The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-08-15
SOCIALISM AND ITS ARGUMENT.

Socialism as the Oregonian has often
said, is entitled to a hearing. 1t is
strong enough, indeed--if not in its
positive or constructive argument. at
least in its suggestion-to compel a
hearing. 1t is strong in its appeal
against private monopoly, and in its
contention for proportional and distrib-
utive justice. The discussion it forces
lays bare many evils in the Industrial
and social system aud therefore it
does good,
But in its constructive argument It is
less fortunate. In general terms the
program of socialism is to substitute
government management for private
management. 70 put all productive in
dustry under state administration.
thus making the state the sole en-
ployer and putting all workers in the
employ OF the state. On this system
the functions Of government would ex-
tend oyer the whole domain of eco
nomic operations; it would manage all
the railroads, the factories, the mines
and the farms. In place Of competing
retail stores, government distributing
houses woHld he established for deliv-
ering d. each citizen his share of the
national production, as ne might earn
e in the employment to which he
wound he assigned. Individuals would
Still have property right to things
they were actually using-houses, food.
books, clothes, ete-but all the means
of production would be nationalized.
What are the objections to the sys-
tenn SUCH - grow. apparently. out Of
its Inherent mpracticability First.
there would Dc difficulty in assigning
employmeu-s since some are more de-
sirabie than others. and the less desir-
able are those which most persons are
competent 10 undertake There are
more persons competent to clean the
streets lhau s. superintend an electric
power plant o. manage a railroad-and
we assume the socialist state would
still want electric plants and railroads
The ordinary worker would have to b
content with the position and the pay
the state would give him for 81 course
all couldn't have the best Jobs, or the
highest remuneration.
Would the state factories produce
any line of high-class goods? what
for2 Under ? true system Of equaIits
1here wonld he no class of people Il
use them. and no class would have
means u buy them, since none coult
acquire anything beyond his daily Of
weekly wage. which of course in n,
case could - large enough to Great,
envy in the body Of the workers. Her,
again tie claim that private propert,
would still exist as now requires at
tentien. What means would men an,
women have. working under the svs
tenn, of renewing or reproducin-. thei
property as time and use would wea
# out2 and what means for construc
tion Of new houses. and for travel. an.
for education beyond the ordinary
The socialist state would 10 endure /
that any class OF its people should &c
wages cr pay enough for these or an,
other objects In which all could no
share
These are some Of the dinicultie
that beset this constructive argumen
for socialism Most persons think then
insoiuble Besides. there is the objeo
ton that the system would create
despotism from which all would 500,
be glad % escape. One thing is sure
The argument for socialism must re
move these difficulties. and many more
before the people will give their as