The society met at first in the Vivian parlors, that is, in Tom’s flat,
where Scoris and Helen, his sisters, assisted in entertaining their
friends as well as helping to form the society. On the evenings of the
society the rugs were taken up and all the furniture excepting one table
and the chairs were stored in a smaller room. This was done to save
expense, for it was not a money scheme, remember, and “infants creep
before they walk.” In the same way the society wished to know how to
keep on its feet when it got there.
The new ways of earning a living were talked over at the meetings held
in the Vivian parlors.
“Automobiles are one of the first necessities in this society,” a Mr.
Suegran declared one evening, and it caused such a roar of laughter that
it was some time before he was allowed to explain his meaning. No one
had taken him seriously, and when they saw that he was in earnest, they
tried to hide their lack of interest by taking up a less important
subject; and he, feeling rather crushed, let the matter drop. The next
evening he called on the Vivians. Helen was the only one in. He said
that he wished to see Mr. Vivian and would wait till he came in if he
wouldn’t be intruding. Helen assured him that he was welcome and in a
few moments the conversation turned to the usual topic, “The Colony.”
“You know, Miss Helen,” he said, “I want to talk to your brother about
the subject I mentioned last evening, I am sure that I am right,
automobiles are the greatest necessity the society has at the present
time!”
“What about capital?” Helen asked. “Automobiles cost more than our
society could afford at the present time.”
“That is where I don’t agree with you,” he replied, “the society has men
who work in automobile factories. They are willing to give a certain
amount of their time evenings and on holidays to make one to start with,
and we have a young man who has invented a new model that he is willing
to have us use.” As he said this Tom came in and Mr. Suegran repeated
the advantages he had told Helen about, then asked Tom if the society
could supply the money to buy materials? Tom told him no, that according
to the rules that had been made to protect the members’ wealth, the
shares could only be invested in buildings, land, or anything that would
yield an income, or in the implements of labor or in its products.
“I can tell you what to do, though,” Tom continued. “You bring these
facts before the meeting and I will see that you have a hearing. In the
meantime go to any of the members that you think will help you out, tell
them that I sent you; then you can form a company among you, each paying
for shares representing the amount required, but remember the price of
all materials, labor, and everything concerning the transaction must be
kept on record. If you are successful, then the society will buy it from
you and in all probability will start the men in business who gave their
time. I have no right to risk any wealth intrusted in my keeping by the
members, but they may risk any money they have to spare over and above
what the society exacts, and you may promise them 10 per cent for the
risk and we will pay you that amount on your time as well as your labor,
and you know we pay union wages.”
At the next meeting the subject of transportation was taken up and the
members were shown the advantages to themselves in owning a system of
traveling that would not necessitate the laying of tracks or limit them
to any one street. Mr. Suegran then proposed his automobile scheme and
asked the members to buy shares. In a few weeks the amount was vouched
for. Mr. Suegran was required to give security as well as to keep an
account of every item of expense. This was done not only to test the
honesty of the men who were manufacturing the machine, but to protect
the management against any unjust suspicion. There was another reason
also and it was an important one. It was taxation. The society expected
to pay all just taxes, but had no intention of paying for inflated
stock. The officer in charge of that meeting explained to the members
that the society was formed to protect its members’ wealth in every
possible way and that in doing so it was necessary to guard the small
items. “We all realize the importance of homes, and the most of you know
that to secure them is not the whole difficulty overcome. We must have a
way of getting to them. Automobiles solve that difficulty, especially
when we own them. Then they can be used as soon as they are ready right
here in the city to take the members to and from their employment. The
society might as well have the benefit of fares and by providing our own
conveyances the members may use the society’s scrip to pay them. For,
remember, the more scrip the society can issue the sooner it can secure
employment for its members. The automobiles once established as means of
transportation will bring about the settlement on the land of those who
would otherwise stay in the city for several years to come. As we cannot
lease any land to build upon until we have enough members to represent
the amount of rent that we will have to pay each year, we may as well
devote ourselves to securing our transportation first.”
