Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-06-17
WINDY CITY NEWS
pebs Talks About His SociaIistic
: Colony Scheme.
PRACTICAL MOVE IN NINETY DAYS

When He Hopes To Send on the First De-
tachment To washingtOn-Iselieve He
Can Have 100000 Men by That Time
Reform Rules In Chicago sehooIs-Spald-
ing's Trial-The Hot Spell.
Chicago. June II. - Inside of three
months Eugene v. Debs hopes to send
on the first detachment Of men to form
socialistic colony in Washington. From
that time on detachments will follow,
with view to realizing the dream Of
seeing the state Of Washington con-
Holled by socialists. Thousands OF men
are being enlisted in this new colonial
army. Every mail has brought me
letters from all parts of the country"
said Debs. telling me who are ready
TO go. 1t IL impossible to tell the cx-
oct or approximate number. as writers
do not say how many there are in each
party. Eut l have estimated that with
In three months 100000 men could be
enlisted"
Details Referred TO Committee.
The arrangement of details of the plan
was referred to the legislative commit
the meeting yesterday morning. The
committee, which Is composed of three
members. held its meeting last night
1t hoped to be able able to report this
morning. Debs was the ruling spirit
With the committee met Professor
Frank Parsons and a. s. Edwards, rep
Cssenting the socialistic principles of the
brotherhood Of Cooperative Common
wealth. Little business of importance
was transacted at the session Of the
American Railway Union. All matters
were referred to the various commit
tess-legislation, resolutions, finance
general work. and insurance. An adj
1ournment was then taken until this
morning, to give the committees a
chance to work.
No Danger of Mob Violence.
Fear has been expressed already that
the mobilization of large bodies of men
might result in many deeds of violence
Many have said the country would be
thrown into a civil war. This Is denied
by Debs. Our plan does not con-
template the moving of any large bodies
OF men," he said. THAT would be I'M
wise. Our system, so far as we have
worked II out. will be to utilize the
various local unions Of the American
Railway Union as recruiting agencies.
A competent man will be in charge Of
each. well-versed in the principles Of
socialism and the needs of the colony.
He will submit each applicant to an
examination much as he would for en-
listment in the army. Each colonist
must be sound mentally and physically,
and he must understand thoroughly
what he Is going out there for"
There Arc Those Who Object.
Many prominent socialists in all parts
Of the country ara bitterly opposed to
the Debs cooperative colony plan. and
strong effort Is being put forth to in
5uro and belittle the promoters as well
n the project. Pamphlets are being
distributed In Chicago and other cities
attacking Debs and heaping ridicule on
his plan for the formation OF "a duode-
elmo edition Of the. New jerusalem" An
MISUNDERSTANDING young man sta
dopsd himself at the door Of Uhlich's
hall as the delegates were filing into
the secret session. and presented each
with one Of these pamphlets. AS soon
rs the nature of the brochure was
learned the young man was warned
away. after being relieved Of his
pamphlets.