Evening Star Newspaper, April 11, 1937, Page 8

A—8 OPPOSES FORCING OF CO-OPERATIVES Roosevelt Commission Cites Advice of European Au- thorities. BY the Arsociatec’Press. NEW YORK, April 10.—The first co-operative enterprise in America was established long before the Revo- lution by Johann Conrad Beissel, a Seventh-Day Adventist. In 1732, after a quarrel with his church, he gathered his Dunker fol- lowers from Philadelphia and vicinity and colonized Ephrata in Lancaster County, Pa. Beissel's colony was known as the Order of the Solitary. Property was held in common and the colonists operated farms, a flour mill and a paper mill. Their printing plant was the finest in the Colonies. ‘The Ephrata colonists were highly educated. Peter Miller, the second prior of the order, at the request of Congress, translated the Declaration of Independence into seven languages. There were some 300 members of the colony at the time of its peak prosperity. The decline came after the death of Beissel. The basis of the organization was not economic, but spiritual. The colony was built around the leader- ship of one man and the motive was & monastic life, not the collective marketing of goods or the elimination of the “middle man” in the purchase of goods. In short, the colony was built from the top down. Caution Urged in Report. A caution against such a structural method is found in the recent report of the commission sent by President Roosevelt to Burope to study the de- velopment of co-operative enterprise. ‘The members of the commission sepa- rately used their study to comment upon the development in the United \Btates. One of these members, Charles E. Btuart, the New York engineer who “wes executive vice president of the Export-Import Bank in the first Roosevelt administration, had this to sy about the organization of co- operatives: “Consumer co-operatives could un- doubtedly be brought into existence here in large numbers by departing from the FEuropean principles of building from the ground up, slow growth and no government aid. ‘High- pressure’ promoters, direct Govern- ment encouragement and financial essistance and tax exemptions would rouse wide interest in the movement and gain many adherents. “But if the data which the in- quiry gathered in Europe is of any value as a guide, such forced or- ganizations could not have an en- during, successful existence because their membership could not, under such methods, attain the state of mind that is essential for sound co-opera- tion, and their chief object in par- ticipating would be based on their desire to secure the benefits of special priviege * * *, “Without excepfiun, the European authorities on consumer co-operation strongly advise against the forced growth of co-operatde organizations. * * ¢ They favoy a sympathetic attitude on the part of the govern- ment, the supplying of information, advice and counsel when it is re- quested and extensions of credit on & par with those extended to private business; but they cppose special gov- ernment favors and official propa- gandizging.” Members of Commission. The members of the commission, beside Stuart, were Jacob Baker, as- sistant administrator of the W. P. A.; Teland Olds, secretary of the New ‘York Power Authority; Clifford V. Gregory, editor of Prairie Farmer; Robin Hood of the National Oo- operative Council, and Emily Cau- thorn Bates. With the presentation of its report to the President, the ccmmission sep- arately made three recommendations with particular reference to consumer €o-operatives: 1. That there be made a survey of . sonsumer and service co-operatives in the United States, using as far as possible the assistance and records of the Farm Credit Administration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other governmental agencies to determine (a) the number, membership, classes of business, costs and volume of busi- ness done by these organizations; (b) the major social and economic effects of oco-operation here, and (c) the conditions under which co-op- eratives develop. ” 2. That an agency be established or designated to give information, re- Zearch and advisory service to con- sumers’ co-operatives; this to be directly linked up with all of the Gov- emment’s activities in behalf of the -eonsumers, 3. That steps be taken to assure con- $umer co-operatives credit parity. The commission did not make any recommendations that consumer co- ©operatives should receive subsidies or #pecial advantages of any kind. The report mainly concerns con- sumer eo-operatives. i Accomplishments Listed. > In this field, a digest of the report “prepared by the domestic distribution department of the Chamber of Com- merce of the United States sets forth the following accomplishments for consumer co-operatives in Europe: * 1. A reduction in costs of retailing Wwith advantages accruing to the con- sumer, thus making possible more eaving and higher standards of lv- "ing, and contributing to economic stability. 