第1章

PrefaceTheClassStruggleTheTrampTheScabTheQuestionoftheMaximumAReviewWanted:ANewLandofDevelopmentHowIBecameaSocialistPREFACE

WhenIwasayoungsterIwaslookeduponasaweirdsortofcreature，because，forsooth，Iwasasocialist。Reportersfromlocalpapersinterviewedme，andtheinterviews，whenpublished，werepathologicalstudiesofastrangeandabnormalspecimenofman。

Atthattime(nineortenyearsago)，becauseImadeastandinmynativetownformunicipalownershipofpublicutilities，Iwasbrandeda"red-shirt，"a"dynamiter，"andan"anarchist"；andreallydecentfellows，wholikedmeverywell，drewthelineatmyappearinginpublicwiththeirsisters。

Butthetimeschanged。TherecameadaywhenIheard，inmynativetown，aRepublicanmayorpubliclyproclaimthat"municipalownershipwasafixedAmericanpolicy。"AndinthatdayIfoundmyselfpickingupintheworld。Nolongerdidthepathologiststudyme，whilethereallydecentfellowsdidnotmindintheleastthepropinquityofmyselfandtheirsistersinthepubliceye。Mypoliticalandsociologicalideaswereascribedtothevagariesofyouth，andgood-naturedelderlymenpatronizedmeandtoldmethatI

wouldgrowupsomedayandbecomeanunusuallyintelligentmemberofthecommunity。Alsotheytoldmethatmyviewswerebiassedbymyemptypockets，andthatsomeday，whenIhadgatheredtomeafewdollars，myviewswouldbewhollydifferent，——inshort，thatmyviewswouldbetheirviews。

Andthencamethedaywhenmysocialismgrewrespectable，——stillavagaryofyouth，itwasheld，butromanticallyrespectable。

Romance，tothebourgeoismind，wasrespectablebecauseitwasnotdangerous。Asa"red-shirt，"withbombsinallhispockets，Iwasdangerous。Asayouthwithnothingmoremenacingthanafewphilosophicalideas，Germanicintheirorigin，Iwasaninterestingandpleasingpersonality。

ThroughallthisexperienceInotedonething。ItwasnotIthatchanged，butthecommunity。Infact，mysocialisticviewsgrewsoliderandmorepronounced。Irepeat，itwasthecommunitythatchanged，andtomychagrinIdiscoveredthatthecommunitychangedtosuchpurposethatitwasnotabovestealingmythunder。Thecommunitybrandedmea"red-shirt"becauseIstoodformunicipalownership；alittlelateritapplaudeditsmayorwhenheproclaimedmunicipalownershiptobeafixedAmericanpolicy。Hestolemythunder，andthecommunityapplaudedthetheft。Andtodaythecommunityisabletocomearoundandgivemepointsonmunicipalownership。

WhathappenedtomehasbeeninnowisedifferentfromwhathashappenedtothesocialistmovementasawholeintheUnitedStates。

Inthebourgeoismindsocialismhaschangedfromaterriblediseasetoayouthfulvagary，andlateronhaditsthunderstolenbythetwooldparties，——socialism，likeameekandthriftyworkingman，beingexploitedbecamerespectable。

Onlydangerousthingsareabhorrent。Thethingthatisnotdangerousisalwaysrespectable。AndsowithsocialismintheUnitedStates。Forseveralyearsithasbeenveryrespectable，——asweetandbeautifulUtopiandream，inthebourgeoismind，yetadream，onlyadream。Duringthisperiod，whichhasjustended，socialismwastoleratedbecauseitwasimpossibleandnon-menacing。

Muchofitsthunderhadbeenstolen，andtheworkingmenhadbeenmadehappywithfulldinner-pails。Therewasnothingtofear。Thekindoldworldspunon，couponswereclipped，andlargerprofitsthaneverwereextractedfromthetoilers。Coupon-clippingandprofit-extractingwouldcontinuetotheendoftime。Thesewerefunctionsdivineinoriginandheldbydivineright。Thenewspapers，thepreachers，andthecollegepresidentssaidso，andwhattheysay，ofcourse，isso——tothebourgeoismind。

Thencamethepresidentialelectionof1904。Likeaboltoutofaclearskywasthesocialistvoteof435，000，——anincreaseofnearly400percentinfouryears，thelargestthird-partyvote，withoneexception，sincetheCivilWar。Socialismhadshownthatitwasaveryliveandgrowingrevolutionaryforce，andallitsoldmenacerevived。IamafraidthatneitheritnorIareanylongerrespectable。Thecapitalistpressofthecountryconfirmsmeinmyopinion，andherewithIgiveafewpost-electionutterancesofthecapitalistpress:-

