Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1899-05-20

greatly misunderstood and
misrepresented in the times
Ia past. 1t has been associated
with anarchism and nihilism,
though it is directly opposed to eth
er as are the north and south poles.
AS a matter of fact, with the excep-
tions of a few anarchists and nihilists,
the rest of mankind, in every civlszed
land are socialists to some degree,
though they may differ wildly as to
the amount of socialism they will en-
dorse.
Our courts are socialistic institu-
tons, and all who believe that it is
better to have disputes adjusted by
government courts, rather than by in
devidual, personal revenge, are social
lists to that extent.
Our lighthouse system for the ben
; eft of navigators, the life saving
stations to aid wrecked mariners, the
postal system, public schools, public
roads, fire departments, and many
other public institutions are social
istic institutions; and all who endorse
these are socialistic to that extent.
The spirit of socialism is growing
more rapidly than most people are
aware of There is an increasing
number of those advocating the pub
lie ownership of railroads tele-
graphs, telephones, gas and electric
light plants, and water works. The
public ownership of these is so far in
advance in socialism, and this for
ward movement cannot be stopped
by any earthly power, though its
course may be directed one way Or
another to some extent.
A large number of people are now
advocating tax on land values only.
If their ideal could be realized, all land
would be restored to public owner
ship as it was intended by the creator.
These are socialists SO far as the land
question is concerned, and the social
ization of the land, which is the real
object of the so-called "single tax"
would be great step in advance of
where we now stand; for the individ-
ual ownership of land is one of the
greatest Obstacles in the way of indus
trial socialism. But from the fact
that so much wealth has been inves-
ted in securing what is supposed to
be title to the private ownership of
land, it will not be easy TO set it free
again by taxation. Partial socialism
however, need not wait until the land
set free. We buy such land as may be
needed to establishe cooperative col
onies, as has been done at Common
wealth. Georgia, Rusllin, Tennessee
and Equality, Ska2it Co., Washing
ton, and other places-and when a
majority of the people of state shall
.oI, oh t1ys1
all the land desired through the right
of eminent domain, which would per-
haps be a more just mcteod than the
'singlc tax though it is wise to adj
advance i'll whatever direction the
door may first be open.
What is now commonly called SOC
ialism would be better understood if
we designated it industrial social
ism, because it means the organiza-
ton of society on cooperative plan
of industry and does not deal with
competition in athletics or scholarship
or anything else of that nature.
We have a great deal of socialism,
but not much industrial socialism.
We have advanced in many directions,
but in our industries we are largely
in a state of anarchy, ard without
an orderly system, directed as it
should be on scientific principles
in the interest of the people. If we
had a scientific system of industry,
there could be no periods of hard
times and financial panics, nor any
willing worker out of employment,
Industrial socialism would SO organ
ize all useful industries as to provide
work for every person able to do any
thing and desiring TIC work; end each
one would under such 4 system receive
the full value Of services rendered,
which would encourage every one to
do his best Under such a system no
one would have to be oyerworked
and each one would have the oppor-
tunity to develop the best there is in
him. physically, mentally and moral
ly, to a degree that cannot be done
under the present competitive con.
ditions.
The industrial problem is not con-
fined to the question of finding some
thing for the people to do-diihcult as
that is at present The problem OF
obtaining a Just exchange for what
one may produce under the present
complex division of labor, is far
more difficnlt problem than that OF
employment: and after careful study