They Would Rather Grow Than Beg: Seattle’s Unemployed Turned Vacant Lots Into Potato Patches

The success of the Pingree plan and of the Co-operative Industrial Society, both conducted along the same lines, is assured, and the two organizations are already the means by which nearly 200 deserving families are raising themselves into comparative comfort and independence.

By the efforts of the organizers of the Pingree plan, thirty-seven vacant tracts of land about the city have been secured free of cost for the purpose of gardening, while the Co-operative Society has donated a five-acre tract in the Duwamish valley by County Treasurer Maple, where about fifty men, all representing families, are now at work planting potatoes and other vegetables. The five-acre farm in South Seattle and the several tracts about the city now present a busy scene, 177 men being at work with garden tools and seeds furnished free of charge, planting gardens and preparing for a winter's supply of food, and making sure of securing sufficient money for necessary clothing for themselves and their helpless children. All appear happy and hopeful, and the pleasant weather has been a godsend.

The office or station of the Pingree plan people, on Railroad Avenue near the end of Jackson Street, is in charge of Col. Thomas Firret. When applicants for garden tools and seeds come in he registers their names and location and makes a satisfactory allotment of the desired implements and seeds. It was intended to establish a barracks on Front Street near Battery, but the property had been sublet, so the scheme was abandoned and organizers secured little patches of land about the city whenever easy of access.

Without exception every caller has asked for potatoes for seed, and every one has been allotted a sack of them, in addition to other seeds and necessary garden tools—hoes, rakes, shovels or spades. The lots secured include South Eleventh Street near the Dearborn real estate sign, South Twelfth and R streets, 436 South Twelfth Street, 119 Weller Street, South Park, blocks 7 and 9 in Paster's Second Addition, Smith and Pennsylvania avenues, and tracts in Denny's, Bell's and other additions.

What the organization needs very badly now are several blocks or tracts of ground for the cutting of roots out of the soil, so as to put the land in food condition for cultivation. The supply of seed is also running low and will have to be replenished within a day or two. An additional supply of ordinary hoes is needed. The shovels and rakes are only borrowed and will be returned to the Railroad Avenue station.

Several interested in the plan are making an effort to secure an additional supply of potatoes and other seed. A promise has already been made of a ton of potatoes, and if delivered promptly it will do much to help along the work, for the supply at present is limited to half a dozen sacks.

The 177 persons already assisted represent families of from three to fifteen persons, the average family being six persons. Very few really young men have taken advantage of the society's stock in trade; nearly all are men from 40 to 80 years of age. Yesterday three old men called together, the youngest of whom was quite aged. One man who secured seeds and tools said he had a wife and fourteen children, and he was very proud of them. The youngest child was 11 months old and the eldest 21 years. The applicants have shown a commendable spirit of independence and accept aid only on condition that they shall not be branded as paupers.