"TheDemocraticpartyoftheconstitutionisdead。TheSocial-

DemocraticpartyofcontinentalEurope，preachingdiscontentandclasshatred，assailinglaw，property，andpersonalrights，andinsinuatingconfiscationandplunder，ishere。"——ChicagoChronicle。

"ThatoverfortythousandvotesshouldhavebeencastinthiscitytomakesuchapersonasEugeneV。DebsthePresidentoftheUnitedStatesisabouttheworstkindofadvertisingthatChicagocouldreceive。"——ChicagoInter-Ocean。

"Wecannotblinkthefactthatsocialismismakingrapidgrowthinthiscountry，where，ofallothers，therewouldseemtobelessinspirationforit。"——BrooklynDailyEagle。

"UponthehandsoftheRepublicanpartyanawfulresponsibilitywasplacedlastTuesday……Itknowsthatreforms——great，far-sweepingreforms——arenecessary，andithasthepowertomakethem。Godhelpourcivilizationifitdoesnot!……Itmustrepressthetrustsorstandbeforetheworldresponsibleforoursystemofgovernmentbeingchangedintoasocialrepublic。Thearbitrarycuttingdownofwagesmustcease，orsocialismwillseizeanotherlevertoliftitselfintopower。"——TheChicagoNewWorld。

"Scarcelyanyphaseoftheelectionismoresinisterlyinterestingthantheincreaseinthesocialistvote。Beforeelectionwesaidthatwecouldnotaffordtogiveaidandcomforttothesocialistsinanymanner……It(socialism)mustbefoughtinallitsphases，initseverymanifestation。"——SanFranciscoArgonaut。

Andfarbeitfrommetodenythatsocialismisamenace。Itisitspurposetowipeout，rootandbranch，allcapitalisticinstitutionsofpresent-daysociety。Itisdistinctlyrevolutionary，andinscopeanddepthisvastlymoretremendousthananyrevolutionthathaseveroccurredinthehistoryoftheworld。Itpresentsanewspectacletotheastonishedworld，——thatofanORGANIZED，INTERNATIONAL，REVOLUTIONARYMOVEMENT。Inthebourgeoismindaclassstruggleisaterribleandhatefulthing，andyetthatispreciselywhatsocialismis，——aworld-wideclassstrugglebetweenthepropertylessworkersandthepropertiedmastersofworkers。Itistheprimepreachmentofsocialismthatthestruggleisaclassstruggle。Theworkingclass，intheprocessofsocialevolution，(intheverynatureofthings)，isboundtorevoltfromtheswayofthecapitalistclassandtooverthrowthecapitalistclass。Thisisthemenaceofsocialism，andinaffirmingitandintallyingmyselfanadherentofit，Iacceptmyownconsequentunrespectability。

Asyet，totheaveragebourgeoismind，socialismismerelyamenace，vagueandformless。Theaveragememberofthecapitalistclass，whenhediscussessocialism，iscondemnedanignoramusoutofhisownmouth。Hedoesnotknowtheliteratureofsocialism，itsphilosophy，noritspolitics。Hewagshisheadsagelyandrattlesthedrybonesofdeadandburiedideas。Hislipsmumblemouldyphrases，suchas，"Menarenotbornequalandnevercanbe；""ItisUtopianandimpossible；""Abstinenceshouldberewarded；""Manwillfirsthavetobebornagain；""Cooperativecolonieshavealwaysfailed；"and"Whatifwedodivideup？intenyearstherewouldberichandpoormensuchastherearetoday。"

Itsurelyistimethatthecapitalistsknewsomethingaboutthissocialismthattheyfeelmenacesthem。Anditisthehopeofthewriterthatthesocialisticstudiesinthisvolumemayinsomeslightdegreeenlightenafewcapitalisticminds。Thecapitalistmustlearn，firstandforalways，thatsocialismisbased，notupontheequality，butupontheinequality，ofmen。Next，hemustlearnthatnonewbirthintospiritualpurityisnecessarybeforesocialismbecomespossible。Hemustlearnthatsocialismdealswithwhatis，notwithwhatoughttobe；andthatthematerialwithwhichitdealsisthe"clayofthecommonroad，"thewarmhuman，fallibleandfrail，sordidandpetty，absurdandcontradictory，evengrotesque，andyet，withal，shotthroughwithflashesandglimmeringsofsomethingfinerandGod-like，withhereandtheresweetnessesofserviceandunselfishness，desiresforgoodness，forrenunciationandsacrifice，andwithconscience，sternandawful，attimesblazinglyimperious，demandingtheright，——theright，nothingmorenorlessthantheright。

