Omaha daily bee., 1910-04-19
PROMISES OF THE SOCIALISTS
Milwaukee Alderman Outlines Prinoi-
pies Of New Administration.
FOR ECONOMY AND LIBERTY
Good Service WIN ne Exacted from
Public Corporations Until
Municipal Ownership Can
he Attained.

ANAAN ANNNNNNAAWhA AMNAA
Municipal Ownership Can
Ne Attained.
MILWAUKEE,. April 1s.-victor II.
Berger. acknowledgement and spokes-
man OF the social democratic party Ia Mi
waukee issued a statement giving an out
line OF principles tne. will guide the social
democratic administration during the next
two years. beginning with tomorrow, when
the inaugural ceremonies will take place.
THE socialist party of America Is the
American expression Of the international
movement OF modern wage workers for bet
ter food. better houses, sufficient sleep,
more leisure, more education and more cul-
ture.' says the statement. TO secure
economies as we'll as political liberty will
be one Of the aims Of the social democracy.
Municipal ownership OF public utilities,
among other things is advocated, but until
this is reached the best possible service
will be expected from these utilities com
petition is objected to on the ground that
the more competition means more cor
ruption.
In brief the social democracy stands for
every radical change that will bring means
Of production into the hands Of the people.
Text CT Statement.
Mr.. Berger's statement in full is as fol-
lows:
A detailed review Of what the social
democratic administration of Milwaukee in
tends to accomplish during the next W.
years will be contained In the mayors IN
augural message. ] wish only to state the
general principles upon which this party
stands and upon which we were elected on
April 8. /, Of course, win not repeat the
platform.
In the first place, the social democratic
&A-Na~ - L. n - anNnnWn mart nI
the social party of America. In Wisconsin
we are officially named 'the social demo-
cratic party which is the customary in
The socialist party of America is the
American expression of the international
movement of modern wage workers Tor
better food, better houses, sufficient sleep,
more leisure, more education ana more cul-
ture.
The founder OF the republic declared for
political freedom. But we call attention to
the fact that since the birth Of this nation
q revolution in industry has taken place.
Formerly hand labor and individual effort
produced the necessities of mankind. To-
day machine labor and social or associated
labor are the means of producing those
necessities. And while in that former time
it was the imperative duty of the govern
ment to protect the individual in possession
of the property he had-produced, so today
1t is equally the duty of the government
to protect associated labor, that is to say,
the whole body of working people. in the
possession of tho products Of their toll.
Middle Class disappearing.
The present system of social production
by individual ownership has produced two
c~lasses-the propertyiess class and the cap
italist class. The middle class, once the
backbone of this great nation, is fast dis
appearing in the mill Of competition, and
classes. All attempts to obscure this issue
or to delay the settlement are futile. foI
all other issues will be speedily absorbed
for human rights has become a battle tc
determine which form of government we
shall have in the future-plutocracy OF
Political liberty alone has become made
quate; we hsust have both political ant
OF the social democracy.
In city atiairs ne s;And for the public
, wei aware, however, t1at milwaukee, doe
( not enjoy seIf1government, and that, as 1
rule no steps can be taken in that direc
! ti9n without Mad an appeal 70 the state Eggs y
In municipal affairs-the social democrac!
! SSt ri5S m sis0 f of p Tadiesl 6hh 15tgo tb sea bom me
e Of the people. 1t Believes in self-govern
ment for the city, the initiative, the refer
I and equitable taxation, in efficient SAM
tary inspection of workshops and houses
and in the public control of the food sup
ply in the interests of the public healtl
and in the highest development OF a rea
! sonable public service. At the proper tim
> the social democracy will initiate this an'
Meeting Present Conditions.
We call attention to the fact that tn.
I measures we urge are In no way a complete
i cure for existing evils, nor are they neces
n sariiy socialistic measures. They are to b
viewed rather as needed palliatives. Unde
no circumstances should the working PEG
!, pie rest content with municipal impS9ye
ments, which are merely temporary In thei
nature and must be entirely Inadequate
They should move onward to the conques
Of all public powers, to an entire chang
y Of the present system for one which shal
secure to the people collectively, the mean
Of production and distribution:
The main spring Of corruption In mum
cioal afafirs Is found in the fact that
Jew alderman or officials have in thei
power to give away or sell franchises I
officials to secure a share in the million
The temptation thus offered our publ
officials to secure a shade in the million
thus given away Is too great for the aver
a age man to Withstand II the city shoul
u operate its public utilities. the motive an
the opportunity for bribery would be gone
even n minor evils and breaches OF trus
might continue. owing 20 the corruptin
makes money getting the sole aim of life
a The social democracy, therefore, objects {
a more competition In public utilities; NOR
a competition means more corruption.
k We stand for the public ownership OF pub
n lie utilities; but until we reach this, we wi
enforce the utmost extension and possibl
service from these utilities, as far as tn
present laws will permit.
Contract system Dangerous.
We look upon the contract system ais
as a danger. 1t constantly Induces con
tractors to bride city officials on the on
hand and to exploit their workmen on tn
other. Moreover, IL Is always in the inter
est of the city that citizens earn decen
wages: therefore, instead Of contractor,
the labor unions ought to be encouraged
e The city should stand pledged, so far a
the charter permits, to employ only unto
h. labor, ana at eight hours a day, and shout
reqeire the same OF all contractors dom
n city work. D.
The money made out of the city by cor
tractors win better go toward the relic
or the unemployed; first by the improve
ment Of the streets; second by the estal
> lishment OF public coal and wqoe Yards an
q public ice house. In this climate ice