Page:Alexander Jonas - Reporter and Socialist (1885).djvu/60

 they would have to buy land, build tenement houses, and extort rent from those who were to move into such houses. But there is no land for sale, and no one would live in the house of any private owner as the community owns all houses. Or, they would have to own a large quantity of tools, machinery, etc. But, while they might own one sewing machine, if they should think to thereby profit, they could not put up 50 sewing machines for 50 poor, helpless girls, to work for them; for, all tools, machinery, factories etc., belong to the people. Neither are there any railroad stocks and bonds to speculate in, as the railroads, telegraphs etc., belong to the people also, and there is no need of stocks and bonds. Consequently you see that the $6,000 would have to be spent for something if the members of that family want to enjoy what their earnings represent. And, because this is so, and as everybody knows it to be so, there is no inducement for anyone to "save" anything. Everybody knows that as long as he labors his existence in comfort and ease is guaranteed by the commonwealth, that he will be taken care of, if he should become unable to work, and that under no circumstances his children will be allowed to perish. Consequently, the impossibility for anyone to live upon the fruit of the labor of others will prevent people from saving up their earnings for the purpose of robbery and spoliation. Everyone will therefore spend what he can; and those who are delegated to administer public affairs, will see that there be no overproduction, nor that the commodities needed for all will be lacking at any time.

You spoke of the different periods to be marked by the different stages of development of the socialistic organization, and the state of affairs, you just mentioned, you said would come directly after the overthrow of the present system. Will the later periods materially differ in regard to the organic basis and social features from the condition just described by you?

Not to any considerable extent as far as the tendency of the socialistic movement is concerned, but somewhat in regard to the development to the ideal of perfection in communism. For, those differences in the income of individuals