JACKLONDON。

OAKLAND，CALIFORNIA。

January12，1905。

THECLASSSTRUGGLE

Unfortunatelyorotherwise，peoplearepronetobelieveintherealityofthethingstheythinkoughttobeso。Thiscomesofthecheeryoptimismwhichisinnatewithlifeitself；and，whileitmaysometimesbedeplored，itmustneverbecensured，for，asarule，itisproductiveofmoregoodthanharm，andofaboutalltheachievementthereisintheworld。Therearecaseswherethisoptimismhasbeendisastrous，aswiththepeoplewholivedinPompeiiduringitslastquiveringdays；orwiththearistocratsofthetimeofLouisXVI，whoconfidentlyexpectedtheDelugetooverwhelmtheirchildren，ortheirchildren"schildren，butneverthemselves。Butthereissmalllikelihoodthatthecaseofperverseoptimismheretobeconsideredwillendinsuchdisaster，whilethereiseveryreasontobelievethatthegreatchangenowmanifestingitselfinsocietywillbeaspeacefulandorderlyinitsculminationasitisinitspresentdevelopment。

Outoftheirconstitutionaloptimism，andbecauseaclassstruggleisanabhorredanddangerousthing，thegreatAmericanpeopleareunanimousinassertingthatthereisnoclassstruggle。Andby"Americanpeople"ismeanttherecognizedandauthoritativemouth-

piecesoftheAmericanpeople，whicharethepress，thepulpit，andtheuniversity。Thejournalists，thepreachers，andtheprofessorsarepracticallyofonevoiceindeclaringthatthereisnosuchthingasaclassstrugglenowgoingon，muchlessthataclassstrugglewillevergoon，intheUnitedStates。Andthisdeclarationtheycontinuallymakeinthefaceofamultitudeoffactswhichimpeach，notsomuchtheirsincerity，asaffirm，rather，theiroptimism。

Therearetwowaysofapproachingthesubjectoftheclassstruggle。

Theexistenceofthisstrugglecanbeshowntheoretically，anditcanbeshownactually。Foraclassstruggletoexistinsocietytheremustbe，first，aclassinequality，asuperiorclassandaninferiorclass(asmeasuredbypower)；and，second，theoutletsmustbeclosedwherebythestrengthandfermentoftheinferiorclasshavebeenpermittedtoescape。

ThatthereareevenclassesintheUnitedStatesisvigorouslydeniedbymany；butitisincontrovertible，whenagroupofindividualsisformed，whereinthemembersareboundtogetherbycommoninterestswhicharepeculiarlytheirinterestsandnottheinterestsofindividualsoutsidethegroup，thatsuchagroupisaclass。Theownersofcapital，withtheirdependents，formaclassofthisnatureintheUnitedStates；theworkingpeopleformasimilarclass。Theinterestofthecapitalistclass，say，inthematterofincometax，isquitecontrarytotheinterestofthelaboringclass；and，VICEVERSA，inthematterofpoll-tax。

Ifbetweenthesetwoclassestherebeaclearandvitalconflictofinterest，allthefactorsarepresentwhichmakeaclassstruggle；

butthisstrugglewillliedormantifthestrongandcapablemembersoftheinferiorclassbepermittedtoleavethatclassandjointheranksofthesuperiorclass。ThecapitalistclassandtheworkingclasshaveexistedsidebysideandforalongtimeintheUnitedStates；buthithertoallthestrong，energeticmembersoftheworkingclasshavebeenabletoriseoutoftheirclassandbecomeownersofcapital。Theywereenabledtodothisbecauseanundevelopedcountrywithanexpandingfrontiergaveequalityofopportunitytoall。Inthealmostlottery-likescramblefortheownershipofvastunownednaturalresources，andintheexploitationofwhichtherewaslittleornocompetitionofcapital，(thecapitalitselfrisingoutoftheexploitation)，thecapable，intelligentmemberoftheworkingclassfoundafieldinwhichtousehisbrainstohisownadvancement。Insteadofbeingdiscontentedindirectratiowithhisintelligenceandambitions，andofradiatingamongsthisfellowsaspiritofrevoltascapableashewascapable，heleftthemtotheirfateandcarvedhisownwaytoaplaceinthesuperiorclass。

