Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1933-11-16
ging as Always.


the D. B. S. hall in Askov Sunday
afternoon, Fred Henderson, British
labor leader, brought his discourse
to a ringing climax with the asser-
ton that the present system of pro-
duction and distribution is in a theo-
logical sense a "Devilish system.
The capitalist system is done with;
it is beyond repair. There must be
a share for all in a new social order"
Mr.. Henderson spoke in Duluth be-
fore 600 people Saturday night and
more than 200 heard him Sunday aft
ernoon at Askov where he appeared
under auspices of the local socialist
club. 1t was considered a good turn
out here taking in account the in
clemency of the weather. A few from
Sandstone, Hinckley and Pine City
were in the audience but more would
have come from neighboring COM
munities to hear this we'll known
Englishman had weather and road
conditions been better. He was &C
corded close attention throughout his
lecture. Sunday evening Mr.. Hen
derson spoke before the Socialist
state convention in Minneapolis.
Those three appearances were all
that were scheduled on his Mime
sofa itinerary. The next stop was
to be at Omaha, Nebr He has been
in America about a month and will
return to England on Dec. 18th. He
goes west only as far as Omaha now
but may return for another lecture
tour in America next year and in
that event will visit the Mountain
and Pacific states.
"The Rebirth of Mankind
Opening his lecture on 1.-The Re-
birth of Mankind Mr.. Henderson said
ii was not the nature of his mis-
sion here to drive people into any
political party, but to deal with basic,
fundamental principles in an educa-
tional way-to discuss ways of how
to face the situation. The speaker
said that economic conditions are eX-
IRENE and we must go to the root of
things. Politicians and statesmen
are bent on restoring prosperity by
patching up through remedial legis-
lation. Our economic system is fail
ing and the people must work toward
ending this era so as to have more
human comfort and welfare. There
is not the smallest chance of COM
ing back under the present system.
1t cannot be patched up.
Continuing, Mr.. Henderson said the
trade of the world has fallen into
sfupor of paralysis, there is bank
ruptcy and breakdown, and the time
has come to examine the facts. 1t is
time to establish a new economic
structure. Little adjustments have to
be made constantly but present con-
ditions call for basic and fundamental
changes. The present economic plight
is not isolated local conditions but
it manifests itself precisely the same
all over the world where the CAPT
talist system prevails.
without Minds to Adjust.
People are being disabled from
getting into use and consumption
things we all need, can use and re-
quire, under our system, said the
speaker. A man from another planet
would laugh rather than sympathize
should he see us in this plight in
the midst of plenty-living creatures
without minds to adjust. 1t is basic
defect of all nations.
To see it in the right light the
study of conditions must be made
without prejudices, said Mr.. Hender-
son. Discussions by experts are
often over the heads of the masses.
They should be in terms of life and
experience, primitive things, goods
and services for mankind. The nat
ural resources with human efforts
applied to those is all that Is in it.
Production cannot begin without
debt charges under the present sys-
tenn and the world is riddled with
mortgages and debt charges. In
every form of wealth-simple or COM
plex-nothing else enters into it but
primitive and natural resources-the
only sources from which human needs
can be secured. Human efforts for
human life and happiness is strug-
gle with nature.
Folks living 200 years ago would
hardly recognize the world today.
They had no railroads then, crude
implements, and lived in small peas
ant communities, confined to local
resources with houses, food and cloth
ing. In those days they may. have
had famine though plenty of food
100 miles away. The extent of pro-
duction was mans own efforts, it was
the governing factor as regards his |
welfare. Immense human toll was
necessary even with scant living. |
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