LABOUR’S FINAL GOAL.

Grey River Argus, 29 October 1926, Page 7

LABOUR’S FINAL GOAL.

INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACY. (By William H. Henry, National Secretary Socialist Party of U.S.A.) The first Monday in September L the one day set aside as a national holiday, and dedicated to labor in th - United States. Labor Day was set aside by the rulers and they usually help to celebrate that day, providing they arc given the opportunity of playing politics for their class. The workers, or the majority of them, seem to think they are celebrating their economic independence, out as a matter of fact they are a long way from economic freedom. The great powers of producing and distributing the necessaries of life have developed so far that the workers are able to produce far more than are the workers of any other nation, but they receive a smaller percentage of their | product than do the workers of other nations. In the factories the workers can produce, with the aid of machinery, ten, lifty and a hundred times more wealth than could the workers a hundred years ago and many times more than could their fathers in their young days. This is not only true in the factory, shop, mine, mill etc., but is also true on the land. The machinery used today in the country is so highly developed that the workers or farmer, as he is called, can produce in the same proportion as the industrial worker. America never passed through the different stages of society as did the other nations across the pond. Feudalism never prevailed in this nation. First the backwoodsmen, the small farm, then the small industry and other developments came in rapid succession until the nation was fairly well covered with the toilers, develop ing the nation at a rapid rate until we find this the highest developed country on earth. Opportunity for the individual who had a fair education and good, red blood was awaiting them. Even twenty years ago and less there were some opportunities for the average man to pick up land or go into a small business, and in many eases they were able to save a good sum for t-heii later days. But that race has been run, and to-day everything worth while is run on a gigantic plan where thousands of men, yes, hundreds of thousands are directly or indirectly workling for one big combination and at a small salary or wage, as the case | mays be. The workers of this nation have not [gone through, the struggle, as have their brothers in the old nations of the J world and they cannot sec the class character of society. They still think there are many opportunities left for i them to become rich and independent They are still thinking they are freemen when, as a matter of fact, they arc I doomed to stay wage slaves until they become class conscious and organise as wage earners and land workers , intc economic and political organisation? for their own salvation; bring about fi change in the system of society fron | private ownership of the means ot wealth production to public ownership and democratic management, and manage their affairs through a govern ment of their own whereby all will be

workers and enjoy their own product. The workers, however, are learning as the machinery of production gets more completely out of their hands and the owners become' more arrogant in their attitude toward the worker, looking upon him as a mere cog in the machinery. A big minority have learned what it means through their efforts to better their conditions, and have begun to strengthen their power to overcome their masters by making their organisations more industrial: by establishing co-operatives; by establishing their own banks and last, but not least, their educational institutions within their own groups. Tn such industries as mining, the workers have become abject slaves. Tn many cases there is scarcely enough employment to keep the wolf from the door. but they will yet learn and move in greater number- toward the sunrise of industrial democracy. Tn fact, they are moving now. These miners have not learned of the gigantic strides toward the use of water power, electricity and other forms of easily produced energy that js swiftly taking the place of the coal that once was the source of gon (‘rating power. Those mon must now hunt a place to earn their livelihood in other industries. Already mines are overcrowded. Super-power has not only come to stay, but it is fast becoming the one. thing that will do away with the necessity of coal. The Socialist movement of the world is moving rapidly toward industrial democracy, and in this nation tne workers are gradually learning. The Socialist Party, that was crushed to earth during the gigantic World Wat is coming back, and in due time it wdi sweep toward its destined goal just as surely as the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening.

In this nation the Socialist Party stands on the same program as do the Socialists of other nations. There is no necessity for Socialists to look for ■a new party for the workers, for whatever name we may call a new party ot the producers and farmers, its program must be Socialism, if it expects to bring emancipation. Gradually the Socialist Party of America is gaming its old footing. At headquarters we receive letters daily from Socialists who have u silent on the years since the war. They are coming back into the-battle lines with renewed hope, and with them come new recruits, who are taking UP the work. No only is this true among the industrialwork eis an J farmers, but there is hardly a day bu there is a call for literature from th deities colleges and from othei universities, coingc i nover have taken an 111 groups who neiei terest in the Socialist cause. Socialists find a different situation since the development of moving p tures, the radio, automobile and o he diversions. They are coming to loain Ithat , t s. books and. above al th I.,. PSS . are their best weapons. The So cialist press is growing, and v lll one of the principal means of < &

the masses with our message in the future. The American Appeal, established a few short months ago, has nl-I ready become a power for the Socialist . cause. In every State its columns are | read weekly. We are pushing the I propaganda, and helping workers to be-; come dues-paying members of the So-; cialist Party. Every Socialist should be a dues- ; paying member of the Socialist Party,’and be an active one. There is no * place for a pessimist in the Socialist: ranks, and before many moons the / cause will become so alive that op- ' timisui will be the prevailing state of . mind. Our press must be supported ; in every way possible, for it is this * weapon that blazes' the way. It will’ awaken, it will educate, it will enthuse, it will help to build the Socialist Party ranks. Hand in hand the party ami , press will erect a monument for itself > in a- powerfully organized movement. | Onward! is the only command that • a self-respecting Socialist can rccog-1 nize and be true to his class.