Butthedayofanexpandingfrontier，ofalottery-likescramblefortheownershipofnaturalresources，andoftheupbuildingofnewindustries，ispast。FarthestWesthasbeenreached，andanimmensevolumeofsurpluscapitalroamsforinvestmentandnipsinthebudthepatienteffortsoftheembryocapitalisttorisethroughslowincrementfromsmallbeginnings。Thegatewayofopportunityafteropportunityhasbeenclosed，andclosedforalltime。Rockefellerhasshutthedooronoil，theAmericanTobaccoCompanyontobacco，andCarnegieonsteel。AfterCarnegiecameMorgan，whotriple-

lockedthedoor。Thesedoorswillnotopenagain，andbeforethempausethousandsofambitiousyoungmentoreadtheplacard:NO

THOROUGH-FARE。

Anddaybydaymoredoorsareshut，whiletheambitiousyoungmencontinuetobeborn。Itisthey，deniedtheopportunitytorisefromtheworkingclass，whopreachrevolttotheworkingclass。Hadhebeenbornfiftyyearslater，AndrewCarnegie，thepoorScotchboy，mighthaverisentobepresidentofhisunion，orofafederationofunions；butthathewouldneverhavebecomethebuilderofHomesteadandthefounderofmultitudinouslibraries，isascertainasitiscertainthatsomeothermanwouldhavedevelopedthesteelindustryhadAndrewCarnegieneverbeenborn。

Theoretically，then，thereexistintheUnitedStatesallthefactorswhichgotomakeaclassstruggle。Therearethecapitalistsandworkingclasses，theinterestsofwhichconflict，whiletheworkingclassisnolongerbeingemasculatedtotheextentitwasinthepastbyhavingdrawnofffromititsbestbloodandbrains。Itsmorecapablemembersarenolongerabletoriseoutofitandleavethegreatmassleaderlessandhelpless。Theyremaintobeitsleaders。

ButtheoptimisticmouthpiecesofthegreatAmericanpeople，whoarethemselvesdefttheoreticians，arenottobeconvincedbymeretheoretics。Soitremainstodemonstratetheexistenceoftheclassstrugglebyamarshallingofthefacts。

Whennearlytwomillionsofmen，findingthemselvesknittogetherbycertaininterestspeculiarlytheirown，bandtogetherinastrongorganizationfortheaggressivepursuitofthoseinterests，itisevidentthatsocietyhaswithinitahostileandwarringclass。Butwhentheinterestswhichthisclassaggressivelypursuesconflictsharplyandvitallywiththeinterestsofanotherclass，classantagonismarisesandaclassstruggleistheinevitableresult。

Onegreatorganizationoflaboralonehasamembershipof1，700，000

intheUnitedStates。ThisistheAmericanFederationofLabor，andoutsideofitaremanyotherlargeorganizations。Allthesemenarebandedtogetherforthefrankpurposeofbetteringtheircondition，regardlessoftheharmworkedtherebyuponallotherclasses。Theyareinopenantagonismwiththecapitalistclass，whilethemanifestosoftheirleadersstatethatthestruggleisonewhichcanneverenduntilthecapitalistclassisexterminated。

Theirleaderswilllargelydenythislaststatement，butanexaminationoftheirutterances，theiractions，andthesituationwillforestallsuchdenial。Inthefirstplace，theconflictbetweenlaborandcapitalisoverthedivisionofthejoinproduct。

Capitalandlaborapplythemselvestorawmaterialandmakeitintoafinishedproduct。Thedifferencebetweenthevalueoftherawmaterialandthevalueofthefinishedproductisthevaluetheyhaveaddedtoitbytheirjointeffort。Thisaddedvalueis，therefore，theirjointproduct，anditisoverthedivisionofthisjointproductthatthestrugglebetweenlaborandcapitaltakesplace。Labortakesitsshareinwages；capitaltakesitsshareinprofits。Itispatent，ifcapitaltookinprofitsthewholejointproduct，thatlaborwouldperish。Anditisequallypatent，iflabortookinwagesthewholejointproduct，thatcapitalwouldperish。Yetthislastistheverythinglaboraspirestodo，andthatitwillneverbecontentwithanythinglessthanthewholejointproductisevidencedbythewordsofitsleaders。

