HD UC-NRLF - LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. O-IKT OF" * W>$WM^ Received /^TZl/Tsv* , I $9 r /' Accession No. u>T~< Class No. J (( THIRD QUARTER. 1894. Progressive Thought Publications. Vol. 1. No THE PROGRESSIVE flflND BOOK OK THE LABOR EXCHANGE. TH.K DA\VX OF EQUITY. K. /. ERNST, GENERAL ORGANIZER. I'l HLISHED HY THE PROGRESSIVE THOUGHT CO. Olathe, Kansas. Single Number, 25c. Yearly Subscription, $1.00. Entered at the Olathe, Kansas, Post Office as Second-Class Matter. THE PROGRESSIVE HflND BOOK THE LABOR EXCHANGE, THE DAWN OF EQUITY. Onward and Upward to a Higher Civilization. BY E. Z. ERNST, %\ GENERAL ORGANIZER. PUBLISHED BY PROGRESSIVE THOUGHT COMPANY, Olathe, Kansas. 1894. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY E. Z. ERNST, Except when publishers will make extracts ive full credit to the author with post office address complete. E. Z. ERNST. INTRODUCTION. In the propagation of our work, as General Organizer of the Labor Exchange movement, we find it necessary to have some printed matter to aid in the preparation of the average mind, so that the masses may be more actively employed in the study of the great principles brought into operation by the introduction of this ONLY TRUE SYSTEM of co-operation. Therefore we have con- cluded to so arrange the following matter in short, condensed lectures, leading and preparing the mind for a change, and then follow with illustra- tions, facts and demonstrations, by which we hope to show how to organize and operate the system successfully in any place where better con- ditions are desired. To give all the varied details of how organ- izations might be affected and also to answer all the essential or non-essential questions, which the learner may ask, would make a book too cumber- some and expensive for the purpose. We hope the sincere readers will employ a reasonable share of common sense, and sufficiently comprehend our plans, to begin laying the founda- tion of future success, and as we know we have the most complete system, we will ask you to care- fully follow out the ideas, herein contained, so that you may become workers for just principles without delay. Most fraternally yours for humanity's sake, -THE AUTHOR. LECTURE NO. I. CO-OPERATION There is no question in the minds of econom- ic students but that the present "hard times" and unfair condition of things have been brought about by an unjust exchange of the products and service, and that the immediate cause lies principally in the vicious system of money, known as "Legal Tender." To convince those who have not yet established that fact in their minds we will refer them to De Bernardi's book, "Trials and Triumph of Labor," which we think can establish it to any reasoning human, without a doubt. By a correct system of just principles we are of necessity forced to depend upon the toil of man for the convenience of civilized society, therefore, our motto shall be, "In Labor We Trust," instead of putting our faith in an inert and valueless metal, as do the hard money worshipers. Our method of doing business does not inter- fere with that of any person who desires to do right by his fellowman, and on that line we can boast that we are strictly independent to do as we please as long as the "Golden Rule" is observed. In case of difficulty between brethren, we invari- ably resort to arbitration for a settlement. We might reason upon a score of interesting topics and thus carry the minds of our readers from subject to subject, suggesting innumerable, valuable hints and yet not touch upon the most im- portant theme. We will, therefore, leave that part of the work for later productions and confine our- selves to the essential task of establishing true and complete exchange of the products of toil, the lack of which has caused untold misery in every land. 2. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK In order to do this effectively and justly, we will in- troduce the only correct medium of trade in the form of a labor check and a general circulating certificate, issued only on products and to the creators of wealth in correct amounts, and re- deemable in the necessaries and luxuries of life, by a plan not to be mistaken in its operations and which must ere long bring unprecedented pros- perity to all worthy laborers of the world. As we meditate upon the condition of things and compare the past with the present, as per our recollection, and try to picture before our mind the probable future as it may creep upon us if we continue to move on by the same ruinous plan, as has been our misfortune for centuries, we long for a condition which will promise and guarantee us a brighter and better prospect. But, alas, how unsteady are the varied movements of the surrounding appliances to which \ve have so long been in vain looking for relief. Our opportunities have been continually growing worse from year to year ever since we can remember, and unless some intervening prov- idential movement shall change our course there can be no hope for the oppressed toilers to whom the world owes so much. Many are the new ideas which men and wo- men have advanced with the hope that a higher plain of action might be uncovered, but up to a very late date all such projects have proven almost valueless, except to give the promoters the benefit of sad experience. Yet, at least some good has resulted by experimenting and enabling studious and inquisitive observers to steer clear of the danger rocks heretofore so fatal, and there- by arriving at more perfect conclusions than ever before. With the many institutions of learning, and with the numerous organizations for the enlighten- ment of the befogged minds throughout the length OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 3. and breadth of the land, and through the general crank movement which has been afloat in the country, at will, for the past decade, there has arisen a tempest of unrest, almost beyond the con- trol of loyal blood. The dissatisfaction has grown so great that the eyes of the nation are about ready to look in any direction from which relief is promised. Many are the panaceas offered by honest and even unscrupulous projectors, yet there can be only one correct and complete remedy. To reach the proper conclusion it may be well to thoroughly investigate all plans proposed, yet, if there is one which can produce positive proof sufficient that it has no fault, then it may be well to cling to it as the long sought for salvation. To this latter conclusion we have at last arrived, after a dili- gent and weary search for correct methods, for a number of consecutive years. We do not consider our knowledge and ex- perience exclusively our own, and as we believe that a free flow of intelligent thought is advan- tageous to all it behoves us to make use of the privileges nature has bestowed upon us for the grandest good to the greatest number. Narrow, selfish principles can never prosper, and although haughty, arrogant, unmerciful averice has seem- ingly flourished in the past, we can assure you that its time is well nigh spent and that justice must soon take its place at the head of business policies. LECTURE NO. II. THE BALLOT IS BUT A SECONDARY CONSIDERATION. The condition of our minds have much to do with the actions of the body, and together they control the destiny of men. If we allow ourselves 4. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK to be hoodwinked by a bundle of absurdities, then we can expect but an unprofitable outcome. Why can we not meet in our various organizations and harmonize in a co-operative spirit and arrive at a fair and equitable conclusion, so that all may find the right track which leads to progress and un- bounded prosperity? So much is said about the alien ownership of land, the control of railroads, the increase of the circulating medium, and a dozen other proposi- tions which seem to greatly interest many of our people of the entire union, but we know the mas- ses have not yet found the true remedy. These subjects are fast becoming the most attractive features of our general conversation, and when connected with political discussion engage the at- tention of our thinking population, male and fe- male. These are questions of vital importance, and should be properly weighed by co-operative thinkers. On the whole, men are apt to be led off by the first plausible statement, therefore it is best to hear all sides and consider well ere hasty action is taken. The co-operative work, which can best be advanced by co-operative study shoud be discussed in the various organizations, and then concentrated thought will point to the most essential mode of action. We should prefer to give condensed remarks upon the subject; but as all minds are not in the proper frame to draw correct conclusions, it is thought best to prepare the searching elements to meet on common ground. The time spent in get- ting the great mass of inquiring thought concen- trated upon the main issue before the people is not in vain. If the change were brought on too rap- idly, the result might prove fatal to those it were aimed to relieve. The great minds of the com- mon people must be kept well balanced, and they will then be in a condition to meet any emergency. By the proper exchange of thought at regular pub- OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. . 5. lie meetings much can be accomplished on this line. The making of good country roads is much agitated of late, and more or less interests us all; therefore let it be considered in the proper light with due care that there shall not be any more interest-bearing bonds issued in a country where the people love freedom. Interest-bearing bonds and perfect liberty cannot abide in the same gov- ernment. By a proper co-operation every nec- essary and luxury of life which human mind can devise and labor can produce may be enjoyed by the worthy and industrious mortal. The philoso- phy of true co-operation is the most correct and can remedy more of the evils now existing than any other one proposition agitated by the Amer- ican people. By this system we will harm no one who deals justly and mercifully with his fellow men, yet the schemer, the speculator, the monop- olist, and all unjust dealers will be restrained from plundering the unsuspecting peaceful producer. Is it not a fact that all wealth which comes to society outside of the infinite power of the Almighty must be produced by labor in some form? And this being granted, we ask how does it happen that those who do least are allowed the most of the wealth produced by labor, while those who produce most are deprived of the necessaries and even suffer in poverty and destitution? We believe in an equitable exchange of labor for labor, but are severely opposed to the exchange of created wealth by labor, for deluding deceptions which are entirely valueless. Our present modes of trading- are a delusion to the worthy, active members of society, while it is continually enriching the vagabonds who are engaged in swindling honest victims and pervert- ing the public on economic questions. These are simple facts understood by many of our best in- formed thinkers, yet the way out is not so easily 6. