The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-03-25
WAsHINGTOy'S SOCIALIST COLONI.
Conditions at Equality Described by a
Member of the Brotherhood.
From IN, Morning Orsgonid

EQUALITY, Skagit County, Wash, March o 49,
Equality Colony was located under the auspices
Of the Brotherhood Of the Cooperative Common.
wealth. with a view 10 test the practical workings
OF cooperation, and aslo with a view TO assist,
II may be, in socialiling the State Of Washington
The colony was organized Nov. /, 1897; hence
we celebrate Nov. l Of each year as our colony's
birthday Our location is on 900 acres of land,
Of which deed is held by the national officers Of
the Brotherhood Of the Co operative Common.
wealth, for the use and under the entire control
Of the local colony; with the proviso tina, ii can
neither BE- encountered nor b sold 30 long as
two members Of the colony remain to cooperate
There has been q vast amount Of labor per-
formed during the two years Of residence here.
In the way Of clearing land and ditching same,
and also in operating the mill and furnishing
the same with timber. In connection and under
the same roof with our steam sawmill is a shingle
mill, plancr, wood and iron lsthes, shaper and
carpenter and machine shops. We have a 50 horse
power donkey engine for logging purposes,
and We also use il in clearing the land. In the
way Of buildings, We have, besides the mill. a
dollhouse, a washhouse, a blacksmith shop,
a cooper shop, a shoe shop, a bakery, a large
schoolhOuse, with hall in basement two large
apartment houses, seven family cottages, four
log houses, three tents with roofs, floors, doors
and wlndOws), a large building for our printing
plant, where Freedom Is published, and which
also contains our store, post office, secretary's
office, sewing room and tailor shop. Besides
these, there Is a barn, rOothOuse, storehOuse,
kitchen and dining room and cereal coffee factory.
We cooperate in our work, and nearly all Of
US eat In the common dining room AT separate
tables, though any who may prefer, may cook
eral store, So far this privilege has been made
use Of by but two families, each of whom contain
food, bu, several other families are anticipating
future use Of this privilege. Here, as elsew here,
congenial spirits congregate In q social way.
Our mill machinery and donkey engine were
purchased with money donated or lent for that
purpose, OF this fund 81. 700 Ia yet unpaid, and
constitutes the only Indebtedness Of the colony
The loans are nonintrestbeartng, and are
Chinery earnings and 81 per cent Of cash salaries
turned In by resident members
Among our resident membership Of something
senta,ivss from England, Scotland, Ireland, Nor.
way and Sweden, germany. Switzerland. Aus.
tria and Canada, but have more Americans
than all Of the others combined.
All these various elements brought together
into the close contact OF everyday life are not
without their friction, and yet | believe there are
to %"t lSc O. old d manner NAM S'1 Of living " n'' SSme who c SSTs
seem 10 expect that by the payment Of the ad-
mission fee Of sl60 they are TO step into the i'm
mediate Possession Of a $4,000 benefit, on which
VIZ W. va i'hT b'h ~ fNil' " va W
but such would better stop and consider how far
So small a sum would go on the outside, and that
here II but guarantees the occupancy and use Of
the colony opportunities 10 build up a home that
shall le in point II comfort and luxury just what
We make H. But at present. and for some time
e. come. there ~ plenty Of work In sight, and very
plain fare, and II any contemplate coming to a
place where they will he supported NJ their ease,
be assured that Equality is a good place to stay
away from Some who have probably read The
happy details Of lellamy's Looking Backward"
seem much disg listed 10 find here all the conditions
Of pioneer life instead, and these classes Of dis.
appointed ones usually go away soured by the
discovery That COOPERATION il a failure, and
socialism q fake"
We enjoy here the right Of free thinking, NJ
free speech. and NJ . free ballot for both men and
women, together with the enjoyment Of congenial
society when our days work tOf nine hours) IL
done, We work and hope for The upbuilding
Of our principles, but II We fail il viii but prove
our own incompetence; and II will be left for others
more wi~' or more fortunate than we are 10 insTibe
those same. lntarnished principles upon their
Industrial shield and carry them % victory
SADIE SMITH ION0.