^- Western
C/^PITMLI5I^5 Gl^ERT A55ET April 1916 Kve Cents THE GATEWAY TO FREEDOM Through Co-operative Action THE name of the Nevada Colony Corporation has been changed to the LLANO DEL KIO COM- PANY OF NEVADA. This has been done in order to conform to the name of the only colony enterprise in which we are interested—the LLANO DEL RIO CO-OPERATIVE COLONY, situ- ated in Los Angeles County, California. We are not interested in any colonization enterprise in Nevada, or any other state outside of California. Another important change has been made in that we have decided to issue our former contracts instead of the one we offered as the Nevada Colony Corporation. This makes the terms of membership much easier on the members. Instead of asking $2,500 for memberships, we have de- cided to continue on the $2,000 basis. This requires the member to pay $1,000 as the initial fee, and to work out the remaining 1,000 shares at the Colony, at the rate of only one dollar per day instead of two dollars per day. Outstanding contracts will be changed to conform to this when requested.
Following is the plan to which we have returned : each share-holder agrees to buy 2,000 shares of capital stock. Each pays in cash or installments, $1,000. Each pays in labor, $1,000. Each receives a daily wage of $4, from which is deducted one dollar for the stock he is working out. From the remainder comes his living expenses. Whatever margin he may have above deduction for stock and living expenses is credited to his individual account, payable from the surplus profits in the enter- prise. If an installment member falls ill, is disabled or disemployed, the Colony gives him every opportunity to recover and resume payments. In no case will he be crowded. If he finds it impossible to resume payments, we will, upon request, issue stock for the full amount he has paid. This is transferable and may be sold to his best advantage. In this we will undertake to assist wherever practicable. Corporations are not allowed bv law to deal in their own stock. The LLANO DEL RIO COMPANY "is interested in only one magazine—THE WESTERN COMRADE. This is an illustrated monthly magazine devoted to the cause of co-operation and Social- ism. It has been issued by the Colony since its inception. Job Harriman, founder of the LLANO DEL RIO COMMUNITY, is the managing editor. THE WESTERN COMRADE is the only magazine that we guarantee will print stories in each issue covering the activities at the LLANO DEL RIO COM- MUNITY. The subscription price is fifty cents per year, clubs of four, twenty-five cents a year. You are urged to read the following with great care. It will give you much information con- cerning a colony two years old, with a record of wonderful achievement and success.
have an abundance of sparkling water from carry on the enterprise until it is on a paying basis. WEmountain streams suflRcient to irrigate thou- It takes considerable time to bring a large agricultural sands of fertile acres where nature's bounty is undertaking to a productive point. The colony must limitless. We are conducting a great agricultural, horti- proceed on sound financial lines in order to continue cultural, stockraising enterprise. We have a number of its present success. This fact must be obvious to all. industrial plants operating and a number of others pro- The management of the Llano del Rio Community has jected. We have nearly 800 residents at the new city of never been unmindful of the fact that there is a num- Llano and thousands of others are planning to make it berless army that cannot take advantage of this plan their home in the future. There are excellent schools, of co-operation. Many letters come in that breathe among them a wonderful Montessori school which takes bitter and deep disappointment. No one could regret charge of the children at two years of age. Schools this more than we do. It is our hope that the day will range from this to the high school. come when successful co-operative groups can say to Write today for an application blank, fill it out and their stripped, robbed and exploited brothers: "You send together with a remittance of $10 or more to se- who come with willing hands and understanding of com- cure your membership. You can then arrange to pay radeship and co-operation are welcome." The install- $10 a month or more until you can so adjust your affairs ment plan of payment whereby one pays $10,00 a month that you can make your final payment and join your is proving satisfactory. On this plan the absent com- comrades who have already borne the first brunt of rade is providing for the future while his brothers and pioneering. sisters on the land are bearing the brunt of the pio- The climate is delightful, the soil fertile, the water neering. Families entering the Colony begin to draw pure and the social life grows more ideal as the colony from the commissary. Some of the food, all the cloth- increases in numbers. ing, much of the material they draw, costs money. The initial membership fee goes to offset the support of Sound Financing Necessary families until the colony shall be on a paying basis. PERSONS cannot be admitted to residence at the col- Important Questions Answered ony upon the payment of 110.00 or any other sum less than the initial payment fee. Hundreds write WHEN a member of the colony dies his shares and and suggest they be allowed to pay a small amount, or credits, like any other property, go to his in some cases, nothing at all, then enter the colony and heirs. Only Caucasians are admitted. We have work out the remainder on their shares. If the colony had applications from Negroes, Hindus, Mongolians and permitted this there would soon be a hundred thousand Malays. The rejection of these applications are not due applications. to race prejudice but because it is not deemed expe- The money derived from these initial payments is dient to mix the races in these communities. used to pay for land, improvements, machinery and to Llano is twenty miles from Palmdale, on the Southern Pacific Railroad. All household goods and other ship- almost every state. The only innovation is in the re- ments should be consigned to the name of the owner, stricting of anyone from voting more than 2500 shares Palmdale, California, care Llano Colony. Goods will of stock, regardless of how many shares are held. As be stored in the colony's warehouse until ordered moved this is to be the ultimate holding of every member, this to Llano. All shipments should be prepaid, otherwise is considered a strong protective clause. The incorpora- they cannot be moved and storage or demurrage may tion charter is also the usual type and gives the cor- be charged. Freight transportation between the colony poration the right to transact almost all manner of busi- and the station is by means of auto trucks. Passengers ness. The Nevada corporation laws are liberal, safe, are carried in the colony's auto stages. In shipping and well construed. There is no disposition on the part household goods, it will be well to ship only lighter of state officials to interfere. goods. Cookstoves, refrigerators and heavy articles should not be shipped from points where freight rates Community Management are high. LLANO DEL RIO COMMUNITY has a remark- their automobiles and Individuals may own own THEable form of management that is the result of evo- many colonists do own them. All livestock, poultry, etc., lution from the unwieldy, tedious and impracticable industries. are kept in the departments devoted to those attempts that were made in the earlier months. The The aim is to keep the residence portion of the colony management of the affairs of the colony industries are clean and sanitary. in the hands of the various department managers. There are about twenty-five of these departments and Declaration of Principles in each department there are divisions. Over some of these divisions are foremen. All these are selected for conducting the affairs of the Llano del Rio Com- their experience and fitness for the position. The de- INmunity it has been found that the fewer inflexible partments hold meetings of their own at times they rules and regulations the greater the harmony. In- select. At these smaller meetings ways and means are stead of an elaborate constitution and a set of laws the discussed to increase efficiency in the department. At colonists have a Declaration of Principles and they live the managers' meeting as many persons as can crowd up to the spirit of them. The declaration follows; in the room are always present. These meetings are Things which are used productively must be owned held every night and they are unique in that no motions collectively. are ever made, no resolutions adopted and no minutes The rights of the Community shall be paramount over are kept. THE LAST ACTION ON ANY MATTER those of any individual. SUPERCEDES ALL FORMER ACTION AND THIS Liberty of action is only permissible when it does STANDS UNTIL THE PLANS ARE CHANGED. The not restrict the liberty of another. plan is working most admirably and smoothly. At these Law is a restriction of liberty and is only just when nightly meetings the work for the next day is planned, operating for the benefit of the Community at large. teams are allotted, workers are shifted to the point Values created by the Community shall be vested in where the needs are greatest, and machinery is put on the Community alone. designated work, transportation is arranged, wants are The individual is not justly entitled to more land made known and filled as near as practicable. The than is sufBcient to satisfy a reasonable desire for peace Board of Directors, members of which are elected by and rest. Productive land held for profit shall not be the stockholders, meets once a week and has charge of held by private ownership. the financial and business management of the enterprise. Talent and intelligence are gifts which should rightly These directors are on the same basis as ali their com- be used in the service of others. The development of rades in the colony. At the general assembly all persons these by education is the gift of the Community to the over eighteen years of age, residing in the colony, have individual, and the exercise of greater ability entitles a voice and vote. none to the false rewards of greater possessions, but only to the joy of greater service to others. Only by identifying his interests and pleasures with What Colonists Escape those of others can man find real happiness. THE electric light bill, the water bill, the telephone The duty of the individual to the community is to bill, the gas bill, the ice bill, the coal bill, the doc- develop ability to the greatest degree possible by avail- tor's bill, the drug bill, the dentist's bill, the school ing himself of all educational facilities and to devote book and school supplies biU, the sewer assessment bill, the whole extent of that ability to the service of all. the drain of street car fare, the annoyance of the back The duty of the individual to the Community is to door peddler and begger (Henry Dubbs who think the administer justice, to eliminate greed and selfishness, trouble is individual hard luck), the hundred and one to educate all and to aid any in time of age or mis- greater and smaller burdens on the householder, and the fortune. long lean weeks caused by disemployment and the con- sequent fear of the future. There is no landlord and no rent is charged. 'Constitution and By-Laws' While they are charged with living expenses, for food MANY persons who want to know how the affairs of and clothing, the Colonists never fear meeting the gro- the Llano del Rio Community are conducted think, cery bill, the milk bill, the clothing bill, the laundry bill, in order to get this information, they must secure the butcher's bill and the other inevitable and multi- a copy of a constitution and by-laws. There is no con- tudinous bills that burden the struggling workers in the stitution. The Llano Community contents itself with a outside world. For the tax bill he has no fear. The "declaration of principles" which is printed on this page Colony officials attend to the details of all overhead. To of this magazine. The management of the Colony rests his. the amusements, sports, pastimes, dances, enter- with the Board of Managers, a member of which is the tainments and all educational facilities are free. superintendent. These managers are selected for their The Directors of the company are: Job Harriman, fitness and ability. The business and financial affairs of president; Frank E. Wolfe, vice-president; G. P. Mc- the enterprise are conducted by the Board of Directors Corkle, treasurer; C. M. Cason, auditor; F. P. McMahon, who are elected by the stockholders. The corporation vice-president; W. A. Engle, secretary; D. J. Wilson, by-laws are the stereotyped corporation by-laws of vice-president; A. F. Snell and Emma J. Wolfe.
Address all communications and make all payments to the LLANO DEL RIO COMPANY OF NEVADA, m^R Information About the Llano del Rio Co-operative Colony Llano, California THIS is the greatest Community Enterprise There are about 11,000 grape cuttings in the ever launched in America. ground and thousands of deciduous fruit and shade trees in the colony nursery. This depart- The colony was founded by Job Harriman and ment is being steadily extended. is situated in the beautiful Antelope Valley, Los Angeles County, California, a few hours' ride The community owns several hundred colonies from Los Angeles. The community is solving the of bees which are producing honey. This depart- problem of disemployment and business failure, ment will be increased to several thousands. and offers a way to provide for the future wel- Several tons of honey are on hand. fare of the workers and their families. Among other industries the colony owns a Here is an example of co-operation in action. steam laundry, a planing mill, large modern saw- Llano del Rio Colony is an enterprise unique in mill, a printing plant, a machine shop, a tannery, the history of community groups. a rug and carpet weaving plant, and a number of It was established in an attempt to solve the other productive plants are contemplated, among problem of unemployment by providing steady them a cannery, an ice plant, a shoe factory, knit- ting and weaving plant, a motion picture com- employment for the workers ; to assure safety and pany and factory. All of this machinery is not comfort for the future and for old age ; to guar- antee education for the children in the best school yet set up owing to the stress of handling the under personal supervision, and to provide a so- crops. cial life amid surroundings better than can be The Llano Community recently purchased a part found in the competitive world. of the San Gabriel forest reserve from the United There are about 700 persons living at the new States government. It has been estimated that towtn of Llano. There are now more than 200 nearly 1,000,000 feet of lumber can be obtained pupils in the schools, and several hundred are from this land. expected to be enrolled before a year shall have passed. Plans are under way for a school build- The colonists are farming on a large scale with ing, which will cost several thousand dollars. The the use of modern machinery, using scientific sys- tem and tried methods. bonds have been voted and sold and there is nothing to delay the building. About 120 acres of garden was planted last Schools have opened with classes ranging from year. This year the garden is being enlarged to the Montessori and kindergarten grades through more than twice this size. the intermediate, which includes the first year in life in the colony is most delightful. high school. This gives the pupils an opportu- Social are regularly estab- nity to take advanced subjects, including lan- Entertainments and dances lished functions. Baseball, basket-ball, tennis, guages in the colony school. swimming, fishing, hunting and all other sports The colony owns a fine herd of 105 head of and pastimes are popular with all ages. Jersey and Holstein dairy cattle and is turning out a large amount of dairy products. There is Several hundred acres are now in alfalfa, which steady demand for our output. is expected to run six cuttings of heavy hay this season. There are two producing orchards and The colony has seventy-five work horses, two about one hundred acres of young pear trees. large tractors, three trucks and a number of au- tomobiles. The poultry department has 2000 egg- Six hundred and forty acres have been set aside making birds, some of them blue ribbon prize for a site for a city. The building department is winners. This department, as all others, is in the making bricks for the construction of hundreds its charge of an expert and it will expand rapidly. of homes. The city will be the only one of kind in the world. It will be built with the end of There are several hundred hares in the rabbitry being beautiful and utilitarian. and the manager of the department says the ar- large lime kiln is now running, and there is rivals are in startling numbers. A enough lime in a nearby hill, owned by the colony, There are over 200 hogs in the pens, and among to build their proposed city. them a large number of good brood sows. This More than 26,000 2-year-old fruit trees were set department will be given special attention and out this spring. These are, for the most part, pears, ranks high in importance. peaches and apples. CONTENTS -K'^
Page
Editorials ... , 7 By Job Harriman.
