“The Hidden Universe”

1939 [Hoar, Roger Sherman] (1887-1963). “The Hidden Universe.” By Ralph Milne Farley [pseud.]. Illus. H. R. Hammond. Amazing Stories 13.11 - 12 (November - December 1939): 24-56, 80-106. PSt

Authoritarian science fictional dystopia presented as a utopia. The story is set during the depression when everyone is desperate for work. Some are sent to what they think is a colony in space named “Utopia.” The colonists, who did not know where they were being sent are told that each adult will be able to choose a plot of city or country land, build a house “on easy terms,” the land cannot be taken away, wages cannot be garnished, no taxes, no relief because everyone has a job, free medical care, paid fully during illness or disability, free education to limit of abilities, church in each town. There are twelve hours of daylight and twelve hours of night; it rains only at night; and there are no seasons. Their contract was for five years, but they learn it is forever, and, the colony is, in fact, a warehouse on Earth and they have been shrunk by a factor of 32 so that he can have absolute power.