The representative., 1900-10-04
TRUSTS AND SILVER
LOGUE-DETWEEN A SOCIALIST
AND A DEMOCRAT.
The Socialist Sees Little Difference
Between the Two Old P0--
litical Parties.

litical Parties.
Doctor-Well, Mr. Socialist, they tell
me you can't see much difference be-
tween us Democrats and the Republi-
cans How is it?
Socialist-There is no practical differ
ence between Republican and Demo-
crat in my humble judgment, doctor.
The only difference is quite superficial
one-the same difference that there Is
between a man who would do a good
deed but does not know how, and the
man who would not If he could. No
practical difference, sir.
Doctor-T don't see.
Socialist-Why, the Democrats pre-
tend that they recognize the evils that
afflict us, and the rank and file of the
party, NOT THE MANAGERS AND
SLUSH FUND CONTRIBUTORS, MIND
YOU, seem in earnest in their desire 10
better matters, but their efforts must
always remain futile because Ito use
your own parlance, doctor) they cannot
properly diagnose the public case and
hence prescribe the proper medicine to
effect cure. On the other hand. the
Republicans deny that the public has
cause for complaint. They claim that
the Democrats are seeking to poison a
we'll man with their free trade-free
silver-anti-expansion potion. The Re-
publicans are the Christian Scientists of
politics. Their invariable prescription
Is: There is nothing really the matter
with the country. 1t is a disease of the
mind. just let the people imagine that
everything Is all right and the whole
trouble will have an end" Eth, doctor?
Doctor-That is the Republican form
ula to dot. But think you are wrong
In regard to the efficiency of the Demo-
cratic nostrum. Now, Mr.. Socialist, do
you at all doubt that with Democratic
president, house and senate, the trusts
can be legislated out Of existence?
Socialist-Yes. sir: surely deny that
you can in any way retard the progress
of the trust idea. The trust is natural
outgrowth Of industry. The trust (or
In other words, "CO-OPERATION") }
rises out of the ashes of that much wor-
SHIPPED folly, COMPETITION. Even
granting that you could destroy the trust
such action would be step backward
in the progress Of the race and a posi-
tive injury to mankind.
Doctor-Why, my dear sir, do you
contend that the trust is q righteous in
stitution?
Socialist-Yes and no. The trust is
like good many other things; in the
right hands it is blessing, In the wrong
hands It lie a curse. What l contend
Is that the trust (or co-operation) is as
far ahead Of the old competitive system
as locomotive is of an OK wagon. The
trust curtails great waste and accom-
plishes great saving of labor In the
department of production and distribu-
ton. 1t requires less labor to produce
a thing through the medium OF one great
does to produce it through the medium
Of 20 small competing concerns. Hence
the price Of the article may be reduced
for the public benefit, and also the men
ing concerns ten hours day for small
wages could all of them be employed by
the great cooperative concern, or trust,
to work six hours a day at better wages.
Doctor-Bht, my dear sir.
Socialist-Just wait a moment I
know what you are going to say but first
let me give you a practical illustration
of the value of cooperation, or the trust
idea, to society. Do you know what is
the best organized trust in the country =?
No7 Well, 1t is the United States mall
service. We reap the advantages of this
great trust every day. Now. suppose the
government were out Of the business
and there were 20 separate mail carry
ing institutions competing for the busi-
ness of the country. Twenty postoflces
where there Is now one, 20 sets of post
masters, clerks and carriers where there
10 now one. Do you think YOU could
get letter carried to New York for
Is cents? That is a practical illustra-
tion, I hope, Of the value OF the trust.
Now, doctor, am ready for your Ques-
ton.
Doctor-You have based your defense
Of the trust on the proposition that it
lessons the cost Of production, therefore
making the article cheaper for the public
and at the same time by saving of la
Dor increases the wage Of the worker
and shortens his hours of toll. Now,
sir, do you not know that tho actual
effect of the trust is higher prices for
the public and also that no employe OF
a trust ever had his wages raised or
his workday shortened, except as some
trade union obtained it BY fighting for
II?
Sociaiist-Exact!y.
Doctor-How on Garth, then, can you
advocate an institution whose only pur-
pose seems TO be robbery?
Socialist-Now see we are getting to
the point. Please remember that said
before that the trust Is like good many
other things; in tho right hands. IL -