A Modern Movie 10 By Anthony Turano.
Turning the Trick (Poem) . 11 By Ernest Wooster.
Justice and Not Bullets . 12 By Edgcumb Pinchon.
The Needs of Llano . 15 D By Adelaide Maydwell.
Activities at Llano . 18 By R. K. Williams. r"fNt'/a "^
The Montessori System . 22 By Mildred G. Buxton. ^=
Co-operation (Poem) 22 By John Dequer. i\
The Socialist Party . 23 By Job Harriman.
i%^. The Dream Fulfilled (Poem) 23 r»2 By Marguerite Head. "^^
The Great Struggle . 25 ^T. By Edmund R. Brumbaugh. Al CARTOONS Labor's Crucifix Frontispiece \r. V ..... ^\ Gasoline Fever Heat ...... 8 In the Arena ...... 13
The Brave Militia Protects Its Master . . . .16 Labor's Crucifix
Dudley Logan —Drawn tor The Western Comrade by The Western Comrade Devoted to the Cause of the Workers
Political Action Co-operation Direct Action VOL.EDITORIALIll LOS ANGELES, CAL., APRIL, 1916 NUMBER 12 ! What is it ? Is it quired either to produce it, or to SOCIALISM By Job Harrinian a system of propaganda? Or directly or indirectly improve it. is it a proposed sj'steui of production and dis- Figuratively speaking there is but little difference
tribution, and more ? between a quantity of wheat in a man's stomach, and The propaganda that merely attacks the present a lump of coal in a furnace. The one develops energy capitalist system and refuses to engage in actual con- in the body; the other in the boiler. The desire to
structive co-operative work, is a positive force develop energy creates the demand ; but the price, no against Socialism, under whatever name or flag such artificial cause interfering, depends on the social propaganda may sail. energy spent in its production. Socialism cannot be learned from abstract theories A bushel of wheat or a ton of coal will generate alone. It cannot be learned in full from books. as much energy, and is, therefore, as great a social Neither teachers nor orators nor papers and maga- power, whether it be consumed by a producer or con- zines can tell the complete storJ^ The philosophy trolled by a gambler in the pit. of Socialism, when understood, is at best only a sign Power knows no mercy, nor justice, nor equity, post indicating the direction in which we should nor sentiment. It is merely power. Whoever pos- travel. But the traveling is, indeed, a very different sesses it and controls it may command. Greed and thing. When the exodus from Capitalism to Social- ambition freed and grow upon power gotten by gam- ism begins, then begins the march of the multitude, bling in some form. All methods of gaining power with all their hopes and visions, their ideas and without rendering an equivalent is a phrase of gam- ideals, their virtues and vices, their memories and bling. From this unconscionable struggle, to take characteristics, their philosophies and their theories. something from others for nothing, springs a sordid These must all be worked over and adjusted until and insatiable cupidity and ambition to hold and con- the multitude actually grows fond of each other and trol one's fellows.
dwell together as brothers and not as cannibals. Every owner of property is, therefore, a little king Socialism is more than a dogma or a philosophy or or emperor, according as he may be named; and his food and clothing. It is a system in which a new kingdom or empire expands in proportion to the and different life shall be lived. Food, clothing and property he commands. Economic power, like all shelter, however abundantly, and equally, distrib- things, grows by what it feeds upon—namely, human uted, woiild be only a sounding brass and a tinkling energy, human lives. It is a cannibal and it makes in symbol the absence of a genuine and profound a cannibal of most all who possess it. affection for our fellows. In order to develop this We Avonder if the lasers of automobiles do not feel fellowship, we must do more than merely teach, we the cannibal's claws and tusks, tearing their very must begin to travel in that direction. flesh, as the oil trust raises the price of gasoline. Do At Llano, the march has already begun. The med- they not spend their life's energy to get the cash ley, of ideals, characteristics, theories, etc., is playing to pay the price ? Is not more blood sucked by every its part. In some, the impressions made by capital- raise in price? Were you in prison, woiild you not ism are so deep that they can neither be eradicated give any price for a loaf of bread to save your life? nor adjusted. Sad as it is to us all, these unfortunate So also will one pay the price, though out of jail. few go their way : while the remainder, inspired by Is the Standard Oil Company a cannibal ? On March a beautiful vision and an abiding hope, and sustained 25, 1916, the Standard Oil Company of Ohio declared by a common interest and equal opportunity, are de- a 100 per cent dividend. Still the price goes up, and veloping a spirit of congenial fellowship, as cheerful the river of human blood swells as it pours down as the sunshine and as sweet as the honey and the their brutal gurgling throats. honeycomb. It is the wielding of enormous economic power that * * * has converted the aristocracy of Europe into a band of cannibals and brought on that terrible war; and ^ CONOMIC power. What is it? It is the tre- in time the wielding of enormous power by our aris- mendoiis volume of human energy that is stored tocratic ( ?) cannibals will bring us to the trenches in the enormous reservoir of real and personal prop- and the slaughter. erty of the world. Generally speaking the value of If the blind lead the blind, they will both fall into the property is determined by the human energy re- the ditch. !
The Western Comrade
is the trouble with Roosevelt and his WHAT N the California Social-Democrat of April 8, the much boasted Panama Canal? It cost I following editorial appeared:
$400,000,000. Any day the Culebra Cut may be The secular press conveys the "news" that an effort is being made to form filled mth 1,000,000 tons of dirt. Frequent land- a state labor party. It also announces that Job Harriman is the foremost advocate of this scheme slides are not only making the canal impracticable He is quoted as saying: for either commercial for war purposes, but, the "The Socialist Party, as now organized, will never lead the way out of the wilderness. The hour has come when engineers tell us, that mere maintenance "bids a larger and more vital movement must be born. I believe that movement must and will " fair to call for $800,000,000 more, with no promise be born of Organized Labor As an individual Comrade Harriman has a perfect right of permanent and continued use." to advocate any kind of politics he may elect. He can or- ganize all kinds of political The picture jars the Bull Moose. parties and formulate any kind He has of platform he desires, but as a member of the Socialist turned it to the wall and is Party he can not do so and, at the same time, be loyal to seeking new campaign ma- his voluntary party pledge. terial. All suggestions will The Socialist Party has been exceedingly good to Job Har- be gratefully received. riman. When he was the can- didate for Mayor of Los An- geles the comrades rallied to his support with a purpose OOSEVBLT, Hughes and will unprecedented in American R or Root? Root is politics. The ma- chinery of the party was prac- waning, Hughes is rising tically at his disposal to do with as he pleased. Roosevelt is in and now During all the years that he the lead. "What a pill for was active in the movement in Los Angeles his policies were the G. 0. P. to swallow in evidence more than anv Before they are through other. If the party as now- organized is a failure. Job with him they will know Harriman must share his re- sponsibility for said failure. they have taken some- The Socialist Party has no thing. Did he not divide fig! t with Organized Labor and it would seem that the them in 1912 ? Can he unite friends of both would not, at this time, foVce an issue which them now? Are Republi- must necessarily array one cans mere sheep for this group of labor against the other. Let us hope that Or- astute and unconscionable ganized Labor will not fall for politician to lead to the this suggestion regardless of the source from which it may come. slaughter ? Gasoline Fever Heat Have they forgotten his 1912 campaign speeches? The Socialist Party of Cali- Drawn for The Western Comrade by Dudley Logan fornia is not the special pre- Did he not swear eternal serve of any man or group of men. It is not the vehicle to vengence upon Root for further personal schemes or to delivering the Chicago convention to Taft? For this serve individual ambition. It is not the tail to any man's kite. breach of political servitude were not Root and Taft The question of forming a State Labor Party was and all their machine men mere "pot house poli- not even discussed at the State Building Trades con- ticians," "tools of Corporate greed," "rascals," vention, where the above statement was supposed to "thieves," "liars," "crooks"? Did not an enraged have been made. Job Harriman did not speak there. Republican shoot him in the manuscript because he The substance of what he said appears on another could no longer endure his billingsgate ? Will the page of this magazine and was prepared for this oc- Repvibliean party forget his vituperation, and bathe casion. again in the pointed stream ? No one knows better than the editor of the Social-
The Republican party is surely as wise as that Democrat what Harriman 's position has been for ' ' ' rare Nut Eating Bird ' that let him go by, because years past, concerning the relation of the Socialist he thought the Colonel was rotten. Party to the Labor movement. He knows that rela- Have they not spued him out of their mouths? tion has never esisted only in a small degree in 1911- Have they acquired the canine habit of swallowing 12 in Los Angeles during the era of the greatest pros- him again? If the politicians have sunk to this level, perity of the Los Angeles Socialist movement. can they also drag the rank and file with them to To suggest that not a general cause, but Harriman, wallow in their polution? personally, is responsible for the heavy falling off of
mkBmf^m^ .
The Western Comrade
the Socialist Party membership, which has happened So far is it from an easy task to establish a co-op- all over the United States, as well as in Los Angeles, erative colony that most men, even radicals, pro- is too ridiculous for further consideration. Let him nounce it impossible. But the people of Llano know discuss propositions and not personalities. Life is no impossibilities and whoever observes our develop- too short for petty quarrels. ment for any period of tim.e, is forced to the con- * * * clusion that our future success is assured. We are IT will be unwise for the Llano del Rio Colony to far past the dead line, far beyond the point when establish or to be connected, even remotely, with any ordinary circumstances can disturb us. It would another colony, until Llano has been practically de- require a chain of circumstances, each vastly more veloped in its various branches. By such premature difficult than any yet encountered, to cause even expansion, our Colony would not only be financially a serious apprehension—much less a failure. With crippled but the thought and attention necessary to careful biisiness attention, coupled with the energy our highest social, edueationel and economic develop- now exerted in every department, our future will be ment would be diverted and our purposes, to that ex- crowned with more brilliant attainments than any tent, defeated. community on the American continent. The International Controversy
President—-The destruction of merchant marine must your mind's eye the 10,000,000 living
cease ; an accounting, accompanied with men, and still more dead and wounded,
satisfactory explanations will be made along the trenches ? Is not this inhuman ? by you to us, forthwith. In this hour of stress humane impulses Emperor ....We deny all moral responsibility for the can play no part. destruction of merchant marines. We de- President. ..Not only lives, but commerce, also, is be- sire to maintain friendly relations and to ing destroyed.
open negotiations. Emperor .. .Inhuman as we may be, we insist that it President.. ..Your submarine operations are in direct is better for humanity, to kill a few and violation of international law. sink a commissary and thus starve our Emperor ...The law was written before the develop- enemies into submission, than to permit ment of the "submarine,'' and hence does them to be fed and led by millions to the not apply. slaughter. President.. ..The principle is the same. President. ..Sir, there are Americans on the merchant Emperor. ...Principles are modified as new facts de- marine. velop. Emperor .Is it more inhuman to kill an American, President-. ..Is the "submarine" a material fact? while on a pleasure trip, than a German, Emperor ...Very material and very stern and so who is forced into the trenches? The powerful that by its irresistible opera- commissary will eventuate in the final tions it is making new international law, issue. It is, therefore, a necessary point later to be written and accepted. of attack and humane impulses are sec- President. ...Do you mean to persist in this wrongful ondary to the necessities of war.
violation ? President. ..But we are neutral.
