Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1949-09-30
The Idea

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"high-falutin'" name like Cooper
alive Brotherhood of America
ever be established, Roy Nelson
might be considered as a logical
choice for one of its aiministra-
tive leaders.
Nelson is very well acquainted
with the successful cooperative
movement in Sweden and he's got
a lot of ideas about what cooper
alive minded Americans could and
can accomplish over here.
His personal blueprint plans for
cooperative ventures in the U. S.
includes two interesting, novel fea-
lures, which, if accomplished on
national scale, could virtually
revolutionize facilities for enter
tainment, recreation, travel as well
as the care of old people.
Nelson is aware of the inevitable
contention that any proposition of
this nature sounds like a weird
pipe dream to most Americans.
To him the idea is also a pipe
dream, considering pres ent con-
ditions here in America. Never
theless the general idea or at least
similar phases of it are established
facts in Scandinavia today.
Recreation Coop
He would like to see the estab-
lishment of a Recreation Coop,
based on a Scandinavian pattern,
with the equivalence of folk parks
located throughout the country.
How would it work? Well, that's
up to Americans to decide when
and if they think a proposal of
this kind is worth considering, he
says. Nelson's personal interpre-
tation of it is similar to the fol-
lowing suggestions.
The parks would not only be
parks in the true sense of the
word but also centers of public
entertainment with specially con-
structed outdoor theaters and res
taurants. The national coop would
operate much the same as a ma
tional theater or concert company,
arranging tours of plays, vaude-
villes, or concerts, etc. exclusively
for its parks. Each local branch
of the coop would financially op-
crate independently inasmuch as
a certain percentage of proceeds
would be allocated for operational
expenses, etc, and dividends to
each share-buying member, who
would be entitled to one vote in
the organization, whose leaders
would be elected at national con-
gress with representatives from
all local branches. All matters of
policy would be decided by the
main body and by leaders who
have emerged through the process
of democratic representation. The
parks would also feature public
dances regularly on outdoor dance
floors, like in Scandinavia.
The whole setup would be ar
ranged to suit the needs and pur-
poses of the people what they
propose in the local branches and
take action on in the national
congress-rather than those of a
few powerful private individuals
or companies now running and die
tating the main flow of top-notch
entertainment in America.
The profit motive would really
be of secondary Importance, that
is after the setup is proven finan-
cially feasible
Create Coop Tourist Society
Another phase of activity which
could be sponsored by the Recre-
alton coop would be to organize
a so-called tourist society, he says.
Aside from arrangi tours
throughout the country and the
world at large, it would build re-
sorts or motels along main high
ways or at scenic spots. provid-
ing inexpensive lodgings and meals
for travellers. who would receive
reduced prices. if they were men,
bers of the Coop. The Recreation
coop would in all probabilities
have to be confined to a single
state or a small part of the coun-