The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-10-12

est In Socialism," Mr.. Debs was ask
ed.
1T is Socialism. not Debs. that the
people care for" he replied earnestly.
Many clear-sighted Socialists do not
agree with Debs In this and and they
therefore discount somewhat the sue
cess attending the tour of the Red
Special.
In spite OF the threats OF the So
cialist-Labor party aud other oppoh
ents of Socialism there have been no
hostile demonstrations against the
Red Special since its arrival IN the
east There is yet TO be an exception
where a meeting has been interrupted.
Yet In cities and villages alike the
appearance OF the red flag calls forth
Inquiries IL anarchy Is abroad In the
land and these inquiries are expressed
In a tone OF resentment Deos and
members of his party have become DO
accustomed TO this query that little
effort Ia made 10 convince Quesuoners
OF the claim that Socialism Is further
removed from anarchy in its popular
ly accepted sense than Is Republican
ism or Democracy. Because CT con-
slant inquiries made by sincere and
intelligent men in every city visited
by the Red Special Mr. Debs propos-
ed and answered yesterday the -oiiow-
ing questions:
beginning there must be government
upheavai.. atteHdsd=ey= bfoodshsd and
general disorder? ..
"A. No. Socialism cannot be estab-
lished until we have Industrial democ-
racy. The word Socialism means fra
ternity or brotherhood. Socialists are
believers in education and order. They
do not believe In force or bloodshed
and the world over. they are opposed
O. Does Socialism mean the strip
A. Industrial democracy or social
ism implies the collective or social own
ership OF all the sources and means OF
wealth production and wealth distribu-
possession OF social property cannot be
predicted. Lincoln favored the pur-
chase Of chattel slaves. and Henry Clay
In the e Tbn, a1o ndwSon:sd their us
consideration from the owners. and
Lincoln. as war measure, connscateo
the ehattei property Of the owners:
question. but II II certain that Social
lists have no purpose OF ignoring any
of the members OF society. whether
property-iess tramps- Socialista asaert
that at both ends OF our present social
system are It's pitifui results-the ex-
cessively rich and the excessively poor.
: socisaast Fla, for DistrsS~tss.-
Q. How will the distribution OF
wealth be accomplished In the begin
ming?
A. The social ownership OF the
sources OF wealth production and the
means of wealth distribution itnpiies
democrattc administrator OF industry
with equal opportunity TO work. to
wealth production. The factories. miils
production Of the things nssdfm for
human use and not Tor the making OF
profits. Access TO these Industries and
compensation for service would be &C.
the Individual
Q. Granting that Socialism be essab-
lished In this country and II proven
It be under Socialist government be-
fore Industrial harmony would prevail
and permanent benefits be derived by
one and all5
A Dement'S would be immediate.
How long IL would take TO establish
industrial harmony can only be oonJec-
tured. The normal healthy man or
tivity. Long hours of labor under vex-
atious conditions have dsgenerstsd
most OF the human family. Children
are born tired; The rich have from
our language proves that nearly all oc-
equations are odious. This opinion has
even permeated the working class IL
se1f. and society says to young men and
women: Get IN education or you will
have to work NJ common labor. and.
strange enough. the mssnsr the work
the meaner the pap.
Q. Does Socialism mean a radical
readJustment Of society and the plac-
Ing on level Of those whose intel
lectual qualifications are unequal?
A. No. Government nav exists to
control individuals and when Socialism
Is inaugurated the business OF admin
istrative government will function az
II should to devise ways and means OF
producing food. shelter. clothing, sdu-
cation and amusement not for some
but for all
Q. Under Socialism. would Il be pos
sibie Tor Individuals to accumulate for
tunes sufficient to enable them to en-
opposition TO orderly livfng7
A. Under Socialism. there could be
no limit except a. limited by the ca
pacity OF the individual to accumulate
| private wealth But no Individual could
have any form Of wealth that would
enable him to exploit others. The So
clalists make very positive distinc-
| ton between collective wealth and
private wealth. They believe In an
abundance Of private wealth. such as
books. pictures. musical instruments
automobiles. all kinds OF conveyances
but say that society must not permit
when IL 10 saueiy organized, the pri-
vate ownership OF wealth that must OF
necessity be socially used and there
fore should be socially owned Z