Emperor ...Can Anything be wrong with an irresisti- Emperor . ..Then stay at home ; stay out of the muss ble power? and do not evade the real fact by trying President.. ..Perhaps your submarine power is not ir- to hang your hat on a musty, obsolete in- resistible. ternational law. Sir, there would be no Emperor ....That remains for the future to determine. issue over international law if the mer- AVe are dealing with the present. When a chant kings of the United States were not new and greater power develops, then trying to coin Europe's misfortunes into another new law will follow. cash. President... .Your conduct, sir, is inhuman. President. ..Nor would there be war in Europe, were Emperor ....Are not the necessities of war inhuman? it not for the ambition of the powers to Victory is the only consideration. Neces- dominate the world's commerce. 0\ir sity knows no law. Have you seen with diplomatic relations are at an end. :
10 The Western Comrade A Modern Movie WILSON ^S frequent nitionists beckon to some one off Doc By ANTHONY TURANO flops during his wonderful stage, triple personality exhibition as President has con- Enter a thousand militarists, each wearing a long vinced us that the only way to get an accurate accoiint cloak labelled with harmless tags "Preparation." They for the benefit of posterity is by use of the motion bear U. S. flags and wave them gaily. picture camera. The old time historical painter with All make way and a large group comes down the his dull canvasses, has fallen back into dismal desue- stage. They are the painted ladies of the press. (Here tude. organist plays shivery music.) Ladies bow to old Dr. Nothing short of the sharpest shutter and quick 3st Grabitalls and waive their hands imperiously. lens will catch and reflect with rectillinear rectitude the Ladies down stage, each with pornographic pen in speedy gyrations of the Doc. The following scenario hand. Grabitalls comes down stage, stands .close oe- is stripped of technical persiflage for the benefit of the hind Wilson, who is surrounded by the Lolans, who picture-going public. write while he speaks. He is interrupted by frequent The trinity of personality of this heavy lead player cheers. Run cut-backs, melt-ins and melt-outs of heroic is puzzling, inexplicable—like all other trinities. One scenes on the battle fields. thing is easily discerned, and that is the remarkable Always Henry Dubb rescues the dear old flag just synchrony between the stock fluctuations in Wall in time to dictate in his dying gasp, "It never struck Street and the genuflexions of our Doc. As he bends to the ground, mother, it never struck the ground." plutocracy, the pregnant hinges of the knee, melts in End of reel two. Reel three starts immediately. and melts out in this weird chiaroscuro. REEL THREE Our hope is that this scrip may fall before the eye of some enterprising producer, who will seize the op- Doc. discovered surrounded by oil kings, mining portunity to earn the undying gratitude of a great kings, cattle kings and other crowned heads of indus- people by preserving these flickering, fleeting flops try. All hold in their hands titles to land and mines given them by Diaz, Madero, Huerta and Carranza. The REEL ONE (Prologue) kings are sobbing. They talk tearfully. Melt out 1914—Princeton. Professor Wilson down stage, close quickly to scene 57 where fierce but ragged bandit, up views. Heavy curtains in background. Looks for- sandlefooted and smoking villain's cigarette tears ward. Strong business with eyes uplifted as he pro- American flag to shreds with one hand and runs off claims prayer meetings. Soft stuff with folded hands. some of Gen. Otis' cattle with the other. Title insert here asks for softening wrath of the Eternal Melt back to former scene. Wilson shocked. Others God (Jaweli?) —"Give the world eternal peace." (This triumphant. Wilson speaks, but avoids words "Watch- could be costumed with black gloves, a top hat and ful waiting. '' Doc. gives eyes to camera. Strong busi- alpaca umbrella.) ness of reluctance. Enter all the ladies, each with a End of reel one. Reel two will follow immediately. bundle of Uxtras. They dance to slow music, disclos- ing headlines which read: "American Citizens Brutal- REEL TWO ly Butchered by Border Raiders !" "Land Taken from 1915—Doc Wilson discovered in munition factory in- Americans!" "Mexicans Say Seized Mines are Merely specting shrapnel. Munition barons, armor plate mak- Restored to Their People." "Pretext Considered Mere ers and other capitalists hovering in background whis- Piffle." Melt out to another scene. pering and rubbing hands. Guide takes Dpc. to Chem- Fierce Mexican cruelly taking gold mine from hand- istry department, demonstrates poisonous asphyxiating some American. (Here organist plays much tremelo gasses, incendiary bombs, submarines. Doc rubs hands stuff with grand crash box effect as Mexican hurls unctiously. Business of approving flammerwerfers and American into seething vat of chili con carne.) new knife bayonets and scientific evieerators. Melt back to scene. Wilson down stage ; eyes filled Subtitle—"Of course we would not use these here, with horror. Registers determination. Grabitalls but it is alright to export them. We must not interfere crowds forward flourishing Uxtras with Columbiis, New with legitimate business." Mexico, scare heads. Doc yields amid shouts acclaim. Demonstrations of joy by munitions makers and (Organist plays crescendo, andante stuff; strong crash, Grabitalls, in the background. Wilson seeing what a bang—like when the villain throws little Algie down the hit he has made with the respectables in the back- dumb waiter. Thanks.) ground, makes long speeches. Emboldened, the Mu- All leave stage but Doc, who sits on divan center. —— ——: ! : ; —: - — —!— — ——
The Western Comrade 11
I'amera closes up. Doc. shows great weariness until all Melt out Wilson standing very close to camera with get off stage. Eyes register "Guess I did tiiat about his regular illustrated weekly bow, saying to the camera right." Melt out to scene of American soldiers con- man: "Thank you." Melt in American flag. Organist suming- seven days on quick dash across the border. plays "Star Spangled Banner." (If this does not get Show cavalryman in act of using saber to cut up en- the audience, run a cut back showing our brave cavalry- chiladas for his tired horses. Much cactus and sand. men storming and taking trenches at the battle of Melt back to scene. Doc. does cjuick business showing "Huevos Pasados por Agua Caliente, No Muy Duro." satisfaction. Registers, with effect, "Guess that will Play the flag in colors and have the gentlemanly ushers get the votes.'' start the applause.) Turning. the Trick HUMPETY DUMPBTY And in the meantime By ERNEST S. 1700STER sent in his checks The loyal glad banders, pat- For value received, It will be remembered by our readers that riotic grandstanders, Humpety Dumpety first appeared in the January The results he'd achieved; The "' Of -course-we-will-fight- number, seated on a wall, "but that 'wall' was And he ladeled out bright to- defend- our- great-land "- Wall Street," and started his campaign for "the
minted gold by the pecks half billion prize." He got it. But was he satis- ers; Smole his fat smile and quoth, fied? See for yourself. The clicking typewriters "Boys you did well: The clacking standpatters Five hundred million. Now for a billion All the worthy word fighters. Your stuff got across—e'en the President fell. And patriotic proud "Datters" I see profits ahead With artistry, sophistry, guzzle and gush You brought home the ham. With whispers and sob-stuff and reverent hush Just one thing raised Ned Adopted a phrase And that's Uncle Sam That shifted the gaze May make his own cannon and powder and shot Of the gullible public "Wliich would cut out our gains—so of course he must Off from the ways not." Of Humpety Dumpety Old Humpety seemed like a fat Santa Clause, And turned it to praise. And the Boodle-boys gave him their hearty applause. Then the movie boys heard And Humpety yelled, as he wrote a new draft, And their cameras stirred "At last, boys, we win !" then he puffily laughed. "When a dollar bill beckons, all forgotten are laws. Spill on the printers' ink—
The scenario men Run the film, don 't mind the stink And the ones who produce Make the simple voter think Quoth: "0, see the Gold Egg. The Ship of State is going to sink Now, where is the Goose?" That menacing dangers surround on each side, And they followed the scent to where Humpety was. And the Germans and British have riddled our pride. Now this is your slogan !' And to Humpety they chorused: 'PREPARING FOR PEACE "We'll put the whole land in a state of such scaredness When we've got enough cannon That the people will clamor for greater preparedness." Our troubles will cease." Then by subtly devising and wide advertising, They caught the home folks in a way quite surprising. Then Humpety mourned:
"Watch ! Watch ! for our latest release "I spent gold for education " Watch for the thriller, 'The War Cry of Peace.' To prepare a peaceful nation "We want an army and navy so strong To arm itself for war. We can lick the whole world, be no cause, right or I have paid for this tuition wrong!" So I could sell munition Humpety chortled in triumphant glee That's what I did it for. "Me for the movies—the movies for me. Now if Uncle Sam should figure Give me a plot where they wave the old flag, That his bills are getting bigger And I know I can get clear away with the gag." Bigger than they ought to be As he signed the film check He might build his own war rifles. He boasted, "By Heck, And his other war-time trifles. At least I have got every card in the deck." And thus take the game away from me." — — ——— — —
12 The Western Comrade Justice and Not Bullets
-with having used "What we hungry people want is CHARGED By EDGCVMB PINCHON the mails "to incite murder, entire liberty based on economic
' arson and treason, ' Ri- independence. Down cardo Flores Magon T -f It Were You with the so-called rights and his brother, En- of private property; are sensitive, lover rique Flores Magon, ed- Perhaps you a of beautj' and spacious- and, as long as this evil ness, a warm friend of flowers and the open air, deliglit- right itors of "El Regenera- ing in tlie fellowsliip of comrades and the tenderness of continues to ex- eion, " a paper pub- women; perhaps you have the innate pride of spirit which ist, we shall remain un- makes you resent fiercely the unmannerly touch of the lished in Los Angeles in der arms. Enough of gross intrusion of another. Perhaps, in short, you are the interests of free just an unspoiled human being. So' unspoiled, indeed, mockery!" that in passionately cherishing beauty and freedom and land and free men in These utterances con- human dignity you just as passionately cherish these recently have Mexico, for all your race. And imagine that, being as you are, stitute the counts been arrested and you were born in Mexico under the Diaz regime! against the Magons. jailed. You have read John Kenneth Turner's "Barbarous Mexi- And for this they face co." perhaps, and you know what was the Diaz regime. This is the third time from to five two years , A people who five times in sixty years had risen in the Magons have faced desperate revolt against inhuman slavery had triumphed in the penitentiary! fifth time, had broken power of the penitentiary; for the the the Roman The arrest of the Ma- Church, distributed the great estates among the peons, twice they have been instituted a noble public school system—and Diaz at the gons and the indict- convicted of breaking head of a reactionary revolt backed by Wall Street had ment of their English stolen this from them. A tiger actuated by fear and the neutrality laws and collaborator, Williani ferocity was Diaz. He drove three million small farmers have served terms in from their homes and lands and parcelled them among C. Owen, is the seventh i the State prison of Ari- speculators, delivered up the rich mines and forests and attack in ninety days i oil fields to foreign exploiters for a share of the spoil, zona and the Federal — stamped out the school system, crushed the press, ruled on the liberty of the penitentiary on Mc- a beast over ruins. working class press of Neil's Island. In a rev- Supposing you had grown to young manhood amidst this this country. Wall olutionary career of ruin of all that is fruitful and splendid in human society, Street is eager for an and with your sensitiveness and love of beauty and cul- twenty years, ten of ture and fellowship you had had a stark and rugged era of commercial im- which have been spent courage, a capacity for fierce anger and the audacity to perialism backed by the rebuke the Beast in the United States, bayonets of "prepared- they have passed more And supposing the rurales of the Beast had hunted you ' ness. ' To these ambi- for your life, and despairing of making a successful stand than five years behind tions there is no seri- against him in Mexico you had fled to the United States the bars. the land of Washington and Lincoln, there to utter your ous opposition save that protest and organize your against evil "Justice and not bul- countrymen the voiced by the labor and that was upon them lets, is what ought to be radical press ; and those And supposing the hand of the Beast had reached into the meted out to the revolu- in touch with the situ- United States and oiled the palms of the newspaper men tionists of Texas; and and gripped in thick sensuality and understanding the ation believe that "Wall from now on we should hand of the President of the United States, and then had Street, controlling the pounced upon you and beaten you—in blasphemy of your Federal machinery, has demand that the perse- pride—and slammed you behind steel bars, there to rot cutions of innocent out your heart for three long years with the criminals begun an attack upon and perverts, with the obscenity and vileness which bars Mexicans should cease. the liberties of speech breed And as to the revolu- and press, the most de- And supposing at last you saw the sun again, listened to tionists, also termined and far-reach- we should the wind among the grasses, heard the guileless rollick- demand that they be ing of the birds, kissed again in freedom the glad lips of ing in the history of this terrible memories in not executed." the girls—and then—with your heart country. but courage on your brow had set out again to defy and ' In answer to this ' The ones who rebuke the Beast shot the campaign of suppres- should be are And suppose the hand again had pounced on you—and you 'rangers' and the band saw before you in a sinister glint the steel jaws open- sion, a Workers' In- the hell you had just left of bandits who accom- ing before you to ternational Defense pany them in their dep- And supposing that in spite of all your fight for liberty League of Los Angeles bribed and perjured testimony again gave you to rot in redations." has been organized in the horrors of the steel-trap which society preserves for "Enough of reforms! her saviors affiliation with similar ; — —
