll.
dom and be free from that anxiety
Tor the morrow which takes from life
AL its joy aud il has succeeded beyond
our an,icipalions,
"Not only does the co operative
Brotherhood propose 10 start towns and
stores, but il goes into the accident aud
lie insurance business. lls member.
ship is divided into two classes, resident
aud non resident members The resi.
lent members pay no dues. hut rcceiye
Ior DAYS work labor cheek r,,leomahle
A. the cooperative store. dining room
lr laundry. For each resident mombcr
h provided a HOUSE. food and clothing,
sluea,ion Tor his children, in short, a
home which is his as long as he lives,
,nd his ehillrrn's when ho dies. Non.
resident members pay one dollar a
month until tlsO has heen paid. After
laes 20 the amount Vi SlS have heon
paid II a member, through illness or ac.
'lden,, can no longer follow the avoca.