2. Promotion of thrift; increasing geonomic security of members of con- sumer co-operatives. 3. Education in intelligent buying, family budgeting and general eco- aomics. . 4. Better citizenship, the result of widely-diffused ownership of an im- Portant democratic business enterprise. ., 5. Effective control of monopoly by @o-operative competition. * 6. Comparatively high labor stand- ards. The report comments at length on the relationship between co-operatives and the state In Europe, saying in part: “Co-operatives aid government, in the opinion of the majority of peo- ple interviewed, by creating a sense of responsibility and ownership among the members and by broadening their economic outlook, all of which makes for better citizenship. * * * “An ideal of certain sectors of the co-operative movement, still actively championed to a greater or less de- gree, is that finally the co-operative commonwealth should take over most of the present functions of govern- ment. Other co-operators would have s complete socialistic state, with the co-operatives acting as its agency for production and distribution. “In view of this talk about crest- THE SUNDAY STAR, May Span the Atlantic Experts inspect the huge landing gear of a transport plane at Hamble, England, first of the new 00-mile-an-hour air liners ‘capable of carrying 2 passengers. atlantic route may be supplied regular operation in the world. Service on a projected trans- with such ships in the largest —Copyright, A. P. Wirephoto. ing a new state of society, we en- deavored to find out if European gov- ermmments regard co-operative enter- prise as a threat to existing forms tions. “This does not seem to be the case. Most government officials seem to judge the co-operative movement Board of the National Woman's Party; Mrs. Joy Elmer Morgan, president of the Women's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Church; Mrs. Wil- of government and national institu- |liam Lee Corbin, president of the Young Women's Christian Association of Washington; Mrs. J. Austin Stone, of the National Woman's Trade Union League; Mrs. Harvey Wiley, president by what it does rather than by the |of the Woman's City Club; Mrs. Re- statements of some of its philosophers. | becca Hourwich Reyher of New York; It is a business enterprise. It has made a place for itself among other forms of business. More than that, Miss Mabel Vernon, director of the Mandate Committee, and Mrs. R. R. Boyer and Miss Elizabeth Stradley, | because of its democratic structure, |of the Mandate Committee. its widespread membership participa- tion, its educational contribution, it is felt to be one of the mainstays of democracy. That sums up the opin- ion of government officials inter- viewed.” Concerning the control of monopoly, the report cities that in Sweden the government does not believe in the effectiveness of arti-trust laws and thet “government officials are glad to see monopoly prices broken by co- operative action.” —_— PEACE COMMITTEE TO THANK HULL People’s Mandate Delegation to Voice Appreciation for Con- ference Work. A delegation from the People’s Mandate Committee, headed by Rep- resentative Caroline O'Day, will call on Secretary of State Hull Tuesday to express their appreciation of his | work in connection with the recent Inter-American Peace Conference at Buenos Aires. Because of a full pro- gram on Wednesday, Pan American day, Secretary Hull will receive the group on the day preceding. Before calling on Hull, the delega- tion will be received at Latin Amer- i ican embassies and legations for dis- cussion of treaty ratifications and | other peace actions initiated at the | conference. | Members of the mandate delega- tion, besides Representative O'Day, will include Mrs. Raymond Clapper, secretary of the Mandate Committee; Miss Mary Louise Brown, head of international relations of the Wash- ington Branch of the American Asso- ciation of University Women; Dr. Izora Scott of the World Women’s Christian Temperance Union; Mrs. Henry Woolever; Miss Martha Souder, member of the National Executive ARTHUR JORDAN BENEFIT PARTY PLANNED League of the Sacred Heart Spon- sors Affair Wednesday. The Spring card and bingo party for the benefit of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart, sponsored by the League of the Sacred Heart, will be held Wednesday in the parish hall, Rev. Michael Hyle is general chari- man. Other chairmen are: Mrs. W. F. McCarthy, arrangements; Miss Frances McDonald, hostess; Mrs. Lynch Younger, tickets; Miss Bessie Dodson, patroness; Miss Marjorie Emery, decorations; Mrs. George Davis, refresnments; Mrs. Margaret Neligan, bingo; Mrs. Heron, prises, and Miss Edith Branson, publicity. witts HEAT 289 Written Guarantee NO MONEY DOWN Up to 5 Years to Pay Minimum Rates 1st Payment Sest. Abeve price includes 18-in. Jaeki Boller. "6 Eadistors. 