The call of the North. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1923-1924, 1923-09-21

The idea that the word Socialism
as used to describe theory, has nj
fixed or well-defned meaning has lee
to confusion and misunderstanding
AS a matter of fact, Socialism has
been clearly defined by a number Of
able writer's on both sides of the
question, who agree in general as tt
the fundamental ideas involved ir
this word.
I Socialism is the collective, or pub.
lie, ownership and management Of
the means Of production and distri.
button of wealth for the benefit Of
all the people.
How Does the Social Party Itself De
fine Socialism?
Socialism is the establishment Of
a System of Society based on the
common ownership and democratic
control of the means and instruments
for producing and distributing
wealth, by and in the interests of the
whole community"
| In both definitions are found the
three essential ideas of Socialism
1. Public ownership of the means Of
producing wealth; 2. Public control
and 3, for the benefit of the whole
community.
What Are the Chief Means of Pro.
duction and Distribution Which
the Socialists Claim Should b
Owned by the Public?
The land, the coal, the mines, the
water power, the factories, the banks
the railways, the waterways, al
kinds of machinery and various othe,
forms of property.
It is obvious then that the private
receipt of rent and interest ceases
when public ownership of land and
capital takes the place of individual
ownership.
What Is the Distinction Between the
Socialist and the Mere Social Re.
former?
The distinction lies in the methods
suggested for accomplishing the re.
suit. Both aim to better the condi-
ton Of the poor, but the Socialist
claims that the object can be at
tanned only through public owner.
ship and control Of the means of pro-
duction and distribution, while the
Social Reformer denies that the
principles of Socialism are feasible
believing that the scheme, if at
tempted, would be costly expert.
ment to any nation, and that better
means can be found to improve the
condition Of the poor.
Is a Person Then Justified in Calling
Himself Socialist Because He Is
Dissatisfied With Present Social
and Industrial Conditions and In
sists that Labor Shall Have q
Larger Share of Profits Resulting
From the Production of Wealth?
No. No person is really So
ciahst who does not believe in the
public ownership and control Of the
means of production and distribution
of wealth.
Is There General Agreement
Among the Socialists All Over the
World Upon the Fundamental
Principles of Socialism As Elk.
pressed in the Above Definitions?
Socialists of all countries are in
agreement upon these fundamental
principles, but they differ among
themselves as to the methods which
should be employed in putting these
principles into practice, or bringing
about public ownership of private
property. Socialists themselves are
divided into two general classes
which may be called the Evolutionary
Class and the Revolutionary Class.
What Is the Distinction Between
These Two?
The Evolutionists, who consistent.
ly adhere to our democratic form OF
government, believe in peaceful
and gradual change of the laws and
economic conditions so that the prin-
ciples of Socialism may be brought
into operation without financial up.
heavel or bloody revolution. These
Socialists, as a rule, believe also that
the government or public should com.
pensate the private owners when
property is taken over by the public
The Revolutionists, on the other
hand, are opposed to the slow, peace.
full method of reaching the desired
end, and advocate what they consider
q more speedy method. They preach
the violation of law, the use Of phys.
Iical violence, and an immediate rev.
olution by civil war and bloodshed
These radical Socialists openly ad.
vocate the confscation of private
property without compensation t
private owners.
4 What Is the Attitude of These Rev.
oluti0nists or Radical Socialists
Toward Our Government?
Their attitude is that of opposi
ton and defiance, as is shown by
their declaration that, National pa
triotism is a false doctrine" which
should be supplanted by what they
call Internationalism. Their opposi
ton is further shown by the fact
that, while the Socialists Of England
France, Italy, Russia and Germany
supported their respective govern
ments after war was declared, thu