The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-03-20
Discomfort PROMISING SIGN
Declared William L. Duffy In Discussing
the Social Condition.

The Barre Socialist locals second an.
nual series of propaganda lectures start
ed in Howland hall last evening when
William +. Duffy of New York spoke
to upwards Of l25 people on "The Social.
list Challenge" The lecture was the
first of five to be given ON succeeding
Wednesday evenings. |. +. Springer
acted as chairman of the meeting AMI
previous to the introduction of the
speaker he outlined the locals purpose
in conducting what he termed an edu-
cational campaign in the interests OF
the Socialist program.
Mr.. Duffy was greeted with rousing
ovation as he came forward to speak
and he continued to be interrupted fire.
quently by applause Throughout the
course of his remarks. His part OF the
five lecture program he defined as the
Socialist criticism of society, as it is
organized at present. Starting on the
premise that the present industrial sys-
tenn has been outgrown, Mr.. Duffy 'on-
tinued by presenting what he eonsld-
cred the evidence in the case.
With particular reference to condi-
tions in this country, he gave the So
cialst's diagnosis of society's malady.
He fell in with the proposition that
the rich are growing richer and the poor
poorer, while work is becoming moie
and more insecure The cost of living
is getting higher all the time without
corresponding increase in the wage
scales. Strikes and loekouts are on
the increase. Industrial depressions oc-
cur with greater frequence and the
trusts are expanding. The wonder is
that the discomfort of the worker has
been expressed so peaeeably. And vet
in this very discomfort, he said, lay the
most promising sign of the times.
Mr. Duffy discountenanced the idea
that Socialism is the outgrowth of va
rious reform movements that have long
gone before. He argued his declaration |
from a basis that poverty is absolutely |
and unwarranted on The |
earth today. On the system of pro-
duction and distribution of life's neces-
sites in vogue today, Socialism will con
tinue to make war mplacable and un-
-elenting, he asserted.
Continuing. he said: "Man has con-
Iuered the forces of nature and mar
lessed them to do his will, but it is
The pernicious maladjustment of things /
hat has caused society's ills" He de- /
;cribed the old handicraft and household l
ystems OF industry in comparison with /
he modern methods OF production, con-
luding with the statement that the
marvellous transition from one system
o the other had worked to such ends
hat one man is now equal in productive
bilty to 200 men of yesterday. He de.
Jared that the contrasts in the United
states between the rich and the poor
we're greater than any the world has
yer known Citing the existence of !,
uch contrasts in Rome and how they /,
ontributed to the downfall of the em-
ire, he said that even in that early !.
av the extremities were never so far
part. While dealing with this partic- !,
lar phase of his subject, Mr.. Duffy /.
striking examples to bear out !,
is arguments.
Socialism. he said, takes the position !
hat poverty is social phenomena
.hich arises from purely social and not /,
ersonal causes. He took up the va
ous charges made against the workers,
lch as intemperance, Incidence and ex-
ravagance If all the members of the
orking class were to become abso-
ltely temperate tomorrow under con-
tions which have never existed ex- q
.pt in the widest prohibition dreams :
Neale Dow, Mr. Duffy still believed -
lat the change would not affect the y
'cal situation. He thought the to- 7
i effect would be lost in an ocean OF u u
her causes. Turning to the charge of :
dolence he informed his hearers that ~ y
| the work accomplished in the world =
day is performed by those selfsame !, -
orkers charged with laziness. !. y
Coming to the charge of extravaganza, y
r. Duffy exhibited a number of pay ).
lvelopes used to pay Lawrence textile y
lnds before the strike. Some were !"
arked 1855, some $3.50, some 1929 h'
ID Others 81. He doubted if the work
S could make any large deposits un-
r such conditions, which he cited as ia
t being at all unusual. VS.
In concluding. the speaker said that &c
e forces which favor the retention Of ca
e present system and those who are by
,rking for the newer day are now, rs in
vays, diametrically opposed to each on
her. This he believed to be true in lth
ite of "Rev. Mr.. Stelzle and the Sc
vie Federation as he worded his sh
ference. m
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