Eleanor Marx Aveling
Source: Commonweal, Vol 2 No. 18, May 15th 1886, page 55
Note: This was EMA's last contribution to Commonweal. The International Notes
were taken over by May Morris and Halliday Sparling. Edward Aveling continued
to write occasionally for Commonweal until his resignation from the executive
in September 1886.
Transcribed: by Graham Seaman, February 2022
Our friend Anselle [sic; normally 'Anseele' MIA.] — than whom no man has done more for the cause in Belgium — has lately sent a most interesting report to the Cri du Peuple on the Co-operative Society "Vooruit" (Forwards) of Ghent. I give a few extracts from his letter: "'Vooruit' is a Socialist Co-operative Society, founded in 1880, with a capital of 2000 francs (£80), lent them by the Weavers' Society, from whose ranks most of the Socialists here are recruited. All workmen who applied to become members were told by us that 'Vooruit' was, and would remain Socialist, that our bakery was not an end, but was to be simply a means of propaganda, of organisation for the women, and of preparing for the class-war; to show that Socialists were neither thieves nor dreamers, but thoroughly able to fulfil the historical part they are called upon to play, i.e., the overturning of the capitalistic system, and the organising of the society of the future. Although several co-operative bakeries already existed, and the bourgeoisie, the priests, and the press attacked us constantly, yet within two years we had between 900 and 1000 members. To-day we number 2300 families. All machinery has had to be renewed, our place enlarged. We have a magnificent restaurant decorated with Socialistic emblems, a concert-room that can seat 1500 persons, and a very pretty theatre. We bake from 24,000 to 25,000 loaves weekly. We have a central and four other offices where members on Saturdays and Sundays buy their bread-tickets; a loaf of one kilogram (2¼lbs) costs 35 centimes (about 3¼d.). The bread is taken round the town in six large carts to the houses of members; every one gives up as many tickets as he wants loaves. Every six months accounts are balanced. The last half-year gave the Society a profit of 13⅛ centimes per loaf, so that a 2¼lbs. loaf (and bread of the very best quality) cost us 21⅛ centimes. This profit was divided among the members, each getting 11 cents. per loaf, so that the loaf really costs them 24 centimes. The remaining 2⅛ centimes per loaf were placed in the reserve fund for the purpose of increasing and improving our material, for supporting strikes, and for Socialist propaganda, through the daily publication of our organ Vooruit. The profits are not paid in money, but in bread-tickets, so that all members who take all their bread from us, for over three months in the year get their bread for nothing. Bread is only sold to members. The Society has also a large store ... where members can make purchases in exchange for their bread-tickets. When the half-yearly "dividends" are given out we always have a fête. To become a member you have to pay 17 centimes (about 1⅛d.) entrance fee, and at the first paying out on the profits the member receives 1 franc less than the rest, that is all. Every member pays 5 centimes weekly for the mutual benefit fund, which, in cases of illness, gives six loaves a week. Only those can be elected on the committee who have been members for at least one year of a branch of the Socialist party. In 1885, the 'Vooruit' bakery gave 10,000 francs to workers on strike, and about 12,000 loaves for the strikers at Ghent, besides thousands of francs and loaves for Socialist propaganda generally. There could be no mightier lever for Socialist propaganda than such an organisation as this. ... We have started two dispensaries, where we sell all medicines 100 per cent. cheaper than the other chemists. We are about to start five or six more. ... In the premises belonging to 'Vooruit' a dozen workmen's societies meet. Some of these societies have large libraries; our own consists of 3,500 vols.; the weavers have 2,500. The use of this library costs 15 centimes a fortnight; members belonging to Socialist societies have the use free, but their societies pay 1 centime a head monthly. ... We have just started a large printing concern, with large presses. ... Such is 'Vooruit.' It has always openly declared itself Socialist. On the frontage of their house you read, 'Worker's Union, Co-operative Labour, Socialism, Education, Freedom.' Whenever, in any part of the world, the proletariat raises its voice, the red flag waves above the 'Vooruit' building; at every massacre of the people it is draped in mourning."
Commenting on this most interesting communication from Anselle, the Sozial Democrat points out the great importance of this organisation; bears witness to the excellence of the bread baked by the society, and shows wherein this Co-operative Society entirely differs from the "profit-sharing" concerns patronised by bourgeois sentimentalists. For example, "Vooruit" is openly avowed a means to the end we all have in view, and it is used for organising and educating the workers, and not for turning them into "profit makers and dividend imbibers on a small scale, and this because (1) only members can deal at 'Vooruit'; (2) because dividends are not paid out in money, and because they have no kind of shareholders, but only members, all with equal rights." As to the workmen employed in the bakeries, it goes without saying that they are paid the highest wages in their trade, and that for the rest they have exactly the same rights and privileges as the other members of the society.
At Verviers and Brussels, Socialist Societies on the same plan are being started, and an excellent one already exists at the Hague.
I give no report of the Decazeville strike and the Paris election, because Paul Lafargue, as soon as the work entailed by that election is over, will send a detailed account of the whole movement. Meantime, I need only point out that the 100,750 votes given for Roche are a splendid victory. These votes mean not only a blow aimed at the Radicals: they mean the solidarity of the Socialists of Paris. On this head, pending Lafargue's letter, I warn our friends that the statements re the Roche election of "Headingley" in Justice are absolutely contrary to fact. Details next week.
E. M. A.