The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-18
Lawrence GrOnIund on Trusts
and COIleCtiviSm
SINGLE TAX IDEA ATTACKED
Rev. Bowman breaches on the Rich Man
and Lazarus
The Socialist Leader Says that Trusts Are
Socialism In Action-The Georgian
Economy Hard Hit


preached yesterday morning at the New
Era Church on Trusts and Their Relation
to Socialism or Collectivism. In sub
stance he spoke as follows;
What is the goal evolution has set for
us? This Is OF Importance II our efforts
for social Improvements shall avail any
thing. A wrong solution OF pending
problems even if backed by a million
bayonets, will be no solution; it must be
true solution. and that means one that
will be stepping stone to the goal
Especially is that important for Ameri
cans to note, for my countrymen, VINO
have been so successful in the physical
field as inventors, think they also can in
vent remedies for social ills; but it can
not be done for society is not building
at all, but an organism; social remedies
cannot be invented but must be discov-
cred, since society is, not tiguratively. but
literally like unto tree or an animal
body.
1t is only of late that we have learned 10
interpret the history of man; our fathers
looked upon it as o record of human err
rors; we have found out that it is record
OF man. orderly evolution. But evolu-
ton is not always slow, as Herbert Spen-
Ger teaches quite the contrary, at first it is
slow, then it gathers in rapidity, goes
with the speed of railroad. until finally
the decisive event is accomplished in the
the victory of Christianity, the Reforma-
ton, the French Revolution and our own
abolition OF slavery.
The decisive point in evolution is what
We call revolution" the birth of child
is a revolutionary event. We have rea-
adopted lin principle at least) just so
quickly. Tor it can be shown from history
and present tendencies, that Socialism,
that is collective cooperation, is that goal
and is inevitable, and that whether we
like it or not whether it is to be perma
nent or but temporary.
What especially proves this is that pc
culiarly American phenomenon, the trust.
1t is Just as foolish to legislate aganst the
trusts as against the winds or gravita-
ton; it is a necessary element OF evolu
ton, and it will necessarily go on devel-
oping till by, say 1910, all industrial ac
tivties will be under the control of trusts
extending from the Atlantic to the Pa
citic. But then we shall have also one
hundred millions of people, and therefore
then, if not before. we may be sure that
Socialism will take their lace. Indeed,
the trust may be called Socialism in ac-
ton but for the private benefit of cap
talsts.
The trust teaches us these lessons:
First, that the use of capital by private
parties is now injurious, and becoming
20 at an increasing rate. 1t knocks into
potent TRUTH that system is better than
planlessness-to this is precisely due the
origin of the trusts. To this private con-
troll is due our silver trouble; we
never should have heard of it if govern
ment had owned and managed our silver
mines.
The second lesson is that capitalists are
in fact advocating the functions they for
merly exercised, and they are devolving
these functions more and more on man.
ayers, who simply are paid, private
employees. This is tremendous change.
Capitalists have in their trusts no other
connection with production than that of
Yeceipting for their dividends. They
could all be taken up to some other
planet and production will go on pre-
cisely as before. Thus private capital is
becoming pure privilege without any
social responsibilities whatever; capital
lists are becoming rudimentary organs,
and Americans will become Socialists be-
cause they will come to see that the So
cial welfare requires the elimination OF
these capitalists, which can be done with
out any injustice to them at all, simply
by stopping the supply of profits to them,
as nature gets rid of rudimentary organs
in animals, by stopping the supply of
blood.
And thirdly, the trust teaches what will
be the outcome. During the last fifty
years it was patent that there has been
Concentration everywhere, but especially
in industries. Before the trusts po-
litical economists used to say wait
little; this tendency to Capitalization will
stop; will be even reversed" but since
the trust the argument is futile. Now
most of them admit that the tendency
will go ON until this dilemma is placed
before the people: Either organized CAPT
tai or organized government, and we
know that the people will choose the lat
ter that is, collectivism, cooperation or
Socialism. And society has an indis-
putable right to say that in the future
business shall be carried on in different
manner from heretofore. Vested rights
surely do not extend to futurity.
1t is to all you who are socialistically
inclined that l now appeal. | am sure
you can win for yourselves immortal
names. This cause is God cause and is
l know / cannot fail But few are re-
CURED; why dozen energetic, enthus-
iastic men and women here, with the
same number in San francisco are suffic-
lent, for all that is required is to point
out the goal and the way to your fellow
be started here in California, that l be-
lieve your people are so energetic that
they will go in with rush, as soon as
trusted leaders tell them what to do.
All, you have opportunities which l
verify believe even posterity, living under
the blessings OF Socialism will actually
envy you. Simply initiate the splendid
English organzation-the Fabian Society.
Either our country must be the first to
introduce Socialism, and this under the
auspices OF choice minds may be even in
ten. years from now, or England will be,
and capitalists will flock over here and
make this blessed land into one to be ac.
cursed Of God and man, the last refuge of
slavery-another Rome in its maladorous
decay.