The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-11-05

statement of the aims and ac-
accomplishments of the cooper
atives and of the opportunities
for greater buying power and
economic security through the
growth of consumer co-opera-
ton.
The declaration points out that "the
cooperative movement has been en-
dorsed by the major religious faiths,
| by national education associations, by
all political parties and by farm or
And that "co-operatives are not in
situations set up by philanthropists
to help the people. They are bust
nesses created by the need, intelli-
gence, vision, hard work and capital
of people who have faith in them
selves.'
The complete Declaration of Coop
Grafton adopted by the board of direc-
tors of The Cooperative League of
the USA at the quarterly meeting in
indianapolis, October 81, 1871 is as
follows:
Today America needs new pioneers.
Men and women who will prove that
the self-reliance of our pioneer tradi-
ton still endures. .
Men and women who will apply the
spirit of 1916 and the wisdom of 1887
to the problems of 1912. -.
Ma,, aud xxyopaata xuhn tufl1 orro an fha
significance Of the democratic prin-
ciples of liberty and equality of oppor-
tunity and extend them from the po-
litical into the economic field.
Today we are faced with the prob
lens of war and chaos, class and race
hatreds, scarcity amidst potential
abundance, dictatorship, high cost of
living, unemployment and insecurity
and the concentration of wealth and
power. These are the results of the
prevalent economy Of scarcity.
Yet, there is at hand, and at work,
a program which substitutes peace for
violence, construction for destruction,
evolution for revolution. Today, mil
lions of families throughout the world
are developing this program for abund
ance through Consumer Cooperation.
Our problems are all man made and
can be solved by men who are willing
to take practical, peaceful steps to-
ward building a world of justice and
peace.
Peace and Order
Co-operatives serving millions of
families throughout the world are
building gradually system of free
trade between peoples without prof
it, force, or exploitation. Permanent
peace will only come when the re-
sources of the world are available
to all mankind.
Glass and Race Friendships
Cooperative membership is open
to all, eliminating discrimination
which sets race against race, class
against class, and peoples against
peoples.
Plenty in the Place of Want
Co-operatives are organizations of
consumers set up to distribute justly
and without profit the abundance our
power age is able to produce.
Democracy
Co-operatives, in which each mem
Der has one vote, apply the prin-
ciples of democracy to the day-to-
day job of supplying the necessities
of life. Cooperative democracy is
the exact opposite of political dicta-
torship.
Lower Cost of Living
Co-operatives offset the high cost
of living by increasing buying pow
er, reducing the costs of production
and distribution and eliminating the
incentive for profiteering. Because
savings are distributed to the con-
sumner owners on the basis of their
patronage, co-operatives cannot prof
iteer.
Employment
Cooperative stores and service
stations, factories, mines, mills and
refineries are creating new income
and new employment Savings.
PdpoCt OAA " ll1O NOASuilCl ONutIS,
expand their buying power and Gre
ate in turn more wealth and more
employment
Wealth and Power in the Hands
Of the People
Cooperative ownership strength
ems the moral fibre of the people
and gives everyone a stake in Amer
lea, bringing to the people economic
power to help themselves and to
check both big business and big gov
eminent. We want neither private
monopoly nor public bureaucracy.
Our present world is governed by
uthless competition for profit rather
han constructive cooperation for
ervice, world of hate instead of
We believe that the de-
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