254 THREE ACRES AND LIBERTY 



the millions. They are federated in a wholesale agency 

 which buys for them and manufactures on an extensive 

 scale. 



"By the economies thus introduced they are able to save 

 regularly about 15 %, besides paying interest on the capital 

 employed, and accumulating a liberal surplus. It is simply 

 a question of people getting together (all civilization is), 

 contributing their own money and their trade, and thus 

 avoiding all the waste expenses. 



"It is a very democratic plan; anybody is welcome to 

 join it ; every member has one vote and no more, they elect 

 then* directors, the directors elect the managers, and the 

 managers employ the clerks. They sell at the market prices 

 and every three or six months take account of stock and re- 

 bate the profits in proportion to each member's purchases, 

 with half rate to non-members. 



" It appeals to the economical sense of the ordinary house- 

 keeper, and to the ethical sense of those who want no advan- 

 tage of their neighbor. It prevents some from getting unduly 

 rich and it helps to keep many from being unduly poor. 



"The same principle has spread into farmer's work, espe- 

 cially Creameries. In Cooperative Creameries and Stores 

 Russia has grown faster in the last 15 years than any other 

 country, having at last reports over thirteen million 

 members. This orderly getting together for common social 

 needs has much to do with the orderliness of the Russian 

 Revolution. 



"The United States has made large progress in producers' 

 cooperative associations, but not much in stores. 



" I have in New Orleans a system of 65 stores on a modified 

 system ; it is a cooperative association but we sell at as low 

 prices as can be afforded, for cash in hand. The sales amount 