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK apprehended by all. Hence, we propose, step by step to advance thoughts which shall aid in reach- ing the proper solution of the industrial problem by a rule of universal and complete co-operation. Civilization will soon come to naught, and govern- ment end in chaos, if labor is ignored. The power lies in the hands of the producers. Will we help ourselves? The ballot is but a secondary consideration. The equitable exchange of labor is the subject most worthy the attention and study of every toiling human. Will you help us to investigate it and bring the matter before the public as rapidly as possible? LECTURE NO. III. THE BROTHERHOOD OP MAN. Many worthy people of all factions have for years past felt that co-operation was the only cor- rect plan upon which our social and business propositions should be based. The one great obstacle has been the lack of a complete system marking out a true plan of operation, and the people's inability to fully comprehend the need of such united action. We have been taught to consider ourselves a free and independent people with the duty of each to paddle his own craft, which had the tendency to prevent folks from uniting to protect themselves from the common enemy of the wealth producers. While the toilers continued single handed to create all the wealth they could, in order to lay up some for emer- gencies, another class combined to accumulate the products by speculations, sharp dealings, usury and monopoly, until it has ceased being a virtue to bear undue burdens. When a class of business men unite to pro- tect themselves or extort from others it is not proper to call such an organization co-operative. OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 7. Even the Grangers in their (so called) co-opera- tive enterprises are to a certain extent monopo- listic, as well as are all other factional combina- tions. No system can be purely co operative un- less every creature of the human family is given a free and equitable opportunity to take part and exchange value for value in proportion to the products created by such individual. If the money loaner and the legislator combine to rob and swindle ihe people it is a monstrosity for evil. If a class of mechanics unite to raise wages or shorten the hours of labor, it is a union that will never succeed well because it has the opposi- tion of all the other classes to contend with. If the farmers unite to save themselves from the middlemen and conduct their own stores, the mer- chants and a number of other factions are antago- nized, and the business is simply a system of com- bination of one class against another. There is very little gained by any of these combinations, as the whole must eventually succumb to the grasp of the more powerful combination of the money monopoly, unless a true system of co-operation can be instituted by the wealth creators upon the plan of the "Labor Exchange." Farmers' co- operative stores do not create wealth, but merely trade in goods and make profits on the sales. By this method they divide what they have paid in over the cost of goods, clerk hire, interest on capital, etc. By this plan it is easily to be seen that those who have the fat salaries in the job or draw the usury, are of the richest or are rapidly drifting in that direction, while the ordinary pa- tron is paying well for what he gets and helping to feather the nests of the favored few. Such is the tendency of the celebrated and much-prized Rochdale system as being conducted to-day, if history on this line serves us properly. The teachings of generations are hard to overcome, yet the time is now at hand for a radi- 8. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK cal and peaceful change. Correct methods must be instituted to take the place of the erroneous ideas of the past. We are a great nation of in- quisitive and inventive spirits from every climate and every condition known to man. Why should we not improve upon our system of exchange as well as upon anything else that will tend to better the condition of the human family? We should not be selfish or narrow in our views; we can afford to be generous. Yet we, the toiling masses, have been magnanimously liberal for these thousands of years past, and have at last concluded that injustice should not forever burden and oppress the most noble of God's creatures. The wealth of the world is the result of labor. The proper co-operation of the producers and their auxilia- ries in exchanging wealth by an equitable plan is desirable to all honest men, and its advantages to society would be many fold. By a just and fair exchange of labor no one need suffer if willing to do an honest turn for the benefit of himself and others. Have you ever thought that something must be wrong with our present system, when the idle, non-producing speculators accumulate wealth which labor has produced, while labor lives in hovels and begs for the necessities of life or for an opportunity to be employed in a world which is yet so far from being completed? We can remedy all this injustice in a very short time by a true system of co-operation, known to advance thought as the "Labor Exchange." Will you in- vestigate this plan which leads direct to the "Brotherhood of man and Fatherhood of God?" LECTURE NO. IV. TO EMPLOY THE IDLE. Of what value can plodding, thoughtless humans be to civilization unless it is to perform OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 9. a mechanical part in the drama of life's evolution? We feel as though their room is more valuable than their presence. If it were not for the vast army of thoughtless humanity and the vicious avarice of the vagabond idle (usually called rich) the progress of God's workers could not be de- scribed. New things and new ideas are being discovered and thought of in rapid succession, but the sluggishness of the masses and the un- righteous desires and dealings of many others makes the labors of the thinking class very tire- some and tedious. Education is of but little value in the making of a man unless solid thought is employed, and he who can start the minds of men to action and draw them into a channel that will tend to lead humanity to a higher and nobler con- dition must indeed be a benefactor to his kind. Many of our thinking workers have different lines upon which their thoughts seem to run. Some believe in one thing, while others advocate another. Single tax, graduated and accumulative tax, initiative and referendum law-making, Hare's preferential system of representation, the abolition of president, vice president, United States senate, governors and state senators, etc., free trade, free country, woman's suffrage, and equality to all mankind are all valuable ideas to consider, and if adopted would virtually bring man to a state akin to true co-operation or labor exchange. But the method by which either one of those propositions is to be brought into force as projected by its friends is by way of law or the ballot, which is a very slow and uncertain method at best. One change seems to be about all a generation can accomplish in a political contest, at least history in this country looks that way. We should not forget that the people who labor by mind or muscle are the only ones who create wealth, and should they apply their strength properly and think out a plan of co-operative 10. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK action, they alone could enjoy all the necessaries and luxuries which the hands and minds of men can produce. Why not be.^in at once - be^in at the foundation and build correctly? "Do ye the will of the Lord and all things shall be added unto ye." Much good seems to come out of the vari- ous combinations and the oppression of the wealth producers, as it is causing them to think more than ever before. If the process now being made use of to oppress the people was less rapid, the money power could be more sure to succeed. Man must indeed be very dull of apprehension if the rapid downward tendency of the past thirty years has not caused him to think that some better plan of action should be inaugurated. The plans thought of are various. Communism, nationalism, co-operation, monarchy, anarchy, federalism, socialism, prohibition, fiat money, and a number of other propositions, and yet they have not suc- ceeded, nor is it likely that they will soon on so many disjointed, unsystematized conjectures. It is but natural for people to differ as to the cause of certain conditions; but if they would unite in co-operative meetings, clear their minds of prejudice, take on a brown study and learn the labor exchange mode of operation (which can be successfully handled by a few, and is the only show on earth to get permanent relief), they will soon see that we mean business and know what we are driving at. It is fair and just that every person should have a right to work whenever they choose, and that they should be allowed a fair exchange of products with other laborers. No one should be allowed to prevent others from producing some- thing useful to mankind. Those who have by man-made laws and unjust dealing taken posses- sion of our public domain and the accumulated wealth of generations have no moral right to dic- tate the price of products nor the amount of labor OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. II. man shall perform to sustain life. No man has a right to live at the expense of his fellow creatures as long as he is able to do some useful, mental or manual labor. The plan that we would have our reform friends study is the result of forty years of meditation and comparison, gathered by practical investigation from every civilized nation of the globe, and is such as no man of reason can oppose. Agitators who are still making the same arguments they did a few years ago are indeed very poor leaders, and will soon need to make a change or be left with the enemy of progress. Shall it take us a generation to develop one little idea before we take up a new one? No, we think not. We favor taking up all the good plans and putting them into active operation at once without even waiting for a voting majority. We have all the laws and more laws than we need now. We do not propose to make any aggressive fight on any- body in particular, and propose to give every one a fair and equitable share in proportion to the service rendered to humanity. The proposition is to lead on and show the way to success and prosperity for the worthy wealth producer. To employ idle labor and provide an equitable ex- change among the producers, and thereby prevent usury, speculation, monopoly and theft, To destroy the advance thought is to slay progress in its inception. The time is at hand when we need the best minds in active operation to guide swiftly the oppressed slaves of plutocracy to the haven of peace and plenty. The issue of more money by the government will not produce more wealth, Money is not wealth, and when issued by the government does not make the producing class any richer. The only way that wealth is produced is by labor; and money, to be a genuine medium of exchange, must never be issued except for the real value deposited, something similar to a sub-treasury 12. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK plan. When no value is deposited no exchange is issued, and consequently those who want exchange must produce wealth to get it. In this way simple and complete co-operation can be at once estab- lished in any locality where wealth is produced. A fair exchange of products is no robery; and as the toiling people create all, why not ex- change all, then have all, and quit complaining about the other fellow who will be compelled to shift for himself or get left in the race for pros- perity? This method gives every man, woman and child full remuneration in proper ratio for their usefulness to the human family and gives all a fair chance to help themselves to God's bount- eous blessings in proportion as they are willing to aid in the great workshop of civilization. This perfect system of "labor exchange" is now in working order in a number of places in the Unit- ed States. LECTURE NO. V. FOUND A COMPLETE REMEDY. We have liberally mentioned the Labor Ex- change principles in these lectures and hope the studious reformers and wealth producers of the entire world will take an active interest in the system. We wish to attract the attention of re- form literary writers and newspaper publishers, so that the great importance of this matter may be- come generally discussed and our plans adopted ere it shall be too late to cast off the yoke. If the people could comprehend in the least degree how much this subject should interest them, and how much the welfare and happiness of them- selves and future generations depends upon the solution of this one problem alone, how anxious they would be to learn of its merits and put into practice its teachings. Thit, alas! how subtle is OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 13. the average human, even so much so as to suspect all humanity to be even less trustworthy than themselves This is all very