The Western Comrade 13
^ £.^^Z^)^Y /»
In the Arena
-Drawn for The Western Comrade by J. Lewitzlcj-
leagues iu Sau Fran- And supposing again you had come forth, shaken, ill. but, case, and has set itself • still desperately determined that freedom and beauty and. cisco, Chicago and New to put up the heavy bail human dignity should yet, flourish on earth even though York, with headquar- it cost you your life, and you had gathered a few friends of $10,000 demanded by little hand ters at. 621 American about you, settled yourself on a farm, put up a the court for the tem- printing press—and set out once. more to utter the call to Bank Building. It is a human splendor and to cast damnation upon, the Beast porary release of the permanent and widely which is not a man but a whole social system prisoners, and to raise based organization rep- the greatly needed And supposing the Beast yet once more (how you shuddered , resenting on its execu- when you thought of him in the night!) had stretched funds for their defense. tive committee every out his thick and sensual paw and smitten you to the Attorneys Eyekman and earth, beaten you till you streamed with blood and then division of the labor again had cast you into the steel-trap—built for wild men Kirk have been engaged and radical movements such as you. And you were growing old, your health as counsel, both of was broken, your eyes failing—and there was not even and its services are at them veterans in fight- enough friendship for you in the world to go your heavy the disposal of "all who bail that you might enjoy one more brief glimpse of the ing the battles of the need defense and aid in sun and the flowers before the Beast took you for the workers—the latter, in- third and, maybe, the last time—for human nerves will the struggle for deed, having served six eco- snap at last in death nomic justice." months in ,jail for his Then you were Ricardo Flores Magon and his brother, En- The League has taken activities in the San. rique Flores Magon, now in Los Angeles County Jail, charge of the Jlagon awaiting the finishing stroke of the Beast's paw! Diego free speech fight. 14 The Western Comrade
Recent scenes of the Llano del Rio Colony, Antelope Valley, California. (1) Community Club House. Here the social activities and entertainments take place. (2) Some of the heavy draft horses in a corral. Llano possesses some excellent specimens. (3) Planting strawberries. Several acres of these luscious berries have been planted. (4) Digging lime, at Bob's Gap for use in the lime kiln. There is more than enough lime there to built the proposed city of Llano. (5) The Montessori school. This wonderful institution, in the hands of able teachers, paves the way in the world for the tiny tots. The Western Comrade 15
The Needs of Llano of the most iuteresting experience give their attention ONE By ADELAIDE MAYDIVELL things connected with the to this phase of the colony's ranch at Llano is the interest this co-operative enter- development. The colony's future depends upon the prise is exciting all over the United States. Prom all specialization as seen in the financial department. No quarters of the compass come inquiries asking for de- man is big enough, or argus-eyed enough, to see every- tailed accounts of the doings at Llano. Many of the thiug that this colony needs. Many men are required. questioners have just heard of this wonderful proposi- The more men (and women, too) that are here the tion, laid like a great thing on these sloping acres, and easier will be the work. ask some wierd questions. It is hard for so many, It is easier, proportionately, to take care of bound and shackled by the crushing competitive sys- ten thousand population than it is to feed, house and
tem, to understand that there is any place ou earth clothe one thousand. Many hands make light work. where there is freedom, and where the three great Ten thousand workers, men and women, working in- primary essentials, housing food and clothing are the telligently on Llano's domain, in the fields and shops,
things not to be worried about. would spell absolute economic freedom. That is, CA'ery Yes, it is true that these things are thought of by man, woman and child would be free from the worrj;- some members of Llano del Rio Company. These mem- of getting a living, or the wherewithal to indulge leis-
bers often lie awake nights trying to figure ways and ure, education and travel. Therefore, Llano is bidding means, but the majority of the colonists are not bothered for ten thousand ardent, self-reliant, indomitable men
about it. What is expected here, is for each to do his and women by 1918. With their coming a new world little part, and in the aggregate a great work can be psj^chology will be well on its way to universal adoption, performed. If the machinist or the carpenter or gard- that of international co-operation, the ancient and his- ener would have to be bothered with the details of toric goal of all great leaders. We are sanguine that financing the colony, soon their respective work would within two years most of the desire will be fulfilled.
suffer, and the worry would become contagious all down And, can we support that number ? Yes, many times the line, so everybody would spend the greater part of over. Should Llano's land become overcrouded, mil- their time in worrying. lions of acres lie in this great state awaiting the magic As results over the world today are measured in dol- touch of labor. Millions of acres in all the states of lars and cents, the Llano colony must perforce become the Union are available for co-operative uses. Llano vitally interested in that thing, and work in accord will be happy to be made the nucleus of a world-wide with the rules laid down by inexorable economic laws. movement that means labors' emancipation from the So, men skilled and adapted by training through long yoke of the vicious social system. —
Hastings on the Hud- son, April 20.—Militia- men who were guarding a bridge leading to the plant of the National Cable Conduit Company, attacked 250 girl strik- ers. Six girls and a man were bayonetted. News Item.
-Drawn for The Western Comrade by Dudley Logan -v-k '.i
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i~.:-^:A'-::^-^^<-<'------:;, 18 The Western Comrade
INB weather has blessed the whole of the Antelope Valley for the past two months. Fruits generally over the valley should be A c t i V i t 1 e s unusually good this year. Visitors con- tinue to come to Llano. Spring is bring- them their native ability of
By R. K. \ ing out the members held back on ac- adaption and the power of get- count of poor weather conditions with ting a living plus the $1000 or $2500,, as the case may them. Housing conditions are still be. Mr. Harriman has often remarked that the human cramped and the demand is more than the available is more than a perpetual motion machine—he makes his supply. As has been said before, this is to be regret tjd, own living as well as the living and the luxuries of yet it is a most encouraging sign. If the colony wot Id the idle. erect a lot of homes and have no one to fill them, there Demand creates opportunities. If a demand is in- would be reason for discouragement. sistent enough, it soon will be satisfied. Most of the There are many people indeed waiting the opportune things civilization is enjoying today has been due to the moment to come to Llano. They want to be assured demand for better things, more conveniences, etc. If that there will be a comfortable place for them upon ten thousand people were set down on these slopes to- their arrival. Many are hanging in the balance be- morrow they would work out their own salvation most readily; they Avould house, clothe and feed themselves, and to the one not un- derstanding the giant power that lay
in the human frame, they would scill sit back and say it can't be done. The same old story of the first railroad
train going through the tunnel—it would miss the hole, or the Pulton steamboat, "you can't start her," or "if you start her you can't stop her" has to be disproved daily. The most impractical people, often- times are those that praise themselves as practical. Those that always want the concrete thing before they will be-
lieve it can be done, soon fall in the rear, and the so-called dreamers or impractical people surge on. Some day we are going to build a city here. The plans are in the back office. Pressure of other necessary work pre- vents going ahead with the plans. Why? Because we haven't got sufficient men cause of poor business conditions and the general lack to do the work. We need more men, and will continue of commercial and industrial activity. to ask for them until these plains are dotted with busy Llano suffers no inactivities. Here is bustle and men and women, all working with a thorough under- activity. One hundred men could be put to work this standing of the identity of interest. morning to great advantage. In no time five hundred Former Mayor Alexander, James Spellacy and Com- men could be so spread over Llano's land as to make missioner Wood of the horticultural department of the the ground productive and the city rise like magic. county were in the colony recently in the interest of the The statement that ten thousand people could be fruit growers of the county. They spent a few minutes taken care of here has been controverted. It was stated with us. They were amazed at the progress made. that we cannot take care of the people we already have. While these men are all students of social conditions, In a way this is correct, but it is more incorrect than they were hardly able to believe that a group of people correct, if that seeming anomoly can be understood. could be gotten together that would work so harmoni- The reason that ten thousand people could be taken ously and produce so much in such a short space of care of is because each man and woman brings with time. The Western Comrade 19
Eight acres will be given over to small fruits and strawberries. Three acres of this tract have already at Llano been put in. The first cutting of alfalfa began on April 16. It is On May 1 will be two being fed to the cows with good results. Seventy acres WILLIAMS we years old. Four farm houses of alfalfa have just been sown. More will be put in two or three miles apart was all of Llano. A dozen or from time to time. so people made up the population. Today more than Work is going on all over the ranch with precision 650 ardent, self-reliant men and women are her. AVhat and care. More actual, constructive work has been may we be justified in predicting two years hence? done in the last four months than has been accom- If a colony can make a substantial growth, such as we plished in the previous year. This, of course, is due have in two years, from practically nothing, what may to the extra number of men. Naturally we are fretful we expect in the next two years? "We know that labor here to get on. We see so much ahead and our goal creates all things, and many hands make light work. so near that we get anxious. More men, willing to
Last year we were 70 per cent self supporting; this buckle in and help construct, is the solution. Everyone year we are confidently predicting that we will be who visits us now sees this. It is not necessary to 85 to 90 per cent self-sustaining. Everything is work- paint a dream. We have so many places to show them. ing better and easier than heretofore.
The lime kiln is completed and has started to burn lime. It has exceeded Harry AYood's expectations—^the man who started it. It was expected that lime could be burned within 48 to 50 hours. As a matter of actual practice, lime is being taken out within 24 hours after the fire has played over the rock. Ten tons every 48 hours will be taken from the kiln, and that will more than sup- ply the needs of the colony. The kiln is a continuous affair and will be run 24 hours a day until a sufficient quantity of lime has been made to take care of the needs of the colony for some time. A good deal of the permanent work of the colony has been delayed awaiting a lime supply. For instance, founda- tions for houses, cobbling of the ditches and many other things have been kept Llano's Rabbits Are Well Housed and Cared For back owing to the lack of material. A. A. Stewart has charge of the to- mato patch this year. He has been leveling with the and so much along the way that has been done by the caterpillar and teams for some time past on his twenty- hand of labor, that there is little hesitency on the part acre tract back of the Montessori school, and when of the intending prospector. The chief difficulty with fully bearing will certainly supply the colony's wants the average prospect is, we find, that his economic con- and many gallons will be canned. dition is not such as to warrant his coming.
