Page:Resolutions of the Congress of Geneva, 1866, and the Congress of Brussels, 1868 - International Working Men's Association.djvu/18

 to society the rational and scientific working of the railways, etc., at a price as nearly as possible approximate to the working expense. The same contract ought to reserve to the state the right to verity the accounts of the companies, so as to prevent the possibility of any reconstitution of monopolies. A second contract ought to guarantee the mutual rights of each member of the companies in respect to his fellow workmen.

2. In Relation to Agricultural Property:—Considering that the necessities of production and the application of the known laws of agronomy require culture on a large scale, and necessitate the introduction of machinery and the organisation agricultural labour power, and that generally modern economical development tends to agriculture on a large scale;

Considering, that consequently agricultural labour and property in arable soil ought to be put on the same footing as mines;

Considering that the productive properties of the soil are the prime materials of all products, the prime source of all means of production, and of all desirable things that cost no labour;

The Congress thinks that the economical development of modern society will create the social necessity of converting arable land into the common property of society, and of letting the soil on behalf of the state to agricultural companies under conditions analagous to those stated in regard to mines and railways.

3. In Relation to Canals, Highways and Telegraphs.—Considering that the roads and other means of communication require a common social direction, the Congress thinks they ought to remain the common property of society.

4. In Relation to Forests.—Considering that the abandonment of forests to private individuals causes the destruction of woods necessary for the conservation of springs, and, as a matter of course, of the good qualities of the soil, as well as the health and lives of the population, the Congress thinks that the forests ought to remain the property of society.

A resolution having been unanimously passed by the Congress of Geneva, 1866, to the effect that the legal limitation of the