Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1899-04-29
THE Issue for 1000 Again.

Ia the April Sth issue of |. F., find my po-
litical position sharply criticised by Bro
Oven e. Philorck and Sister S. S. Long,
and am thankful to them for their structures,
for it is only through the continual attrltlon
of mind upon mind that the brightest truths
are b. ought to the surface.
From the way my poor article was jumped
on to one would think that | had advocated
sore '1ittle tin rattle reform" like free sill
yer or tariff reform, when the fact is that IN
ADVOCATING Public ownership Of monopolies
Public employment, and Direct Legislation
lam advocationg the vital, the substantial
part of socialism, about all there is to the
''crayther."
Sister Long seems to have a warm place in
her heart for the populst party, of which |
was a member, and middle OF the roader at
that, while the principles l advocated in the
article she condemns are as much more radl-
cal than populism as populism is more radical
than free silverism.
Public ownership of monopolies would
mean the specialization of our monetary trans
portation and exchange systems, of the mines,
forests and fisheries, OF the OIL salt and natu-
raj gas wells and nearly all manufacturing
and marine shipping, it would mean the So
cializatlon of about all our industries except
agriculture, and it would mean commence
ment on the specialization of that also for the
bonanza farmer and irrigation company would
naturally be supplanted by the public in their
operations.
Comrades, can you imagine the wonderful
change in the condition of the people when
the foregoing utilities of our civilization and
means of production and distribution together
with municipal ownership are added to the
public utilities we already have, such as the
public street, navigable waters, the postal
service, public schools, ETC.?
Are we ready to forego all the immense
benefits to be derived from such a course for
the sake of forcing the small farmer and
home owner out of their little private hold
ings, even were it possible to do SO?
Is it not better to bite off mouthful that
we can comfortably masticate, at the same
time notifying the world that we are coming
again for more, than to attempt to bring
about some ching SO far in advance of the
masses, and which we would not be able to
properly carry out eveu if we had the oppor-
tunity, and thus lose all?
Would it not be more in the line of evolu.
tionary socialism, and is it not by evolution
that we progress? "All or nothing" is the
favorite slogan with manyof the more ardent
reform9rs, generally meaning the highest,
mos, exalted and idealistic theory of which
they can conceive, without regarding or con-
sdering the nature of the conditions to which
it is to be applied.
Ideal socialism, or rather pure communism
Is my ideal, in the ultimate when we have
evouted to the sublime height where we are
capable o living l., On. how useless i would
be to :. ool'sn all laws, rules and regulations
at tn'5 zine.
We must progress by steps as We are pre-
pared.
Have not heard that the purified democ-
racy' were advocating socialization of mo-
nopoles, but if tdey are, and mean IL, am
with them, even to the risk o. being called
"fusionist.n .or il . they have got ahead
of the pops. e.
My impression is rather that there viii be
general breaking up OF parties all around
and then new deal.
Don't believe / have the itch Tor office very
bad, but am willing TO wait until we are al
public employees on basis of equality.
There is no highest official in the b c c.
We are always equal.
Yes. Comrade Philbrick, | believe you are
right, the contest will be between monopoly
and equality, and that bullets VIII cut fig
upe, hence advocate measures strong enough
to receive popular support ana at the same
time the full antagonism Of Plutus,a and if the
ruction results in fall ali around socialism
ere it ceases it won't hurt the feelings Of
yours truly "a little bit"
ReeolIect that our revolutionary forefath-
ers did not at iirs demand indie pend ,nce. or
the republican in 1860 the emanc!pa ion OF
the slave but you see the result.
Come again comrades, this is a vital ques-
tion and needs ventilation.
q. Z, PgLTCN
Better Than Sellamy.