Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-08-05
A LABOR COLONY.
Practical Illustration Of the Debe
Plan In Pennsylvania.
WILL EXAMINE The GOLD FIELDS.
4 Representative Of the Labor Bureau st
Washington Sent to Alaska to Make
. Report for the Benefit Of
Those Going There.

READING. Pa, Aug "A farm Of 300
acres in East Brunswick township,
Schuylkill county, is the site Of a re-
Gently established labor colony on the
Dcbs plan. 1t was chartered as the
East Brunswick Valley Colony of the
East Pennsylvania Branch. No. $780, OF
the labor exchange. One hundred
acres of the farm are woodland. They
have good water and an excellent,
well drained spot Those in charge
say that they are already negotiating
for two manufactures to be established
on the land. About 20 people, includ-
ing married men and women, are al
ready in the colony. They have "A
workers to provide for. They have
a warehouse containing 200 bushels of
potatoes, 80 bushels Of wheat, 10 of
rye. 100 of corn, 50 Of oats, Is tons OF
hay, 10 of straw-all subject to labor
checks. Each man gets pay for his
work Oh the farm in the shape of labor
checks. These checks are cashed in
products on hand in the warehouse.
they also have 80 chickens, 200 ducks,
II milch cows, milk, cream, canned
fruits and berries. They want so more
families at once. No money is paid
for labor. Pay checks are paid in
produce, Those receiving the prod
uce can do what they please with 1t,
exchange it for clothing or any
thing they need. One dollar
membership dues is required from
each one joining the colony. Recruits
also must obligate themselves to
pay 800 either in cash or labor checks
before 1900 to the colony for the pay
ment OF the farm. All members are
governed by constitution and by
laws. Members wishing to build will
have a lot 5Oxl00 feet, not to be sold to
any one not a member of the colony.
Each member will be subject to or
ders from the superintendent as to
what special labor he is to do.
Each member can work at his trade,
or do some part of the farm work.
Adult workers are credited with
Is cents an hour for work, to be
employed all the year round, ten hours
day. Women for dairy and field work
also get 10 cents an hour Indoor in
dustrial operations will soon be
started. A general invitation to join
Is extended to all sober, able-bodied,
healthy men and women of good char
acter who can come well recon-
mended. No intoxicants are allowed
on the farm.
WILL EXAMINE THE GOLD FIELDS.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.-Samuel G.
Durham, q representative of the COM
missioner of labor, has left for San
Francisco, on his way to the Klondyke
gold fields. He expects to sail August
0 and to reach Klondyke September
l5 He will make an exhaustive Off
cial report on the business conditions
there, the opportunity for investment,
the wages paid, cost Of living,
climate and the means and cost Of
reaching the gold region. 1t is expect
ed that Mr. Dunham's report will reach
Washington early next spring in time
to be of value to the large number of
people who it is anticipated will de-
sire to go to the new Eldorado as soon
as transportation routes shall be re-
opened. The last steamer for the Yu-
kon this season will leave Seattle Au-
gust Is, so that there will be no oppor-
tunity after that time to reach the
gold fields until next summer.