March-April, 1918 /^/ .^,.k^- Price Ten Cents Peace and Its Meaning by Upton Sinclair The Menace of Militarism by Norman Thomas Poverty and The Single Tax by Samuel Danziger Boudin's War Analysis by Ida Crouch -- Hazlett Socialism Triumphant by R. A. Dague Editorials by job Harriman The Most Constructive Magazine for Socialism in America Your Gateway to Freedo m LLANO'S 16,000 ACRE PLANTATION IN THE HIGHLANDS OF WESTERN LOUISIANA THE Llano del Rio Co-operative Colony was established at Llano, ed as rapidly as possible. With a complete understanding of the needs Los Angeles County, California, in May, 1914. It attracted of agricultural production, every available man is put on the farm. the calibre of the This attention throughout the country because of work takes precedence over all else, .very avenue of waste is men who were conducting it. Hundreds joined the colony and during being closed as fast as discovered. Elimination of useless work and re- the three years hundreds of acres of orchards and alfalfa were planted, duction of only partly necessary tasks is insisted on. The aim of a community garden was grown, and many industries were established, the Colony is not only to support itself the very, first year, but to From the first, the intention was to form other colonies, extending have an ample margin left over. TTiis will take careful and systematic possible. first extension has organized. planning. the work as rapidly as The been Through this care and foresight, the new Colony 11 be able to take care of all of its residents, including increase. Housing 16,000 FERTILE ACRES is simplified by the number of houses acquired with the property. After a nation-wide search, it was finally decided to purchase 16,- 000 acres in the healthful highlands of Vernon Parish in Western Lou- TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES isiana, at Stables, one mile from Leesville, the parish seat of Vernon Because th' new property is on the railroad, the hauling of goods Parish, This is about 15 miles from the Sabine river, about 40 miles and materials is much simplified. LumberLumoer fortor whatever buildiiouildmg from the Red river, (both navigable), forty miles from Alexandria, now required is found in abundance on the properly, even without 100 miles from Shreveport, and about 200 miles from New Orleans. touching the timber that is growing there. Cars may be unloaded highlands of this district are fertile, high, well-drained, health- The on the platform of the Colony's warehouse. ful. There are no swamps, no malaria, no mosquitoes, no fevers more than are found in other states. Health reports show that this portion COLONY INDUSTRIES of Louisiana can compare favorably with any other section of the The establshment of industries goes forward as rapidly as this United States. There is an abundance of drinking water of excellent can be achieved. These are at present secondary to food production. quality. Land must be cleared, plowed, fenced, tilled. Later industries will be A most careful investigation was made regarding health conditions. given attention. At present the hotel, Reports compiled by the Health Department of Louisiana were studied. dairy, printing department, livestock, etc., are the industries. Some is the Inhabitants of this district were interviewed. All agreed on the heallh- machinery on ground which has not been set up will not fulness of this portion of the State, and those who have heard dis- and be until circumstances justify. couraging reports from Louisiana are invited to make further and more careful investigation before arriving at conclusions. HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER tract lies southwest Leesville The huge of and has had most of The Llano del Rio Co-operative Colony is organized as a stock the timber cut off. Remaining along the creeks.however, are scat- company in order to secure the protection of the law to the fullest " tered pines of the long leaf variety to supply the Colony with build- extent. Each member purchases two thousand shares at the par value material for years to come. ing many About 1200 acres of hard- of $1 a share. One thousand is to be paid in cash or equivalent be- wood timber worth many thousands of dollars are also on the land fore th member becomes a resident of the colony. This furnishes and offer opportunities for the establishing of many industries. The the capital for financing until the colony lands are producing. Th^ timber is, beech, magnolia, white oak, cypress, walnut, post oak, remaining thousand shares is worked out at the rate of $1 a day red oak, sweet gum, and hickory. The trees are splendid ones, credited