The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-25

Special to The Journal.
Winnipeg, Man., May 25.-Peter
yeregin, leader of the Dukhobors, is
a, remarkable man. He has been in
the colony little over eighteen
months. In this short time he has
altered the character of the commu-
nifty, has changed it's mode of agri-
ern methods, and has built up an or
ganization out of chaos.
Several thousand acres Of land have
| been broken and the area under Gull
| tiyation this year will be much great
err than that sown last year. We're
gin is determined to have frst-class
horses and cattle, and is negotiating
the purchase of some high-grade
stock Last year the colony expend-
ed 100000 in the purchase of land,
and also invested largely in farm ma
chinery. The latest implement Sc
cured is a steam plow-the first in
use in that part of the country
Telephones and Railroad.
Peter Veregin will soon have the
different villages connected by tele-
phone, and later probably by mar.
| row-gage railway. He is not at all
a visionary man, but em1nently prac-
tical, and wonderful man of affairs.
The Dukhobors are about to engage
duction Of fax suitable for weaving.
| Already they have had some success
| in this line and hope to make 1t one
Of the products Of the colony. Large
common stables are being built Tor
each village, in which horses, cattle
| and hens are kept in common. The
Dukhobors do not raise hogs, because
they say God has classed them as IN
clean.
| In winter the men engage in log
cling on Dominion lands, for which
| they hold permits. They have pur-
| chased brick and tile plant and
q, adually their log houses are to be
replaced by brick and their sod roofs
| by tiles. The building OF railways has
| enabled the Dukhobors to make large
earnings in cash. This money all be-
| longs to the commune and is used for
the exploitation Of lands. Last year
they received s111,oo0 for outside en-
ployment, and this year 1t will prob
ably be just as much.
Pure Communism.
i All the goods for the colony are
bought in wholesale quantities. The
commune, or "Dulthobor Trading
Company" as they call 1t, Is the
largest expefirne mt In pure con1nun
ism that has ever been attempted.
THE total working force Of the Dukho--
bors is about 1900 men. OF these at
least half can be spared for work OUT
side the colony, and the rest stay at
home to look after the crops. tn this
way they are able to carry out large
railway contracts.
From early morning, when the Wiz
lage is aroused by the singing Of q
choir, until late at night, when the
I same choir Sings them to sleep, the
:. Dukhobors work for all they are able
: and upon the whole are comfortable
, and happy. Their working day Is
from 5 o'clock In the morning until I
:, o'clock at right, and is divided into
? three shifts Of five hours each.
g Maver on the Colony.
:, "If," said Professor Maver of To.
= onto University, upon his return
from the Dukhobor colony, "Petei
n veregin can succeed In organizing the
y :, labor of this large body of men, ant
d in holding them together, there Is ne
: doubt that in few years the Dukhe
t Tor lands will be among the most pro
e ductive In the Canadian northwest
( BY his wonderful management he ha:
h already saved the commune at leas
oil $4,000