It is the intention to specialize as much as possible The question has been asked whether the ending of on things about the ranch. The garden will be under the war in Europe would affect the Llano del Rio Col- P. A. Knobbs, as usual, and he has done some real ony if times go good. We think so, but to our good. work on the garden tract back of the Tighlman place. No matter how good times are, they never get good There will be more than 50 acres put into potatoes enough to employ all the labor. There will be a sur- this year, if calculations do not go awry. Comrade plus of labor just so long as the competitive system Zornes has taken charge of the white potatoes, about lasts. The co-operative enterprise will act as a lode 35 acres of them, and Moss will take care of the sweets. to draw the intelligent and weary fighters in the un- Twenty acres has been prepared for the sweet potatoes. equal game. There's such a thing as a man being a good 20 The Western Comrade %
»ii fighter ; but there 's also such lem of getting a living, or ex'
a thing as knowing when pressing it otherwise, retain
you're licked. Sometimes it ing, as nearly as possible, th< Z-^ s^-ar^wi»^^^'"* pays to go with the stream. full product of our toil.
Life lasts longer if it is not AA^e simply are taking ad (OlOll made up of frictions. The vantage of the wonderfuljlj
average man has no chance efficient capitalistic laws t( IdcIi fighting alone. Protected by solve these problems for usi Co numbers, which when organ- Instead of dividing up witl ized means power, he really is a group of non-resident nom- L an entity, and then can begin working stockholders, we are |css' *f. to live as an individual. striving to keep it among xhi -*--- ',4 The Thursday night danc- workers, where it by right ing classes under the man- belongs. agement of George T. Pickett We have changed nothing continues to attract the but our economic surround- younger element and as high ings, hence the necessity of as a hundred couples grace sticking close to the personal the floor and perform won- things you have been accus- derfully well to the music of tomed to. AVlien you come the full orchestra. The orches- The Llano del Rio Community now has more bring all the household goods tral music for these dances than two thousand of these egg makers, and you can. As has been fre- Walter Hogan, famous as a chicken expert, will is the the same as for the reg- take care of this department. These fowls are quently said don't forget the ular Saturday night dances. housed and cared for by the most scientific prin- kitchen utensils. The bed- ciples known in the chicken industry, and results The children refuse to accept have been gratifying. The temporary town of room equipment never comes anything less than the best. Llano can be seen in the background of the amiss. Quilts, blankets and picture. This comes from education in coverings are needed. We good music. Growth in all sleep under covering the year
lines is made in this way, by round. Hardly a night association and absorption. passes, even during summer, We are constantly receiv- that some covering is not ing inquiries relative to what needed. It seems incongru- to bring to the colony in the ous to be talking of covering way of housing, house uten- these warm days, but we sils and comforts, as well as know that chill winds do the kind of clothing. If the blow. This is said because in- shipment of the goods is not one ought to be as nearly from too great a distance, dependent as possible. If a bring everything you can. person were to develop a You will need everything desert claim everything here, naturally, that you have needed would be taken to the been accustomed to using little shack, so that that per- "back home." Don't imagine son could live independently, like a king, in fact. bring- that by coming to Llano life By ing everything changes in all respects. Only used to, no the economic environment, hardship will be experienced. plus geographical changes. As for housing. The colony are simply recently eonsumated one of We folks of the Hogs are pastured in large fields of alfalfa, and colony. We all want to un- it is the intention of the community to enlarge the the most important deals in herds to many times their present size. All prod- derstand the its history when it got pos- purpose for ucts will be marketed in the most concentrated which we are here. It can- form possible. Instead of selling alfalfa, they session of 250,000 feet of lum- will sell it in the form of hams and bacon. In- not be stated too often that ber from the government, stead of selling hides, they will sell gloves and there is but one interest here shoes. ,iust twelve miles east of the —that of solving the prob- colony, and with a downhill — '
The Western Comrade 21
laul. The sawmill, with a 30,000-foot capacity, is now Pickett has secured for the enterprising colonists jeing installed east of the new townsite, one-half mile forty acres—and, by the way, forty acres is some land,
3ast of the center of it, and rapid progress is being when following a plow over it all day—and on it some made on its erection. B. J. Smith and his associates, garden is already planted. Before this will be printed (7ho are very much enthused over this feature of the nearly all of it will be up and in sufficient quantities to colony's development, say that if the same rates of feed all the workers of that colony and then have a progress is kept up for thirty days, the mill will be up surplus. and ready to saw. The whole of the forty acres will be cleared, Conservatively speaking, lumber for temporary plowed and put into fruits, alfalfa and other things housing should be sawed and ready for building within that go to make up a first-class farm. It will all be ninety days. However, this time will be reduced if done with the assistance of the boys and girls, directed possible. It is the intention of the mill men to build by Manager Pickett, who also has charge of the athletics the temporary, two-room houses in the mill yard, at- and playground arrangements of the schools. tach the caterpillar to them and haul to where desired. The club house is already under course of construc- They estimate that six houses can be built in a day, tion. E. A. AVest, an expert mason, is directing the as all the sizes cuts, etc., would be done inside the nail boys in the construction of the building. Since the lime and nothing but hammers and nails used in the yard. kiln has been completed and turning out lime, work on this structure will be pushed to the limit. The above is what we expect confidently to be hvire The trench for the foundation has been the boys,, by August, but in the meantime, it is advisable to briag dug by tents or other material for making oneself comfortable. and stones placed in the bottom to make secure the foundation. building will feet. This; The reason for suggesting this is because, as has been The be 54 by 110 so often remarked, we are behind in the housing, and includes a nine-foot porch running on three sides. The everything like this helps tremendously. By doing this building is to be made of cobblestones and brick. It the incoming colonists save those of us here a lot of will be a regular club, with indoor gymnasium so that athletics indoor sports money and themselves great inconvenience. There is and can be indulged the year usually little difficulty in getting a frame put up for 'round. a tent. Conditions, too, control here. We don't go A good ball ground has been leveled off by the by any set and fast rule. We can't. Conditions won't caterpillar and the boys, and weekly baseball games are permit it. Until we have an abundance of the three played. Just across the road from the: club house is things—foods, covering and materials for housing a space cleared for a tennis court, and soon the zip of condition, untoward, ai they often are, will control. the racquet will be heard, as wielded by the boys and
However, we feel, that the lumber deal, shortly will girls. Pickett has seen to it that the very best ma- solve the housing problem. "We then will make a strong terials, such as baseballs, tennisballs, bats and racquets bid for those already waiting on the outside and eager are in readiness. to join us. They employ five horses daily and it is pleasing to
Don't forget that the Llano del Eio Colony is but see how naturally the youngsters take to field work, two years old on May 1, 1916, and when one con- hauling, etc. A flock of nine milk goats have a nice lit- siders what has been done, we have reason to be proud tle corner, with Big Billy watching his flock close oy. of ourselves. One must not forget that every great or- Eight little kids were presented by the mothers last ganization had to go slow at first, make mistakes and month, so that the total number of Sierra Madre Colony at times appear to go backward, in other words feel its goats number 18. These are registered Swiss stock. way. We all know what we want to do, and are striving Soon these colonists will have the care of 500 and to do it. We wish that everyone intending coming more chickens and turkeys. A few days ago Pickett would have this spirit. Nothing in the world could stop procured from the Longview ranch, a few miles dis- us, as indeed even now, we feel that only a cataclysm tant, a lot of little chicks and turkeys. These will be could do it. reared on the colony's land.
"Sierra iladre Colony" is the high sounding name The rabbit industry will be gone into quite exten- of the new colony formed by George T. Pickett and sively. The boys have a fair start now and anyone run by the boys and girls of Llano. It is here emphat- familiar with the productivity of rabbits can under- ically stated that the girls have as much interest in this stand what soon -will happen there. colony within a colony as the boys. Some irreverant All in all, we consider the most important work on people, and the writer has been accused of being that the ranch, to insure the future success and maintenance people, have called it the "boys' colony." The girls of the big colony's life, is being laid in this smaller are just as much interested as the boys. (Continued tin Page 26) ;
22 The Western Comrade The Montessori Systemj
E believe with quietly about setting the tables By MILDRED G. BUXTON Whitman that the and prepariag the meal. Whenl work of teaching is august, the demands this is done and a cafeteria line formed, the hot soup or obdurate; but our reward, which is al- rice, or whatever is served, carefully carried to the ready in sight, surpasses our fondest place, a sight greets one that is almost awe inspiring in dreams. its promise for the future. To one accustomed under We have the Montessori Children's capitalism to the habit of each fellow for himself and House with an average daily attendance the devil take the hindmost, the sight of forty little of forty and the wonderful results already showing pairs of hands folded and waiting, not at a word of at the end of six months, satisfy us that we are well command, but from the inner knowledge that all have along the right track towards true Education. not yet been served, so that no one is willing to begin, For so many years educators have been divided as it is a sight, I say again, to thrill one. to whether society or the individual should be developed There is no attempt made here to teach the children and changed first to make an ideal world, and the what we older ones know; the didatic material used general conditions today show how far they have ad- teaches principles and the application is made by the vanced when the two theories were followed separ- child. In other words, we merely provide a support ately. for the little tendrils to cling to as they grow straight We, in accordance with the Montessori idea, are and strong, and that the tendrils do reach out and take "giving the child to himself;" could anything be more hold even higher and higher is sho'\\Ti every day. glorious for him ? In accordance with our Colony ideal Manners, as such, are not taught, but when a little of co-operation, we are working together to make So- three-year old turns to a companion who is carrying a ciety what it should be for this roundly-developed, bench and says, with a beautiful smile, "May I help well-poised individual; could anything be more glor- you carry it?" we know that the spirit, which actuates ious for Society? good manners is at work and we rejoice. When a group The individual and society develop together, each for goes out silently to see some j^ellow roses growing be- the other. Isn't it a wonderful realization of our hind one of the tents nearby, and a wee one, with an ecstatic dreams? ; expression says, "It Children allowed to develop is shining in its small corner, on this atmosphere from their Co -Operation isn't it?" we are sure the cor- be babyhood cannot fail to By JOHN DEQUER relation is perfect and even if strong lights on the road that stereotyped expressions are 0-OPEEATION of the workers is leads to freedom for us all. omitted occasionally, Ave know C^>' the only cure for the insanity of believe the old law of the the little soul is We militarism. When your mind is upon awake and survival of the fittest will have construction for yourself, you have no with the possibilities we have no application here, because time to think of the destruction of here for development, we rest individuals seeing the way and others. content. Co-operation is the only cure for allowed to develop themselves When a little fellow, whose poverty ; for when you produce and con- to their fullest capabilities previous condition was quite sume your products in such a way that otherwise, cannot help but be fit. there is no waste or graft, you can have came to school with For the wee ones from two plenty and to spare. a suit of clothes and shoes and a half to six, we have a Co-operation is the great antidote for properly buttoned, a clean disease, as it relieves the mental strain six-room house vsdth large yard folded handkerchief in a new, of the individual struggle. It reduces surrounded by cottonwood convenient pocket, we saw that the excessive hours of labor. It elimin- trees. Swings, and tables, the ates the incentive to the poisoning of the body was greatly relieved horizontal bar and balls pro- food—hence it is conducive to general and events proved that the vide opportunity for free play. health. mind and soul were also freed Co-operation is a spiritual force in The big yard allows plenty of in fact, his spiritual develop- that it calls mankind from every walk room to serve the noon meal ment began from that day, and of life into one organization for their out of doors and it is an ever- collective benefit. It is the tie that from a troublesome child, who inereasing inspiration to binds our hearts in brotherhood. was a real menace to others, watch the little ones moving (Continued on Page 27)
I ; ! : — ;;
The Western Comrade 23 Socialist Party
HE deplorable condi- By JOB HARRIMAN philosophies. It is a propaganda or- tion in which we find ganization. It is resolving itself into the Socialist Party, calls for a frank and a school, instead of a fighting machine. It seeks to eleet. open discussion of its policies, the causes officers to carry out ideas and ideals, rather than to of its impoteucy and the changes neces- protect interests and develop institutions. sary to be made in order to revive and As a purely political organization, acting inde- invigorate it, and to make it a power pendent of all industrial and economic movements, the . in the Labor ^Movement. That the con- Socialist Party can do but little. The officials elected is deplorable there is question. "When a by the Socialist lition no Party not only have to contend with, . :reat labor organization loses 50 per cent of its mem.- the officials elected by the other parties but they also
it'iship in four years ; when, for want of funds, it is have to contend with the economic and industrial in- •cimpelled to withdraw its organizers from the field; terests of the land with which those officials are vitally