severe upon the progress of our race. Reformers and "cranks" are usually far in advance in the ideas of justice and equity, and to doubt their sincerity is to retard the onward movement of civilization. The conservative elements are, in most cases, an interference to the march of enlightenment. Many of the readers may desire some expla- nation as to the peculiar methods of the Labor Exchange for which we predict so much. It will be impossible to outline it in a few articles for publication so that all may fully understand its power and usefulness, although it is indeed the most simple system to comprehend and operate if we could be induced to discard the prejudices and dogmas so deep-rooted in the minds of the masses for the past hundreds of years. The false idea as to what money and its functions are has kept the human race in bondage for many generations, and is still doing its devilish work. The quotation that "The love of money is the root of all evil," is certainly very nigh correct, and full of meaning to the student of economy. The proper function of genuine money is but similar to an open day-book, by which it may be readily seen in what proportion the holder should receive of the wealth produced by the united efforts of all the industrial forces. Instead of issuing money by law to thousands of useless officers who have not created one spear of real wealth and then have them, through the aid of speculators and money gamblers, dole it out by piecemeal for real wealth and on loans, robbing the producers of their hard-earned cre- ations by giving them only a little worthless stuff, called money, in exchange we prefer to make use of a plan of proper equitable exchange in which the real producer alone can control the 14. THE PROGRESSIVE H^ND BOOK trade aifd make use of a co-operative check which will show upon its face that an equivalent of real value has been produced by the holder for the ben- efit of the human family, and that he is entitled to that amount of wealth from the toil of other producers without imposition on the part of any one. In the former transaction any one who can get hold of money by fair or foul means has the power, by law, to rob the wealth producer of his creation, and yet give no equivalent except that same lawful stuff to rob some one else with in the same way. By the Labor Exchange plan only those who have produced something for the ben- efit of humanity can receive the check which will get an equitable share of the produce created by some one else, and as these checks will cost no interest, and are not controlled by vicious laws, two very important points will be gained. Gov- ernment money is always sure to fall into the control of the officers and the rich money gam- blers, and gives the producers a very small margin, while the Exchange check is entirely in the control of those who in reality produce wealth. By making use of this system the pro- ducers would be truly co-operative in the use of checks of exchange. Which do you prefer, friends? Can you decide? Some people at once conclude that this might do for local exchange, but ask how they could get something from a distance or in case they might want to ride on the railroad. Would not the railroad soon belong to labor, and also the goods at a distance? And at first a simple remedy might be applied by exchanging some products for "lawful money," and the more the checks are used the easier it would be to get government, or speculators' money. Drafts and bills of exchange are used to balance accounts at present; and why not continue the same, and introduce it in local business as well? The money idea is a delusion OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 15. and intended to swindle the laboring people. Why not exchange wealth for wealth? Govern- ment money is not wealth, neither does it repre- sent wealth. It never laid up a stone nor drove a nail, but is an inert and valueless stuff and a de- ception. Why is it that the men who labor, econ- omize and produce much, and build many huge structures, are generally found living in small, rent ed houses, while those who stand idly by plan, plot, scheme and speculate, claim everything within sight, and hold an option on what is supposed to appear in the future? Is that the way to co-oper- ate? No! Neither is it labor exchange. Why are things so now? Principally because of our vicious customs in finance, known as the mone- tary system. We believe that the producers of wealth necessaries, comforts and luxuries of life should have a liberal and equitable share of their pro- ductions before the vagabonds and pimps of so- ciety should be pampered. If too indolent to do anything of value for the human race, why not suffer the consequence? Co-operative labor and the proper exchange will increase the happiness of man one hundred-fold; and as a friend writes by private letter, that he is satisfied "we shall reach that point where the people will not sit down and resolve and pray to a false political god, but will reach out and take hold of the hand of labor and materials and work out their own salva- tion." By reading and studying "Trials and Tri- umphs of Labor," by G. B. De Bernardi price 50 cents, the student of political economy will strike a mint of valuable facts and illustrations which are beyond estimation to any one. Those who believe in equality and justice cannot afford to evade the study on this line of thought. Facts must force themselves upon our minds sooner or later, and the quicker we are apprised of our er- l6. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK rors the better it will be for us and our posterity,, Every day that we allow to pass by in the old way is valuable time lost never to return. One ad- vance worker in a county can do a wonderful amount of good in this line of thought if he will but persevere. The partial co-operation or co- partnership business of which we have seen and read in the past has not been a success, neither has the competitive system proven beneficial to those who produce. Strikes for higher wages and shorter days, and secret societies have virtually failed as yet to accomplish much else but con- tention and dissatisfaction. Factions, societies, clubs aud parties of religious or political caste have accomplished comparatively nothing, and at best are very sluggish and unreliable. All these things and many others have been tried, and yet here we are near the close of the nineteenth century rapidly going downward as a mass of hu- man freight to an awful destruction; and were it not for the "salt" of our race in the form of such men as the illustrious author above mentioned, we should certainly perish in speedy succession. We now have found a complete remedy, pure and simple, which we believe will solve all diffi- culties for a thousand years and bring the mil- lenium by true co-operation and Labor Exchange, LECTURE NO. VI. TO TRUST IN LABOR, There can be but one true principle upon which successful co-operation must be based, and that is found only in the Labor Exchange system. The human race has had many earnest workers searching for principles for past centuries, and hosts are still endeavoring to find the path which leads to bliss. There is but one plan, and there can be no other. When you truly find it you will OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 17. know that it is the right one. Beware of impos- tors, who, like the apt convert, concludes that he has the pure light when it is merely the reflection from a false impression formed by a too hasty conclusion. The foremulator of the Labor Exchange sys- tem of co-opration, is an uncommonly shrewd, far sighted, deep thinker and is well up in years. He has made this matter the study of a life-time, investigating the plans and workings of all the various organizations instituted or proposed to better the condition of toiling humanity through- out the civilized nations of the world, and has reached a point where operation needs only to complete perfection. We ask you to make your own judgment after careful, complete and sincere examination. Our proof is sufficient guarantee for all our assertions. Will you turn upward or continue to go downward to ruini* The Labor Exchange is chartered under the state laws of Missouri as a benevolent association, and all other Labor Exchange associations are but branches of the one general organization. Without harmony there can be no success. One of its first objects is to open an intelligence bureau to employ the idle labor and give steady employment to any who may apply, thereby aid- ing the needy to support themselves, reduce the pauper taxation and also increase the demand for the productions of others. This will cure the tramp evil and greatly elevate the condition of toiling humanity. This system is so arranged as to retain the wealth created by labor in the con- trol of those who produce it, hence cutting off all speculation or monopoly now feeding upon the toiling masses. The cost of a life time membership is $i. It does not interfere with any one's individual business, but instead gives additional facilities and many new advantages to its members. This l8. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK institution is for the American people who love freedom and liberty, without regard to party, creed, age, sex, color, condition, number or loca- tion. It has been organized for some time in various places and proven a success wherever tried, and is now attracting the attention of the most advanced thinkers of the continent, who feel the need of perfect organization to bring about the proper solution of the labor problem. Many new plans are being devised, but all combined are of little consequence when measured by the side of Labor Exchange. This is a charitable institu- tion based upon genuine business principles, in which the giver and receiver both will be bene- fitted. It also contains a beneficiary department in case of disability, death, fire or other misfor- tunes without assessments or dues. As labor produces wealth, we have conclud ed to ''trust in labor," instead of in gold in order that all wrongs may be righted by a more tangi- ble plan than that of partisan prejudice. The ballot box at best is a very slow and uncertain method, and takes public sentiment or bribery to control, while tricky politicians and bloated bond- holders grow fat on the products of the indus- trious. The "love of money is the root of all evil," and our minds have been blurred with lies about the "money of nations" for centuries. Is it possible that when gold has gone out of the country that our soil is reduced to non-production and our hands must all cease to be employed? Is not money a false and tyranical god, or are the people fools and knaves? The worshipers of such an idol will commit any crime to obtain it. Hoarded wealth makes no man enjoy life, yet the necessaries and comforts are essential to human happiness, and the answer of a clear conscience brings joy to old age. The Labor Exchange conducts its own finan- cial transactions upon the most complete method OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. IQ. known to the civilized world. Most of the busi- ness of the United States is done by checks, cer- tificates and drafts, to the benefit of the rich and the detriment of the poor. Why can we not go a little further in this matter and use the check system in all cases, and base them upon the real wealth produced by the laboring people? When labor produces all wealth, why should not checks be issued upon the wealth in accord to the amount produced? This would give each a fail- share of the products, in proportion to his deserts, and at the same time cut off all the usury features now so baneful in monetary transactions. It can make very little difference how much legal tender money the government issues or how low the rate of interest, as the principle is wrong and cannot bring permanent relief. The money comes from the wrong source and the system is a robbery to the laboring masses. The greatest trouble civilization has to contend with is the false ideas in regard to what money and its functions are. The Labor Exchange clears away that cloud entirely and brings prosperity at once. We have the most complete system of finance of the civilized nations, and establish our own exchanges and clearing houses. There is no communism, no socialism nor an- archy in this. It is the result of forty years of study and travel by the author, who has visited every nation of the earth. Why do not the labor- ing men who build houses and improve the earth have a fair share of the wealth? Why is it that the men who never did an honest day's labor in their lives, have now in their possession many houses and are renting them to the men who really produced the wealth? There certainly must be something radically wrong. We know it and can give the correct solution the true remedy. The permanent wealth is now rapidly going into the control of the plutocrats. 20. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK The Labor Exchange is,, in fact, something better than the sub-treasury plan we hear so much about. In this case we can bank at pleasure upon our product in case we have produced value for deposit. No one should surfer for the necessaries and luxuries of life in a land of plenty. We need no majority to organize and receive benefits from this institution. One or two dozen men or women can put this plan into operation and a vast amount of good may soon be accomplished. Where this plan is operated it must be successful, but the idle may fare badly. Many good citizens are favor- able to Bellamy's idea, but this is far in advance of that and gives immediate relief by operation. There is no secret in this organization but it reaches out a helping hand to every worthy citizen. Partisan politics, sectarianism, prejudice and dog- mas are all discarded, while justice and equality stand at the head of the column, with charity and brotherly love for the foundation. True, earnest reformers should study the Labor Exchange sys- tem and principles thoroughly. It is in fact the only way out of bondage. It is genuine co-opera tion, not co-partnership nor monopoly. The only way to create wealth is by the exertion of mind and muscle. Money issued by law does not create wealth in any form. Mr. V. A. Wilson, of North Carolina, in a private letter lately says: "As a financial system the Exchange is ne plus ultra; it enthrones labor and will utterly destroy the sharp practices of the Shylocks and sharpers. It will create a new business world in which the produc- ers will alone have a standing. God bless and prosper you in every effort." Since writing the above, Bro. Wilson has or- ganized several branches of the Labor Exchange and is successfully managing No. n, at Pfafftown, N. C. We want more men and women who will follow his example. The laborer is worthy of his hire, and the reward is sure to follow good works. OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. LECTURE NO. VII. LESS WORK AND BETTER PAY. The Labor Exchange system is not an untried u fad." It has been in successful operation in several places for more than a year past, and is now being introduced in a number of new localities where the people believe that labor is the only source of wealth, and that honest toil has a per- fect right to a share of the good things of this life. This is the next and final upheaval of the Ameri- can people, and is the only plan that can give permanent relief. Our first proposition is to employ idle labor by the aid of an employment bureau, bringing the laborer and employer together, and for this aid we do not charge, as we are a benevolent associa- tion and wish to do good unto our unfortunate brothers and sisters who are out of profitable work. The second object is to engage in some plant whereby we may produce more wealth by employing the idle and thereby provide means for a great many who would otherwise depend considerably upon the public charities. We claim it is better to employ the idle at some useful in- dustry, elevating them to a higher condition and improve the entire social standing, than to cast them out as a burden upon humanity. The more we employ the people and give them fair and equitable exchanges, as is our method, the more will be the demand for the product which is being produced by others. In order that we may be enabled to keep strict account with all our .members in every particular and base our exchanges upon the most accurate and just plan, we have devised a system of certificates of .deposits which can be used in 22. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK any of our trades between orfe producer and an- other, or even betvyeen the outside world, if they conclude to deal with us upon our plan. There can be no fairer method of exchange than that one producer should place his surplus upon the general exchange and receive certificates of de- posits which can draw equal value of the surplus deposit of some other producer. While in ordinary business, the holders of these deposit certificates can trade and retrade as much as they have a mind to, as long as their "checks" hold out. In no case does the Labor Exchange issue deposit certificates unless the deposit is genuinely made in due form. These certificates are not money, yet they make a convenient article of trade where money is hard to get. They are safer from loss or destruction because they are made out to the one who has in reality produced the wealth which they are intended to represent. All plans which claim to be on the co-oper- ative line and do not conform to this system are a delusion, and will never succeed in giving the permanent relief so much sought for by the noble reformers. As we have stated, the Rochdale sys- tem is not complete, and has failed in almost every case, while in no instance has it succeeded to elevate the conditions of its members higher than the surrounding community; neither has it materially benefitted the district in which it has operated. The Labor Exchange is arranged and con- ducted so that no one need suffer in case he will toil and take a fair exchange for his product. No one is debarred, but each is given a fair chance to produce all he can and get in proportion to his creation. A simple plan of operation in a place where a store or warehouse is needed would be to gather the government money which can be raised as de- sired from the individual members, and deposit OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 23. it in the general treasury, of the Labor Exchange, then issue to each member certificates to the amount of which they paid in. This would then allow the Exchange to use the money deposited to buy stock for store, and members would also 1 hold "-checks" good to trade among themselves or whoever would take them, and when they want- ed anything at the store those "checks" would buy the same as government currency, while the profit in the store exchange remains in the business. Now, for instance, everybody, as a rule, buys from $100 to $300 worth of goods at the store in a year, and suppose they would deposit their money or the products which they must exchange for what they buy, into the Labor Exchange and get certificates of deposit, use these in their trades, and when they wanted to draw at the commissary, just present the evidence of deposit and get at retail their portion. Or suppose men who pay out $5 or $10 per month for groceries, etc., would put in that amount in advance and get the evidence of deposit with which to trade among each other and draw their stock as they needed it. As labor produces all wealth, the lab- oring people need not be alarmed if they will only act promptly and judiciously. The valuable points in the Labor Exchange are many and varied. We would sincerely advise all true believers in co-operation to waste no time with any other plan, but get right to work on the system we can prove to any sane human is the only perfect and the shortest route to lasting re- form. We will here introduce our friends to a short explanation of THE LABOR EXCHANGE. This is a Benevolent Association, organized for the purpose of employing the idle men and women at useful labor and 10 distribute the wealth created equitably among the producers who contribute in 24- E PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK the production of the necessaries and luxuries of civilized life. It compels no one to do anything but offers an opportunity to all desiring work, and rewards toil with the full product of its efforts. Issues its own Certificates of Deposit with which the products of labor can be conveniently ex- changed without usury. The needy are provided for, and all property is secured against losses on the most just principles. It, in fact, covers every need, provides for every good done and solves every problem in practical and social economic^. The author and propounder of this system, G. B. De Bernardi, has spent a great many years in research, study and travel, at great expense and much -sacrifice, perfecting this simple and effect- ive plan. And, of the many thinkers and writers on economics not one has been able to find a flaw in its construction and operations. This sys- tem is being practically tried (in a small way) by a number of branches in several states already and needs only to be understood to be appreciat- ed by every wealth producer. It consists of the Labor Exchange, as is chartered under the state laws of Missouri, with branches in any place where a number of members will organize and^ adopt the plan. A few can begin, and at oiKTeT and do very effective work. We extract the following from ' 'Trials and Triumph of Labor," which may aid the reader to get a better understanding of its aims and ob- jects: "The corporate name of this Association shall be the 'Labor Exchange.' "OBJECT OF ASSOCIATION. "ist. To provide employment for idle labor, by facilitating the interchange of commodities and services among the associates and the public. "2d. To alleviate the suffering incident to, and avert the social dangers which may arise OF THE LAIJOR EXCHANGE. 25. from, a constantly increasing class of unem- ployed, by furnishing to this class useful occupa- tion, and saving the wealth, thus produced, for the use and benefit of the actual producers and their dependents. "3rd. To lighten the burden of charitable institutions by establishing one self-sustaining. "By and through such employment of idle labor as aforesaid, this Association aims to fur- nish food, clothing and the comforts of a home to those thus employed; establish depots for muj- ual exchange, operate boarding houses for the purpose, and also provide for education, the ele- vation of character and the amenities of life by maintaining schools and other places of instruc- tion. "MEMBERSHIP. Any person, male or female, of good character, not addicted to intemperate or immoral habits, who is willing to engage in a useful occupation or calling, or to aid by work or means to advance the objects herein stated, may become a member of this Association, and be entitled to the benefits of it, under such rules and regulations as may be established by the same. "PROPERTY. - The property of this Associa- tion, real and personal, shall not, under any cir- cumstances, be mortgaged or pledged. The As- sociation shall not borrow any money, and shall not issue any interest-bearing note or obligation against itself. "DISTRIBUTION OF REVENUES. All money re- ceived for the sale of goods, hire of labor and other property, the execution of contracts, board of hands, entry fees to places of amusement, etc., shall be distributed as follows: "ist. To replenish the stock of goods sold. "2nd. To keep the property in repair, and to restore any which may have been destroyed by accident. 26. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK t4 3rd. To defray the expenses of administra- tion economically conducted. 