The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-02-18

and coal trust.
The point to grasp is that public,
collective ownership and operation is
demanded not as an end, bit as 9
means to an end; namely, increasing
the product and stopping exploita-
ton" (Simoas.) The robber indus
tries must go. wealth must be multi
Piled; collective ownership and opera
.tion by the producing classes must
accomplish this. This done. the in
dividua. who is hurting none, may em-
ploy his time as he likes.
Ard how about the little shops
and stores and peanut stands? Are
they public necessities? If left in rri-
vate hands will they reduce us to
peggary?
Well, hardly. so long as the people
possess the ability, the will aud the
intelligence to establish public de-
partment stores and sell the same
things at cost.
But what will then become of the
little shops and stores?
They will probably be run out and
their owners absorbed IN the public
Industries. But, if they can survive,
as many Of them now 40 survive be-
side the great competitive department
stores, well and good. The fact OF
their survival will prove their fit
ness; and the customer can patronize
the public of private store at will,
just as now re patronizes, at Will,
the public school, college or univer-
sity for education, and the postoflIce
or express company for money orders.
And what of the farms?
Exactly the same principle applies
here. The public enjoys the right to
engage in whatever agricultural ac-
tlvities it sees fit. and the private in
dividual ditto The big bonanza farms,
the Scullies, Dalyrimples ana absen-
tee landlords will probably be han
died in exactly the same way as the
trust Their property will be taken
over by the public, with OF without
compensation as the majority, by
referendum vote, may decide. The
operations of agricultural colleges,
experiment stations and the United
States department of agriculture will
doubtless be widely extended and
products will, as now, be furnished to
the people at cost or gratuitously.
Does this mean that all the little
80 and 1905 will be confiscated as
soon as the socialists carry the coun-
try?
Too silly a question to ask, you say:
Yet it is the failure of the socialists
to answer just such questions that
is keeping thousands Of farmers out
of the socialist movement.
answer these little farmers: We
are not proposing to confiscate one CT
your farms Whatever is done with
the land will be done by your consent
through referendum vote.
Valuable lands, as long as in pri-
yate hands, should be subjected to
the ground rent tax Lands of slight
value should be exempt from all tax
alton as in New Zealand
Were to advise the little farmers
I should say: Take over the Sccly
lands, railroad lands, and alien-cwned
lands quick. On getting. hold of state
and national governments, supply the
state and nation with ample funds,
and urge them to do their best In
agricultural lines.
While the government" Is getting
it's hand in, I advise such of you as
can, especially your young men with
agricultural training, to get into the
public agricultural service; and ad-
wise the rest of you to stay on your
farms and see how the thing works
out.
Meanwhile, advise you to make
the amplest use of the vast powers OF
government to improve your condi-
ton where you are, and to make life
on the farm worth living.
Thea. as soon as 1t is wise to do so.
| advise the bulk of you TO turn your
farms over To the government when,
instead OF having TO work fourteen or
sixteen hours day for y poor living,
you can, on perhaps five or six hours
a day, enjoy a good living.
Some Of you however, VIII want TO
stay out OF the public service Just as
some now want to stay out. So long
as BY staying out you are injurine no
one. you have perfect right TO stay
out as long as you please.
Hut what We want now Ii TO stop the
wta,tsuw q6la dnna fhare will he