The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1905-07-11

Wncfo tHo Cb1iuiCn nave uO pay
ground but the muddy street, aud
church and saloon compete for the
presence and influence of the work
man.
The most recent and promising
effort to redress all these evils, with
out exception, is set forth in the papers
desc cribing the aims of tire co-opera-
tive Christian Federation, which for
two days past have been commented
on in the papers Of the city.
It seems to have taken Mr.. H. s.
Wallace eight years of continuous
effort to frame, to modify and to se-
cure recognition for his ideas, which
in their present shape are indorsed by
many Leading authorities in the labor
world. It was long apprenticeship
of struggle and disappointment.
The essence of the plan lies in elm
ination of the stockholding and profit
grabbing capitalist. The machinery
is threefold in function. 1t is the man
with money, who invests it in bonds
secured on the entire property of the
enterprise and receives fixed, mod
crate return (say per cent), and, pos
sibly, in addition, small share in the
ultimate profits; second, the managers,
who are experts, and competent, re-
ceiving liberal but reasonable pay /;
third, the workers, who, as members
of the Federation, receive current
wages for their labor, certain social
benefits, with residence in Federation
model towns, and the entire residue Of
the profits, less small reserve for in
vestment in additions to Federation
properties. Obviously, it is pre-
ventive of strikes--for who will strike
against himself? Labor, through its
trustees, is to be its own employer.
Very pretty, says an objector, but
where is the security against uprisings
of discontented labor, claiming man
agement, control, or sale and distrib-
ution of the proceeds? Such things
have wrecked many cooperative de-
vices in the past. True enough, but
see how it is proposed to avoid them.
Membership in this Federation is
based on the constitution, and on the
contract to be signed by each in
conner. In both are clear and hard
provisions, by which the lights Of the
member are confined to current wages,
to social benefits while membership
continues, and to distributive share,
per capita, in the stated percentage Of
profit. Vested rights and ownership
in the properties of the Federation are
directly lisclaimed. Finally, the
member contracts to be bound to all
his fellows in adhesion to the manage
ment and control of the properties by
the trust for the Federation. Careful
arbitration clauses are provided to
forestall recourse to the courts.
The ii''trust' is an original, and
much praised feature. Cooperation
has suffered sadly for want of trained
and able managers. Men from the
ranks, unversed in business, unedu-
Gated in the theory and practice of
management of affairs, have often
been placed by their fellows, or have
forced themselves into positions of
control, and disaster has followed too
quickly.
By constitution of this Federation
and by contract with each member, a
trustee (the Federation,trust), is vested
with title and control of all the prop
critics of the Federation. This COM
posite trustee is small corporation of
competent and successful business and
professional men, who, for reasonable
and defined pay. manage the proper
ties and arrange the distribution of
the profits of the entire enterprise as
above detailed.
The homes of the workers will be in
factory and residence towns in West
ern and Eastern Oregon, where beauty
and healthfulness of location and near
ness to factory and store, garden, fell d
and orchard will remove from factroy
life the huge drawbacks so common
now. The homes will be the property
of the members so long as membership
lasts-paid for by deferred install
ments. The sums invested are to be
returned by the Federation to the
worker whenever his membership may
be determined. There is no system of
paternal government provided. The
people are to be free and equal, and
fraternity is to be the motto.
Why, then, was Oregon chosen for
this great and far-reaching expert
ment? Because whoever meditates on
this plan will detect that on the inher-
ent worth of the possessions and prop
erty of the Federation rests its success.
The capitalists money is safe when
resting on property of increasing, even
of multiplying value. The managers
success results from the profit-making
power of the enterprises they direct.
The workman's confidence and salts
faction in life will be lost unless he
knows that his labor is bringing its
due return.
Oregonians who know the opportun-
ties which their own state offers
should be the last to doubt the wisdom
of bringing here selected citizens,
abundant capital, and capable man
agement. Development leagues and
railroad literature are publishing in
vitations far and wide. The Fair is
one great attraction. Let us not throw
Gold xvafas- an this Radpra fion hacauso