The evening times., 1897-06-17
DEBS' COLONIAL SCHEMES.
Confident His New Enterprise VIII
Lead TO Happier Times.

Chicago, June 17.-Eugene V. Debs, the
nc-of-tne-century Moses who hopes t.
lead wage-eamers out of bondage, is over
whelmed with letters and kilograms from
/ all oyer the country. They are all of :.
congratulatory character, and many of the
writer's offered substantial aid.
Mr. Debs believes that by October l the
first division of 5000 will he ready TO go
West. He has received encouragement
from several of the railroads which
possess immense grants of land. BE is
| now negotiating with the Central and Union
Pacific ia Utah and with the Northern
Pacific in Washington.
Every mail has brought me letters
from al parts of the country" said he,
telling me who ale ready to 60. 1t is
impossible to tell the exact or approx
mate number, as writer's DO not say how
many there are in each party. Eut have
estimated thai within three months 1U0,-
coo men could be enlisted"
The arrangement of details Of the plan
was referred yesterday to the legislative
committee Of the American Railway Union,
and this committee considered the matter
at its meeting last night. 1t hopes TO be
aide to report today. Prof, Frank Tar
sons and a S. Edwards, representing the
suti,lStic principles of the brotherhood
rf the Cooperative Commonwealth, met
with the committee.
Fear has been expressed that the
mobilization OF large bodies OF men might
result in many deeds of violence. As 10 this,
Debs said:
"Uur plan does not contemplate the
moving OF any large bodies of men.
That would be unwISe. our system, so
far as we have worked IL cut, win be 10
utilize tie various local unions OF the
American Railway Union as recruiting
acenCieS. a competent man viii be in
charge Of each, wen yersed In the priu-
ciples Of socialism and the needs OF the
colony lie will submit each applicant
TO an examination much as he would Tor
enlistment in the army. Each culonist
must be sound mentally and physically,
ana he must understand thoroughly what
he is going cut there for.
The first colony VIII he composed OF
picked uen. There will he representa-
tiyes OF every trade-farInerS, carpen-
t"rS, ruacEinis's, and the rest. Just as
soon as they show what can be done,
we Will start the other colonies as fast
az we can handle them. We have not
yet decided the exact location ia Wash
inuton for The first colony. hut VIII DO so
At once, SO as to get the plan into opera
ton"
Many prominent Socialists in all parts
of the country are bitterly opposed 10
pcDs' plan, and strong effort Is being
made 70 Iniurc and hclittle the pro-
nloters as well as the project Pamphlets
are being distributed in Chicago and other
cities, attacking Debs and heaping ridi-
cuIe on his plan for the formation Of n
duodecilno edition of the New Jerusalem
An inoffcnsive-appeari young man sta
toned himself at the door OF Uhlich Hail
yesterday as tie delegates Were filing into
the secret session and presented each with
one OF these pamphlets As soon a the ma
turc of the brochure was learned the man
was warned away after being relieved Of
his pamphlets.
L J. Morgan and other local Socialists
affiliated with the SocialistLabor party
are preparing to fight Debs and bis fCllJg-
ers Theyfcar that the exodus sChetLe will
cause a break in the ranks af the ultra So
cialists and harm the present political plans
of the older movement
Tommy Morgan IS editor otthe Social
;st Alliance the local organ of the radicals.
In the latest issue of his journal ne attacks
the commonwealth colony plan and urges
all true Socialists'to oppose the movement
from start to finish