Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1899-05-20
COLONY LIFE
IN WASHINGTON
A Former Healdsberger Writes of
Life at Equality.

trenchlng upon reform, ana VINO WOuIu Ike
to visit us in order that certainty would sue
coed the impressions concerning our work
which distance obliges them to be content
with; and 2ndly, to another class who feel not
alone general interest in social reform and
a curiosity as to colonization, but are resolv-
ed to cease this struggle with man in compe-
tion and to increase the struggle against ma
ture if need be in cooperation that they
may escape it and who in their enthusiasm
however might locate in Equality without
due investigation and find after fruitless sac
rifce and expense that associations and con-
ditions here were not to their taste. 1t may
be that personal interest or enthusiasm would
render the active member incompetent to so
relate things that a prope, judgment could
be formed at a distance, and if so it would
seem that all concerned might profit through
a policy of according space to an occasional
visitor
The following article is from the pen of
Walter o. Criggs, and appeared originally in
the Sun, published at Sotoyome, Cal. Bro.
Griggs returned to Equality last Saturday,
and we trust there may be truth in the rumor
that this visit is to be perpetual
After visiting around among friends and
relatives at different points on the Sound,
am now at cooperative colony about three
miles from Edison, Skagit county.
This institution is the one thing worthy of
especial note on my trip, and is the prime OBJ
ject of my visit to these parts, and well it
might be for any student of social and indus
trial conditions. Here little band of some
22O souls are tr, ing to solve the industrial
problem in small way by substituting CO.
operatan for competition, and through
method of production and distribution among
the members which makes the interest of one
the concern of all.
They have Cos acres of land all paid for
with any amount adjoining or near by, that
can be secured very reasonably fast as ne
cessarv. They have saw mill. printery, CO.
operative kitchen and dining rooms, etc. with
all the buildings needed at present They
have their own schools, entertainments, lit
erary society and amusements. They publish
a paper called Industrial Freedom. which is
devoted to the solution Of the industrial prob
lem. Three hundred acres of their land is in
the fiat and is amazingly fertile, but great
big task to clear it,
A few individuals undertaking it single
handed would make just about as great head
way as in dipping well dry with tin cup,
but with 35-horse power donkey engine and
wire cable to drag the logs to the mill, or pile
them up and pull stumps with, considerable
showing is made, and instead of a capitalist
absorbing all the benefits except limited
wage, the members fare and share alike.
Just now the members work nine hours, but
in time expect to be able to reduce the time
considerably. They are yet in the pioneer
stage, having been here about IS mouths and
work is piled up ahead of them.
The Object of the co!onists is to producc all
that is req Tired to satisfy their needs as near
ly as they can, but where they can do it more
cheaply to exchange some staple product. In
doing this they will use all the labor saving
machinery they can use TO advantage and
each share alike in the increased produc-
tiOn.
As an Illustration of the wonderful fertility
of the soil they produced about 10000 heads
of cabbage on three acress Of land last sea-
son. Some of these weighed nearly 30 pounds
each. From this they sold 30 barres of saur
kraut at 81 per barrel and have 10 barrels
left besides all they could use IN the mean
time. All other kinds of vegetables do
equally as well and form a large part of their
food supply. | am told that at the season
when they have to buy the most the average
cost of living is about cents per head per
day. Their food is all cooked in one large
kitchen and served on common tables where
all sit down together as one family, the little
girls doing service as walters.
An allowance of Acc. per day is paid the
men, while 81 per week is charged all adults
for board. The women also receive an allow
ance A time-keeper keeps account of every
mans work and 1t goes down on the books of
the colony. At present the income is small
and is used in making Improvements and
buying necessares, but as soon as it is large
enough to warrant it, it will be divided pro-
rata.
This is about all worth noting of their
method of operation 1t lacks whole lot of
being a paradise, or Belamy ideal, still as
preparatory school of experience the coop
erative colony is no doubt success.
There are many people who come here and
go away. The number of members s constant
ly changing. Some leave during an exhibit
tiOn of bad temper, because they have failed
to get their way in something. Some come
here just for an xperience"-get it, and 90
away for another of different character,
while occasionally OH gets in whom they
have to take rigid measures to shove out