The sun., 1901-08-04

Tob0 IN IN Onmuea wepOrt-
WASHINGTON. Aug. s.-A sketch Of the
cooperative colony In New York city known
- the Straight Edge People Is given by
the Rev. DR.. Alexander Kent In the latest
bulletin from the Bureau Of Labor. The
colony has already been described In THE
Sun.
Tho Straight Edge People have their
headquarters at 24o Sixth avenue. New
York. where they have established them
selves for the purpose Of living and work.
ing together hsrmoniously and establish
ing industrial enterprises on harmonious
principles. For year or more they have
published little paper called the Struggle
Edge. the objects OF which are set forth
to be: ITO make suggestions and formulate
plans for the application OF the Golden
Rule to business and social relations
The subscription price rs designed to
pay the cost Of the paper. ink. postage and
IS cents an hour for the mechanical and
clerical work In connection with the paper.
II the receipts exceed the cost Of these
items the surplus Is divided among the
subscribers. II they fall short the sub
scribers arc apprised Of the deficiency and
those who wiAh to apply the Golden Rule
do 20.
There are no paid contributors and
there Is no space for sale for any purpose
or at any prios. Nobody u in debt for
the Straight Edge. 1t u easier and cheaper
to forgive dsbts than to keep books
Their industries at present are (ob
printing. sign making and bread baking.
The last named industry they hope 10
develop into a cooperative kitchen from
which to serve wholesome food at cost
to families In tho nelghborhood. They
have recently taken farm on staten Island
where they hope to raise much OF the pro-
duce needed for their restaurant and Kitchen
In the city. They have also small manu-
featuring plant with which to turn out
certain novelties they propose TO make:
Finally they hope to establish school
OF cooperative industry where they VIII
teach the art Of social and industrial cooper
alton.
These people profess to believe II both
possible and practicable 10 apply In actual
business and social affairs the principles
enunciated In the Sermon on the Mount,
and to do this without running away from
civilization. They call their institution
a school Of methods designed TO Instruct
people In the best way Of doing this,
At present the Straight Edge People
for economic reasons. are living In COM
munal home; but their plan contemplates
complete economic independence OF the
workers. Each worker, young or old.
regardless Of occupation or skill receives
IS cents an hour, which each worker IL
free to> Use In establishing home outside.
They believe In large individual freedom
and encourage individual initiative In
all matters. Any surplus of earnings
over and above the IS cents an hour Tor
each worker employed, goes 10 provide
like industrial opportunities for other
workers.
These people have an odd way Of dis
tributlng their work and their responsi-
bilties They have a suggestion box
into which any member may put anony-
nous written suggestions regarding the
distribution and execution OF the work
to be done. These suggestions are taken
up and discussed at the weekly business
meetings
Each worker voluntarily assumes the re
sponsibility for such work as he feels him
SELF hest fitted to do and all arrangements
are subject to criticism by any Of the mem
bers. The more disagreeable work Is
shifted as often as practicable In order
to eo,lalze the burden. When one has
chosen his work he N trusted 10 do 1t without
supervision. but encouraged to consult his
fellow workers in caso Of doubt as TO the
best methods.
This plan OF di-pensing with a boss Il
said TO work well and to have q whole
some and stimulating effect upon the work
era. A system OF time cards enables each
worker to keep his own record, which IL
criticized, amended and indorsed at the
weekly meetings, and all payments are
based on the number Of hours 40 returned.
The organization started two years ago
With onIy SSO borrowed capital and four
members. Being located in New York city
the rent problem has always been q serious
one and the growth necessarily slow. There
are now twelve adult workers In New York
city and several additional will be employed
on the farm.