The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-01-18
Gordon Answers Gustin

Gordon Answers Gustin
Reading, Mass, Jan. ITO the Editor of The
Independent: The eighteenth annual report of the
commissioner of labor referred TO by Mr. Gustin
refers to only 402 families out of 10000 900 in
the nation. (See page 1861 The causes of these
24,402 being unemployed reported by them
selves or families were. Unable to get work 4016;
vacation, 7S41 sickness, 2,739; strikes 251; bad
weather, 274; accidents 202, cts, ETC., (see page
274-75); so that instead of all the working people
unemployed we find that the labor report refers
to only 24,402 families l. e. only that number
were selected Moreover only about one-sixth of
the total investigated tried to get employment.
These statistics, too, include all causes. SO you
see, Mr.. Gustin, that, like all other socialists,
who try to instruct us, you are way off. Nor
does the census say that in 1890 or 1903 or
any other time that these were forced into idle
ness"
| fail to find any report for 1899 in which
II Is stated that six and half millions
unemployed. Everybody should know that there
never was time in the history of this nation
when the percentage of the unemployed was as
small as it is right now. / would advise Mr..
Gusln to write to the commissioner of labor at
Washington, d. c., for information.
Referring to Massachusetts in 1895 Mr. Gus
tin informs us that from 40 to 90 per cent were
idle. ! don't know what he means by this state
ment but II he means that 40 to Coz per cent
OF all the workers in the state were idle then he
means something that is not true. The socialists
told us in Massachusetts and all over America
that in the shoe industry as in all Others the
workers received only 20 per cent of what they
produced | have already exposed their monu-
mental mistakes and only wish to correct my
letter in December % issue, which should read
$19OOO0O0OO instead of $4,000 OOO,OOO referring to
manufacturing industry.
The thirteenth annual report of labor in two
volumes, refers to hand and machine labor'-a
comparison.
The labor cost of shoes in the United States,
Is ~ per cent materials IS per cent, miscellaneous
expenses profits, ETC., IL per cent. The actual
net profit in the shoe industry is not above 6
per cent; yet the socialists tell us it is above
81 per cent, they figure that the shoe worker
produces the plant, the power, the freight the
leather, etc. etc. 1t seems to be almost impos
slble TO knock 1t into the head of socialist
that gross wealth and net wealth are two very
different things Mr. Gustin ignores the plant
machinery, power to operate the plant and the
original raw material AS for his statistics in
the Missouri penitentiary they are worthless even
If true.
In the first place every socialist is calamity
hoWler, trying to mkae things worse than they
are. Secondly they tell us that the system of
socialism means economic equality If this is
true then socialism is the gigantic crime of the
age, Tor would be if placed in power) because
1t would constantly confiscae the labor of the
superior laborers. Furthermore socialism could
not be established except by confiscation of
property. In other words the biggest bum in St
Louis VIII be placed on economic equality with
the thrifty sober laborer. The cost of manage
ment OF socialist system would bankrupt the
world
As there is no such thing as wage.slavery
there Ia OF course no answer 10 Mr.. Gustin's third
question Let Mr.. Gustn tell us how he and the
socialists will establish value and then we can
go head and find out something about the So
ciallst creed f. g. X. GORDON.