Mr。SamuelGompers，presidentoftheAmericanFederationofLabor，hassaid:"Theworkerswantmorewages；moreofthecomfortsoflife；moreleisure；morechanceforself-improvementasmen，astrade-unionists，ascitizens。THESEWERETHEWANTSOFYESTERDAY；

THEYARETHEWANTSOFTODAY；THEYWILLBETHEWANTSOFTOMORROW，AND

OFTOMORROW"SMORROW。Thestrugglemayassumenewforms，buttheissueistheimmemorialone，——aneffortoftheproducerstoobtainanincreasingmeasureofthewealththatflowsfromtheirproduction。"

Mr。HenryWhite，secretaryoftheUnitedGarmentWorkersofAmericaandamemberoftheIndustrialCommitteeoftheNationalCivicFederation，speakingoftheNationalCivicFederationsoonafteritsinception，said:"Tofallintooneanother"sarms，toavowfriendship，toexpressregretattheinjurywhichhasbeendone，wouldnotalterthefactsofthesituation。Workingmenwillcontinuetodemandmorepay，andtheemployerwillnaturallyopposethem。Thereadinessandabilityoftheworkmentofightwill，asusual，largelydeterminetheamountoftheirwagesortheirshareintheproduct……Butwhenitcomestodividingtheproceeds，thereistherub。Wecanalsoagreethatthelargertheproductthroughtheemploymentoflabor-savingmethodsthebetter，astherewillbemoretobedivided，butagainthequestionofthedivision……A

ConciliationCommittee，havingtheconfidenceofthecommunity，andcomposedofmenpossessingpracticalknowledgeofindustrialaffairs，canthereforeaidinmitigatingthisantagonism，inpreventingavoidableconflicts，inbringingaboutaTRUCE；Iusetheword"truce"becauseunderstandingscanonlybetemporary。"

Hereisamanwhomighthaveownedcattleonathousandhills，beenalumberbaronorarailroadking，hadhebeenbornafewyearssooner。Asitis，heremainsinhisclass，issecretaryoftheUnitedGarmentWorkersofAmerica，andissothoroughlysaturatedwiththeclassstrugglethathespeaksofthedisputebetweencapitalandlaborintermsofwar，——workmenFIGHTwithemployers；itispossibletoavoidsomeCONFLICTS；incertaincasesTRUCESmaybe，forthetimebeing，effected。

Manbeingmanandagreatdealshortoftheangels，thequarreloverthedivisionofthejointproductisirreconcilable。ForthelasttwentyyearsintheUnitedStates，therehasbeenanaverageofoverathousandstrikesperyear；andyearbyyearthesestrikesincreaseinmagnitude，andthefrontofthelaborarmygrowsmoreimposing。

Anditisaclassstruggle，pureandsimple。Laborasaclassisfightingwithcapitalasaclass。

Workingmenwillcontinuetodemandmorepay，andemployerswillcontinuetoopposethem。Thisisthekey-notetoLAISSEZFAIRE，——

everybodyforhimselfanddeviltakethehindmost。Itisuponthisthattherampantindividualistbaseshisindividualism。Itisthelet-alonepolicy，thestruggleforexistence，whichstrengthensthestrong，destroystheweak，andmakesafinerandmorecapablebreedofmen。Buttheindividualhaspassedawayandthegrouphascome，forbetterorworse，andthestrugglehasbecome，notastrugglebetweenindividuals，butastrugglebetweengroups。Sothequeryrises:Hastheindividualistneverspeculateduponthelaborgroupbecomingstrongenoughtodestroythecapitalistgroup，andtaketoitselfandrunforitselfthemachineryofindustry？And，further，hastheindividualistneverspeculateduponthisbeingstillatriumphantexpressionofindividualism，——ofgroupindividualism，——iftheconfusionoftermsmaybepermitted？

Butthefactsoftheclassstrugglearedeeperandmoresignificantthanhavesofarbeenpresented。Amillionorsoofworkmenmayorganizeforthepursuitofinterestswhichengenderclassantagonismandstrife，andatthesametimebeunconsciousofwhatisengendered。Butwhenamillionorsoofworkmenshowunmistakablesignsofbeingconsciousoftheirclass，——ofbeing，inshort，classconscious，——thenthesituationgrowsserious。Theuncompromisingandterriblehatredofthetrade-unionistforascabisthehatredofaclassforatraitortothatclass，——whilethehatredofatrade-unionistforthemilitiaisthehatredofaclassforaweaponwieldedbytheclasswithwhichitisfighting。Noworkmancanbetruetohisclassandatthesametimebeamemberofthemilitia:thisisthedictumofthelaborleaders。

