Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-05-16
The GREEKS HAD A WORD FOR IT
THE Rood to Serfdom," by Frederick Huyek, Is as
Fantastic AS the Exploded Theories OF MuIfhus

In a effort to convince the American people that planning" by
government-city, state o nation-is an evil thing and will surely lead
to FascEm r something worse, a widespread campaign is being con
Quoted to popularize The Road to serfdom," by Frederick A. Hayek
The book didn't attract much attention until the Readers Digest
printed a condensed version. After that, other publications took it 10
DR. Hayek and his supporters would deny that he is opposed to all
planning by governmental agencies. He processes to be willing to pro-
vide some minimum of food shelter and clothing, sufficient to pre-
serve health But one step beyond that miserable minimum would be
fatal, he argues.
The book is cleverly written. The Greeks had a word for it 49,
"sophisma--that is, unusual skill to deceive readers and lead them up
Planning" according to HayeE, is Socialism, and Socialism is res
ponsbe for Hitler and Mussolni. for Fascism and Nazisn. To prove
that, ne points out that both dictators at one time professed to be
Socialists.
The people of Great Britain and the United States are o travel
ing the same dangerous road, he warns, saying:
The younger generation today has grown up in a world in which
the spirit of commercial enterprise has been represented as disreput-
able and the making of profit a. immoral. Where to employ 100 is
honorable"
Now, there may be responsible teachers in both countries who
indulge in such nonsense, but they certainly do not exercise any great
influence.
This newspaper has never advocated Socialism. 1t does not believe
that to employ 100 is exploitation but it does contend that the men
who ar the industrial, financial and political rulers Of this country
will be guilty of criminal folly if they do not prepare for the difficulties
which are sure to confront is after this wa is over.
That involves planning" We do not know my other wav to
achieve the desired result. Dr. Hayek apparently does not object to
government does a little thinking that he gets excited. LABOR believes
1t is a JOB for all three, and it is convinced that unless they get busy
we may have serious trouble in this country.
DR.. Hayek's contention that Socialism is responsible for the deve-
lopment of Fascisn and Nazism in Europe is utterly without founda-
financiers who YER determined to destroy labo, !" ynoue ss nnia,a ao
whatever its strength or weakness may have been, had nothing to do
with it.
Fortunately, o that point the record is complete, but DR.. Hayek.
and those who are pushing his book, are anxious the people Of the
United States and Britain shall forget that most disagreeble fact
So they spread the doctrine that if the state goes II the rescue of
human beings on anything like an adequate scale, the whole caboodle
OF rs are bound to go over the precipce into an abyss, where all is
black and vile.
-
A more fantastic doctrine has not been preached since Nautilus
the Englshman who was a theologian IN Sundays and a very poor
economist the rest of the week, insisted that when God created man
lie forgot to provide the things needed to sustain life. Therefore. ac-
cording to Nautilus, the great danger was the world would become
cver-populated, and it "a gravely argued that, in order to avoid that
calamity, we should welcome war, disease and pesilence-LABOR.