The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-09-20
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The Russian Descensus AVerni

Describing the deplorable conditions
in Russia under the bolshevik regime,
a writer who interviewed hundreds OF
refugees SAYS that "for example, the
peasant will cultivate only as much
land as is necessary to supply his own
family because anylhing above that
amount Won d be seized by the govern
ment and paid for with goviet money
OF which ne has already more than he
knows what to do with
There We have a succinct statement
Qfttha consequences. that follow con-
fiscation or The rewards of energy
and thrift, There We have a sample
Of the resultbBf substituting mediocre
dictatorship for demonstrated ability
as the managing power in industry
Whether it be the Plumb Plan of gov
eminent owner ship or q taxing sys
tenn that confiscates the profits of in
dustry, tho effect is the same-to dis
COURAGE individual initiative and enter
prise. When the hope Of special re-
ward for special ability and effort has
been destroyed, there VIII be no spec
ial effort, aud progress will he trans
formed into retogre sion and decay
A soviet government may compel
It's victim to give up the goods and
take worthless money in the first in
stance, but ultimately the effect will
be TO discourage production in which
event there will be no goods to take,
either with or thout compensation.
Phe Plumb Plan proposes that the
government sell bonds TO raise money
to buy the railroads and then turn the
properties over to a commission on
which the railroad employees would
have dominating voice In practical
effect, II not technically, the employees
would fix their own compensation. In
stead Of owning the railroad stocks as
at present, the stockholders would
hold government bonds on which they
twogld draw Interest WITHOUT giving
Nthe government the benefit oflstheir
Experience ard ability In the mahage4
nent of the business The new mana
Gers would have no SPECIAL negative
to make the roads efficient. tof;they
would not be called upon to pay de,
ttcits and.there would be no profits to
sharfl3 The government under the
Plumb Plan would call upon tllb pub
lie to.,pay the increased costs ofoper-
alton in the form Of taxes and to that
extent would contiscate one mans
property for another mans benefit
There would be no substantial re-
ward held out to the man who, be.
cause Of years Of experience and a
willingness to work. could take d
run down and Improbable railroad
property and put it on a paying basis.
/ Having no control as an owner, he
could be ousted by the c0mmunistic
management as soon as he had ac-
complished his undertaking With
such a prospect ahead he would act
upon the policy adopted by the peas
ants OF Russia, and strive for nothing
but the immediate needs Of himself
4 and family, National declines you'd
be the certain result. 34
/ These economists who propose taXes
Ithat would absorb practically 100 per
4 cent OF a litan's income were{close
!imitatars oi~lbe uecppamic, pnlities OF
Tho bhlsh bSists.ss ggi eA ssdhlH ieasaly col
1 lect the first tax. but after that the
producer would 6xcra1m IN disgust,
I"Whats the uso& aad would cease
/ producing more thaBaA family nee
lessities.-- Burlington News.