Louisiana Number Price Ten Cents Coni/%ici^ This Issue Contains Contributions by Job Harriman Emma Goldman Alec Watkins Lincoln Phifer Jessie Wallace Hughan Clinton Bancroft H. G. Teigan Marguerite Head Robert Whitaker H. A. Sessions J. G. Phelps Stokes D. Bobspa Robert K. Williams Adolph Germer A. A. George Dr. John Dequer Walter Pritchard Eaton E. R. Browder Your Gateway to Freedom Llano's 16,000 Acre Plantation in the Highlands of We^ern Louisiana THE Llano del Rio Co-operative Colony was established at Llano, and the best income-bringers. Vegetables of all kinds do Well, and Los Angeles County, California, in May, 1914. It attracted berries will yield great returns. This region is not sufficiently well attention throughout the country because of the calibre of the developed for fruit to make detailed statements possible, but from a men who were conducting it. Hundreds joined the colony and during number of sources of undoubted reliability, assurance is given that the three years hundreds of acres of orchards and alfalfa were planted, figs, peaches, prunes ,cherries, and similar fruits can be profitably a community garden was grown, and many industries were established, grown. Cattle and sheep and goats can find forage during nearly the among them being the print shop, shoe shop, laundry, cannery, ware- entire year, while the raising of hogs is profitable because of the abun- house, machine shop, blacksmith shops, rug works, planing mill, lime dance of corn that may be grown here. kiln, saw mill, dairy, cabinet shop, nursery, rabbitry, hog raising, lumbering, publishing, transportation, doctors' offices, wood yard, PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT vinegar works, bakery, fish hatchery, barber shop, baths, swimming Farming comes first. The Colony thoroughly realizes the respons- pool, studio, commissary, hotel, drafting room, post office, Montes- ibilities and the necessities put upon it. Efficiency is insisted on, and sori school, commercial classes, library, and others as well as social once each week foremen are required to attend efficiency classes. The features such as the band, weekly dances, instrumental quartets, musical remaining workers are also given instruction. Records are kept show- societies, etc. ing use of time, achievement, results, costs. There is a systematic and Not all were operating all of the time, but nearly all were success- orderly organization being perfected. Land is being cleared and plow- ful. The social features of the Llano Colony at Llano were an un- ed as rapidly as possible. With a complete understanding of the needs qualified success. of agricultural production, every available man is being put into farm From the first, the intention was to form other colonies, extending work. No department is exempt. Office workers and shop workers the work as rapidly as possible. The first extension has been organized. are required to put at least a portion of each day in working the soil. This work takes precedence over all else, very avenue of waste is 16.000 FERTILE ACRES being closed as fast as discovered. Elimination of useless work and re- duction of only partly necessary tasks is insisted on. The aim of a nation-wide search, it was finally decided to purchase 16,- After the Colony is not only to support itself the very first year, but to acres in the healthful highlands of Vernon Parish in Western Lou- 000 have an ample margin left over. This will take careful and systematic Stables, one mile from Leesville. the parish seat of Vernon isiana, at planning. Through this care and foresight, the new Colony will be This is about 15 miles from the Sabine river, about 40 miles Parish, able to take care of all of its residents, including increase. Housing the river, (both navigable), forty miles from Alexandria, from Red IS simplified by the number of houses acquired with the properly. 100 miles from Shreveport, and about 200 miles from New Orleans. The highlands of this district are fertile, high, well-drained, health- TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES ful. There are no swamps, no malaria, no mosquitoes, no fevers more hotel, dairy, range stock, small laundry .store, than are found in other states. Health reports show that this portion A blacksmith and machine shop, vulcanizing of Louisiana can compare favorably with any other section of the plant, gardens, hot beds, herd of goats, some rabbits, some chickens, hogs, printing department, offices, doctors, United Slates. There is an abundance of drinking water of excellent warehouse material shed, are established departments quality. and now in op- A most careful investigation was made regarding health conditions. eration. Machinery for the shoe shop is here, but not installed. This Reports compiled by the Health Department of Louisiana were studied. is true of the saw mill. A