The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1902-11-13
THE EQUIVALENT RETURN
Mr.. Jones Argues for Public Ownership
Of MONOPOLY

Mr.. Jones Argues for Public Ownership
of Monopoly
Editor Independent: Industrial JUS
tice is attained when all workers Sc
cure an equivalent return for their la
Dor. This Is possible only when mo-
nopoly is open to none--or Is free TO
all.
The philosophy of the competitive
industrial system is, that under it, the
law of supply and demand will allot
the equivalent return to all, because II
one industry secured more profitable
returns than another, effort would be
attracted to it, causing surplus and
cheapening; also depletion with great
er cost, until the equilibrium was re-
stored. This system would have ap-
proximated industrial justice had all
thought of monopoly been utterly re-
jected by all, for monopoly renders the
law of supply and demand imperative.
hence establishes unequal returns. for
some industries are more easily and
quickly monopolized than others, and
some are not susceptible to monopoly
at all. The unequal returns are now
shown forth in the billions accruing to
monopoly, and the bread and water
standard of living, forced upon the
workers, because they were compelled
to keep the bond of the competitive
system Monopoly of land or the ma
terial forces, that admitted no rights
of the unborn. Monopoly of the pub
lie offices, open only to those fresh
from college, and under As years OF
age. Tariff monopolies, fostered at
enormous expense, now grown big
enough to defy the nation, and "hold
up it's necessities. Monopoly of the
means of production and distribution,
whereby they control employment. and
dictate the wage and vote. Thus mo-
nopoly has destroyed the competitive
industrial system, plundered the peo-
pie, deprived them Of liberty, and
betrayed the country.
When a few industrial units broke
the national bond binding them all,
they became guilty Of industrial trea-
son and it is proper for the people iQ
their governmental capacity to war
upon, and compete with them indus
trially, by the production and sale OF
commodities-and smash them. Just
as they do all public enemies.
It is in the constitution Of things
that only the law Of supply and de-
mand, will determine the just and
equivalent return to all. There are two
ways to establish it: retain the COM
petitive system and totally eliminate
monopoly This Is now an utter inn
possibility. Second, make monopoly
public, that it may be equally open to
all; substitute cooperation for COM
petition, and thus restore the law OF
supply and demand which works as
| follows: Who wants to be judge, at
| $1,000, 3 hours daily labor, and 10
weeks holiday, with pay? The enorm-
GUS supply" would quickly make the
terms less engaging. Who wants to
| drop dead from an electric light pole
at SO week? The limited supply"
would make the terms more engaging.
| And thus the equivalent return"
would be accurately determined for all.
We prate Of our advanced civiliza-
! ton, and pretend to study the genesis
of crime-with employment (which
| includes morals, liberty and life) in
! private control. bah!
Organized labor Is now strong
enough to win as the plundered peo-
ple's champion. Let them capture the
law making power, with the soft po-
litical snaps. Let all editors with
conscience, open their columns to the
people, for the consideration Of these
vital questions, and Supply and de-
mand" will be made permanent. the
promise of God become visible, and "a
man made more precious than fine
gold" Isaiah, 1912.
LEVIN T. JONES.
202 w. Barre ST., Baltimore, Md.