Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1889-11-22
KAwEAH COLONY.
Result of Three Years Work by n Social
ist Colony in Sierra Nevada.

tst Colony In Sierra Nevada.
Most residents of this county have
known that a colony of Socialists had
been established in the Sierra Nevada
mountains, on the Upper Kaweah, and
had secured foothold in the Giant
Forest, but the progress they have made.
what they propose to do. and their meth
DDS are understood by few
The colony at present consists of about
seventy-fve persons. but is growing,
Some of them have been on the site
three years or more, all living in tents
made by stretching canvas over frames,
with double roofs and walls, which, adj
ded to carpets, hig stoves and the usual
comforts of more pretentiuus houses,
make the cloth structures quite comfort
able, even in the SHOWS of momtSin
winter These tents are laid off in
streets, water is riped in, and other con
veniences are provided,
They have soY,e d3t- of r1eadow land
on which vegeta Dirs enough TO mtet the
needs of the community are raised, and
the general idea id to spread out in fruit
and other products, as well as various
lines of manufacture, until the colony
produces about all it will require. The
scheme also involves the operation of
valley farms Thus far they have con
fined their efforts to the building OF
road, said by outsiders to be the best
thoroughfare yet constructed into the
mountains Difficulties have not been
evaded, but the grade has been followed
wherever it led. Blasting has been done
in places where man could not get
foOthold TO drill, being let down with
ropes. This will be n toll road.
The society has written bylaws for its
government, but countenances neither
churches nor saloons. The immediate
administration of affairs is vested in
board of trustees, with a superintendent
for each department. of labor When
ever a new member is admitted he is put
at the work he is used to, and all are
paid alike, viz, 30 cents en- hour 4
days work is limited to eight hours, al
though n member may work any time
less than this or none at all If he so elect.
All work is paid for in scrip issued by
the trustees, good for supplies or any
thing among members-in fact, a legal
tender.
1t is thought that this scrip can be
made to circulate among outsiders in
time by placing premium on it in ex-
change for anything the colony may
produce. At present it is kept at home
These people believe in neither interest
nor profit, all articles being handled at
cost.
Now, while the colony is getting upon
its feet, it derives support from member
ship fees. A paid up membership costs
$500, made up in monthly ins,alments Of
s. each. When 500 is paid in, the mem
her is entitled to move into the colony
and go to work There are many per-
sons in this state and even far east, who
are paving up memberships with the ex-
pectation Of some day joining the col
ony. This is true of professional men,
who are not up to road building, but are
waiting until the colony grows to need
their services, when they will be ready
to serve at 80 cents an hour. Any NOM
Der may withdraw at any time if he be-
comes dissatisfied. and receive his fun
dividend besides what he has paid in
In joining, one must be recommended by
two members as OF good repute. The
colony is now mostly American, with a
scattering of Germans and Swades.
A reserve fund is maintained to pay
any who may wish to sever their con
nection with the organization. Then,
whenever there is n surplus, dividend
is declared, this being based upon the
time checks or scrip each holds. This ia
where the joEcr comes il on those who
haze lolled in the shade rather than
work
These dividends become private prop.
erty, as we understand it, and may be so
handled or turned into any of the enter
prises under way. The private property
in the colony, however, must be confined
to a house lot and personal effects, The
ti-a&cr Irnds, i t'' is ynuureh ms -.
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