FeblMar 1977 RAIN page 9 pctlplc rvho urc just rnoder:ltely interestcd in the neqd for land reform in Americir rnd turn them into jump-upand-down, screaming, hard-core radicals. The story of the American public domain, Tbe Lands No One Knows traces the progressive loss of our common landed inheritance to the increased control of private landholders; it is a thoroughly researched account of the literal giveaway of hundreds of millions of acres to speculators and corporate interests. In the process, however, the book also portrays the tragic social patterns that have characterized the Great American Land Grab: fraud and corruption, racial exploitation and economic discrimination, and a,vyanton disregard for the needs of the land itself. It is a stark and devastating picrure of what we as a people have already lost through mismanagement, abuse and our own confusion, but its major contribution is that, by providing such a clear picture of the effects of uneven land distribution it provides the kind of stimulation that is going to be necessary if we are to save what we have left for the generations who are to succeed us. An important-and very readable-work People and Land An infrequent, but enormously worthwhile, publication, People and Land was originally published by the National Coalition for Land Reform in San Francisco. Intended as a means of distributing information and articles about land and people in America, P&L is the kind of publication that can give the American land reform movement a sense of cohesiveness. Due to a lack of financial support, the Coalition was forced to discontinue publication of. P&L, but a new issue is currently being put togerher by National Land for People in Fresno, California. Write to them for more information, or contact the Coalition for information about back issues (both addresses are listed at the end of this page.) Akwasasane Notes, suggested subscription donation $6/year, from: Roosevelt Town) NY 13633 The paper of the Mohawk nation, AN is an eloquent voice for the perspective of the Native American peoplbs on matters relating to the land and our cultural relationship with it. Fine articles deal with both the conrinuing legacy of exploitation and land deprivation which the Native Americans still suffer and-by sharp contrast-the Indian peoples' concepts of the land's sacredness and inviolate non-divisibility. Extremely helpful for those interested in banning the notion of land ownership from our culrural h-eadspace. A Bibliograpby on Land Reform in Rural America, Charles L. Smith, published by The Center for Rural Snrdies, now available for $1.25 from: Earthwork 1499 Potrero San Francisco, CA 94110 Published in L975, this bibliography is the definitive reference work for information dealing with land reform in America. Over 1,000 entries, referencing books and articles, periodicals and organizations currently on the forefront of the movement. A valuable toolworth every cent. a The following are several short but powerful papers dealing with the need for a reassessment of our current land tenure system. While their individual contents overlap somewhat, they are all very worthwhile; their collective impact is greater than the sum of the parts. Tbe Sbaring of Land and Resources in America, by Peter Barnes, $f .OO fromr New Republic Pamphlets 124419th St., N.W. Washington, DC 20036 A hard-hitiing iittle book in which Barnes outlines the growing inequities of our current land tenure system and makes a solid case for redistribution. It should be seen around rnor€; its price makes it more accessible than Tbe people's Land, in which Barnes explores some of the same concepts to a greater depth. Rural Land IIse: Patterns and Proposals [9r Reforn, Ronald P. Erickson, published for the First National Conflrence on Rural America, t975,byz Rural Housing Alliance and Rural America, Inc. 1346 Washington Ave., N.W. ' Washington, DC 20036 Another brief but concise paper which. catalogues the uses and misuses of American land and which provides statistical documentation as additional weight.in its argumenr for widespread reform measures. Write to the address given above; ask for Conference Working Paper *o. l. $1.00 should do it. Wbo Owns tbe Land?, Peter Barnes and Larry Casalino, 1972, Clear Creek., now available from: Earthwork 1499 Potrero San Francisco, CA 94ll0 Probably the most familiar and widely distributed land reform document now out; pioposes appropriate and specific remedies for the misuse of America by timber companies, railroads, energy companies, agribusiness and other speculators. Includes a short but dynamic statement on land economics. "Byying Back the Land: A hoposal for California," .Peter Barne$, in Working Papers for a New Society,Yol.I, No. 2, Summer 1973 Quite obviously, Peter Barnes is one of the most articulate spokespersons in the American land reform movement. In this short (7 pp.) article, he outlines a state land trust fund,as a possible rneans of redistributing the land. Deals sp€cifically with California, but the concept. may well be relevant to other states as well. Contact Earthwork for reprint info if you can't locate Working Papers. The National Coalition for Land Reform RR4 Creston, IA 40801 The NCLR is an organization made up of farmers, farmworkers, environrnentalists and others who believe that "ownership of the land by rhose who live and work on it is the key.to alleviating poverty, easing urban overcrowding, ieducing welfare costs and unemployment and building a stronger democracy." Both a political and educational organization, the Coalition invites suppon and membership. National Land for People 4696 North Millbrook Fresno, CA 93726 Probably the most iigtrty political organization in the movement and certainly one of the most dynamic, NLFP has been concerned primarily
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