4t 4th. To support the sick, the disabled and assist the families of deceased members. tfc 5th. To maintain schools, especially even- ing schools, libraries and places of instruction and amusement. k '6th. To extend the field of its operations by the acquisition of additional means for the em- ployment of idle labor." THE MEMBERSHIP FEE Is placed at $1.00 for life, no matter what the age of the applicant may be. This fee is necessary to aid in paying the general expenses of the or- ganization work, or the educational part of the plan could not be carried on. The one dollar for a life-membership, without dues, is the cheapest expense money we ever heard of for starting a beneficiary association. This being the inaugu- ration of the greatest and grandest beneficiary association that man ever thought or dreamed of, why not push the work and teach the ignorant at so small an outlay. Is it not fair that a pupil should pay a dollar for knowledge acquired by forty years of study and sacrifice worth more than all the gold of creation to any laborer when prop- erly applied? Many organizations pay not only larger fees but also quarterly or yearly dues be- sides. The Labor Exchange, with but $1.00 expense in a life-time, promises much greater and more lasting advantages and benefits than all other or- ganizations, societies, associations, lodges or leagues, secret or open, political parties, com- munism, colonies, insurance and loan companies, stock institutions or monopolistic corporations of any kind, even if they all combine their forces (farces). OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 27. The teachers must eat and be clothed; even on the most economical plan it costs something. The printing, paper, postage and incidentals, writing, lecturing and occasional traveling, lodg- ing, etc., too numerous a-nd tedious to mention; organizers' expenses, the propaganda for all the general work and other necessaries to convert the world from a semi-barbarous state to civilization and an ultimate paradise, must be met by those 'who can raise a little dollar. The movers must stand hundreds and even thousands of times as much and still are not getting leisure enough to take a peaceful meal nor an hour of pleasureable recreation outside of duty. They draw no salary nor idle away any time and yet there seems to be a hesitancy, on the part of some people, to help to pay the mite which will prove the greatest blessing to themselves. As soon as the fees be sufficient, with the aid of donations, to keep the general work from suf- fering, Real Estate will be secured in a business center and the construction of a Grand Central Exchange Temple begun, by employing the idle, the like of which very few persons can conceive. In this Grand Center everv member will be a dollar share-holder. Instead of paying rent then we will be able to draw rent from the outsiders who will naturally want to do business in the Center (of the Earth as it were), and the dollar will "grow." If it were not for the ignorance of the masses and their determination to follow and nurse their headstrong, inbred, bigoted sophisms, we would not need one dollar. We could then take the in- structions of the Labor Exchange principles, go to work producing wealth, and as fast as products be deposited, the certificates would be issued to be made use of for exchange or trade everywhere. But because of stupidity a few are sacrificing to make the necessary trades with those who will not 28. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK take anything but the old money. Everyone who aids in this matter can reasonably expect to be re- warded many fold in the very near future. For the first dollar a membership certificate is issued, and for all subsequent deposits the deposit certi ficates are issued which can be used as circulators from point to point among members and others who understand the plan. There is no risk to run. The investment is all profit. Investigate and be convinced. A MEMBER Is any person of good, moral character, who has. paid the fee, filled out and signed the obligation of membership with witnesses and returned the same 'to the general office, and the membership certificate will then be forth-coming from the Center. It matters not where a member lives or how much he may move from place to place in any clime. County, state or national lines cut no figure in the jurisdiction of the Labor Exchange operations. HOW TO START AN EXCHANGE. Get together seven members and organize by electing proper officers, select the names you wis to appear upon the charter and send them, wit $2.50, to the General Office and secure a Charte with Branch number. Proceed at once to selec the proper person for manager whose business i will be to take charge of the deposits, issue cer tificates, make exchanges, cancel retiring certifi cates, etc. As soon as your number arrives, prin off some blank Deposit Certificates of variou denominations to make convenient exchanges. Secure a place for a Depository to store products. It need not be a gro ery, but simply to hold in se- curity the goods placed in the care of the so- ciety. OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 37. of products and services. The price of products will be the same to all and each will naturally drift into the occupation best suited to taste and ability. We cannot see why a clerk should receive more pay than a farm hand, or why the president of a railroad system should cost more than the locomotive engineer. We think that when the correct adjustments are made and men and women are given an equal chance to promote the welfare of themselves and others, there will be no trouble in rinding the proper person for every station. If there is a difference in mental or muscular power, it is certainly not human to give the strong- er an advantage over the weaker. Is it not enough to give the stronger more of the products if they by exertions produce more value? As each will hold Exchange Deposit Certificates in accordance to the wealth he has created, it will give the industrious an opportunity to have plenty of everything civilization can create. A mechanic is more essential to good society than a president is to a nation, yet note the ab- surd difference in their compensation. The farm- er is the foundation upon which all civilization rests and is given the least consideration for toil and service. Under the present competitive sys- tem the most worthy are being crowded down, while the worthless arrogant leeches are being exalted. Destruction is rapidly making inroads and ruin is inevitable unless the co-operative principles of Labor Exchange are speedily intro- duced. 38. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. BY M. G. WEAVER. One morning, after a stormy night at sea, ten men found themselves on a desolate island. One was lucky enough to have a gun, another a hatch et, another a saw, another had some fishing tackle, and one had nothing but money, a useless article on an island, while five had nothing at all. Knowing the prevailing craze for gold, the one with the shiners, called Jack, offered each of the men a dollar apiece to work for him that day. This they eagerly accepted, being elated to strike a job the first day. Three were put to erecting a tent of poles and bark, two to construct a table, bench, etc., for furniture, one to hunt, another to fish, one to hunt for fruits, nuts and berries, and the remaining one to prepare a dinner of the sun- dry products. Now the day being nearly spent, all were tired and hungry. When the table was set, Jack said to the workers, "All these things have I ordered and paid for, no one can dispute my exclusive right of possession; now I propose to give you all a square meal for a dollar each." This hunger compelled them to accept. After the meal, Jack said, "Those who have no money for lodging can not stay here to night." All si- lently departed feeling badly cowed. When they had located themselves for the night, Sam said, "Just think what blockheads we have been to-day building that tent and doing everything, provid- ing a lot of good eatables and giving it nearly all to that fat, lazy Jack just for the privilege of handling those nine dollars a few minutes!' "No," said another, "we are not to blame, Jack, the greedy plutocrat, just went and took it." "Yes, but with your own consent," replied Sam. "Well he furnished the capital for the enterprise and it OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 39. is not more than right for us to allow him some- thing for interest." "I'll tell you where we missed it," retorted Sam, "we worked too cheap. Had we received two dollars each it would have been plenty for all necessities and some over." "That's what I say. The labor is ours and we have a right to ask any price for it we like. Let us or- ganize and strike for two dollars." All agreed to do so. The next day, Jack, hav- ing enough provisions left for himself, refused to comply with the terms proposed, the nine were laying around idle and hungry. ist Voice. "What is the reason we have such hard times to-day, no work, no food, and no shelter?" 2d. Voice. "Overproduction I suppose, there is no demand for anything." "No demand!" cried Sam, "don't we need anything." 2d Voice. "Yes, but we have no employ- ment, so where is the money to come from to pay for what we need? Most people must do with but little when the market is overstocked. The trouble is, we worked too fast. It is all due to the labor-saving machinery we used. I am sure that if we would have caught the fish by hand, cut the bark with our teeth or a sharp stone, caught the rabbits with a pointed stick, etc., we would have plenty of work to-day." "No," replied Sam, "there is not too much produce, but it is not justly divided. - One man is over-stocked and nine are destitute. Does Jack alone constitute the market, independent of our demands?" Sam went to Jack for his opinion on the ques- tion- "I will tell you how it is" said Jack, you see it matters not how great the demand is, if you have no money, it don't count a straw in the mar- ket. Let me tell you that your present trouble 40. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK originated in extravagance? You wanted to live as good as the rich. Men in your circumstances must economize or suffer more." The next morning Jack offered the desired wages and all went to work with light hearts and lighter stomachs. When, by co-operative efforts, they had again prepared a big dinner, Jack told them the market was going up and that he was obliged to have $2.5 apiece for dinner. But, none hav- ing enough, they wrangled with each other for money until at last seven managed to pay; the two weakest had to do without. But, after dinner, Jack threw a few bones to the unfortunate two beggars, remarking, that he felt it his duty to be charitable to the poor. When the nine had again departed to seek shelter in the woods, Sam called them together and addressed them, thusly: "We have been fools long enough! Let us be men, and make a change, Experience has prov- en that, if we surrender our labor to Jack for gold, we are entirely at his mercy and we get back the scantiest necessities of life. We had organized to have our wages raised and the price of our neces- sities went up even faster than the wages. This wage system is all wrong, and we don't have any use for the consumers of our product if they will not do anything for us. Now let us organize a La- bor Exchange and only sell our labor for equal toil and not cheat ourselves by accepting that soft glittering, almost worthless, metal, which neither feeds, warms nor shelters. If we had worked for ourselves from the beginning, instead of working for gold, we would all be well fixed to-day. Let Jack alone, and we will see if he can catch fish with his stuff as easily as he has duped us. We can make our own checks to keep account of deposit and facilitate trade out of paper and exchange on equal basis, in any civilized country." Early the next morning everything was in a bustle. Three new huts were started and every- OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 41. body worked with unusual Zealand energy. When Jack came to hire them offering as high as fifty dollars each for a day's work no one paid any attention to him. Seeing he could not get their services in that way, he took Sam aside and offered to loan him all his money to carry on the enterprise in hand if he would allow him to share at their table and of their products for interest, because of the "capital" invested. "No!" said Sam. "No one would work for it now. None want it. As an exchange medium we can take less expensive material, of our own make, thus saving the interest and much unneces- sary work. If you want to share our wealth you must also share our toil. For labor only will we yield our labor and its products, and on no other condition." Jack laid his heavy purse aside, as a relic of past iniquities, and went to work like an honest man, doing his share for the privilege of eating along at the table and sharing the wealth created by labor. * Since the tables are turned, improvements are swelling rapidly, and there are no morestrikes, over-production, loafing, panics, tramps, land- lordism, spurious laws, unequal taxation, toadyism, superstitions nor inequalities to be heard of ex- cept in the past history of half-civilized countries. Moral: Join the Labor Exchange and enjoy its benefits. HARD TIMES AND HOW TO EASE THEM. BY M. G. WEAVER. Not long since we enumerated the unem- ployed of our borough and found nearly five hundred in need of work. Most of these had families depending on them, with their supplies, and their landlord's patience, almost exhausted. 42. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK As the weather was damp and chilly the scant sup- ply of coal was soon consumed. Pitiful reports were heard daily, and our sympathies for human- ity anxiously longed for speedy relief. We laid the facts before one of our most wealthy capicalists and plead with him to estab- lish some enterprise for the employment of our idle, but to no effect. He said, "With the present markets the profits would be too small to justify the undertaking," and that he could do better by waiting six months longer, expecting by that time to get ten hours toil for 25cts. Seeing this class of people were bound to have their "thirty pieces of silver" at any cost, we turned to our magistrate, who said he could raise no money in any way to help our poor, that our best people are continually protesting against high taxes and that his only hope for re-election rested on keeping them down to the lowest possible notch. Therefore, not wishing our population to be compelled to migrate to the County Alms House, we resolved to make a persistent effort to collect a little cash from our best(?) men to establish, on a small scale, some enterprise to employ the idle. We succeeded in getting a little towards relieving their most pressing needs, but towards our project we could not get a dollar. One night, while pondering upon the urgent needs of the people, it occured to me that, per- haps we would better go for aid to the very peo- ple who are the most interested in the project the unemployed. After a few days deliberatior we matured a plan, and in the following Sunday morning's papers appeared a call for all those who want work to assemble in the Town Hall ir the evening at seven o'clock. Over five hundrec responded, with anxious faces and different ideas as to what was going to be done with them. We told them that as soon as we could raise sufficient capital they should all have plenty of work, that OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 43. we had asked the capitalists for money for this purpose, but as they are not in need of employ- ment themselves, they seemed to care very little about others. We therefore have called together those directly interested, the idle laborers them- selves, to see if we could not get it from you. As time is money and you have lots of time at your disposal, at least at present, and already wasted many thousand dollars worth in loafing; we propose to borrow from every one, all the time and energy you can spare, to invest in various manufacturing enterprises for your mutual benefit. We mean that you shall put in your work, and take Deposit Certificates for pay till you get a start; and finally you shall have the value of a dollar for every day you work and be the own- ers of all the factories and products besides. There is a glorious future before you if you will but work for Time Deposite .Certificates a little while until we get started. How many are willing to utilize your spare time to better your own and your fellow- workers' conditions? There were mur- mers of dissatisfaction among the ignorant; who wanted the "Ready John," the "Chink" and would rather loaf than work for nothing. They thought they would starve long before they could own a factory; that we just wanted to speculate on their labor for personal profit, etc. They did not believe in labor, but based all their trust on the "Almighty Dollar." Others argued, that as they had no work they might as well lend a hand and give the thing a trial, as to throw away their time altogether. Those more brave than the rest said, "We will always labor for this grand cause and become our own employers and as long as we can keep body and soul together we will not work a stroke to swell the purse of the millionaire." Finally about three hundred declared them- selves willing to combine efforts for mutual bene- fits. The vote of these people, for business man- 44- THK PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK ager, fell on me. Being winter it was hard to get a start, as materials were scarce, but next Monday morning we sent ten men to each of five farmer's near by, to pick corn-husks for mats; instructing them to ask for credit until the rugs were made. Before night each of the fifty men brought in a great bundle of husks. Some farmers would not take anything, others wanted a few mats, and all were willing to wait for pay or take deposit re- ceipts. The husks were soon distributed among the idle willing hands and in two days it was worked into six hundred neat, useful, square and oval door mats, which we shipped to the city without delay. Then because nothing more could be done that week, we devoted our time to the educational department, laying plans for further work and by Saturday evening the returns arrived. The mats were worth at least $60 wholesale, but owing to the forced sale we only realized $28 clear of all expenses. Thus we earned the first week nine cents each on an average. This was a poor show for a beginning but it was done without a cent of capital. Now that we had a little cash for material we made a better showing for the next week. On Monday morning I hired a team and sent two men for a load of clay, and when they car back, I sent three others to the mountain fc wood, such as used in making rustic seats, chairs flower stands, etc. I got some boards, nails varnish and other necessaries, all costing $8. As soon as the first load of laurel arrived I put a hal dozen carpenters to work making rustic furniture With the remaining $20 we bought several barrels of plaster paris and invested the balance in basket willows. Now we were about prepared to give al steady work. As soon as the clay was dried anc sifted, it was distributed among the women anc the artistically inclined, and each was requested to make one or more original models of ornaments. els :et i id OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 37. of products and services. The price of products will be the same to all and each will naturally drift into the occupation best suited to taste and ability. We cannot see why a clerk should receive more pay than a farm hand, or why the president of a railroad system should cost more than the locomotive engineer. We think that when the correct adjustments are made and men and women are given an equal chance to promote the welfare of themselves and others, there will be no trouble in finding the proper person for every station. If there is a difference in mental or muscular power, it is certainly not human to give the strong- er an advantage over the weaker. Is it not enough to give the stronger more of the products if they by exertions produce more value? As each will hold Exchange Deposit Certificates in accordance to the wealth he has created, it will give the industrious an opportunity to have plenty of everything civilization can create. A mechanic is more essential to good society than a president is to a nation, yet note the ab- surd difference in their compensation. The farm- er is the foundation upon which all civilization rests and is given the least consideration for toil and service. Under the present competitive sys- tem the most worthy are being crowded down, while the worthless arrogant leeches are being exalted Destruction is rapidly making inroads and ruin is inevitable unless the co-operative principles of Labor Exchange are speedily intro- duced. 38. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. BY M. G. WEAVER. One morning, after a stormy night at sea, ten men found themselves on a desolate island. One was lucky enough to have a gun, another a hatch et, another a saw, another had some fishing tackle, and one had nothing but money, a useless article on an island, while five had nothing at all. Knowing the prevailing craze for gold, the one with the shiners, called Jack, offered each of the men a dollar apiece to work for him that day. This they eagerly accepted, being elated to strike a job the first day. Three were put to erecting a tent of poles and bark, two to construct a table, bench, etc., for furniture, one to hunt, another to fish, one to hunt for fruits, nuts and berries, and the remaining one to prepare a dinner of the sun- dry products. Now the day being nearly spent, all were tired and hungry. When the table was set, Jack said to the workers, "All these things have I ordered and paid for, no one can dispute my exclusive right of possession; now I propose to give you all a square meal for a dollar each." This hunger compelled them to accept. After the meal, Jack said, "Those who have no money for lodging can not stay here to night." All si- lently departed feeling badly cowed. When the) had located themselves for the night, Sam said, "Just think what blockheads we have been to-day building that tent and doing everything, provid- ing a lot of good eatables and giving it nearly all to that fat, lazy Jack just for the privilege of handling those nine dollars a few minutes!" 4 'No," said another, "we are not to blame, Jack, the greedy plutocrat, just went and took it." "Yes, but with your own consent," replied Sam. "Well he furnished the capital for the enterprise and it OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 39. is not more than right for us to allow him some- thing for interest." "I'll tell you where we missed it," retorted Sam, "we worked too cheap. Had we received two dollars each it would have been plenty for all necessities and some over/' "That's what I say. The labor is ours and we have a right to ask any price for it we like. Let us or- ganize and strike for two dollars." All agreed to do so. The next day, Jack, hav- ing enough provisions left for himself, refused to comply with the terms proposed, the nine were laying around idle and hungry. ist Voice. "What is the reason we have such hard times to-day, no work, no food, and no shelter?" 2d. Voice. "Overproduction I suppose, there is no demand for anything." "No demand!" cried Sam, "don't we need anything." 2d Voice. "Yes, but we have no employ- ment, so where is the money to come from to pay for what we need? Most people must do with but little when the market is overstocked. The trouble is, we worked too fast. It is all due to the labor-saving machinery we used. I am sure that if we would have caught the fish by hand, cut the bark with our teeth or a sharp stone, caught the rabbits with a pointed stick, etc., we would have plenty of work to day." "No," replied Sam, "there is not too much produce, but it is not justly divided. One man is over-stocked and nine are destitute. Does Jack alone constitute the market, independent of our demands?" Sam went to Jack for his opinion on the ques- tion- "I will tell you how it is" said Jack, you see it matters not how great the demand is, if you have no money, it don't count a straw in the mar- ket. Let me tell you that your present trouble 40. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK originated in extravagance? You wanted to live as good as the rich. Men in your circumstances must economize or suffer more." The next morning Jack offered the desired wages and all went to work with light hearts and lighter stomachs. When, by co-operative efforts, they had again prepared a big dinner, Jack told them the market was going up and that he was obliged to have $2.50 apiece for dinner. But, none hav- ing enough, they wrangled with each other for money until at last seven managed to pay; the two weakest had to do without. But, after dinner. Jack threw a few bones to the unfortunate two beggars, remarking, that he felt it his duty to be charitable to the poor. When the nine had again departed to seek shelter in the woods, Sam called them together and addressed them, thusly: "We have been fools long enough! Let us be men, and make a change, Experience has prov- en that, if we surrender our labor to Jack for gold, we are entirely at his mercy and we get back the scantiest necessities of life. We had organized to have our wages raised and the price of our neces- sities went up even faster than the wages. This wage system is all wrong, and we don't have any use for the consumers of our product if they will not do any thing for us. Now let us organize a La- bor Exchange and only sell our labor for equal toil and not cheat ourselves by accepting that soft glittering, almost worthless, metal, which neither feeds, warms nor shelters. If we had worked for ourselves from the beginning, instead of working for gold, we would all be well fixed to-day. Let Jack alone, and we will see if he can catch fisr with his stuff as easily as he has duped us. We car make our own checks to keep account of deposit and facilitate trade out of paper and exchange on equal basis, in any civilized country." Early the next morning everything was in bustle. Three new huts were started and every- OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 41. body worked with unusual zeal and energy. When Jack came to hire them offering as high as fifty dollars each for a day's work no one paid any attention to him. Seeing he could not get then- services in that way, he took. Sam aside and offered to loan him all his money to carry on the enterprise in hand if he would allow him to share at their table and of their products for interest, because of the "capital" invested. "No!" said Sam. "No one would work for it now. None want it. As an exchange medium we can take less expensive material, of our own make, thus saving the interest and much unneces- sary work. If you want to share our wealth you must also share our toil. For labor only will we yield our labor and its products, and on no other condition." Jack laid his heavy purse aside, as a relic of past iniquities, and went to work like an honest man, doing his share for the privilege of eating along at the table and sharing the wealth created by labor. Since the tables are turned, improvements are swelling rapidly, and there are no morestrikes, over-production, loafing, panics, tramps, land- lordism, spurious laws, unequal taxation, toadyism, superstitions nor inequalities to be heard of ex- cept in the past history of half-civilized countries. Moral: Join the Labor Exchange and enjoy its benefits. HARD TIMES AND HOW TO EASE THEM. BY M. G. WEAVER. Not long since we enumerated the unem- ployed of our borough and found nearly five hundred in need of work. Most of these had families depending on them, with their supplies, and their landlord's patience, almost exhausted. 42. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK As the weather was damp and chilly the scant sup- ply of coal was soon consumed. Pitiful reports were heard daily, and our sympathies for human- ity anxiously longed for speedy relief. We laid the facts before one of our most wealthy capitalists and plead with him to estab- lish some enterprise for the employment of our idle, but to no effect. He said, "With the present markets the profits would be too small to justify the undertaking," and that he could do better by waiting six months longer, expecting by that time to get ten hours toil for 25cts. Seeing this class of people were bound to have their "thirty pieces of silver" at any cost, we turned to our magistrate, who said he could raise no money in any way to help our poor, that our best people are continually protesting against high taxes and that his only hope for re-election rested on keeping them down to the lowest possible notch. Therefore, not wishing our population to be compelled to migrate to the County Alms House, we resolved to make a persistent effort to collect a little cash from our best(?) men to establish, on a small scale, some enterprise to employ the idle. We succeeded in getting a little towards relieving their most pressing needs, but towards our project we could not get a dollar. One night, while pondering upon the urgent needs of the people, it occured to me that, per- haps we would better go for aid to the very peo- ple who are the most interested in the project the unemployed. After a few days deliberation we matured a plan, and in the following Sunday morning's papers appeared a call for all those who want work to assemble in the Town Hall in the evening at seven o'clock. Over five hundred responded, with anxious faces and different ideas as to what was going to be done with them. We told them that as soon as we could raise sufficient capital they should all have plenty of work, tha OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 43. we had asked the capitalists for money for this purpose, but as they are not in need of employ- ment themselves, they seemed to care very little about others. We therefore have called together those directly interested, the idle laborers them- selves, to see if we could not get it from you. As time is money and you have lots of time at your disposal, at least at present, and already wasted many thousand dollars worth in loafing; we propose to borrow from every one, all the time and energy you can spare, to invest in various manufacturing enterprises for your mutual benefit. We mean that you shall put in your work, and take Deposit Certificates for pay till you get a start; and filially you shall have the value of a dollar for every day you work and be the own- ers of all the factories and products besides. There is a glorious future before you if you will but work for Time Deposite Certificates a little while until we get started. How many are willing to utilize your spare time to better your own and your fellow- workers' conditions? There were mur- mers of dissatisfaction among the ignorant; who wanted the "Ready John," the "Chink" and would rather loaf than work for nothing. They thought they would starve long before they could own a factory; that we just wanted to speculate on their labor for personal profit, etc. They dltl not believe in labor, but based all their trust on the "Almighty Dollar." Others argued, that as they had no work they might as well lend a hand and give the thing a trial, as to throw away their time altogether. Those more brave than the rest said, "We will always labor for this grand cause and become our own employers and as long as we can keep body and soul together we will not work a stroke to swell the purse of the millionaire." Finally about three hundred declared them- selves willing to combine efforts for mutual bene- fits. The vote of these people, for business man- 44- THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK ager, fell on me. Being winter it was hard to get a start, as materials were scarce, but next Monday morning we sent ten men to each of five farmer's near by, to pick corn-husks for mats; instructing them to ask for credit until the rugs were made. Before night each of the fifty men brought in a great bundle of husks. Some farmers would not take anything, others wanted a few mats, and all were willing to wait for pay or take deposit re- ceipts. The husks were soon distributed among the idle willing hands and in two days it was worked into six hundred neat, useful, square and oval door mats, which we shipped to the' city without delay. Then because nothing more could be done that week, we devoted our time to the educational department, laying plans for further work and by Saturday evening the returns arrived. The mats were worth at least $60 wholesale, but owing to the forced sale we only realized $28 clear of all expenses. Thus we earned the first week nine cents each on an average. This was a poor show for a beginning but it was done without a cent of capital. Now that we had a little cash for material we made a better showing for the next week. On Monday morning I hired a team and sent two men for a load of clay, and when they came back, I sent three others to the mountain for wood, such as used in making rustic seats, chairs, flower stands, etc. I got some boards, nails, varnish and other necessaries, all costing $8. As soon as the first load of laurel arrived I put a half dozen carpenters to work making rustic furniture. With the remaining $20 we bought several barrels of plaster paris and invested the balance in basket willows. Now we were about prepared to give all steady work. As soon as the clay was dried and sifted, it was distributed among the women and the artistically inclined, and each was requeste to make one or more original models of ornament OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 45. From nearly a hundred odd and -curious models we selected a dozen patterns of real merit and cast them in plaster. Some of the women and children helped to make baskets and fancy work, of a useful variety, such as took considerable skill with but slight expense. We stationed our best salesman at Chicago, to dispose of them to the" highest bidder. As fast as returns came in we invested in such materials^ tools., etc., as would pay better profits. So we did not ;stay long on the lower round of the ladder. The third week,; I invested $200 in dry-goods and employed some of the women making shirts, over-alls, dresses, etc., which many of us need- ed very much. One member, a shdem&kdr, was furnished with material to make us substantial foot-wear. At the end of the- first month we had made and sold nearly J^ooo worth of goods, an average of only $10 each. This was uphill work, bat it gave us a leverage for the next month's operations. The way we keep accounts deserves , atten* lion. To every 'one who contributed a day's work, or the value thereof, to the general stock, I issued, by authority to me granted* a Certificate of Deposit ;fdr one dollar's worth of product which could be drawn from the gerieraLstock if desired, and those who got clothes, shoes or any other product of labor, or service, had; to .return for cancellation enough of; their ^checks" to cover the market value 6f what they 1 'received;, Thus at all times the amount of receipts in any mem- bet's hands shows just how much-he is entitled to get for his deposit of toil or value. 'These cer- tificates are made personal drafts to the producer against the combined stock in trade, and enables members to negotiate among themselves as an ex* change in any transactions, by proper! endorse- ment; and because of the stubs remaining in my care a record is kept -of the relative ownership of 46. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK the balance remaining in the general fund. Out- siders take them because they are good for so much product. The second month we realized out of labor $6,000, being an average of nearly $20 each. "Then we bought eighty acres of land for $8,000 as a truck and chicken farm to help supply the members with the necessaries of life. We put ten men to farming it, and gave any member privilege to buy products needed, when for sale, in ex- change for "checks" at market price. This farm now belongs to all the members in the propor- tion that each helped to pay for it by work or deposits. Most of the outsiders, seeing the members hold clear title to real estate, now take the labor certificates as pay for rent, store bills, etc., and make profits of trade they should miss if they would not take them, and in another month, when we had bought a brick making plant for $7,000, our certificates were handled freely and circulated in the borough above par, in many cases, because they were based on the best secur- ity in the world the products of honest labor. The members are now on good footing; they have a dollar for every day they worked, even at the mats, and are the joint owners of over $15,000 worth of property. This wonderful triumph of labor took our town by surprise. The "lower classes" are now on the road to rapidly become the "upper" and lots of outsiders are leaving their jobs, of stuffing the idle, to join us In many places, throughout the country, the laborers hearing of our grand victory started on the same plan, and members are enrolled fror every trade and profession. We no longer nee to sell our goods at a sacrifice, to Chicago spec ulators, but can exchange with other branche with a great saving of labor, rents, speculations usury, taxation and other robberies, which unnec OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 47. essary expenses have dwarfed civilization in the past. In six months our membership had trebled and the real estate exceeded $5o,oco, besides a lot of brick houses just started in which we propose to place all the latest improvements for health and convenience that labor can produce by the application of mind and muscle. Such are the re- -sults from the willingness of a few noble men and women to work on an equitable principle for the benefit of themselves and humanity, rather than to waste their time in idleness and grumbling. Regarding my pay, as some would like to know where I got it, I will state that my toil as a suc- cess r ul manager was considered equal to a regular workman and for every day I faithfully applied myself to the business, I was also allowed a deposit certificate, the same as any other member who was daily and regularly employed, therefore we are equal share holders if we put in the same amount of toil although it may be classed as a different kind of work. We permit all members to perform such labor as best suits their taste and ability and reward them in accord to the value of their productions. I remain most faithfully and fraternally yours for the Labor Exchange. SOURCE OF MONEY. If a clock was out of order and we were to apply to the king to issue more wheels or springs and cast them at random into the clock, or hand them to a speculator to throw them in for person- al profit, it would be as rational and as effective as to call upon the government to adjust the finan- cial clock by issuing some additional legal tender paper money and filtering it into commerce through the banks, or sub-treasuries. Turn the 48. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK question on all sides, ponder upon is as we may, we can not avoid the conclusion that the issue of money by the government is the most illogical, the most inappropriate and most bungling piece of business imaginable. It has hot the remotest analogy w th the object in view. In the machin- ery of exchanges money should be the wheel whose cogs should be perfectly adjusted, in num- ber and in size, to meet the wheels of commerce, of merchandize and service and keep them in per- petual motion without jars v jumps or stoppages. Money should be ever present and in value ex- actly equal to the requirements; no more, no less. Being a portable evidence of ownership, it should bear upon its face that fact, in spirit and in truth. Such money can not originate in civil powers whose duty is simply to protect citizens in that ownership It must emanate from the party who receives merchandize or, service and pass to the party who gives the -merchandize or performs the service. What has the government to do with commercial transactions . with the course of trade? The government performs service for the people and it has certainly a right to draw upon said people for the means to sustain itself. The rpeople can not refuse ;to honor these drafts, and the government should, by some method v equalize the burden of these drafts upon the people so as to bear equitably upon all of them in the propor- tion of their material, means or Ability. This is all the issue, all the financiering the governme should do. If necessity is the mother of invention, wh necessity could induce a government to invent a medium of exchange, when it has nothing to ex- change? And, as modern money is a certificate of ownership, why should a government issue such certificates, when it holds nothing that any citizen could own? Those alone who have goods service to exchange, feel the necessity of de- OF THE, LABOR EXCHANGE. 49, vising means and mediums for the speedy, safe and equitable performance of such exchanges. Again, after these means and mediums have been found, they should be. in the control of tho^e who need them and not in the control of government, or banks,; and should not be withdrawn from the channels of . trade. Not one single, valid argu- ment has ever been adduced to prove that the government is the proper fountain for the issue of money. All who speak or write about it do but reiterate the same worn out assertion that "the constitution h^s vested the power of coining (not issuing) money in the government/' The force of habit has held that right there. Such vested monopoly has made of finances the mos^ discordant and pernicious piece of machinery used by the human race. It goes by fits and starts. Sometimes it piles up money in the pub- lic treasury; at other times the treasury is empty. Sometimes money flows freely in the channels of tr'ade; at other times th : e channels are drained, and are commercially paralyzed. Nature can al- ways be relied on to supply materials, and man can be relied upon to extract from nature the nec- essaries arid comforts of life. Money deranges everything. It causes millions to suffer jn sight of plenty. Take away the control of money from the government arid banks- place it in the con- trol of industry and commerce and the machin- ery of exchanges will run smoothly. Even now all the improvements made in the monetary ma- chinery, all that is ingenious, valuable, effective; letters of. exchange, checks and clearing houses are the inventions, not of government, but of in- dividuals. If these improvements were also to be issued #nd controled by government, industrial progress would be in a barbarous, state. The only pernicious part of the machinery, the part which causes financial panics, is the part controled by government. If the object in 50. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK allowing government the monopoly of money- making rests upon the plea of establishing and maintaining justice between the parties to an ex change, it has certainly proven an ignominious failure. Aknost all commercial iniquities are based upon money restrictions. The instability of. prices, the purchase of land for rise, the fore- stalling of goods, gambling in produce, monopol- ies and trusts, public bonds and private mort- gages are all due to money restrictions caused by government control. Away with prerogatives, with despotism, with tyranny, and with all ancient, contracted notions. Let industry, and all instrumentalities necessary to industry, be free. G. B. DE BARNARDI. INDEPENDENCE, Missouri. BRO. BARNES has for many years been a stu- dent of advance features of reform and for some time an ardent advocate of the "Single Tax" theory, but after studying the Labor Exchange system, he writes us the following letter as the RESULT OF INVESTIGATIONS. BRO. E. Z. ERNST: I have just received and read the last number of your paper and think I have the idea of the Labor Exchange. I have always thought the producer should alone have the results of his productions but never before saw clearly how he could get it. I have advocated many reforms that would have been good if adopted as far as they went. One money (of paper), one tax, (of land values), one brother- hood of the race, free trade, free land and free men, has been my platform for years, and I think I am thoroughly conversant with many other so- called reforms, but I had about despaired of ever OF THE LABOR EXCHANGE. 51. getting the people educated up to a reform, owing to the apathy of those most needing it. But having recently read ' 'Trials and Triumph of Labor," and two numbers of your paper with your recent letter in reply to my inquiries, I am convinced that the Labor Exchange, for immed- iate application and far reaching influence for good in equalizing the wealth of the country and stimulating industry, is far more feasible, and can be brought about with the least friction, of any reform I ever thought of. It would hurt none but those who now get more than they produce; es- pecially the money changers who have always been a barnacle on the ship of state and a leach on the body politic sucking the blood of the na- tion. It would eliminate the millionaire, for if labor gets all it produces there would be no sur- plus of wealth to make him of. It would turn all people into producers of wealth, and what an abundance we would have with our increased fa- cilities for producing it. At present, less than half the people are regularly engaged in productive avocations. No wonder there are so many tramps who refuse to work when they know (for many are philosophers) that, if they work, they will get less than one third, in wages, of their product. I imagine they rea- son this way:, "If I labor for the community and it takes more than two-thirds of the products of my toil, which should have come to me, as wages, it is a greater robbery from me, by the com- munity, than if 1 stopped laboring and stole one- third from the community." Under the Labor Exchange plan it will be disgraceful to be idle, besides, it will not be nec- essary to labor more than three or four hours a day to produce as much wealth as is now pro- duced, if all are employed, as they would be under the Labor Exchange system. Even the millionaire would finally come to it through 52. THE PROGRESSIVE HAND BOOK necessity and \vant of occupation. Men would then choose their occupation and labor would be a delight instead of a drudgery. It would be cheaper to earn a living than to steal it. Theft and absolute Mleness would be a disgrace, which it is not now. Under proper conditions of Freedom; when labor is emancipated from the present wage slavery, men would be honest. The cost of courts, prisons and poor-houses, would be saved to the people. Tenement-houses, the progenitors of crime and pestilence, would not be known as how. Lawyers and physicians little needed. They would be turned into pro- ducers of wealth. There cannot be ah Over production of good things if the ability to consume is allowed as would be under the Labor Exchiange plan. One beauty of the Labor Exchange is that the absolute freedom of the individual is not restricted bylaw. Other communistic or socialistic theories irnply such restriction. The freer the people are from restrictive lafts, where they infringe not upon the equal freedom of any other person^ the better. Laws governing money matters will finally be eliminated. As labor' ; wiil be the measure of value and owing to varities of climate 1 and abundance of natural Resources in different parts : of the World, the price df an article 1 will be measiire'd by the amount of labor attached to it and not as riow by the inoriey wages' lt f tios%. So there Would not be a shadow of excuse for a tariff, and ^the army of custom house officers would bfc turned into pro 1 diictive uses. The hope of the altruisti't; Optomist, with faith in the solidity of the race, : that "if one metiiber suffer the whol^ ; b6dfi^iri pain^^as Christ put it, will be r^afe^ed fe'f^dition (' the Industrial Problem, and ( 1 ontai ris the Only Praetic'al Solution. of that Pro hi em. Dr. Hyatt says of this book, that, "It will stop strikes; it will put people to thinking; it will show them how they can help themselves, and they will not be long doing it." Any person interested in the labor question (and we know no one who is not) should at once procure this book and study it. Price, paper cover, 50c. : cloth bound, $1.00. Address E. Z. Ernst, Olathe, Kansas, or G. B. De Ber- nardi, Independence, Mo. Labor Exchange Montnly Publications, INDEPENDENCE, MO. :PRICE:, soc FK.K YA 02612 GENERAL LIBRARY - U.C. BERKELEY