300 1, Badistien Larger Hlnll Proportionately Priced. immediate installation. No inter- ference with t heating plant while our thstallation 1" made: DELCO OIL BURNERS Estimates Free. Day or Night ROYAL HEATING CO. 907 15th St. N.W. Natl. 3803 Night and Sun., AD. 8529 PIANO COMPANY shall & Wendall Vel oo come addition to the finest home. Very low terms . . . allowance for old style planos. ARTHUR JORDAN PIANO COMPANY 1239 G Street . . . Corner of 12th WASHINGTON, D. C, APRIL 11, 1937—PART ONE. We Will Gladly Hold Your Free Parking on the Lot Oppo- Purchases for Future Delivery site Our Eye Street Entrance Chippendale ing Room t\.\ Regular P / “Pictured above. LargeZfoomy and com- fortable, but with all th¥”grace snd charm of 18th Centrry design, Beaytitully carved arm panels and base rail finished dull antique mabogany. The covering is a lus- trous damask or you may choose from a Iarge variety of other fabrics' Smart style al low cost. 5139 ‘TAVING ROOM SUITE—Londen Club style. wRh wide arms and deep seats. lmsgs'm CLUB CHAIR—Built for solid eomfort and relaxation. Covered with durable friezette tn rust, green or brown. Reversible Sale Price ... OCCASIONAL CHAIR—Graceful Queen Anne style. Friezette covering in choice of green, rust or brown. Nicely - finished. Anniversary Sale Price. $5 90 POSTER BED OUTFIT—A very de- sirable poster bed in full or twin size Walnut, mahogany or maple finish. Complete with comfortable mattress and coil spring. Anniver- SZ] )0 o sary Sale Price________ INNER-SPRING MATTRESS OR BOX SPRING—Your choice of either. Well made for long service and covered with high-grade striped ticking. - Anniversary Sale Price__ 514'9') BOUDOIR CHAIR—Very attractive chair with spring seat. Glazed chintz covering with ruffied valance in choice of colors. Anniversary Sale [~ © 85.95 WOOD CRIB—Strongly constructed crib, made of hardwood. Finished maple, green or ivory. Drop-side @ = s e $6.75 vpe. Anniversary Sale price. CEDAR CHEST—Walnut-veneered ex- terior, with interior construction of thick, aromatic red cedar. Many special features. Beautiful finish \14 -‘) Anniversary Sale Price._ 01 Xe?) GO-CART—Folding beach cart, type with hood. Strong steel frame, with at- tractive brown or blue fabric covering. Anniversary Sale 84 9') UNFINISHED CHAIR—Gracefully de- signed and proportioned. Suitable for many uses. Made of hardwoods smoothly sanded. Anniversary -~ 95¢ VIRGINIA SOFA—18th oentury design. Solid Philippine mahogany frame. Delight- ful tapestry covering of neutral shade. Anniversary Sale Price. $59’50 O SIMMONS STUDIO COUCH—A real utility. Opens to full or twin beds. Covered in lovely selftone figured fabric. Rust, green ‘friere covering. Your choibe of pi “of ‘combinations. Beautifully tailored and '~ BAVING ROOM SUITE=Roomy, luxurious and besutifully fashioned suite, expertly up- holstered with rich mohair frieze in your choice of many colors. Carved wood ¥and- rests for extra service and nicely carved base Tails: 5109 LIVING ROOM SUITE—Particularly smart modern desian with custom-built features “throughout. Distinctive in style and quality Covered :in & closely-woven mohair fabric that is pleasingly effective and extremely dursble. xim LIVING . ROOM SUITE—Massive, modern design, superbly built and. taflored in two- tone combination of rich curled mohair fabiric. Outstandingly different, with. ex- backs and lnrge roll—!nm seat cush- WINTHROP SECRETARY—A convenient desk with roomy bookcase above. Pour- drawer base with lock on each. Walnut or mahogany and gumwood construction, Anniversary Sale 833.50 MODERN COFFEE TABLE—Designed to harmonize with any modern grouping. Wal- nut and gumwood, with remov- able glass tray. Anniversary Sale 37 75 8127 5174 LIFT-TOP CONSOLE TABLE—A turn of the top and it makes a dinette or card table. Solid walnut or mahogany base with veneered top. Anniversary Sale o . $14.50 R R mggfigmxfir §“ %fi%\@ \\ , w*»\a %4’@& Nioely 8t WINDSOR CHAIR—Typically Oolonial in e design. Sturdily oconstructed of hardwoods KITCHEN CABINET—Complete with accessories and condiment jars. Roomy top and base cupboards. Porcelain- finish work table. Beauti- - $24.75 ful enamel finish. Anniver- of fine and gmm Mnm hand- Phoces; sary Sale Price ;xmanm Coffee Table Our Regular Price, $8.50 $5.95 Very attractive Duncan Phyfe style. Solid mahogany or walnut base with veneered top. Removable serving tray. Generous sise and rich finish. Quantity limited. Dining Chairs Our Regular Price, $37.50 $94.75 Just tmagine—slightly more than $4 each for these sets of fine regular dining room chairs. Mahogany or walnut and gumwood. Sold only in sets of five side and one arm chairs. Quantity limited. HOUSE sHERRMANN Furniture of Merit Since 1885 W7M/ 7th and Eye Sts. N.W. Exclusive 8433-35 Georgia Ave. OSTERMOOR MATTRESS Dedler