Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1911-04-27
! SWITZERLAND AND
I. THE SWISS PEOPLE.
BY N. Sem

sass - -
I'M. Sem, formerly Of Enterprise
and once representative from this
county, is travelling in Europe and
writes of conditions in his native
land. His home Is now in Riley
county,
In my old home in Switzerland
where l have had time and oppor-
tunity to Investigate land ownership
found laws and customs practi-
cally the same as they were over
fifty years ago when ! left there
and as they have been centuries be-
fore.
I'm the Gemeinde Buchs, with
over 1000 Inhabitants, there are 500
Vollburgers who own collectively the
community land-1,277 acres of val
ley land, 400 acres of tibler land
and 1920 acres Of Alphland. The
Alp land is pasture land high on the
mountain above timber line.
"Vollburger or full citizenship is
inherited, belongs to married men
or their widows, and entities them
to a share OF the community land,
Single men obtain one-fourth por-
ton after the age of "a. As soon
as a man marries he obtains full
portion.
"There are many citizens who en-
10y political rights since there are
no difficulties in obtaining political
citizenship, but this does not entitle
them to communal property rights.
"The management of the commun-
al land and property is conducted
by a council of five members elected
by male VolIburgers. The political
or civil affairs and school manage
ment are also controlled each by a
council of five members elected by
direct vote OF all citizens. Church
affairs are conducted by the mem
bers of the respective churches, who
nav their share of church tax accord
ing to the amount of taxable proper
ty they own.
"High up in the Alps where the
most nutritious crosses grow COWS
are sent for summer pasture. The
entire business of milking, making
butter and cheese, taking care OF
the cattle and keeping buildings in
repair has been conducted on the
cooperative plan for centuries.
"The timber lands are mostly on
very steep slopes and gullies, so
in cutting and replanting the small
amount of soil with large portion
of rocks would be washed down the
valley leaving the bare mountain
sides, and destroying valley land
by covering 1t with gravel. Since
1897 the supervision of forest land
has become national, and no timber
can be cut, without consent OF the
federal authorities, and must be re-
planted again according to regula-
lions. Even private forests are
under the same regulations, and no
reduction of forest area is allowed,
1.-THE valley land is mostly under
cultivation except a portion which
is too low; this is planted to timber
(Erien), which grows very fast and
makes fair fuel. When the water
is high gates can be opened to let
the muddy water flow In, and sedi-
ment Is deposited so the land will
gradually become very good agri-
cultural land. In the meantime 1t
brings fair income through the
growing Of timber.
ITO accommodate the growing
population many building lots have
been sold from the communal land.
They are sold at auction to the
highest bidder. From the proceeds
of these the Gemelnde has fund
of over 100000 francs, from which
the interest is used for public good.
Agriculture and dairying could
not support the present population.
Embroidery brings In more money
than agriculture. Nearly every
family has an embroidery machines
The work is usually done in the
home, and the majority, still work
their portion Of the communal land.
Most people own their own homes
with a small garden. No one is
very rich according to American
Ideas and scarcely any entirely des-
tltute.
while in St. Gallen, the capital
of my old Kanton. our consul told
me that on the embroidery exported
last year from there to the United
gtafea. dukv 10 the amount of sll :