reduce the amount of cash to be expended in the connected and by which they are controlled. The offi- cials publication of its literature and to curtail expenses by elected by the other parties are supported by all •educing the force in its national office, in the face of the economic and industrial power of the country, in he needs of the hour; there is something fundamen- their effort to make such rules as will tend to protect ally wrong with its policies, its methods and its plan and multiply those powers. While the officials of the of organization. Socialist Party, representing a purely political organiza- A great labor organization? Perhaps the Socialist tion, strive to enact such rules as may conform to the is not a great labor organization. Perhaps it principles and theories Party of that organization ; were they s only a quasi-labor organization, with a strong ten- vitally connected with and controlled by great indus- ieney to become ever less and less a labor movement trial and economic movements, their efforts would be md more and more an intellectual and quasi-religious directed toward enacting such rules as would protect novement. and multiply the power of such movements. The prin- As a matter of fact, this intellectual, religious ciples and theories of the party would then become :endency is precisely what is developing in the Socialist manifest as the power of those movements is developed. ?arty. It is, as rapidly as pos- Without such power being sible, developing the spirit vitally connected with, and )f the old Socialist-Labor having The Dream Fulfilled control over it, the So- Party. The dominant idea cialist Party never will have By MARGUERITE HEAD leems no longer to be—'"What power to greatly modify exist- - ;an we do?" but "Is he r\ TOILER, let thy soul ascend ing institutions. Beyond the pain and sordid things clear?'" The more the former It is for this reason that For just a little space, today •idea is frowned upon and the the accomplishments Through Dreamland's portals let it of the latter emphasized, the more wend officials elected by the Social- purely intellectual, idealistic A sunlit way ist Party, with but few ex- and fanatical the movement On soaring wings. ceptions, have been and must becomes. If persisted in, long continue to be meager and of From Dreamland's quarries we may ?nough. these ideas will resolve hew but slight importance. If the themselves into a Tobogan The noblest shapes the world has effects of their meager ac- slide, upon which the party kno^vn complishments would end or art will ride backward to it-s place Great monuments of work there, the damage would not Are but the forms of dreams come true of beginning. It is now mov- be so great. But when the So make, Sad Heart, ing rapidly in that direction. general public, as well as the One dream thine own The fundamental weakness membership of the party, ob- of the Socialist Party lies in A commonwealth of love and truth serve the fact, it turns the the fact that it stands alone "White cities fair, thy mind shall build, public away and strikes palsy AVhere combines with busy hands and without a vital connection .Joy in the hearts of the member- This dream bequeath thy rising youth, with any economic or indus- ship. . And lo ! there stands trial movement. Its founda- The dream fulfilled It is the inherent weakness tion is laid in theories and of the party that is sounding 24 The Western Comrade I
its death knell. Weakness not only begets contempt, action is only an instrument of warfare. The strike in the minds of our enemies, but it causes despair in the boycott, co-operation and numerous other means ar(^ our own minds. If the psychology of despair is de- likewise employed.
veloped in the labor movement, disintegration will A political party must be a practical fighting mai ly not only set in but an era of destruction will follow. chine for what the class wants now. What it wantii
The development of power alone will inspire the labor hereafter will come hereafter, if the class gets what it
movement to inaugurate a constructive political and wants now, and not otherwise. The economic and in-,
industrial policy. There is nothing so deadening as dustrial movements must use every available devicei ks
pessimism in the movement. Indeed, pessimism is only means and method to increase their power. Power is
a process of decay. All nature is an optimist during its the sole desideration. All things come with it. Hence, period of growth. It is a pessimist when decay sets in. whatsoever method, means or device multiplies the The labor movement and the Socialist Party are not power of the industrial and economic movements h missing links. They are not exceptions. To prevent justifiable, is right, nay, is necessary. pessimism and decay, they must develop power. With Economic and industrial movements purify them- power comes all things. It works wonders in the selves in proportion to their action. A movement thai movement. With it comes hope, without which no delegates its power, political or economic, becomes cor- movement can survive. Hope carries with it a will and rupt. The temptations laid before the agent becomes a determination to do and a feeling of confidence and too great to withstand. If, however, the votes of the fellowship that arouses the fellowship of an organiza- movement are bound up with its interests in the same tion to its maximum efficiency. Hope is the psj^cliol- manner and degree as are the strikes and boycotts, and ogy of success. Despair the psychology of failure. Hope are used and handled by the movement in the same and power go hand in hand to victory. Weakness and manner and for the same jjurpose for which the strikes despair lead but to the grave. An intellectual, quasi- or boycotts are used, then the movement will become as religious political party, detached from economic and incorruptible in its political activities as it is in its industrial movements, can only develop weakness and economic activities. It is a well established fact that the despair and end in fanaticism and failure. labor movement has lost less money by embezzlement A political party can become powerful only in pro- or other dishonest means tlian has any other known or- portion as it is in the hands of and controlled and used ganization, not except banks, secret organizations or by powerful economic and industrial movements. It churches. must be an instrument of warfare in their hands and Not only does a movement in action, like running
at their bidding and command at all times. It must water, purify itself, but it also develops its own pro- not' be an idealist movement only ; it must also be a gram. Just as the water runs down hill and makes its fighting machine. It must fight first for impnediate own ebannel in which to run, so, also, will the indus- trial interests, and second for ideals. It must be an in- and economic organizations seek the line of least I separable part of the industrial and economic move- resistance and thereby define their line of march. If ments. The same men, the same interests, the same the movement is in action, it can no more depart from struggle, first, last and forever must be involved. This its interests than can water run up hill or the force of old, one-armed argument must be forgotten. "The gravity cease to operate. There can never be a cor- unions one arm," "the Socialist Party the other arm" is ruption fund large enough to corrupt a movement, pro-
rotten to the core. The onlj^ part of the working class vided the movement is in full charge of and directing worthy of consideration in respect to being a fighting its activities. The reason is that the interests of every force is the organized portion. The rest is a ropa of movement are worth more to it than to any other body. sand. Only as they are organized are they worth con- Purchases, corrupt or otherwise, are only made with a sidering as a social factor. Hence a political party is margin of gain in view. The fear of a corrupt labor not one arm; but it should be and must be an instru- party is groundless and without force. How could the ment in the hands of the organized portion of the capitalists, who are fully in charge of their own political class, if it is ever to avail the class. A party dominated machinery, corruptly enact laws contrary to their own by non-members of the industrial and economic organi- interests? Will the working class do less if their eco- zations, however intellectual, can never efficient^ .lid nomic and political interests are merged? those organizations. The party must not dominate, nor It is for this reason that the economic and indus- lead, nor function separately. The economic and in- trial organizations must form the basis of the success- dustrial movements are inherently vital. In them and ful working class political party of the future.
their activities are involved the means of subsistence. By the economic and industrial organizations is Out of them arise the advantages, comforts and luxur- meant the labor unions, found only in the cities and ies of the class by which they are controlled. Political towns of the land, and the various co-operativ3 enter- The Western Comrade 25
|>rises, found not only in the cities and towns, but also and by it are forced into action. Individual, acting hrougliout the country and farming districts. alone, are so helpless when confronted with the great The interests of both these movements are substan- industrial and commercial enterprises that they are ally identical. Each should largely supply the market compelled to join with their fellow men for sheer self or the other's output, by exchanging their products preservation. Though they are, by the burdens they ipon an agreed basis, while the one would become the impose, developing the very power that will eventually
I iiimissary for the other in times of industrial strug- overthrow them, j^et these mercantile and industrial enterprises cannot change their course. Capital knows
These city and country co-operative enterprises but one course and that is the accumulation of more au be so bound up with the labor unions, in their ex- capital. •lumges and in their political activities, that their in- Every dollar accumulated must draw interest,
I rests would become absolutely identical. and every dollar of interest drawn must in turn Each union and each co-operative enterprise, or draw interest, until the accumulated profits and in- urh members of such organization as may desire, terest become an unbearable burden imposed by the few liould form a branch of the political party, over which upon the millions. In the meantime, the efficiency of h'-y should have absolute control and whose mission the millions depends upon their industrial, co-operative diould be to further such measures as would add or organizations and the power of their own political
I'ud to add power to these movements. It is plain to party to make them legal institutions.
^^ e that the psj^chology of such a political organiza- It is apparent that the vital working force of this i(in would, as at all times, it should, be identical with political organization would be composed of the mem- lie psychology of the labor unions and the co-operative bers of the unions and the co-operators. Yet arrange- enterprises. In other words, the three movements ments should be made for the admission and participa- svould constitute practically one fighting machine, on tion of men not eligible to the membership of the un- the alert at every point to protect the interests of the ions. They would probably find au open door into producing classes and to develop their institutions. such enterprises. The inherent strength of such an organization exists Doubtless an organization of this character would in- ill the fact that both the labor unions and the co-opera- sist that all journeymen eligible to membership in any ti\e enterprises are outgrowths of the capitalist system (Continued on Page 27) The Great Struggle
HE classcla; struggle is the est sense of that word. Con- THE By EDMUND R. BRUMBAUGH _ fe^^...-great struggle. None tact with vice is not condu- other can compare with it. Most other struggles are cive to virtue nor need be proper appreciation of the parts of it or are governed by it. Great issues are in- good things of life. volved in it; great principles are at stake. Upon the "When men rise much above the brutes of the jungle, outcome depends the further development or utter they will eliminate the cruelty and tragedy of the decay of civilization. jungle from their affairs. Field for struggle will re- The class struggle, beginning with civilization, has main, struggle that will develop instead of degrade, increase in intensity as civilization has grown and de- struggle that will lift up instead of crush do^vn. The veloped. As the years come and go class lines become human struggle should be on a high plane to be worthy more clearly marked, the issue more sharpie defined. of humanity. It is enough to engage every energy to The conflict of Capital and Labor in industry and poli- struggle for more intelligence, more uprightness, more ties takes on new vigor as both sides realize its im- usefulness ; in short, for the finer, more enduring at- portance. More and more the prize for the victor be- tributes. comes the entire ownership and control of industry. The doctrine of the class struggle has been much de- In struggle is the secret of racial advancement. Much nounced. Theodore Roosevelt called "class conscious- of it in the past has been accompanied by trial and ness" "a hatefv;! thing." But out of this "hateful hardship and suffering untold, but such have not been thing, " notwithstanding, will blossom the loveliest essential to advancement; the principal work of the flowers of heart and mind and soul. Out of the class trial and hardship and suffering has been but to hinder. struggle will come the end of classes, out of an imperfect Starvation is never the secret of character and achieve- industrial system a more perfect one, oiit of discord ment. Poverty does not promote efficiency in the high- harmony, out of strife peace. 26 The Western Comrade
Activities at Llano continued from page 21 Tl PEARSONS colouy. The diversion and interest a closer touch with this great human offered the boy and girl, and the interest problem. Miss Price writes: is the only Magazine practical education to be gained Mr. G. T. Pickett, from the actual working out of Llano del Rio Company, of its kind Llano, Calif. farming, building, drawing, care of i I'' stock, botany and other branches Dear Sir: This is why:— usually taught in a dry-as-dust Being interested in the Colony o£ Bf Three years ago Pearson's decided to Llano, and having read consider- manner in the schoolroom, can here sre: able in The Western Comrade, I be a free magazine. (ifk ; for- be learned and lived and the write to ask you if you would kindly This is what it did:— tunate boy and girl will never feel do me a favor. I desire to com- JB1I[ like tearing away to seek new municate with a girl about my age, ABANDONED FANCY COVERS grade in school, whom you think sli scenes and environment as is usual OUT COLORED PICTURES will be willing to correspond with CUT on the farms scattered widely tttri ADOPTED PLAIN PAPER me, living in the colony. I am to throughout the country. What is years of age, and in the iirst year of This was the purpose:— aimed at by Pickett and his col- high school. I I enclose self-addressed, stamped leagues is to provide an interest, a fero A plain form would enable the mag- envelope and thank you for any something that will grip the grow- ' leai azine to live on its income from sub- trouble which you may assume in iBfi scriptions and monthly sales. It ing mind and mould it into a con- my behalf. structive useful thing, to make citi- 111 would not have to consider the effect Miss Price will be put in com- zens worthy of any place or any inn! on advertisers when it wanted to print munication with a very charming the truth about any public question. country. young lady about her own age, who The famed jMontessori methods This was the result:— will doubtless conduct a spirited are to be worked into, so that the correspondence, for the latter is Pearson's now prints the truth about larger boys and girls, as well as the thoroughly imbued with the spirit some question which affects your wel- fully grown, may receive the ben- of co-operation and constructive- fare in every issue. It printsfacts efit of that wonderful educational ness. system. which no magazine that de- The Sierra Madre Colony requests To show that the work of Pickett pends on advertising could letters and inqiriries and everyone w and his ardent following is being ' will receive considerate "afford ' to print. and re appreciated, it will be interesting spectful attention. to in And, with all this, Pearsons still prints know that far-off Scranton, as much fiction and entertainment Pennsylvania, Miss Glad^^s Price of Do not fail to get next month's articles as other magazines. .If you 1717 Swetland street, inquires of magazine which will tell of the MayE^ want plain facts instead of pretty him just what is doing and asks Day celebration. Subscribe now if pictures buy a copy on the news that she be put in communication you do not want to miss this inter- stand for 15 cents, or subscribe by with some girl member so as to have esting number. the year for $1.50.
