Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-01-26
SOCIALIST COMBINATIONS.

SOCIALIST COMBlNA TlONS.
rh. capitalist aud captain Of industry IN
these latter davs has set himself to demonstrate
that the theories of the Socialist are sound
After some centuries of adherence to the prin'
ciple that individual competition brings the
best results and the greatest progress Tor the IN
divdual and for society, suddenly many thous-
and employers and capitalists rush out OF ousl-
ness. give up the positions they occupy and the
r,.,,s thew own in order to avoid competition,
and set themselves to prove that society can De
i nd most cbeapv served, and workers ana
u-r.,.rrs from M. nest to lowest can get better
returns, if all productive work IN each orancn
is performed by a sing centralized oooy con-
trolling prices and wagc~ A p!eAsu1e' Abolish
;,o oaoents . d mddemen, restrained by no COM
,l,ion al responsible only to society as a
whole. If this theory is true, does 1t not follow
4 as a matter of course that society as wnole
might better take possession OF the plants
aud control the business, and absorb for itse'l
the profits of production or the gains by cheap
eninq production at its pleasure
The philosophy of the competitive period In
human Development has been sustained ny 'ne
most rapid and healthful progress ever known
Tins far but the Socialist answers that better ye'
;s .tta;nable. Grant that this past stage OF de-
velopment was necessary, its best fru'tage Is
HIGHER stage, in which the costs and the losses
ot individual competition can be avoided, ana
i, each branch of service all can freely do their
for ,he benefit of ALL Abolish the spur OF COM
netition, driving each to seek the latest 1hVeh
t;ons and the best devices, tor they nave oeeh
secured Take from traders and manufacturers
the intense pressure of battle against each othel'
and olive ali of them sure profit for a regular
serv;ce 70 society. Let the multitude OF EN-
Moves be also .mancipated from the tyranny OF
competion, which closes some works ana arlVeS
others to reduce wages, and let them all nave
their regular pay for service to society, lncieaS
ed bv the elimination of the losses through COM
petition When experience proves, as the ooclai'
ist holds it will prove, that the greatest progress
.,d hiohest conditions yet attained are not COM
,r,he to those to be attai ed by abolishlng
',omnetition, then no man BUT AN IDIOT Will
question the wisdom of society as whole tax
mo control of all the processes OF trade and IN
dustrv. and the harmonious adjustment OF ALL
with power to cheaper products or enlarge pro-
fits in each, as may best serve the general wei
fare.
# the modern combination proves that com
pe,ition is no longer a benefit, but curse, mat
Individual struggling for success is not needed to
evolve the best inventions and devices ana oIlng
them into use that the monster corporation can
work more cneaply and at the same time more
wisely and ably in handling many establish
ments of different kind, far apart and II del
diff rent circum tnces, than the individual own
ers who have crea'ed them; that 1t can pieVen
the frequent stoppage of the weaker works While
the stronger continues to thrive; that soclet| nc
longer needs any defense against monopoly be-
cause the monopoly must always cheaper IN Or
: der to enlarge business, and that workers con
sinners and employers will all gain by rlnnin
ainn of competition. Then, indeed, the 5" 'lis
ha " to d, m md the logical completion o
the Journey There will be no sense IN aV'ns
the big corporations 70 blnnder along, some
fines losing and sometime hurting Socie'v BY
,,nwisdom. when sociev itself can apprrNnriat'
their plants, direct their labor, make a'd re {
;ts avn bluuders and pocket its own eans-
Editorial from N. Y Tribune, April 27, 1899