The diamond drill., 1917-08-04
DREAMS OF THE !. ". ".


In the New York Times.)
To the editor OF the N. Y, Times:
Some years ago-I think 1t was IN
lgtO-suspecting that our most men
aclng enemy was not across the pac'
iac. but within our own borders,
sent for one OF the /. w. w. leaders
and induced him to talk to me for
hours. He was hattered. OF course,
and talked very freely, laying many
nj his cards boastfully on the table.
What he thought he was concealing
however, was even more Significant.
He left me with no doubt in my mind
that he and his tribe were merely
waiting for the United States to be-
come involved in war (Japan at that
time was their main hope) TO organ
ize themselves from one end or the
country TO the other and endeavor
10 seize the reins OF government
wrote nothing about it then, as no
body. in this country, at least, ever
tstens. to warnings, and you are a
fool for your pains.
German agents have been watched
for three years by admirable secret
service and police, and since we en-
tered the war have lain low, biding
their time, and a good deal more
frightened than the government. On
the other hand, the /. w. W., the most
pestiferous growth that ever menac-
ed the stable and cultured products
OF any country-all that represents
progress were allowed TO shoot
forth their sticky, miasmic tendrills
from one end of the country TO the
other
Their purpose is civil war, with all
the soldiers in Europe They are
merely organizing and recruiting
now, spreading discomfort, making
sure OF an army" when the moment
comes to strike It is possible that
their pockets may be full OF German
money, for such a spirit in an enemy's
country would assist the German ma
chinations intellectually, but the spirit
was ready made; the Germans arc
not responsible for its creation-un-
less, to be sure. they began with un-
canny foresight years ago; but as
they are third-rate diplomatists and
always give themselves away, this
possibly may be dismissed
This mans boast was that the J.
w. w. would induce strike after strike
year in and out, until the employer
who could afford no longer to raise
wages, would throw up the sponge and
hand the business over. Then from
an eight-hour day there would be a
six, then a four, then a two, quite
enough for any man to work"
/ mildly asked watching this large
gross individual whose colossal vani-
ty and egoism seemed to me the natur-
al complement OF the heavy magnet
ism" which nature has bestowed 50
impartially upon the wise and the
foolish leaders Of men-if two hours
work day would not so demoralize
strong men that they would not work
at ALL In that case we should all
starye. Would not all the great bust
nesses and industries fall TO pieces
and the population be forced to turn
itself out TO grass?
But he fatuously insisted that, with
the government in the hands of the
"idealists," as he called them, and
money abolished, there would be no
necessity for any business, but what
was actually needed to sustain life.
There would be no rish and no poor,
and everybody would be forced to be
happy, whatever his private inclina-
tions-or so | inferred. II was plain
to be seen that in the active but pain
fully limited intelligence OF the /. w.
w (well nick-named the / Won't
Work.. the goal OF mortal ambition
was idIeness An earthly Paradise,
with world stock still.
had my own unuttered opinions
as listened TO these fne-spun dreams
worked out in every detail (for these
windy details / have no space). and
although / was inclined TO believe n
times that the man really did think
he had high ideals, which had been
dreamed for the benefit OF the human
race. he was laughable abject; for
he was quite saliently. bully and g
tyrant. These men may fool them
selvesl and, knowing that there Is nc
limit TO human credulity, even when
introspective. let us concede they do