By special arrangement with Pear- son's we are able to make you the War Pictures by Robert Minor following clubbing offer. ROBERT MINOR, cartoonist The new volume, which is now You can get botb PEAR- and journalist, spent three on sale, is quarto size, cream deckle- SON'S MAGAZINE and edged paper, the best calculated to THE WESTERN COM- mouths in the thick of the fighting bring out sharply the merits of the RADE for one year by in France, England, Switzerland, sending $1.00 charcoal drawing. We might say to Italy, and a short way into Ger- that the presentation is artistic in many, covering the war from every The Western the highest degree, saying nothing Comrade angle. His observations are a ter- 924 HIGGINS BLDG. of the quality of the contents. rible indictment of the carnage, and LOS ANGELES, CALIF. his cartoons hot shots at the demon The contents deal whoUj' with Militarism. scenes sketched on the spot along In response to many requests, the French battlefront by Minor^ twenty-four of his best cartoons and are the best and most striking, have been put into book form and carefully selected from the collec- Your Combings published by The New York Call, tion. We need only add that of all the multitudes of war pictures that made into switches for to sell at 25 cents per copy. They have been sketched, Minor's easily one dollar, and up, are the most powerful argument stand in the forefront. postpaid. against war that has yet been pro- duced in this country, in any form. In a recent exhibition of war pic- V/ork guaranteed. "We urge every one of our readers tures in Holland the only American MRS. E. TURNWALL to order a copy by addressing The pictures shown were the cartoons Llano, Cal. New York Call, 444 Pearl street. of Robert I\Iinor. America's fore- New York City. most charcoal cartoonist. —
The Western Comrade 27
The Montessori System Continued from page 22 he became an individual, with always attendant upon any pioneer- What jproper co-ordination between mind, ing venture, we are doing the most ispirit and body, and a correspond- wonderful work, that of entering the War 'ingly useful member of the school into the life of the child and giving LITOUp. him his full inheritance at the be- Reaiiy IVIeanS' The mental development is quite ginning of his life to work with. as remarkable—there is no class Is it not evident that children C WAR is a pitiless revealer of motives. Ttaeliing—it is all done in small who had life so broadly opened to C The present war is a struggle groups, and while much credit is them from the first will go farther for economic supremacy be- due to the Montessori system, I and have less to regret as the years tween the capitalist interests ifeel it but fair to say that the di- go on ? There will be no ground in of various nations. rectress of oi;r school is a woman the lives of our children from which C But what are the deeper economic causes? The "law in a million for the work. Having to look back and criticize the of motion" driving the nations just returned from a visit to a num- teachings that harrowed them to to slaughter? ber of other schools in the county, certain creeds and beliefs, and to I came back happy, and satisfied regret the wasted years that with that out here on this beautiful des- greater knowledge might have been SOCIALISM ert, in spite of the drawbacks to spent working for humanity with AND WAR li^•ing comforts, as city dwellers the spirit whose motto is, '"Each By LOUIS B. BOUDIN
understand them, and which are for All and All for Each." Aallior of "The Theorelical System of Karl Marx."
d This book tells you, in a pop- ular but thoroughly scientific continued from page 25 way. f' The Socialist Party C "Socialism and War" has at- tracted attention in Europe should join sxich iiuion tive movements. Indeed, no other iai'Or union and America. Boudin is a before he could belong to the po- position would be taken by the great Marxian scholar. His litical organization. One of the movements themselves. In this explanation of the economic basis of Imperialism is superb. most fruiUul sources of disension fact would lie their safety. Such (I No scientific jargon — a in the Socialist Party has been the an organization would enter the clear intelligible study of jfact that anti-union men were ad- fields as do all the European labor Socialism, Capitalism and War. Imitted to membership. AThen a and Socialist movements and con- called these men would duct itself in the sure, practical "-itrike was Price $1.10, Postpaid -quently refuse to walk out with manner. . It would forget its long, ,the union men or would do worse, tedious programs, fixed creeds and You can get this remarkable jnamely. take their places on the settled cataehisms. and would book in combination with the Western Comrade for $1.25. jjob. There have been in the or- prepare its platforms as the igauization some genuine scabs. needs of the hour demand. Im- Make all checks or money or- Some of them were doubtless sent mediate circumstances would ut- ders payable to I party by the enemy for no ter the call to action. Tickets jinto the The Western Comrade I other purpose than to keep the So- would be named at the primaries 924 Higgins Building cialist Party and the labor unions here as they are at the first elec- apart. No easier nor more success- tions in Europe. At the final Los Angeles, Cal. ful method could be employed to elections here, as in Europe, the divide the two movements than to party would support whomsoever inject scabs into the Socialist seemed most likely to protect its Party. Such a course would be interests. I think I hear "fusion," impossible under the character of as if it were a crime. This is not organization above outlined. fusion, but it is a separate organiza- Relinquishment tion, Not only would it be necessary using every available method 160 acres on Pacific Highway, in for siich a political organization to to increase its power. The labor Summer Lake Valley, southern
be very watchful in regard to the movement enters into compromises Oregon. Daily R. F. D. ; telephone and transmission line past door; interests of these two movements. without end, but it does not fuse. 300 rod barbed wire fence; 10 but in addition thereto the pur- On the contrary, an employer can- acres cultivated, apple trees and poses of the movement should be not belong to it. With all its com- some berries; house, barn, good as broad as our national life. A promises, its lines are more rigidly water, team, harness, wagon, all kinds of tools; price or will movement of such power would drawn in regard to its membership S'900, trade for stock in Llano del Rio find it necessary to take a reason- than are the lines of the Socialist Company. able position iipon eveiw issue of Party in regard to its membership. national importance. The unions admit no one to mem- C. SWENSON Such a position would have to be bersbii) whose economic interests Paisley Oregon taken with a view always to the conflict with theirs, while the So- interest of the labor and co-opera- cialist Partv admits men of what- —
28 The Western Comrade
THE WESTERN COMRADE soever interest or calling and puts every phase, is opposed to war. ButI them in positions of importance preparedness is coming and will Entered as second-class matter at the and control. Doubtless intellec- soon be here. In my humble opin- post office at Los Angeles, Cal. tuals of any class would be admit- ion the movement should announcej ted to membership in such party, its opposition to war and to pre- 924 Higgins Bldg., Los Angeles, Cal. but with the labor and co-operative paredness but facing what is bound Subscription Price Fifty Cents a Year movements in control, the intellec- to happen, insist that if we must In Clubs of Four Twenty-five Cents tuals would be required to serve prepare, then let all the citizens be and not to dictate. In this posi- armed. Managing Job Harriman, Editor tion they would become a vital and We should propose and in- Frank E. Wolfe, Editor most useful factor. sist that our movement should en-' Frank H. Ware, Associate Editor Under such an organization no ter the army not as individuals but
such ridiculous spectacle could be as an organization ; that we officer Vol. Ill April, 1916 No. 12 made of the movement as is now our own forces; that we are, if being done. On the one hand the necessary for our country, against statement ot the Ownership, Management, Socialist Party is unqualifiedly all enemies, whether they be for-( J Circulation, etc., required by the of Con- Act and unconditionally opposing the eign or domestic and that if we' ' gress of August 24, 1912, ot preparedness of war theory, while must take up arms we will take!
