The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-09-10
THE WEAKNESS OF SOCIALISM

THE WEAKNESS OF SOCIALISM
The advocates of socialism are, per-
laps, the most active and persistent
social reIormers in this couLtry. They
realize most heenly the failure of mod
ern civilization to uplift the so-calied
WORKING classes, and deplore the TACT
tnat while production increases by
leaps and bounds owing to inventions,
the share retained by the producer US
ualiy remains at or but a triIie above
the point of subsistence.
1t is a very difficult matter, however,
10 find two socialists who agree on the
meaning of socialism, and still more
difficult to find out how it is to be
made practical.
Socialists are right in condemning
existing industrial conditions. Every.
body who thinks at all knows that
they are essentially unjust; knows
II at vast fortunes are being piled up
by some at the expense OF the many
But they have failed, however, to cor
rectly diagnose the cause OF these con-
d.tiOns
Some attribute it to capital; others
to competition, and others again to the
wage system. Consequently they de
sire to abolish all these things.
Now capital is that portion Of wealth
which is used to produce more wealth,
and it is therefore absurd to imagine
row anything that aids or increases
production can injure the producer.
On the other hand it ought to benefit
him, by enabling him to get more of
the things he produces and to produce
them easier
Competition is natural law; it is
natures leveler. The so-called COM
petition deplored by socialists is not
real competition at all! 1t is un-
equal competition in which the adj
vantage Is all on the side of the en-
rlOyers. When ten men seek one job,
the hungriest man will usually get it,
because, ability and other things be
ing equal, he will work for less. Trusts
end monOpolieS have succeeded in
abolishing competition, and the people
ire now paying the bills in higher
Prices.
That portion of his product which
is retained by Or paid to the laborer
for his work is called wages, whether
the work performed is mental or man
ual.
Ii wages are high, socialists would
not demand the abolition of the wage
system" What socialists really want
to abolish is low wages. Under free
competition wages would be high.
Socialists propose, in some unex-
plainable manner to have all indus
tries controlled and operated by gov
eminent They point with pride to
the postofice department as an illus
tration of their theory. But the fact
of the matter is, the postal depart
ment can be operated much more eco
nomically in private hands than under
government control, and which, in
1902, was run at loss of three mill
lion dollars.
Does any one suppose for moment
that corruption would be less likely
under socialism than it is now?
Look at the scandals that are now
coming to light in the postal depart
ment, involving the highest officials!
And all this under government owner
ship! 1t won't benefit their cause
much to point to the postal depart
ment as an example of socialism.
Public ownership of public utilities
Is not the remedy for the ills of So
ciety. for II it were why does poverty
exist to such large extent in those
European countries where they are
now under government ownership?
Another strong objection to social
ism is that each worker is to receive
the same compensation for his work
This is manifestly unjust for 1t dis
eliminates between the Industrious
and the lazy; the good worker and the
Dad. 1t will furthermore destroy all
ambition and result in each mans
ioing as little as he can, because he
IIOMI,C TIIICo