Norwich bulletin., 1913-08-23
Written Specially For The Bulletin. T

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 "Oh, yes; it sounds very fine: the theory seems to be alright: but why doesn't cooperation work? Why do so %sw go in for it? Why does it fail?
 So writes one correspondent, who evidently wants to know the reasen for the faith that is in me. before he joins
 "Why does it fail? The implication in this question is that it always, or at least very generally fails. Therefore 1 can't answer the question, because the implication contained in it is incor- rect-doesn't state the truth. A great many attempts at cooperation have failed, perhaps some that my core spondent knows of. B''- a great many have succeeded, are now succeeding, and give every promise of continuing to succeed. The evidence thus far in- dicates that it has seldom if ever fail ed when fairly tried out, under cir cumstances and in conditions as fav- prable for it as the average business man would ask for establishing pri- vat profit taking store. There are Conditions under which no Shrewd mer- chant would think of attempting a merchandising business. Likewise there are conditions which make CO., operation extra hazardous from the start.
 But there have been fewer failures of cooperative enterprises in the past twenty-five years than of profit taking businesses. Fewer in proportion to the numbers involved, 1 mean.
 "Why do so few go in for it? Say, brother, ask me something easier! Why did So few belong to the abolition party half a century ago. for instance, when every man in this country with a heart in his bosom and brains in his skull and a soul anywhere about him knew that slavery was a blunder and a crime? Why was the Master unable ind apostles-and one of them a grafter? Why is every attempt at reform, every movement for good, -cvery uplift after righteousness slow to win popular favor and general support?
 These are questions which go to the root of human nature and would need to be treated in octave volumes.
 "Why doesn't cooperation work7 Again I must protest against the form of the question. It does work:-in most cases where it is fairly and hon estly tried. But it fails sometimes, I'll admit
 Why should it?
 Well. the reason isn't far to seek though it is rather hard one to express without grave danger of making some body mad.
 When a saneiy organized and proper " lOcaleQ cO-OpeTdLlV6 enterprise IallS, the cause, nine out Of ten, is in the solemn fact that the members are mor- ally or mentally unfit to cooperate
 Now get out your clubs and your horse-whips! But, before you strike, hear.
 Cooperation is really the Golden Rule applied to business. Tt requires brains, grit and gumption to co-ope- rate" writes one experienced leader in the work. True. so far as he goes. But it requires something more. It demands that the co-operator shall be willing to work for the interests of his neighbor as zealously as for his own, just so long as the work tends to a mu- tually equal profit for both. It demands that he shall stop trying to grab more than his fair share. It demands that he shall do to his fellow co-operator as he would like that fellow to do to him.
 It insists from the start-off, that the Satanic rule of every man for him. self and the devil for the hindmost" |" shall be teetotally abandoned, rejected abiured. It calls upon each individual thread in the hank to twist itself with the other threads into one cable, so that the strings which, separately, wouldn't have tied a cat combined may hold an Imperator to it's anchor.
 To be fit for cooperation, a man must be able to see the reasonable ness and logical force of this. And not all men have brains enough for that
 He must be able and as willing to share his own chances for profit with his fellow co-operator as he is anxious to have that fellow share with him. And not all men have souls wide enough for that.
 He must also have determination enough. when once he has put his hand to the blow, to hang on till the field is finished. And not all men have grit enough for that
 He must also have a controlling quantity of that rather uncommon thing which we strangely call conn