Other Worlds / A story concerning the wealth earned by American citizens and showing how it can be secured to them instead of to the trusts

by Lena Jane Fry

In all the large department stores several salesmen and saleswomen saw the advantage to themselves in co-operation with the society and soon such stores were started in the cities. They realized their benefits and determined to secure homes and pensions without delay. Each department was represented by those that understood the business. The money that had been kept in the banks was withdrawn and the days of small beginnings had returned once more.

It was a satisfaction that no one could become rich from their labor except those who were co-operative with them. The people lived more simply, the chief aim being to live honorable, truthful lives; to gain titles that showed friends and strangers who and what they were was worth more to them than all the flash and make-believes that had contented them in days gone by.

The society found it cheaper to make good roads with the labor of crowded-out men than to use the old system of cars. Automobile cars that carried coal and grain, as well as every kind of produce, spoke loud and plainly as to the price they were going to pay those magnates of commerce.

Wealth beyond what each could use was only foolishness. It was almost as bad as giving their labor away. They received honors when they donated wealth to the society for the benefit of little children, invalids, or the aged. Young people were given extra advantages who cheerfully helped those who belonged to them and who were unable to do all for themselves, but no member was allowed to support another if that other was better able to work for themselves than the one who was doing it. The society gave employment to all healthy men and women who were members and paid their dues. All being consumers, they helped to keep the scrip in circulation. In the beginning of the society many city members sent their aged parents to the colony to live. It gave them a chance to do light work when they were able, and their permanent shares could be added to those members at the old peoples’ death.

Those who held highest rank were always given the best offices. They also controlled the councils, because they gained their titles for honesty and truthfulness first, then for special services to the society, bravery in times of danger, self-denial in giving up their wealth for the love of the people. Merit, not money, ruled. Often those who held the highest titles saw that someone besides themselves were better fitted for the duties that naturally came to them. In those cases the best person was appointed of either sex. No one could hold an important office that had not received a title, nor could they in any way be placed over members who had proved themselves superior.

The object of giving titles was to place the best members in control. Money had ruled so long and so unjustly that it was necessary to place the members in positions that they would be honored for their integrity. So the custom was established at the beginning of the society. All knew what to expect when they joined and could not complain if they saw a certain class preferred to themselves. No person’s honesty was taken as a matter of course. The business of all concerned had to be constantly under the supervision of committees formed each month to audit the accounts, receive complaints, and settle disputes. It is a well-known fact the world over that some people are always in trouble. That kind know nothing else and they must be weeded out of the association, otherwise they will cause a dissatisfaction that no power can stop if let run on. They are like a small fire that can be controlled in the beginning. Compel such people to sell their shares if reasoning fails to bring them to their senses. The greatest good to the largest number must always prevail. There is nothing so contagious as unreasoning discontent among a mixed people.

Patience is necessary in all walks in life, but was never needed more than in becoming accustomed to the new forms of government. So many would forget and fall back to the old ways at first, and those who were careless were nearly always jealous of the persevering members who surpassed them.

The scale of wages was the same as union men and women received in factories outside of the society, even if the hours were less per day, excepting in cases of piece work that was done by old or infirm people, who only worked as they were able at any time.

The pensions paid to members for the first ten years were according to dividends earned in the factories, etc., in which their money or labor was invested. After ten years it was increased, but at no time could it be decreased.

Ten per cent each year was paid for interest on these shares until the pension was paid, but had to be left to accumulate with the society until then. When a member begins to draw a pension the amount will have to be according to the number of shares and the age of the members when the first allowance is paid. When a pensioner begins to draw his pension at forty-five years of age, it will be less than if they did not draw it till they were fifty-five or sixty years of age, for the amount of shares will have to be divided so that they will last at least until the member is seventy-five years old.