The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-10-29
with which to produce and ex-

w plouuce ana eX-
change wealth"
suppose, for arguments sake Edi-
tor De Icons construction 10 cor
rect: Wouldn't the national owner
snip OF railroads be step in the d.
rectlon OF collective ownership? If
not. why not? If national ownership
should be accomplished, wouldn't that
go to prove that economic determin-
ISM compelled it? And If mon sin
cerely believe that IL is to their inter
ests to have national ownership OF the
railroads, aren't they likely to do what
they can to bring ii about even if
great socialist editors do cast asper-
SONS upon their intellectually? In
other words, how can one play fast
and loose with the socialist doctrine
OF economic determinism?
Populists believe the public own
ership Of railroads would undoubted
ly benefit the agriculturists Of the
United States. Does Mr.. De Leon deny
these men the right to want some
thing that will benefit them? Is his
political philosophy so altruistic that
he has any right to object?
II Is, of course, Mr. De Icons I'M
doubted right to believe everybody
fools except the waRe-worli ing class
he processes TO represent, but is not Of.
1t is his undoubted right to see the
"cloven hoof' in every movement
which does not begin and end with
Daniel De Leon. II Is his undoubted
right to play the wasp on any and all
but when he reflects that
the socialist labor party in 1902 polled
less than $4,000 votes, after fourteen
years Of campaigning, he ought to see
that something is wrong-either with
his philosophy or the manner Of pre-
senting 1t.
When the electric trolley lines be-
gan TO spread out oyer<New York and
The New England states. The indie
pendent said that as soon as they
zane In competition with the steam
roads they would all be gobbled up.
The dailies occupied great deal of
heir valuable space" in telling how
Y" were now going to have competi-
ion In the railroad service sure
enough Last week the New York
lailies announced that the New York
CENTRAL railroad Is planning to estab-
ish electric trolley lines as suburban
branches in the central and western
oart of New York state in order to
ave local traffic, which has been cut
INTO heavily by the independent cleo
ric lines There never has been and
ever will be any competition in the
General transportation srvice. II Is
III essentially public" service and
'ught to belong to the public Every
)ther nation on earth came to that
conclusion long ago, ard this nation
viii at last come trailing along be-
ind all creation, take over the rail-
dads and telegraphs and the govern
nent will own and operate them. That
; the sort of destiny" that The In
ID pendent believes in.
&S&&$S$
The Independent has had good
cal to say to farmers about their
interest in the supreme court, but
ahoad employees are equally inter-
sied in turning over the supreme
ourt for the next four years to rail-
DAD domination. When any one OF
hem gets injured, and their occupa-
ion is very dangerous, that court will
rite decision depriying them OF
he benefits Of verdict obtained In
he district courts before jury. or in
ase of their death, their widows and
rphans will be told that by the SUI
rene court they can get no relief.
hat court, with Judge Barnes on 1t,
ill work ''the contributory negli-
enee of the fellow servant" for all
here Is in it.
NNN~.~>.~~o~~