The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1936-10-23

q W
SIX VieUs Europe to study
consumer CO OPP
eratives. said at that time that
the commission was likely to find
itself unable to reach an agreement
concerning report to the President
on the consumer co-operatives and
that in the event they were able to
reach an agreement, the publica-
ton OF their findings would be de-
layed until after the election.
The commission has returned to
this country and has gone through
It's labor pains to the end that there
are six different views, an opinion
by each of the six different COM
mlssionerS concerning the value or
lack OF 1t that consumer co-opera-
tives have.
But 1t is important to know de-
velopments concerning this commits
sion because it appears that by en-
gaging in an investigation Of the
consumer co-operatives, the Presi-
dent has awakened q number of
different interests in our own coun-
try to the fact that there are some
kinds Of co-operatives which are
not helpful. The fuss stirred up by
failure OF the six commissioners to
reach an agreement makes it seem
unlikely that there will be any una
nimity Of opinion in congress il and
when Mr.. Roosevelt attempts to
gain action in a legislative way to
encourage creation of these coop
eratives. In other words, if a move
is made in congress, or if the Chief
Executive attempts to force con-
gress to enact legislation favorable
to consumer co-operatives, we are
likely to see vigorous legislative
battle. Personally. hope that hap
pens. Unless that end materializes,
there is every likelihood that the
average person who has not access
to full information will be inclined
to favor consumer co-operatives,
without realizing he is lending his
influence, whatever it may be, to
fostering institutions that in the end
are certain to cause hcartaches and
financial losses.
am in a position to say that the
one thing upon which the Presi-
dents commissioners were able to
agree was that consumer coop
eratives in Europe constitute the
focal point for radicalism. Not a
single consumer cooperative was
found, I am told, that was not con-
trolled, managed or inspired by radi-
Gals Of one breed or another, mainly,
communists. These hotbeds of radi-
calism constitute pressure groups
that have been able to impress gov.
| ernments in the various countries OF
an ability and an influence that do
not actually exist with them. That
is to say, these groups, like minority
groups everywhere, are cohesively
organized and they are vocal, in
addition. The result is they have
oeen able to force upon peoples in
many countries restrictions over
private and independent initiative,
or to gain for themselves exemp-
tons and privileges not accorded to
others. The result is an obvious
alignment Of peoples into fresh fac
tions, the tendencies of which are
dangerous.
| 1t may be news to many persons
that we have consumer co-opera-
-, tives in this coun-
IugUeHs try and that these
Activities agencies or units
already are being
fostered by the United States gov
eminent. / refer to the activities OF
Professor Rexford Guy Tugwell, who
has installed in the resettlement col
onies various and sundry consumer
co-operatives. II may be news as
well to many to learn that Mr.. Tug
well has spent almost two million
dollars in financing these co OPP
eratives to get them started. And
the third bit of news respecting
this circumstance Is that a book
written by James Peter Warbasse is
being used as a guide for the crea-
ton of these consumer co-operatives
in federal resettlement projects.
Now, the name of James Peter
WarbaSSe may not seem important.
Many persons have written books,
but there are not many volumes ex-
tant in the United States that ad-
vocate changes in the form of our
government. Yet, there are PROPOSE
tons in the volume TO which have
referred which do just that and
these books, as / have said, are
serving more or less as a guide for
the people whom Professor Tugwen
has "resettled."
With this brief presentation OF the
facts, it seems to me it does not
take much imagination TO see the
basis upon which the promoters of
the consumer co operatives are
building their structure in this coun-
try. Taking these facts into con-
sideration with the Information
brought back by those who made
the study for Mr. Roosevelt, it is
made to appear at least that for
eign link is somehow or other being
forged, and that link, believe, is
designed as a fundamental unit in
the general radical program to
change the form of our government