The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-10-10
Member of Audit Bureau OF
Circulation
(Official City, State and County
Newspaper)
Foreign Representatives
SMALL, SPENCER, BREWER
(1ncorporatedD
CHICAGO NEW YORK BOSTON
The Socialists Are Frank

CHICAGO NEW YORK BOS1ON
The Socialists Are Frank
Although no one expects Norman
Thomas to be victorious in the presi-
dental election next month, political
observers seem agreed that the So
cialist vote this year probably will
exceed anything in the past history
of the nation.
Thomas lacks the bitterness and
the vitriolic personality Of Debs,
being a much more polished man,
but he is truly a Socialist and an
honest exponent Of the Socialist
cause.
There are many things to be said
against Socialism and, perhaps, some
things to be said for it, but few per-
sons have taken the trouble to study
it. Perhaps unwittingly, the elector-
ate has adopted many ideas from
Socialism in recent years, even
though the auspices which offered
them bore the conservative label.
Full and adequate review of the
Socialist program and platform is
impossible in brief space but 1t is in
teresting to note that at least one
popular conception regarding their
principles is correct. This is the
theory of specialization" Of all COM
merce. industry and agriculture un-
der the ownership and direction of
the state. The state would own
everything and all the resources of
the people and all industrial or other
property would be owned by 1t and
devoted to the common good, pre-
sumably on the share and share
alike basis.
Discussing this theory in speech
at Milwaukee recently, Thomas said
his party's program is for peaceful
specialization Of industry by taxation
and capital levy If possible, but by
confiscation If necessary. He said
there is no single method OF trans
ferring industry to the nation which
would fit all times and circumstances
but that the right of "confiscation
for the social good" is unquestion-
able.
Mr.. Thomas says that immediate
confiscation is not the Socialist aim
but that the party would not shy at
it, asserting:
I'm case of blind and violent
resistance by an owning class
there will be no alternative to
confiscation. If actual ownership
OF capital becomes consolidated,
along with control wholly in the
hands of a tiny group, confisca-
ton will be the answer.
But while there is yet the op-
portunity the Socialist party
wants to use the methods which
will arouse the least opposition
and least disturbance"
He preferred Specialization by
purchase, financed by taxation
and capital levy, because "such
q policy would fall equitably on
the owners of all large industry
and give most promise of
peaceful transition period from
private to socialized industry.
Violent revolution might prove
more costly than a reasonable
purchase price for socialized in
dustry -
I'm the case of public utilities
and trusts, We should acquire
them, if necessary, by condemna-
ton and with water and false
values squeezed out. We should
pay in bonds, not of the govern
ment but Of the Socialized indus
try. These bonds should be amor
tiled in 30 years. The income
from these bonds and the inher-
itance of them should be subject
to the same drastic, graduated
taxes we should lay on all
wealth
That the desire to avoid confisca-
ton is matter of expediency rather
than of principle the candidate
makes plain. He would begin with
the key industries, making purchase
By the taxation and capital levy
processes. and continue the move.
rnent as rapidly as possible. The
reason for this attitude is found In
the following paragraph:
Moreover, we cannot success
fully confiscate everything at
once todav and have q smoothly
running Socialism tomorrow. All
experience shows that. We shall
have to begin with key industries.
To confiscate them. leaving other
owners little touched, will be in
equitable and demoralizing to any
sort Of conduct of industry. We
should have immense disorder
and confusion"
Discussing the "class struggle
which long has taken q leading place
in all 6ocialistic discussions, Thomas
says Of his purchase" plan:
But would not this also mean
violent resistance Of the owning