on slock. In addition the member is paid a small cash wage, and this body of timber is not to surpassed in quality. be and credited with a bonus which brings the total amount to $4 a day. Each member is furnished with a place to live and is guaranteed IT A TOWN CAME WITH steady employment. When the purchase was first contemplated, and it was finally There is also the Instalment Member plan by which those who can- decided to buy the 16,000 acres near Leesville, it was found that the not make payments in full at once may take out a membership on lumber hamlet of Stables stood on the property. This was ac- which they may pay $10 or more each month. Those interested in quired v/ith the land. A hotel of 18 rooms, 27 habitable houses, this plan are invited to write specially concerning it. 100 other small houses, one shed 130x300 feet, one shed 130x200 A change m the initial payments of memberships is soon to be feet, one shed 80x100 feet, one store 30x90, one office 40x50, eight made. Other changes are contemplated, and the statements herein other sheds and structures. The lumber in these buildings, together made concerning memberships may not be in force after May 1 1918. with other lumber on the place, amounts to about 2 million feet. Ties for a railroad extend across the land. A concrete power house AGENTS WANTED and 5 concrete drying kilns (cost to erect them, $12,000) each kiln Trustworthy agents are desired in different communities, and those about 20x70 by 20 feet high, are also included. Stables is on the -vho can furnish first-rate references are invited to correspond with the main line of the Kansas City Southern Railroad. This town will be ^lembership Department concerning becoming our representative. occupied for a while, but later a more systematically laid out town will be built. LAND FOR SALE WHAT CAN BE ? PRODUCED vlany have inquired about buying land. Th. 2 Llano Land Bureau 1 offer land close to the Colony for sale at reasonable prices and This is the first question asked. A careful investigation has been reasonable terms. tnade. No chances of mistake were taken. It is found that a great variety of products do well here. Peaunts, sweet potatoes, melons, of all kinds, corn, cotton, and sugar cane, will be the best producers FOR MORE INFORMATION and the best income-bringers; Vegetables of all kinds do well, and More detailed information is given in the "Gateway to Freedom" berries will yield great returns. This region is not sufficiently well which outlines the idea of co-operative colonization, the reasons for developed for fruit to make detailed statements possibL but from a it, and \vhat is hoped may be achieved, together with the methods number of sources of undoubted reliability, assurance given that to be used. The folder "Llano's Plantation in the Highlands of figs, peaches, prunes, cherries, and similar fruits can be profitably Louisiana" goes into more detail concerning the new 16,000 acre grown. Cattle and sheep and goats can find forage during nearly the tract. entire year, while the raising of hogs is profitable because of the abun- The new colony in Louisiana can support a population of perhaps dance of corn that may be grown here. several thousand persons. It offers wonderful opportunities to all PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT who join. You are invited to write to the Membership Department for full information about ar,> point not made clear, and answers to Farming comes first. The Colony thoroughly realizes the respons- questions you ask. Address ibilities and the necessities put upon it. Efficiency is insisted on, and Membership once each week foremen are required to attend efficiency classes. The Department remaining workers are also given instruction. Records are kept show- LLANO ing use of time, DEL RIO COLONY achievement, results, costs. There is a systematic and orderly organization being perfected. Land is being cleared and plow- Stables, Louisiana i 1 i t a I A operation I The Western Comrade "The Most Constructive Magazine for Socialism in America." Entered as second-class matter November 4th, I9I6. a* the posloffice at Llano, Cal., under Act of March 3, 1879. 8 Application for entry as second-class matter at the posloffice at Leesville, La., pending. JOB HARR1MAN„._ Managing Editor ALANSON SESSIONS Associate Editor ERNEST S. WOOSTER....Business Manager Subscription Rate—75c a year; Canada $1 ; Single copies 10c; clubs of 4 or more (in U. S.) 50c. Combination with Llano Colonist, $1. Publishers and others are invited to copy at will from the WESTERN COMRADE, 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- lications, Stables, La.