The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-08-22
WHAT ~ SOCIALISM,

An Index reader writes for IN
formation regarding the princt
Plies oud teachings OF Socialism.
Socialism is one OF the most
interesting political phenomena OF
the time. II does not nd Itself
20 exact definition. or. II II does
pny attempted definition Is i'm
mediately disputed by someone with
a different definition. II Is a
philosophy Of living as well as a
rule Of government and method
a. ildustfy On its economic and
Iclitea! side, Socialism aims
at the abolition OF private owner
ship OF the means Of production and
distribution Private ownership OF
all things not requisite to pub
lie welfare Is not affected. fhe
doctrine do.a not touch such lat
Ter private ownership. Al vast
lot OF detail swings around this
central principle What manner
OF ownership, or OF administration
Of the means OF production and
distribution. shall take the place of
private ownership and direction Is
the tOnstrut tive question concerning
which there Is most difference OF
opinion. The Socialists are united
as 20 what they don't desire. They
are divided as TO what they do de-
sire The program OF government COZ
troll aid operation OF all general
Industries Is called state Social
lam II is much disliked by Soc
ibiists who desire industries TO be
d theoretically administered, That
latter general formula IS for the
ehmination OF profits. "middlemen'
aud interest. Industries are to be
by the Workers for the
:. orkers. No man is TO tell another
man that he cannot wcrk. Some
propose that the workers OF each
industry shall control that par
tcular Industry independent OF all
other workers and all other indus
tries. Others insist that all indus
Try shall be co-ordinated and con
trolied oo-ordinately
Practical difficulties in the way
OF the democratic administration"
OF Industry are apparent. Socialists
maintain that they are not insur-
and that they are not
AS great as the practical difficult
ties In the capitalist system
Division as to tactics in the
Socialist ranks Ia into two main
Those who believe In
political action. and those who
advocate direct action, strikes with
out political asthny. The first
group has other divisions. One
u these subdivisions believes only
In political education education In
Socialist principles. II deprecates
any activity in political or govern
msnial af ahs until majority OF
the people are ready 20 accept and
but into effect the Socialist state.
rhe other principal subdivision OF
the political (as opposed to direct
setion) Socialists rs oppcrtunist In
la methods. The Milwaukee So
.ialists are the opponents OF this
method. Their plan IL 20 get all
hey can AZ once and progress by
ieerees. They take hand In
hat they call the capitalist govern
neut As proved by the indianapo-
Is results they control the Social
- movement Ia America as far as
( Il yet organized.
They are not Identical with but
IRE eloBsIy allied 10 the Fabians Of
ne English movement. They are
sven nov in sympathy with the In
dependent Labor party 81 England
me direct actionists are some OF
hem Socialists and some - them
ION goeialiru. Many o. them
sre Ansrehlsts. a. FAR a. they have
. DhilaaopbY. The large body Of
.bem are extreme labor nnlonisis
xho are dissatisfied zltb ths Amer
can gederst.0n plan u labor or
szBizathsa lhey bslisy@ that iaber
.hosle D. osganlzsd a. unit ia
.sea sn6eegg Gpd not 81 the sspar
~ cfafis - safb inengtry. They
.fane fof ne fskiiie6 lsber a.