The Washington times., 1919-03-22
What Is Socialism?
A Young Person Wishes to Know.


tionary)
WEST BEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School Dist. No. u
West Bend, Wis.
Editor Washington Times
Dear Sir:
Nv senior history teacher has requested to write
to you several of the leading topics OF today Our
class reads your editorials every day. and thinks they
are very good That is why class is asking you II
you will please give us information ques
lions which we have not been able to decide.
We would like to have you give US the Socialistc
platform and the relation between the Socialists of this
country and those of Europe. We would also like to
just what the Socialists propose do in the equal
distribution of wealth
IF you would rather answer questions in your
newspaper please let us know what day your answer
will appear.
The class is that it will appreciate your
as much has appreciated your editorials Through
them have been able to gather much valuable in
formation. Respectfully yours,
HERBERT BITZ
Write for the Socialist platform and definition of 80
cRsm to well informed leader in the Socialist move
ment If you are interested
The average Socialist asked to define nonSoCialistic
government would do it for you minute and with many
inaccuracies based the conviction that the system he
advocates is perfect
The average non Socialist asked to define Socialism
would do also in moment and with many inaccuracies
Presentday government is the result Of mans expert
ences efforts failures and compromises and it is full Of
defects.
time to time It theory Of government that advocates
sudden changes These do not happen after revolu
tiOns, except for brief period.
What we call wise government now, including for in
stance free public schools free parks free books would
have been called Socialism and consCaon not long ago. It
is well to remember that.
Society viii be perfect it will be SOCiaistc
it viii again be ENTIRELY brutal and capitaEsc
Il viii steadily improve.
The fact that the young who writes the above letter
is able without expense to study with able teachers
to the world than would any equal distribution of
wealth" Socialists however do advocate equal dis
ibution" unless very foolish For they know that what
you distribute day is piled up in heaps the next like
the snow In drifts when the wind blows
The Socialists mperfectly understand their doc
nes propose that all the people shall control the things
they CREATE wealth land machinery factories etc. Some
Of them forget that BRAINS not HANDS, create these
things.
Improvements are coming that no Socialist ever
dreamed Of but coming slowly for this planets life will last
many millions of years It's hundreds of millions of inhab
are of them barbarous inhabitants of
the Stone Age half million years ago. You need not 90 to
Australia to find them It will take long time to make the
people worthy of what they have now public schools the
institution of marriage trial by jury and rule by the ma
jority.
Many Socialist who sincerely imagines himself 1.-The
slave of capitalism would if he could have his way be as
unhappy as canary bird let of the cage and asked to
shift for itself.
Civilization has progressed only far and government
only good because have not deserved better gov
eminent and have not progressed farther body It is in
great bodies that forward in little groups