Arizona republican., 1920-07-28
Where the People
 May Have a Hearing
THE COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT
Iulv 2s 1920.

July 26, 1920.
 The Editor, Republican.
 Sir: Your interesting little editorial in todayS paper in regard to the CO., operative movement was marred by the erroneous conception that the movement here is merely one of labor unionism against the open shop. It is true that the labor union men, walk ing up to it's value for them, have been enthusiastic in their support; and on Saturday night last the cooperative speakers at a labor union meeting naturally spoke on labor union topics; but I trust you will permit me to eX- plain, as vice president of the Mari copa County Cooperative Society, that the cooperative movement here, as generally elsewhere, is not labor union movement but a public one. It's main argument is not that 1t Is gong to transform society; it is the more direct and effective one that. it will save money It backs up that state ment not only by the instance of Tue son, or a reference to the tremendous growth in Europe, but by the results being obtained in a very great many towns in Arizona California and Wholesale and supervisory organiza- tion) with which our local society IS connected. since its successful estab- lishment eight years ago has record of unvarying success.
 Our local society therefore does not depend on union labor alone for its members On the contrary, the bulk of our members will come. I am con vinced, from my fellow farmers The farmer who joins our new cotton asso- citation, the Arizona American -Egyp- tian, for the cooperative marketing of his product. instead of leaving 1t to the speculator, is generally intelligent ,-T, al b. taining his supplies through the O. operative system, wholesale and retail instead of leaving it to the proflteer If we can arrange a meeting TOT me farmers next Saturday night in the plaza promise you that the CO., opera tive sneakers will not only speak on the farmers questions but be farmers themselves.
 No, the cooperative movement Is not based on class antagonism: It is based on the fact that it is a superior form of distribution. which by elim- mating many of the wastes and proflts passes the commodity more econom1- cally from the producer to the con- sumner. This economy. of which some of the European countries have so largely availed themselves for many years past and of which they are avail ing themselves more and more. we can no longer afford to do without.
 As regards cooperative banks, see the Literary Digest of last week.
 On one other point your editorial conveys a false impression. the point in which you refer to Russia. as if the people in control there should he iden- tified with the co-operatorS. Of course, in a public movement, in an associa- tion of consumers. we are not con- cerned with a mans politics and bol- shevik can join our society just the same as a republican or a democrat; but as a. matter of fact the Russian peasants cooperative societies (es- tablished some ten years ago by man whom I am always proud to mention as at one time an American farmer and for many years by very dear friend the venerable Tchaikowsky,) have been as firm in their passive resist ance to the dictatorship of the doctri- naries as they were formerly to the tyranny of the Tsar. The co-operators are not yet in control in Russia-nol yet. As common sense returns if the allies will lift the blockade which gives an excuse to the bolshevilSi covering their economic failure, if the Poles and the Jauanese will give up invading Russian territory and so bringing Rus sian national sentiment to the aid oi the bolsheviki, the struggle now going l on between the bolsheyiki and the CO., l operators will become acute and when 1 it ends we shall see Russia with free l speech and no terrorism, white or red Yours respectfully.
 T. H. BELL.
 Resides sS23 900 900 worth of slIrplu: