The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1902-1905, 1902-10-23
THE ADVANCE OF SOCIALISM.

Students of economic problems have frequently
called attention to the probable outcome of the
highest development of the system of concentrating
capital. The railroads have usually been taken as
the best illustration of the tendency, doubtless be
cause the question of transportation is which
the people most directly interested, and there
would be less objection to the governments taking
control of the railroads than of q manufacturing
industry
Socialism, as an economic system which would
destroy individual effort and competition on which
modern society rests is generally held up as the
dream of enthusiasts who would force its acceptance
by direct changes without waiting for it evou-
tionary Development It's development by the later
process is, however, not only possible, but even
probable, unless there is radical departure from
the methods of business that are now in vogue.
The railroads have been used to illustrate the de-
veopment because these vast enterprises are now
practically controlled by a coterie of half dozen
men, The Vanderbilts, the Goulds, Morgan, Hill
and Hartman the principal owners, and almost
the absolute directors of all the prominent rail
roads in the United States 1t has been pointed out
that within a comparatively short time this number
will probably be decreased and when the ownership
or control of all the railroads passes into the hands
eminent to take over the roads as the final step in
the evolutionary process. Such a move would, it
has been held, be the only natural and the only
eliminating step.
What is true of the railroads is true in varying
degrees of other enterprises and interests whose con-
troll is centered in the hands of man. or party of
men acting in agreement.
The anthracite coal trust is, perhaps the greatest
individual monopoly because of the limited area in
which the coal is mined and the possibility of its
absolute control by limited number of men. AL
ready the agitation for government control of the
anthracite coal mines is general and the strike has
pointed the necessity for interference that will pre-
vent repetition of the present difficulties. If the
government had had the legal right and had as
sumed direction of the mines, it is doubtful if there
would have been objection from anyone save the
coal operators themselves. Such movement would
have been the natural and logical solution of the
question that uppermost in every mind.
1t would be possible to pile up other instances
which indicate that the tendency to government
control, particularly of natural monopoles and
public utilities is increasing and that the progress
instead of being aided by these reformers who would
work the change by revolutionary action is being
assisted by the very men whose greed has prompted
them to stihe competition through the combination
Of industries into trusts
Thus the greatest enemies to socialism or govern
ment control, or whatever it may be called the
men who are contributing most to its achievement.
The theorists may go on with their dreams and
1uild pretty air castles, but the men of action are
steadily working toward goal whose attainment, /
n their own minds, will be their ruin, i