Page 45 - Biorefinery 2030 Future Prospects for the Bioeconomy (2015)

12 1 Unique, Multi-generational Development: A Lesson in Forward Planning

Fig. 1.8 Le ´on Harmel
(1829–1915) (http://fr.
wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%
A9on_Harmel)

Fig. 1.9 Medal with the
effigy of Gustave de Bohan

The area around Reims Pays was a particular microcosm at the time, strongly
influenced by social Catholicism through the work of Le ´on Harmel (c.f. Fig. 1.8),
whose ideas were closely related to those of Pope Leo XIII and who was the owner
of a spinning mill in Warmeriville near Reims.
Early on, Le ´on Harmel set up a uniquely democratic governance structure in his
company, placing the workers at the heart of the decision-making process and
allowing them to manage their own labour associations. His actions, and his
“Corporation chre ´tienne du Val des Bois” (Christian Corporation of Val des
Bois) were sustained in 1891 by the publication of the papal encyclical “Rerum
novarum,” which condemned liberalism and socialism and encouraged corporatism
to give workers better social conditions. Le ´on Harmel then attempted to promote
the Social Doctrine of the Church among employers, but did not neglect the
surrounding countryside and it was undoubtedly here that he was most influential.
It was during an agricultural conference that the industrial leader met Gustave de
Bohan (c.f. Fig. 1.9), a farmer in Fresnes-les-Reims whose renown has spread well