moving picture machine is already purchased, with chairs, and benches for a theater. Plans are drawn and material Inhabitants of this district were interviewed. All agreed on the health- ready for the theatre and dance floor, these to be separate. fulness of this portion of the State, and those who have heard dis- new The couraging reports from Louisiana are invited to make further and more school is giving practical instruction in grammar school subjects. Tre- is every department, the organizing careful investigation before arriving at conclusions. mendous progress being made in and of departments is increasing the efficiency of the entire plantation. The huge tract lies southwest of Leesville and has had most of the timber cut off. Remaining along the creeks.however, are scat- tered pines of the long leaf variety to supply the Colony vnth build- WHAT ABOUT LLANO, CALIFORNIA ? ing material for many years to come. About 1200 acres of hard- The California Llano Colony will be left in charge of a com- wood timber \vorth many thousands of dollars are also on the land paratively few men to develop according to a definite plan to which and offer opportunities for the establishing of many industries. The they will work. Orchards will be planted and cared for and the timber is, beech, magnolia, white oak. cypress, walnut, post oak, property at Llano made very valuable. red oak, sweet gum, and hickory. The trees are splendid ones, The work of transferring most of the population as well as and this body of timber is not to be surpassed in quality. the industries and the personal effects of the residents is a big task. The sawmill, blacksmith shop, farm implements, some horses, cattle, A TOWN CAME WITH IT rabbits, and hogs will be left. When the purchase was first contemplated, and it was finally Residents and industries are being transferred in the order in which decided to buy the 16,000 acres near Leesville, it was found that the they are most required. lumber hamlet of Stables stood on the property. This was ac- quired v/ith the land. A hotel of 18 rooms, 27 habitable houses, FOR MORE INFORMATION 100 other small houses, one shed 130x300 feet, one shed 130x200 More detailed information is given in the "Gateway to Freedom" shed 80x100 feet, one store 30x90, one office 40x50, eight feet, one which outlines the idea of co-operative colonization, the reasons for other sheds and structures. The lumber in these buildings, together it, and what is hoped may be achieved, together with the methods with other lumber on the place, amounts to about 2 million feet. to be 'used. The folder "Llano's Plantation in the Highlands of Ties for a railroad extend across the land. A concrete power house Louisiana" goes into more detail concerning the new 16,000 acre and 5 concrete drying kilns (cost to erect them, $12,000) each kiln tract. about 20x70 by 20 feet high, are also Included. Stables is on the The new colony in Louisiana can support a population of perhaps main line of the Kansas City Southern Railroad. This towTi w\\\ be several thousand persons. It offers wonderful opportunities to all occupied for a while, but later a more systematically laid out town will who join. You are invited to write to the Membership Department be built. for full information about any point not made clear, and answers to WHAT CAN BE PRODUCED ? questions you ask. Address This is the first question asked. A careful investigation has been Department made. No chances of mistake were taken. It is found that a great Membership variety of products do well here. Peaunts, sweet potatoes, melons, of all kinds, corn, cotton, and sugar cane, will be the best producers LLANO DEL RIO COLONY. STABLES. LOUISIANA ^i — s s Political Action Co-operation Social The Western Comrade "The Most Constructive Magazine for Socialism in America." vEntered as second-class matter November 4th, 1916. at the posloffice at Llano, Cal., under Act of March 3, 1879. Application for entry as second-class matter at the postoflice at Leesville, La., pending. I JOB HARRIMAN Managing Editor ALANSON SESSIONS Associate Editor ERNEST S. WOOSTER....Business Manager s clubs (in Subscription Rate—75c a year; Canada $1 ; Single copies lOc; of 4 or more U. S.) 50c. Combination with Llano Colonist, $1. Publishers and others are invited to copy at will from the WESTERN COMf^DE, but are asked to give credit. In making change of address always give your former one so that the mailing department may be certain that the right name is changed. Please do not send subscriptions, changes of address, complaints, etc., to individuals. Address ALL communications to the Llano Pub- UcatioKS, Stables, La. This paper will not assume responsibility unless this rule is followed. The Western Comrade neither approves nor disapproves the sentiments expressed in contributions not signed by one of the editors.