Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-09-17
From a Coming Equalityite.

FTOu CoHlllS C4udliIylIt.
On our way to Los Angeles, we passed
through some fine dairy country, with
peat land and artesian wells and afford
ing good feed for stock, many ranchers
from as far north as Santa Barbara Co.,
bringing their cattle here to save them
from starvation, and hay bringing $40
per ton, We found Los Angeles a
fourishing city, but with many hun
dreds of people out of employment. A
prominent industry is the many oil
wells. It's great sight to see the
hundreds of oil derricks in the very
heart of the city, some even in the door
yards of the houses, most in operation
and many in process of development.
We stopped three days at the Soldiers
Home. near Santa Monica. Before the
new Governor came, some four months
back, there were some 1000 inmates
there, but since then many have left,
owing to the i'll treatment Of tyran-
meal superior lin office only whose
political influence keeps him in his po-
sition, against the unavailing protests
of the poor old soldiers. who deserve
better treatment at the hands of the
Nation whose battles they fought. I'm
der Socialistic system they would re-
ceive the best treatment. and best of
food. instead of having to eat meat and
other food after it is spoiled, and unfit
for cooking. Had pleasant time with
old friends and making new ones.
Comrade II. L. LaFetra, who is al
ready think member of the colony
at Equality, and Corwin Phelps, the
Author of the Ideal Republic, "a fasci-
mating story of life on the Bellamy
plan, few miles from Los Angeles.
came to the beautiful Eagle Rock VAL
ley, where we visited with Mr.. Wickerd
and family. Mrs. Wickerd is a sister
of Mrs. Julia Schlessenger, so long the
editor of the Carrier Dove of San Fran
cisco, an able journal of Reform and
San Fernando Valley where vegetation
is all parched and dead from the
drought of the past two years. Passed
through "A deep cut or narrow pass in
the mountains where the walls each
side were l70 # high and straight mp
from the narrow roadway. Four miles
w l.n ..taf 4 ~,
ing started called the Placerita Co
operative Mining and Industrial Assoc
citation. They have leased 800 acres
for ~ years. giving a royalty of 10 per
cent. for what is mined on produced on
the land. Water rights and ) miles of
irrigating bitches already constructed:
a new hydraulic plant, for mining the
gold; fine bed Of potters clay which
sells for Sl4.0O ton in Los Angeles, "a
miles distant: oil wells that yield
almost pure petroleum. but need more
capital to develop them. Membership
fee j. sl0o. Members work : hours a
dav, for sl.O0 day and board. After
all expenses are met. the share holders
get the balance in dividends. There
are : families on the ground at present
who are enthusiastic over their colony
prospects. We lectured 40 the Pico oil
wells near Newhall. but could not in
tcrcst the workers in socialism, as they
were getting good wages from their
capitalistic masters. so many working
men have To be nearly starved before
they can begin 10 think for themselves.
Went through the fine fruit lands of
the Oiai Valley, where the principal
town l. Nordhofl. named after the Poet
and Biographer harles Nordhofi. whose
tine description Of IL induced many
TO settle there from the Eastern states.
Then 10 Ventura. boy the sea. and -
miles further to Summerland, where.we
stopped few days with ola friends.
AZ there are number Of Socialists and
Liberals There, was invited to lecture
at their Liberty Hall They have
Direct Legislation Club there. so most
of them are very advanced Socialists.
Frategnally yours,
Cuyucos. Cal J. il. WHITE.
ON the trail for Equality Wash