The New York herald., 1922-12-03
pared himself BY studying shorthand
at night.
Tide Turns for Macdonald:
He Lives by Writing and Speaking


He Lives by Writing and Speaking
Though the tide had now turned,
and disappointnents were not forgot
ten. They grew with the memory
which they fed upon and made him
determine to repay in kind the sights
that society had put upon him. He
attended political meetings at night.
only as a spectator at first. but later
as a speaker. In 1901 he threw up his
position and actively entered politics,
making a living by lecturing and by
writing socialistic propaganda and
literature. He soon became a power
in the Socialist party and the idol Of
the proletariat. He was elected to
Parliament in 1906. at the same time
becoming chairman OF the Independ-
ent Labor party. He became leader
OF the Labor party in 1909 which he
held until 1914. Since the war he has
resumed his party leadership. Tho
solidarity OF the labor movement In
England to-day is abundant evidence
OF his genius for organization.
Mr.. Macdonald is Socialist by con-
viction. He believes that a socialistic
state is coming. He says concerning
it: "The blending Of Parliament and
the Cooperative Union OF Manchester
must take place" Manchester is here
used in the sense OF being the labor
center of England.
He believes that the socialistic state
can best be accomplished by lesisla-
tive means He believes that labor
has the majority OF the votes in Eng
land and il the people who labor with
their hands will stick together, it Is
possible TO elect sufficient number
Of socialistic members Of Parliament,
to pass laws that will convert Eng
land into a socialistic state. In carry
ing out this idea he has tried to con-
vert labor unions into local branches
of the Socialist party.
The line Of deInarcation which he
draws between Communism and So
cialism is very clear. Under Commu-
nisnn, according to him, the state not
only owns the land and rs industries
but it owns the people. They are des-
ignated for certain work and assigned
certain pay. whether they will or not.
Under Socialism the people are free,
they can select their own work, they
are no more slaves of the government
than are the employees OF the pres
ent postal service. Socialism is only
gloriously magnified and expanded
governmental ownership.
AS an evidence that he belives So
cialisrn should be political rather
/ than n ra,,nlpffonarv Ynovepent let
me quote from him:
Socialism toward the middle OF the
nineteenth century became political
movement It's growth since that
time has been a political movement
and whatever prospect it has at the
present moment OF succeeding is due
TO the fact tina. it is political move
ment."
Macdonald would establish the CO.
cialistic state gradually. SO as not to
upset the finances OF the country by
a too sudden change Of policy, allow
ing the government TO take control
OF the various industries one at a
time and to demonstrate its ability
TO manage it successfully for the IN
terests OF the people, before adopting
another advance. His first step
would be 70 take over the great trade
combinations. One OF his favorite
slogans is: LET the nations own the
trusts Second in Importance Is the
public ownership and control Of land.
He has combined the two as follows:
Socialism seeks 70 build up So
cial organization. which will include
| in it's activities those economic instru-
ments--such as land and industrial
capital--that cannot be safely left in
the hands of the individual"
TO quote further: Every valid
reason that can be urged In favor Of
personal property can be used In favor
| of communal property. The COM
munity has created the values and
It needs them in order to continue a
free existence; but to-day they are
| handed over to private individuals
who are parasitical sharers of the