THE WESTERN COMRADE the organized labor movement is them up against all enemies alike, *f ""= Published monthly at Los Angeles, Cali- supporting it. We would then turn the prepared- fornia, for April 1, 1916. Were the two organizations one ness theory at least to some extent Nevada, movement, one position would be to our interests. State of County of "Washoe, ss. j Before me, a notary in and for the state and taken. Better, by far, take either To say that such a position is county aforesaid, personally appeared Frank position and be solidly together untenable is to no purpose. The E. Wolfe, who, having been duly sworn ^i ill ac- than to be divided and take two. labor movement of Mexico, now cording to law, deposes and says that he is Time would correct the mistake only old, the editor of The "Western Comrade, and that two or three years has the following is, to the best of his knowledge and its power would remain if not only adopted this course, but and belief, a true statement of the owner- the movement is not divided. has actually carried it out and is ship, managenient (and if a daily paper, the It goes without saying that the now a powerful factor in the af- circulation), etc., of the aforesaid publica- tni labor movement, and this includes fairs of state. tion for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, em- bodied in section 443, Postal Laws and Regu- lations, printed on the reverse of this form, Startling Statements to-wit: About 90 per cent of the first and best in are 1. That the names and addresses of the The jobs the country publisher, managing editor, and business second class mail, such as sealed let- reserved for those whose parents managers are: Publisher, Job Harriman, ters, newspapers magazines, Llano, Cal.; editor, Frank E. Wolfe, 1840 N. and be- can educate them, and any boob can k Normandie, Los Angeles, Cal.; managing edi- longs to big business. Third-class go through high school and college tor. Job Harriman, Llano, Cal.; business managers, Frank H. W'are, 6316 Longview mail, such as circulars or advertis- if his father has the money.—Prof. Ave., Los Angeles, Cal. ing, practically all belongs to big Leiserson. 2. That the owners are: (Give names and m * business. . The workers have noth- addresses of individual owners, or, if a cor- poration, give its name and the names and ing to sell, except labor power, con- The churches have turned their T addresses of stockholders owning or holding 1 per cent or more of the total amount of sequently they have no need of ad- basements into military drill rooms stock.) Job Harriman, Llano, Cal. vertising.—John Marshall. and the pulpits are used by paid 3. That the known bondholders, mortga- * * ^ servants of the rich, to find "di- gees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent or more of total amount of The past few years have witnessed vine" excuses for war.—J. E. bonds, mortgages, or other securities are: a determined endeavor on the (If there are none, so state.) None. part Snyder. of the business world to perpetuate ^ ^K jK 4. That the two paragraphs next above, giving the names of the owners, stockholders, prosperity, the idea being, that it is Episcopal figures show that it and security holders, if any, contain not only the list of stockholders and security holders not possible to have too much of a cost them $1316 to convert a soul. as they appear upon the books of the com- good thing.—Scott Nearing. Clement Wood. pany but also, in cases where the stockholder 5K or security holder appears upon the books of ^ ^ « ^ K^ the company as trustee or in any other It is really remarkable learn good qualities fiduciary relation, the name of the person or what great You can some (• corporation for whom such trustee is acting, military talent the war has de- even from a butcher. —John M. is given; also that the said two paragraphs contain statements embracing affiant's full veloped in the Socialist Party of the Work. knowledge and belief as to the circumstances United States.—Henry L. Slobodin. ^ ^ ^i and conditions under which stockholders and security holders who do not appear upon the ^ ^ ^ Revolutionary thought is spread- books of the company as trustees, hold stock Capitalism's puny puppets ing very quickly. Einer Ljunge- and securities in a capacity other than that of in — a bona fide owner: and this affiant has no Congress are going to give a les- berg. reason to believe that any other person, as- 1'^ 7Ki(i /Ki!4 -»- sociation, or corporation has any interest di- son in solidarity the workers would rect or indirect in the said stock, bonds, or do well to emulate.—Guy Bogart. Today we are eomuradec in every other securities than as so stated by him. « ^ ^ PRANK E. WOLFE, Editor. language known to men.—Eugene May Day means very little to the V. Debs. Sworn to and subscribed before me this men and women on the other side ^-c m -ii 24th day of March, 1916. of (Seal) E. G. EGGLESTON. the ocean just now.—Joseph E. May is the month for evolution My commission expires March 15. 1921. Cohen. and revolution.—Horace Traubel The Western Comrade 29 ijjHell is Mild Compared
'
' By Harvey E. Westgate
iX^E hear a lot of chatter from the men who preach and pray, Save Your Old Carpets m the fate which will befall us if ve sin along the way. How the levil will consume us with his ever- asting fire, if we drink and cuss md tarry as we skid along the Llano Rug Factory aire. But this hell is almost heaven, vhen compared to other spots, Llano, California vJiieh in future we will label as the arth's most dreadful blots; where The Most Complete Rug Factory on the Pacific Coast he kings and queens and kaiseis Employing Expert Weavers "The Pest"; Other Plays Ship direct to the Rug Department MANUEL JULIUS informs us "P -L-' that three of his one-act plays Llano del Rio Co., Palmdale, Cal. will soon be on the presses and ready for distribution binder the title of "The Pest, and Other ' Plays.' ' Li " The Pest, ' the writer pokes fun at American novelists. This play contains a thorough eriti- A TEMPTING OFFER I'ism of American literary art in a Hundreds of subscriptions are pouring into the circulation department of the iform that will be attractive. His Western Comrade through combination offers. This month we have several new second play, "Slumming," is frank- ones added to the list. Would you like to get ly a Socialist's opinions on present- THE NATIONAL RIP-SAW day conditions. The third, "Ado- with the Western Comrade at a reduction? Just send seventy-five cents to the lescence," is a plain nonsense with circulation department of the WESTERN COMRADE, 924 Higgins Bldg., I,os a grain of sense in it. Angeles, Cal., and be placed on the mailing list of both magazines for one year. Our readers are advised to send di- irect to Emanuel Julius, Box 125, iOirard, Kansas, for a copy of these Telephone A-4533 plays. There is no desire to make Home Home A-200£ Main 619 a profit. Persons who forward HARRIMAN & LEVIN A. J. STEVENS their order at once may get a copy Attorneys at Law Dentist jfor only 25 cents. Take advantage 921 Higgins Building 306 South Broadway of this offer now. Los Angeles, Cal. Room 514 Los Angeles, Cal. I 30 Comrade ThePeriscopingsWestern Women's Magazines By EMANUEL JULIUS The Western Comrade has ar- in Europe who evils always disguise ranged several good combina- 'T^ HOSE mouarchs Monstrous J- talk about being on their themselves with lots of pomp and tion offers for the benefit of its God side forget can't spell Gold War covers its barbarity women readers. Among them they ceremony. without "1." Oh, L! with colors, flags and decorar are: an gay music to Today's magazine and Me- I wager a hot water bottle that tions. Add thrilling the dash of gorgeous color and the Call's, both with the Western a certain gentleman in Chicago fa- beast marches through our streets Comrade for one year for $1.25. vors preparedness with the follow- plaudits instead of the This includes a free May Man- ing argument: "That's right; with the ton pattern and a free McCall buckle on your armour!" curses of the people. pattern. A 17 -inch gun is nothing more It is difficult to reason some anti- Another tempting offer is than a capitalist's forceful argu- Socialist working-men out of their Today's and Housewife and the ment why you should let him ex- prejudices because they were nevoi Western Comrade. These three ploit you. The funny thing is he reasoned into them. can be had in combination for expects you to operate that gun. The average person has contempt one year for $1.00. The munitioners and armament- for the humble tiller of the soil, but Still another offer includes ists yell for preparedness and then he has admiration for the brazen, several magazines. It is To- wonder why they are not considered arrogant slayer of men. So long as day's, Woman's World, Home first-class patriots. the arts of people are conside. fed Life, People's Popular Monthly The Socialists are not the first less noble than the stratagems of and the Western Comrade all to show the people that the interests war, so long will brotherhood be aa for one year for $1.50. that live by war are always anxious impossibility. All checks or money orders to provoke wars. Listen to Thomas The capitalist is rich because should be made to the Paine : There are thousands who you are poor. live by war ; it is their harvest, and An observing nut says that the WESTERN COMRADE the clamor which these people keep only way certain workingmen can up in the newspapers and conversa- the light is by hav- 924 Higgins BIdg. be iforced to see tion passes unsuspiciously for the in their meal Los Angeles, Cal. ing holes punched voice of the people, and it is not ticket. Lots of workingmen begin until the mischief is done that the to see Socialism only when they deception is discovered. are dinged on the brainbox by a I have just looked through a meal-ticket puncher. If they must Our magazine that gives lots of space to be slugged in the belfry, that way war pictures — especially those is as good as any. But why can't Greatest Offer! showing towns and villages after they go the easy way of investiga- bombardment—and I wonder who is tion and study? Why must they Here is a combination offer of The going to have gall enough to say be nailed on the knob? Why do American Socialist, official organ of that Socialism will break up the some beans remain dormant unless the National Socialist Party, the home. they are tapped quite vigorously? famous "1914 National Campaign If we don't stop Avar, war will It's a hard subject. Book" and The Western Comrade stop us. "Patriotism," said old Samuel that not one reader of The Western The money of the capitalist is the Johnson, "is the last resort of a of Comrade can afford to let slip by. blood and life of the men he ex- scoundrel"—and the first resort ploits. Capitalism is nothing more the munition manufacturers. The American Socialist than a machine that turns the mis- The people are satisfied with for one year is .50 $ eries of the workers into the joys crumbs, when all about them there The 1914 Campaign Book. .50 of the parasites. is plenty. With Thoreau I say: The Western Comrade for Twin evils : Poverty and Mon- "Cease to gnaw that crust. There one year is 50 ' opoly. is ripe fruit over your head. ' Once Total $1.50 So far as the working class is con- you make up your mind to get the cerned, there is no such thing as a better things of life there is no We will make you a foreigner. The working class is in- power on earth can stop you. With combination of the ternational : it is exploited in all your ballot you can force the ex- lands : its fight for emancipation is ploiters to retreat you can change above for just $1.00 ; world-wide. A workingman who the system so that the workers and Take advantage of this offer now! talks about "them damned furri- not the parasites will get the fruit. ners" is an unmitigated yokel who In a preparedness speech. Presi- Address : Circulation Manager is takinsr a stand against dent Wilson said : "We mean busi- THE WESTERN COMRADE a eroup of men with whom he should be in ness. " That's what the munition- 924 Higgins BIdg. accord. Socialism recognisies no set ers, the armamentists, the jingoes Los Angeles. Cal. of workers as foreigners. The world and the plunderbunders in general is the workers' land. say. They all mean business. — The Western Comrade 31 Financial Statement Llano del Rio Colony THE following table sliows the financial standing of the Llano del Rio Com- pany at the close of business December 31, 1915. All of this property, v^ith the exception of some office fnrni ture and a small amoimt of machinery, is at the Co-operative Colony at Llano, California. The colonists are proud of the showing they have made in about one year and a half. Bills and Aects. Eeceivable $222,267.38 Capital stock paid in ,.$277,635.00 Expenses paid 36,283.77 Installment stock . 44,561.95 Feed in the barns 3,668.75 Profit and loss 990.80 Freight 4,649.59 Land improvement contracts.. .. 186,075.00 Fruit trees in nursery 785.50 Bills and accounts payable...... 110,336.84 Interest paid 2,734.00 Laundry plant 2,066.25 Live stock : 27,778.88 Labor 14,861.00 Mescal Water and Land Co 11,587.81 Machinery and tools 10,915.33 Planing niill 1,828.66 Automobiles 6,662.73 Real estate owned 145,887.95 Stocks and bonds owned 44,717.91 Cash for ranch supplies .".. 58,379.93 Traction engines 3,659.00 Transportation 3,881.59 Taxes paid 869.09 Tents paid for 1,169.98 Other property owned 11,800.39 Cash on hand and in banks 3,144.10 Total $619,599.59 Total $619,599.59 JOB HARRIMAN, President- G. P. McCORKLE, Secretary. Alreadv in Its Second Edition The Life and Exploits of Jehovah By HENRY M. TICHENOR No book on earth like it—It's a scream from start to finish If you have not read it you have missed a rare treat. Price, single copy, of "The Life and Exploits of Jehovah," handsomely bound in silk cloth, $1.00, prepaid to any address in the United States or Canada. Your library of Freethought books is incomplete without this latest, laughable and in- structive work. For sale in combination with one year's subscription to The Western Com- rade for $1.20. Make all checks payable to ' ' 'T.^;^ THE WESTERN COMRADE 924 HIGGINS BUILDING LOS ANGELES, CAL. ELKSKIN ^:j BOOTS and SHOES Factory operated in connection with Llano Del Rio Colony Men's lO-inch boots. $6.00 Men's 12-inch boots. 7.00 Men's 15-inch boots. 8.00 IDEAL FOOTWEAR Ladies' 12-in. boots.. 6.00 Ladies' 15-in. boots.. 7.00 For Ranchers and Outdoor Men Men's Elk work shoes 4.00 Men's Elk dress shoes 5.00 Ladies' Elk shoes... 4.00 Infants ' Elk shoes, Tne famous Clirford Elkskm winoes are lightest and 1 to 5 1.50 Child's Elk shoes, easiest for solid comfort and will out-wear tkree pair 51/2 to 8 2.00 of ordinary snoes. Child's Elk shoes, 81/2 to 11 2.50 Misses' and Youths, We cover all lines from ladies,' men's 111/2 to 2 3.00 and children's button or lace in light handsome patterns to the high boots for moimtain, hunting, ranching or desert wear. Almost indestructible. Send in your orders by mail. Take measurement according to instructions. '\ Out of town shoes made immediately on "^N^ receipt of order. Send P. O. order and state whether we shall forward by mail or express. Place stocking foot on paper, drawing pencil SALES DEPARTMENT around as per above Il- lustration. Pass tape around at lines with- Llano del out drawing tight. Give Rio Company size usually worn. 924 Higgins Bldg., Los Angeles, Cal.