The members who risked their money to perfect the first automobile were
given a good percentage, and they either loaned it again for the same
purpose or withdrew it for some other enterprise. These undertakings
paid a large profit, but were not secured by the society and only those
who could afford to risk losing in case of failure were allowed to
invest. No money was lost, however, and the members who were natural
speculators found in it an opening to increase their money faster than
in shares, “for,” they argued, “we can buy extra shares with the
interest so obtained.” At all times the value of numbers had to be kept
in view, because every member added to the society increased its market.
The society by its numbers secured a market for anything its members had
to sell. The first automobile, being a success, was bought by the
society, as were others made later, and when the land was secured a
factory was built upon it to manufacture them as well as implements of
labor.
In this way the society gained control of the industry and kept the
wealth so produced in trust for its members. After the factory was built
on the land controlled by the society, the society took charge of it and
paid the workmen the same price as the union paid for the same work. The
advantage gained by living in the Colony decreased their expenses to
such a degree that it was equal to double the amount of money in the
city. Of course all had to agree to accept scrip or shares in payment
for labor, but scrip bought everything, even money, so was just as good
and safer.
The president was appointed for five years with this proviso: That he
proved himself capable of directing the affairs of the Colony in a
satisfactory manner to at least three-fourths of the members; that he
had the ability to manage so as to ensure the returns from the money or
labor invested that the society guaranteed to its members; that he was
working for the advantage of the largest number instead of a privileged
few; that he was keeping all revenue on record as well as expenditure,
so that the members could at any time have the accounts audited; that
his security was increased as the wealth of the Colony advanced, so that
he could not endanger the members’ shares as so many people have done;
that when the temptation became too strong (from the members’
indifference or overconfidence) he could not if he would “feather his
own nest” by neglecting the members’ interests.
Tom Vivian made these rules, not to protect the members against himself,
but all members in all societies that were formed later. He saw the
temptations that inexperienced members left in his hands, and he knew
that riches harden the majority of people’s minds, so he intended to
protect them in every possible way that he could think of.
A president had to be an honorable member of society, and not addicted
to any habits that would bring disgrace upon said society. He had to be
honest and truthful in his dealings. He had to live in the Colony that
he was overseeing and give his undivided attention to its interests
(except in its beginning when he had to provide for his living as well),
attending to the society’s business transactions, etc. The president had
to be free from all burdens that would interfere with his giving his
whole attention to the society except as stated in the first year or
two, or as long as it took him to place it on a paying basis.
The president being organizer as well as manager of the society was
allowed a percentage of shares instead of a salary. The members
realizing that he had devoted several years of his time and energy to
the cause, presented them to him when the first farm was secured. He,
realizing that he had to be self-sustaining at first when he took up his
duties on the farm, purchased enough cows to supply the members with
milk and butter. He also bought poultry (particularly hens), as milk and
eggs were always in demand, they helped to secure him an income. He was
also given the benefit of all the garden truck he produced the first two
years, the members being allowed 10 per cent on anything they bought
from the society. He also received a percentage on each member that was
enrolled on the day the society was organized.
This percentage was one dollar per member, but was not paid in coin but
was allowed him on the purchase of permanent shares. In paying for labor
on his personal account he could sell these shares, excepting the amount
the society compelled him as well as all other members to keep in the
society.
He could issue scrip with the consent of the members to the amount of
his personal wealth or security.
The third year the society was able to buy out both the hennery and
dairy, for they were in a position then to give him a percentage of all
its business transactions. Several farms had to be secured at this time
for pasture lands, and a separate place for the hennery. The president
secured a large number of shares by the transaction, but he could not
exact money. His shares secured him a suite of rooms in an apartment
house, then the percentage he received on all the business he managed
for the society secured him a better income.