The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1920-04-16
Ruminations of a Rebel.
BY Tom Clifford.

, everywhere. The workers of Europe
are no longer docile and obedient and
are in open rebellion against thor
masters. Their refusal TO return to
their pre-war industrial slavery and
produce wealth as of yore is the
despair of the bourgeoisie, for Il their
erstwhile slaves persist in refusal 10
again place their necks in the yoke it
it is good bye to capitalism. The liqui-
dation of the vast debts incurred by
the nations participating in the World
War can only come from the wealth
produced by the workers, and the latter
are manifesting no disposition tc
shoulder the burden. They seem to
have arrived at the conclusion that
the war was not of their making and
are determined that those responsible
shall suffer the consequences. What
will be the ultimate result7 Industrial
chaos, followed by the gradual building
up Of a new society that will make
wars impossible. Russia is pointing the
way. The example is infenctions.
Even here in the United States signs
are not wanting of an approaching
crisis. In spite Of the strenuous efforts
Of the bourgeoisie to regulate industry
so as to secure greater output the
workers refuse to be speeded up. In
fact, they are sabotaging on the job.
While the mass of American workers
still remain unenlightened as to their
real condition, they seem to be averse
to piling up surplus wealth for the
benefit of their employers. The bour-
geoisie are frantically clamoring for
increased production, yet the workers
give no heed to their doleful cries
just put in their time, draw their
wages, and spend every cent in secur.
ing what they deem necessary for
their comfort and happiness. What |
will the harvest bef Wait about a
year and see.
The signs of the dissolution of the
capitalist system are SO abundant they |
should be apparent to the most obtuse.
The competition in production, in spite
of the fact that there is no market |
n sight for the surplus, must inevitably |
cventuate in an industrial depression.
When the storm breaks the initiation of |
the currency will augment the con-
sequent suffering and destitution of
the workers. Speculation has become
epidemic and profiteering is a univer.
sal obsession. Even the manufacturers
have imbibed the fever of speculation,
and are largely producing for pros
pective market. The bankers and fiji
nanciers generally appear to sense the
coming cataclysm, for they are
curtailing their loans and otherwise
preparing to weather the storm. Our
inherently unsound financial system
is at the point of breaking down, and,
since all business is based upon it, the
whole capitalist system will collapse
and the ruin will be complete. Well, let
it come. Out of the debris will arise a
new social structure that will be sound |
because scientific-a social structure |
that will guarantee industrial equity |
and world peace. I am ready for it.
Are You7
Among the multitude of profiteers
the landlord is bearing the brunt of |
adverse critism. He is held up for ex.
ccration because, forsooth, he insists
upon ENJOYING tho sacred rights of
property. He contends, and rightly
too, that he is m perfect accord with
the right to collect in rent all the traf-
fic will bear. The excruciatingly
he ethics of capitalism, which give him
amusing feature of the whole proce.
dure is the fact that those who are
vociferously denouncing the poor
landlord for exercising his lawful pre-
rogative are staunch supporters of
the system that accords to him the in.
contestable privilege to skin, fleece
or otherwise rob the luckless individual
who is compelled to dicker with him
for place to sleep Funny world, ism 7
liz
TIE long threatened iusurreetion
against the arbitrary rule Of union
officials seems to have ut last material.
lied in the present railroad strike now
being conducted by a so.called "out.
law" organization, which is condemn.
ed alike by the railroad managers and
officials Of the "safe and sane" rail
road Brotherhoods. The latter are ap.
pealing to the membership to remain
loyal an durge them to "scab" on tho
outlaws" declaring the strike is
"unauthorized." However, II appears
that the long suffering rank and file
Of the Brotherhoods have decided ,oI
support the strike even though II DO
not sanctioned by the respectable A. +.