Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-24
No Hope Save in Socialism
For These United States
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
What has become of rugged individ-
ualism" and private initiative" in Ger
many? Are these great 90 principles
to be applied only to this Nation? The
sad truth is that both fail when con-
fronted by any serious problem or by
competition from either Socialism or
Communism. Communism never makes
any progress until the financial pluto
Gratis take from the masses of the
people their "individualism" and make
economic slaves of them. Frankly,
Communism always depends upon the
chaos inherent in advanced stages of
capitalism.
Even in normal times in this Nation
rugged individualism" and private
initiative" have never succeeded except
by artificial stimuli. American history,
both political and economic, gives nu-
merouS instances where "doles" have
been cheerfully given to private capital
directly and indirectly from the nation
al and State treasures. Discriminatory
and preferential tariff rates, State and
Federal grants of land, tax exemptions
often offered by municipal governments
to specially favored industries not to
mention special cash subsidies from
State treasures granted by Legislatures
to the railroads In the pioneer railroad
construction period-all these are but a
few instances of "doles" given to in
dustry. Income tax refunds is the
latest method Of reducing taxes for
the rich.
Under organized government in this
epoch, "individualism" is synonymous
with anarchy and chaos. This is also
true In our economic life. The age of
individualism has long since past. We
are now In the age of cooperation,
believe 1t or not" Numerous laws
(many of them unnecessary seriously
restrict the individual freedom Of the
many, yet practically free reign Is given
in actual administration of the laws
to the greedy and self-seeking capitalist
so that he can pile up more millions
to evade more taxes, ad inf1nitum.
Great care is taken, on the other hand,
to prevent the average ambitious work.
er from getting too much in the way
OF compensation. He is exploited every
way he turns. Legal and illegal restric-
tons, arbitrary and unreasonable regu-
lations, hedge him in from all sides.
He must be within certain age limits,
must have had certain experience, edu-
cational and physical qualifications, de-
spite the fact that those who may now
be in the same positions do not nor
could not have these qualifications.
Determinations In many instances are
ridiculous.
Capitalism and Communism use the
same methods to attain their ends,
although their aims are opposite. Both
systems in our present stage of eco
nomic development here and abroad
breed nothing but chaos, anarchy and
human and material wreckage.
Socialism Is the happy medium which
both the United States and Russia
must adopt, else the common people
will all be ragged" individualists as
without hope Of substantial advance
ment. Hopelessness breeds despair.
Despair makes people desperate. We
had better abandon the two old parties
in this Nation and turn to a frankly
socialistic program before 1t Is too late.
First, we should push through Con-
gress the Couzens tax on gifts, with
an emergency clause attached to make
1t Immediately effective. Second, the
Nation should take over the operation
and ownership of the mines and means
of transportation and operate them
for the benefit Of all the people in
stead of for the coupon clippers.
If the Progressives in Congress will
combine into a Progressive Socialist
party program, starting with the above
and cut loose from the capitalist
party with its Republican and Demo
cratic branches, there is much hope
Of realizing Q practicable, Christian
like program and plan, which Is. under
present conditions. impossible. 0ompe-