The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-04-20
s What Socialism Is.

Socialism is misrepresented just as
every new idea is misrepresented.
Things that are false are told about
IT, sometimes with knowledge ,hSt
they are false, sometimes in the be-
lief that they are true. A statement
of what Socialism is I will try 10
write as l understand it,
Socialism is plan TO set aside the
robbery OF the worker through pro-
fits. interest and rent and to insure
him employment at all times and the
full social product of his toll. II is
proposed to accomplish this by plac-
ing the highly developed tools OF pro-
ducti0n and distribntion-too large
and expensive TO be longer owned and
operated as Observation-Disclosures collcc.
tive ownership and democratic con-
troll This would at once place the
whole people. who would own these
things, in possession of what Whey
produce without Intervention Of an
owner or boss, and enable them to
retain all they might produce This
Is all there is to Socialism. 1t has
no secrets. It is not Il system OF
laws which it wishes to impose on
others, but n plan. a method through
"itNAI II whit give lIlt WORKING ne0-
pie control of their own lives It Is
public ownership of industries and no
more to be feared. no more difficult
of understanding than are the social
lied or common schools
Socialism it not opposed to priyat,
property. Indeed its whole aim is to
make it SO that all people may have
private property rather than only a
few millionaires as at present
Socialism is NOT In-American. II
is merely an extension Of the princi-
pies set forth by our revolutionary
forefathcrs
socialism is opposed to dividing M.
Under capitalism (our prescn: sys-
tenn the workers are compelled to
give seven-elS hthS to nine tenths of
what they produce The workers
now divide UP Withfthe owners of the
machines. Socialism would stop this
outrage
Socialism is not narrow The facr
mat 1t includes all races and all b.
ileis proves this. 1t expects to win
the world. and it could not do this
and would not deserve to do If. if il
mad designs on censuring the beliefs
or peculiar mannerisms or WAYS nj
thought OF anyone. 1t wishes only
TO end exploitation ana secure q
hlgher~ and juster justcr civilization
Socialism is The friend of the home
h Under capitalism two-ffths of the peo.
PIE are renters. another fifth own
homes under iDcumDrance Social.
ISM Will make it possible for all tc
own good. comfortable homes free al
DELFT
socialism is friend of religion
Al present so-called "Christendorn', is
an. armed camp where poverty and
crime are visible everywhere.
socialism will end war and poverty
and establish full religious tolerance
ohacr these conditions religion cou,G
'hrlVe rs it can not now.
| NO. Socialism is not Anarchy. |,
:. 'he opposite OF it. Anarchy be-
| llcves in no government. Socialism
peIleves IN farther organization :;
| perfected organization that shall in.
| c!ndo the social life
Socialism is a friend 10 m,rri,oo
| Under the present conditions tfore
ands Of girls are betrayed into whit,
| slavery for the profit Of it, and otba,
| thousands forced to prostitution h,
| economic necessity. Many mcn and
| women are unable TO marry. anf
| many who do marry are unable tc
raise their children as they should he
raised.
Socialism insurcs TO each worke,
| employment at all times and the full
product of his toll. There will he
| no more slum life. M foar Of ,o.
tlns married because of poverty. Then
marriage can occur and every fam.
lily will he safe
Z. l.. SMITH