The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-29
STATE SOCIALISM AT HAND.
Capitalists Working For II, Though
They Hate tho Word ..SoclalIsi.''

New York, Dec. S.-Iion. Carroll ID.
Wright. commissioner Of labor. spoke be-
fore the American Economic Association
yesterday. In speaking Of the Chicago
strike he said it was an cpochai event.
because 1t emphasized certain principles
which are now to be recognized as essen
iial in the government, management ard
operation of railroads. 1t demonstrated
to the satisfaction OF the public the
right and power Of the federal govern
ment to send troops into a state for the
purpose of protecting federal interests,
whether that protection wac or was not
asked for by the state government.
The chief reason, however. for which
the strike was an epoch-making event
Is In the fact that IL constitutes a sub
ordinate element in a revolution which
is quietly taking place in this country.
He did not believe that either the fed
eral or state government can or ought
to be allowed, as rule, to regulate rates
Of wages or prices Of commodities. He
had no faith in socialism. In ISS7. he
said. congress. at the demand OF the
shippers OF the country, made the declar-
ation that all charges made for any
service rendered or 10 be rendered in
the transportation of passengers or prop
erty on Interstate railroads, or TN con
nection Herewith. should be just. ard
every unjust and unreasonable charge
for such service was prohibited and de-
clared To be unlawful This declaration
has been sustained by the courts. But
this declaration. he said. was emphat-
icaily state socialism, 1t was emrhat-
caliy compulsory arbitration: II was emf
phaticaily law regulating the prices of
commodities through the price or SER
vices. The consequence of this Is an
other step in the silent revolution which
Is taking place.
There is now pentiiEg in congress a
measure which is state socialism pure
aad simple. He referred. he said, to the
pooling bill This pending legislation.
Mr.. Wright, declared, is demanded at
the instance OF the shippers and the
railroads OF the country, ard its passage
is being aided by a powerful lobby In
their service. The bill provides for a
greau trust. with the government of the
United States as trustee. Hr. Wright
went on:
When the first bin To regulate corn
merce was passed. the. great ar.l pow
esfal wedge OF state socialism MAS driv-
en- one auarter Of i,s iengfN into the
timber OF conservative goverranent. OF
the government which means democracy.
The pending bill. the moment IL becomes
a law, will drive the wedge threa-guar-
tiers cf its length into The timber. There
Will thea be neeted bat one mere blew
10 drive the wedge home. AMI that blow
VIII come a. the Instance ot business
and not ~ labor~ihe entire government
controi of all the railroads os the coun-
try instead OF partial control under The
laws now existing. This blow Will he
struck IN the mos. seductive way 1t
Will come through a demand that the
government shah take charge OF the
roads. net purchase them. and out az
the rroCees!s or the transportation h,tSl-
ness guarantee ~ the existing stock.
holders Of the reads saail bar rcs-
sonshie rate - Dividend Under such 81
seductive movement The Stoclsao!sers
thasnseivss~-eonseTsa nlen. isaea in
this hall noN-w!il vote for the striking
OF the blow. All thss. as haze said.
vii be the demand AMI Interest of the
railroads and a tna shippers AMI MT Of
the labor Involved 81 carrying on tho
work % transportation. as The demand
CO tossay fer the enactment OF the po-s,-
inE bah * gllsgel to De largely In the
Interest az the SHIPPERS and or tie pub
lie welfare"