The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-15
COOPERATION
Discussed at Mass Meeting In
the Labor Temple.

'@Co-o2eration" was the subject consid-
cred at the mass meeting held at the La
Dor Temple last evening. which occasion
men and wage-earners In general. while
the presence OF number OF ladies' was
noticed who evidently were deeply inter
ested I'm the subject under discussion.
The meeting was presided over by f.
G. Merriweather. president OF the Plumb
ers' union. who introduced the speakers.
Bradford Peck OF Lewiston. Me. presi-
dent Of the National Cooperation assoc
ciation OF America. being the first on the
programme and whose subject was
Consolidation Evolved from Compeu-
ton" Mr.. Peck IL a fluent and effective
speaker and said In part::
I'VE are indebted to the mighty trusts
for the solution OF a way of leading 10
the management OF law and order" Then
the speaker went on to relate an allegori-
cal story OF the early worlds fair OF
vanity IN which wise men, sooth-
sayers, magic!ans and other intriguers"
played a prominent part After many
and fierce battles during several centu-
ries men came TO exemplify the golden
rule of cooperation and the aforesaid
wise men. were dum-founded-
speaker. Is only natural result OF the
efforts OF those who have striven TO beat
each other. President Lincoln prophesied
at the end OF the civil war the dangers OF
corporations and corruption In high
places.
THE mighty Caesar of finance who
went abroad TO buy up steamship lines
and then, in a magnificent private train,
took about the country members OF the
clergy to witness the alleged benefits of
consolidation. The public press, said the
speaker has received remuneration for
advertising the amalgamation OF indus
tries. Yet the people are supreme and,
with the price OF coal and meat going up.
II Is time for them TO act. Mr.. Peck then
recounted another parable about the
hnancier and nine other men who were
wrecked upon desert island. The
speaker concluded by enlarging upon the
work OF the Cooperative association
as exemplified by the success experienced
In Lewiston and urged all TO rally around
the flag OF cooperation
Rev. Hiram Vrooman of Boston, presi-
dent Of the Co-workers' Maternity COM
pany. was the next speaker. and placed
his audience in a good humor by amusing
Incident then following in a serious
strain. during w.-ch he said: Although
many people had become discouraged, the
outlook was very encouraging" Industrial
est humanitarian movement OF the age,
and statistics were quoted showing the
success met with In Europe. II is power
greater than the trusts az dealing directly
with the relations of labor and cepitaI-
ism. II IL impossible 10 reach the ideal
under the present laws. but II Is a source
OF satisfaction to know that we are WORK
ing on the right lines and with moderate
assurance OF success"
Rev. George r.. Lttlefeld of Haverhill.
Mass, followed Rev vrooman, and told
OF the formation and operation OF the
public forum In his own scity-how It en-
| listed the interest and attendance OF
many people OF many minds, and the re-
| sulting discussion OF matters pertaining
| to he public veal He strongly advocat-
| ed the establishment OF a similar series OF
meetings In this city, and volunteered his
services in organizing tnem. These gath
erings. he explained, are purely non-scc-
tartan and not necessarily confined 10
unions, but designed to bring out the ad-
vantages of cooperation as the most ad-
vanced method of solving the Industrial
question and securing for the people the
full benefits of production and exchange.
After the addresses the chairman spoAe
briefly I'm favor OF holding subsequent
meetings relative to the subject and be-
spoke a larger attendance next time.
this meeting being so successful.
Among the Interested audience was Dr.
L. II. G. Garvin of Cumberland and Incl
dentally cards were handed out which set
forth the principles OF the Constitutional
league.