The Detroit times., 1910-09-14
Letter from a Socialist.

To the Editor Of The Times: Is
Roosevent honest or does he quote
only a part Of what Lincoln said. with
deliberate intention TO deceive?
Lincoln did say, Labor Is prior 10
and independent OF capital. Capital
is only the fruit OF labor and woulo
not exist IL labor had not first existed.
Labor is the superior OF capital and
deserves much the higher considera.
ton But let's see what he says a
little further on: And inasmuch As
mcst good things are produced by
labor. 1t follows that all such things
OF right belong to those whose labor
has produced them"
This is neither complex nor con.
fusing Capital Is only the fruit OF
labor, and all such things OF right
belong to those whose labor has pro
duced them. Stand In the busy city
and look about you. Everything you
can see, factories. railways, stores,
merchandise, lights, water, dwelling
property-all these things were pro,
duced by labor. and Lincoln was
right They do OF right belong to
those whose labors have produced
them.
The abolitionist then proceeds !:
But 1t has so happened In all ages
of the world that some have labored
while others without labor have en-.
joyed a large portion of the fruit
This Is wrong and should not con.
tinue."
Then in his great love OF justice
regard for public interests, equality
Of opportunity and the uplifting OF
an oppressed and downtrodden peo
pie. he continued: ITO secure &C
every laborer the whole product OF
his labor or as nearly as possible, IL
q worthy object Of any government"
Now in summing up the situation
let us see what we are doing today &c
promote the Lincoln policies.
Bulletin 81. Of the Z. s. census ri
Manufacturers OF 1907. shows that
men working In over 100000 estab
lishments OF industry. produced al
average value of $9.11 per day, and
received In wages an average OF $1.5s
per day. Now let us see what would
happen il the Lincoln policies were
carried out, and the powers OF gov
eminent used to prevent expectation
First the government would take over
all the Industries. It matters not
whether they be conflscated, bought
at forced sale, or In open markets, II
could be easily accomplished. provid
ing Mr.. Rcosevelt's statement be true
that the right to regulate wealth IN
the public interest, Is universally ad
mitted.
With the industries all under gov
eminent direction, we could econo
mize greatly in the output OF labor
frSt dispensing with all advertising
matter. This alone would save tC
the consumer many millions OF dol
lars every year All tools and ma
chinery would be kept by the govern
uent to be used by the workers and
never be offered for sale, dispensing
with and saving to the people, the
EXPENSE OF statesmen. Goods for prl
yate consumption would be stored In
largo quantities and could be deliv
cred TO consumers with very small
output OF labor or expense.
All labor would be paid by the gov
eminent and would receive enough for
it's services TO buy all consumable
produce. making an over-production
panic an impossibility.
We would doubtless have to levy 0
tax for old age pensions and divers
other expenses.
But TO return to the problem, I an
informed that the owners OF those In
dustries comprise less than 20 pei
cent of the people. Now, II We ore
70 work for public interest; II those
owners cannot AFFORD TO pay more
than s1.59 for the production OF thai
which costs the consumer $9.11; In
stead OF making laws with which &c
crush the laborcr II he revolts, why
not take over the industries and run
them for the public good?
FRANK BROWN.
Detroit, Sept. 13, 1910.