The representative., 1901-05-16

JAMES CREELMAN ON SOCIALISM.
In last Sundays Tribune appears an
article from the pen of James Creel-
man setting forth what he calls five fall
lacies of Socialism. The article appear
ed simultaneously in syndicate of
capitalistic dailies. These syndicate ar
ticles are new feature in modern jour-
nalism. They are articles written up in
the interest of dominant classes and in
defense of existing wrongs They are
paid for by trusts and corporate in
terests, originate at the money centers
of the nation and are designed to de-
ceive the masses. These articles are a
part of the same scheme that seeks to
silence free speech in our great cities.
as has recently been attempted by Chief
of Police Andrews in Detroit. The
same influences have retired from col
lege prOfessorships such men as Prof.
Bemis, President Andrews, Prof. Her
ron and a score of other able, fearless
and progressive educators. The Loud
bill seeking to suppress the weekly
country papers and to cut off the sam
pie copy privilege Is another feature of
the same general scheme of the money
power to control the channels of intel
ligence. Nice scheme this is in its en-
tirety when we fully comprehend what
it all means. 1t embraces controlling
the teachings of the colleges, suppress
ing the publication of all reform books
and papers, the suppressing of reform
speeches in public places and the sub
stitution in place of all these of such
syndicate articles as this one written
by Mr.. Creelman.
Mr.. Creelman's fa1lacies are much
more apparent than any he attempts to
criticize. He has not even had the good
sense to attack Socialism at it's weak
est points. He has in each instance as
sailed Socialism at it's strongest points.
When a man calls thing white which
everybody knows is black he but calls
attention to the blackness, brings rid
icule upon himself and helps to confirm
the universal public conviction. Mr..
Creelman's statements are all of this
character. His first contention is that
our present competitive, system Is not
wasteful, but he admits that Carnegie,
Rockefeller and Morgan are suppressing
competition on the ground that it is
wasteful. The public understand that
all this present consolidation of indus
tries means an enormous reduction in
the pay roll of these industrial institu-
tions. Advertising becomes unneces-
sary and is dispensed with, travelling
men are no longer needed and are dis
charged, officers, agents, solicitors and
managers are striken from the expense
account with no diminution in the value
or volume of product. Under consoli-
dation millions of dollars are thus saw
ed and go into the pockets of trust
magnates. Under competition all these
millions are consumed in a comercial
war between rival concerns with no
appreciable increase in the product. In
fact, it is probable that the productive
energy of men essential to best results
Is under competition so diverted to war,
becomes so engaged on the firing line
that the best part of it's productive
efficiency is lost.
Man cannot do his best and most
efficient work when under fire and COM
PEELED to fight for existence under COM
petition.
Mr.. Creelman's second contention is
that government ownership is not a
remedy for trust abuses. He gives as
his reasons that If the voters will not
now vote the rascals out they would not
do so under the cooperative common
wealth. Mr.. Creelman ignores the pat
ent fact that under public ownership
there would be no Carnegies. Rockefel-
lers and Morgans with millions of cor
ruption money. Our legislators could
not sell any special legislation that
would benefit these men unless it was
laws reinstating the competitive sys-
tenn. There would be no rascals to vote
out because rascality in Office would
command no premium. Take away the