Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-01-30
OUR HOUSEHOLD
| CONDUCTED BY LIZZIE O. THOMAS
Mutual Dependence


ceived and from personal knowledge,
1 am inclined to think that this has
been moving time" with more people
than usual. Men have sold their
homes and changed locations, distant
states have lured many and even
more have changed from one farm
to another or from one house in town
to another. I noticed in one county
paper that nine families had moved
the same week. The names were
given and where they went, and to
me it seemed like one big swap.
There were eight families in this sec
ton that changed UP, and every one
had to wait until one man could get
the house that he had rented for this
year.
This set me to thinking about our
mutual dependence, and how an en-
tire community could be benefited by
the spirit of cooperation or spoiled
by selfishness. Atlanta, Ga, is a
splendid result of cooperation and
public spirit. You and L could men
ton towns with as good or better
natural advantages that do not
amount to more than a trading place
for a handful of farmers whose
wives probably send away for their
best clothes There is no co-opera-
ton; the goods are there and the
merchant assumes the attitude of
take it or leave it." A woman is
quicker to resent that than most
49,
sensitive.
This community has a good school
and the wood has not been a prob
lem this year, because fee of twenty
cents a month has been charged each
pupil. Five cents week is not much
to pay, yet it has kept money in the
school treasury for brooms, creyon
oil for the floors, as well as plenty
of good dry wood. The principal
called the patrons together and they
agreed upon the amount for each
child and the price of the wood, per
cord. cut in stove lengths. Men with
five or six choldren brought enough
to pay month, it was put in a dry
place, and since then one man has
bought a cord or two.
| heard a teacher say that he once
taught in what seemed a prosperous
community, but when his term was
finished he told them never again"
There was no cooperation. They had
become rich men by staying at home
and working and letting the other
fellow sink or swim. If that other
fellow sunk the current took him off.
If he did survive he had been
lucky"
We are all cogs in the great wheels
that move the car of progress and
prosperity, and when a little cog de-
cides to make a move for self alone
there is no telling how many other
cogs are going to be crushed or what
belt is going to be spoiled.
In Ecclesiastes we find mutual
helpfulness. Read your Bible and see
how this preacher tries to teach us
cooperation. Two are better than
one" says this book, for if one fall
the other shall lift him up. But
woe to him that is alone when he
falleth for he hath not another to
lift him up
Then in Philippians we read, Look
not every man on his own things,
but-each to the things of others" In
other words let our neighbors' well
fare mean something to us. And we
cannot tell who our conduct is going,
to help or injure, consequently it is
well to consider whether we are act
ing selfishly or not.
We can fool ourselves, but we need
not expect to, fool all the people all
the time. -rs,r-, m"7f
Good roads is now the issue be-
fore the people, and there never
was a better place for cooperation.
The man who walks as we'll as the
rider needs a good road, but you will
find many Of them letting the 10Th
er fellow" do the work and then
grumbling about mud.
The compulsory education law has
stirred some who never before could
be reached. There was a time when
a rainy day, or muddy roads was a,
fine excuse to keep the children at
home. Now the wagon or buggy
must take them, and it's a blessing
in disguise, for the men will get busy
and fix the roads.
The next cooperative move should
be a school kitchen. Domestic sci
ence means more than the average
mother realizes, and the immediate
value of a cup of hot cream soup for
children who probably ate little
breakfast would double their eff
cheney during the day. A two-burner
oil stove, two saucepans and each
child to pay for one bowl, or cup and
saucer. would make a good start to-
ward equipment. All of you cooper
ate and let's hear the result.