Salt Lake Telegram | 1929-05-12 | Page 1 | Isle Lives under Communist Rule for 10 Centureis

I Isle Lives Under Communist Rule omm For I 10 0 Centuries Has No Private Property Except Personal Belongings Belongings Be Be- longings Land Held in Common STOCKHOLM May 11 United Press Within Press Within the narrow boundaries boundaries boun boun- daries of the island of in the bay of Riga Rigs flourishes a a government govern government ment of absolute communism The island of twenty-seven twenty farms was divided into about fifty strips of soil each according to an old tribal custom There is no private property prop property erty except clothing arms and similar similar similar sim sim- ilar personal belongings For more than ten centuries this ancient Swedish settlement has practiced communism Practically the island belongs to to Fishing and seal peal eal hUl hunting hunting- are the chief chier sources of income The proceeds proceeds proceeds pro pro- from this Industry are eventually eventually even even- divided equally among the In Inhabitants Inhabitants inh in- in h habitants of the island including the children Although there is competition among the fishermen and seal huntera hunters hunters hunt hunt- ers era to obtain the highest prices for Continued on page 9 IL Isle Lives Under Communist Rule for I 10 0 Centuries Continued d from page page age their cat catch 1 extra profits are pooled for tor general general distribution 1 Forests Fores orests s sand and pastures al' al are co common ilmon property A farmer Who ho has additional work to do on his farm tarm calls on his neighbors neighbors neigh neigh- bors hors who lep do the work and re receive receive re- re free meals until the Job is done A farm farmer r on this Island could not sell sen his farm even if he wanted to lIe He does oes not actually own the property He Is only allowed to live on It and to Cultivate his land and work his horses There are no servants servants servants ser ser- In U this com com com- U it Th The h highest h t officials t are area a president a secretary and a Judge who are elected by popular vote I and who receive no salaries Crime is unknown on the Island and nd there is N TV ra need for tor police In Inthe Inthe Inthe the event of some Important question question ques ques- tion- tion tiona a parliament is usually held in the open during the summer months It Is believed that the Island was first settled at about the dawn of the Christian era The first documentary documentary documentary docu docu- evidence of the existence of or a colony on the Island Is dated 1341 The best available records in indicate indicate indicate in- in that communism m has been practiced there for at least ten cen cen- T