Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-05-21
"The Socialists at Edison"

lntelllgencer, in its issue of May ID,
gives an exhaustive and very fair write
up of our colony. We reproduce it in
part, lack of space forbidding the print
ing of it in full After describing the
location of the colony. its property,
manufactures, rules, members, etc, the
writer says:
THE present weekly income from
the reserves" consisting of advance
payments of membership fees and do
nations, ranges from $500 to $500, to
continue for an indefinite period. To
this income will be added subscriptions
to the paper. and will probably be sutf-
Gent to meet all demands on an eco
nomical basis until the colony can
place its products on the market.
The intelligence of the members,
taken as whole. is above the average.
At least four-fiths of the adult members
are between p and 80 years of age,
many who are expert in the mechanical
trades, agriculture and horticulture.
and there are also few representatives
of the learned professions. arts and
sciences. among them. Several are
proficient in music. and string band
is soon to be organized.
The esprit de corps, if | may so term
it, is excellent. but few seemingly in
clined to shirk their eight hours per
day of toll. while many work overtime.
Each member is on a six months pro-
baton. If at the end of that period his
conduct has been satisfactory to two
thirds of the members he is elected to
full membership. If rejected his fee is
returned and he is told to leave. After
being accepted, should a member prove
unworthy, he can be expelled by Il
three-fourths vote of the other men,
bers. All are upon their good behavior
at all times. and expected, when able
to work where their services are most
needed
There are ten departments of labor.
and each member selects the depart
ment in which he desires to work, sub
iect. however. to being transferred to
another department if his services can
be better employed there. Each de-
partment selects its own foreman, who
keeps the time of each worker and re-
ports it so all may see how each mem
Der is performing his duty. This has a
good effect on those inclined to shirk
and the foreman's record will be guide
in determining whether an applicant is
desired as a permanent member.
A kindergarten is already in exist
ence and district school will soon be
established on the colony site. The
colonists are mostly Americans and
come from nearly every state in the
Union. More members with families
are not desired this year. as children
would be consumers and not producers,
and be burden on the community As
long as it must buy its provisions.
Single men. who are good socialists
and workers and have their member
ship fees in hand, will be welcome, es-
pecially a few shoemakers, tanners,
timers. and all-around farmers and
woodsmen.
At present the outside membership
numbers over 5000, attached to local
unions scattered all over the country.
Each member pays 10 cents per month
dues to the national treasury, and As
much more as he is able rs advance
payments on membership fees, or Is Il
donation outright. previous to joining
the colony. These are known as the
preserves. and are relied ON TO furnish
the funds necessary to purchase all that
is required until the colonists become
self-supporting.
The only ism" colonist is required
to adhere to is socialism. They nave
no "fads, :" as regards food, drink,
clothing, or personal habits, but all are
expected to conform as nearly as they
can to the rules of good society and dc
nothing offensive to their associates.
Profane and vulgar or obscence re-
marks. are seldom. if ever. heard. y
hall is provided whore any member
may preach or lecture, if he so desires,
and can obtain an audience to listen, ,
} AS stated in their constitution, "the
object of the brotherhood shall be to
educate the people in the principles OF
socialism: to unite all socialists in one
fraternal association: TO establish CO.
operative colonies and industries and,
SO far as possible, concentrate these
colonies and industries in one state NJ
Ill said state is socialized,'
7 Washington was selected rs the state
Offering the best conditions for carrying
into effect these objects, and other colo
mics of the brotherhood will be estab'
lished at other points within the state
as soon as Equality is well established;