The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-01-20
SOCIAL FIGHT FOR
A FAIR CHANCE
WILL GO ON
CONTINUED from First Page1


the mob suggests the stage to which
the social fight for a fair chance has
come. III the pendulum swings back.
clear back to the old order. under which
the producer loses four -ffths OF what
he produces and one per cent OF Amer
lean families acquire ninety per cent
OF the wealth OF the country. we may
and rsvolutionsry than the conserva-
tive scheme OF correction and relief
now proposed. This IL the alternative
that gives the question OF the presi-
Dental succession its tremendous i'm
The progress OF the fight thus far
inspires the belief that IL Will not
In the agitation that not long since was
associated in the minds OF the con-
servatives with viciousness and dema-
gogism, stand too high in respect and
probation. The fight Is going forward
with the gertrude OF evolution, of des-
tiny. The ultimate triumph will not
be just what the socialists dream or IN
their philosophy. but II will be what is
best for the whole people.
The reform OF insurance fnanciering,
the restrictions imposed upon unlawful
corporate methods. the punishment OF
trusts. the correction OF bank and trust
company practices, the demand for
publicity in campaign contributions,
the incorporation OF the Initiative and
referendum and public ownership prin-
cipIes IN State constttutfens--thase- MI
SCner1nernOTn Clte0 as Dul1ettnS from
the battleflelds OF a fair chance.
II is no longer terrifying to contem-
plate the extension OF the principle OF
government ownership. and control. the
doing of things by the whole people
for the benefit OF the whole people.
The Matchmaking of telegraph, tele-
phone and express businesses. the es-
Establishment OF postal savings banks
and parcels post are considered now
without fear or frenzy; and In that day
when the restrictive laws are so hon
estiy enforced that railroading will be
confined to the business OF hauling and
carrying, the transportation Kings may
say, The game is no longer big enough
for our blood. Take the railroads. MI
Government. and run them yourself.
In some such way--or through an ir-
repressible conflict like that that ragged
between the coal operators and miners:
or. again. through the development OF
a great unemployed problem--the gov
eminent may be compelled to step IN
permanently. as At does temporarily
when an earthquake, a flood. con-
fagration or a panic renders private
initiative and resources Inadequate TO
cope with the overwhelming public
need.
Certainly the trend is in that direc-
ton rather than toward the settle
ment OF the social fight for a fatr
chance through the indiscriminate
crushing OF the trusts. The nationaliz-
ing OF industry In more logical and
rational outcome OF the economic law
than TO either smash the combinations
4
their constituent elements. You cannot
fetter mems ambition to build and or
ganize and advance. but when private
genius and greed create combination
| OF combinations that threaten the sta
bility OF the government, the govern
ment has the right to either control or
acquire for the veli-being of all the
| people Developing and organizing
| genius should be respected and reward
| ed. but not exalted above the govern
ment.
/ Mr.. Schermerhorn dissented from the
point urged by Judge G. A. Kent, that
| the Standard OIL has only. been doing
what all business men seek TO do, and
| that the government should be shamed
\ for imposing n punishment of such de-
gree upon II. II IL has become the
| common thing to fout the law and to
resort to thievine and throttling meth
DDS In the business world, what more
| impressive reason could be urged In a
! body OF christian men for bringing In
a higher social order, one that guaran-
\ teed to every man n fair chance and a
condition more I'm keeping with righte-
Gus professions?
Mr.. Joseph Labadie spoke from the
| standpoint OF socialism, insisting that
| 40 fair chance did not obtain today.
Necessary labor, he maintained, should
command equal compensation.
Major Ford Rogers condemned the
| rule or ruin policy. of nigh hnanciers
who were responsible for the recent
panic. From n personal knowledge OF
the methods employed I'm New York
gambling circles. he considered them
utterly reDrphcusibfe.