Inthetownofthewriter，thegoodcitizens，whentheygetupaFourthofJulyparadeandinvitethelaborunionstoparticipate，areinformedbytheunionsthattheywillnotmarchintheparadeifthemilitiamarches。Article8oftheconstitutionofthePainters"

andDecorators"UnionofSchenectadyprovidesthatamembermustnotbea"militiaman，specialpoliceofficer，ordeputymarshalintheemployofcorporationsorindividualsduringstrikes，lockouts，orotherlabordifficulties，andanymemberoccupyinganyoftheabovepositionswillbedebarredfrommembership。"Mr。WilliamPotterwasamemberofthisunionandamemberoftheNationalGuard。Asaresult，becauseheobeyedtheorderoftheGovernorwhenhiscompanywasorderedouttosuppressrioting，hewasexpelledfromhisunion。

Alsohisuniondemandedhisemployers，Shafer&Barry，todischargehimfromtheirservice。Thistheycompliedwith，ratherthanfacethethreatenedstrike。

Mr。RobertL。Walker，firstlieutenantoftheLightGuards，aNewHavenmilitiacompany，recentlyresigned。Hisreasonwas，thathewasamemberoftheCarBuilders"Union，andthatthetwoorganizationswereantagonistictoeachother。DuringaNewOrleansstreet-carstrikenotlongago，awholecompanyofmilitia，calledouttoprotectnon-unionmen，resignedinabody。Mr。JohnMulholland，presidentoftheInternationalAssociationofAlliedMetalMechanics，hasstatedthathedoesnotwantthememberstojointhemilitia。TheLocalTrades"AssemblyofSyracuse，NewYork，haspassedaresolution，byunanimousvote，requiringunionmenwhoaremembersoftheNationalGuardtoresign，underpainofexpulsion，fromtheunions。TheAmalgamatedSheetMetalWorkers"

Associationhasincorporatedinitsconstitutionanamendmentexcludingfrommembershipinitsorganization"anypersonamemberoftheregulararmy，oroftheStatemilitiaornavalreserve。"TheIllinoisStateFederationofLabor，atarecentconvention，passedwithoutadissentingvotearesolutiondeclaringthatmembershipinmilitaryorganizationsisaviolationoflaborunionobligations，andrequestingallunionmentowithdrawfromthemilitia。ThepresidentoftheFederation，Mr。AlbertYoung，declaredthatthemilitiawasamenacenotonlytounions，buttoallworkersthroughoutthecountry。

Theseinstancesmaybemultipliedathousandfold。Theunionworkmenarebecomingconsciousoftheirclass，andofthestruggletheirclassiswagingwiththecapitalistclass。Tobeamemberofthemilitiaistobeatraitortotheunion，forthemilitiaisaweaponwieldedbytheemployerstocrushtheworkersinthestrugglebetweenthewarringgroups。

Anotherinteresting，andevenmorepregnant，phaseoftheclassstruggleisthepoliticalaspectofitasdisplayedbythesocialists。Fivemen，standingtogether，mayperformprodigies；500

men，marchingasmarchedthehistoricFiveHundredofMarseilles，maysackapalaceanddestroyaking；while500，000men，passionatelypreachingthepropagandaofaclassstruggle，wagingaclassstrugglealongpoliticallines，andbackedbythemoralandintellectualsupportof10，000，000moremenoflikeconvictionsthroughouttheworld，maycomeprettyclosetorealizingaclassstruggleintheseUnitedStatesofours。

In1900thesemencast150，000votes；twoyearslater，in1902，theycast300，000votes；andin1904theycast450，000。Theyhavebehindthemamostimposingphilosophicandscientificliterature；theyownillustratedmagazinesandreviews，highinquality，dignity，andrestraint；theypossesscountlessdailyandweeklypaperswhichcirculatethroughouttheland，andsinglepaperswhichhavesubscribersbythehundredsofthousands；andtheyliterallyswamptheworkingclassesinavastseaoftractsandpamphlets。NopoliticalpartyintheUnitedStates，nochurchorganizationnormissioneffort，hasasindefatigableworkersashasthesocialistparty。Theymultiplythemselves，knowofnoeffortnorsacrificetoogreattomakefortheCause；and"Cause，"withthem，isspelledoutincapitals。Theyworkforitwithareligiouszeal，andwoulddieforitwithawillingnesssimilartothatoftheChristianmartyrs。

Thesemenarepreachinganuncompromisinganddeadlyclassstruggle。

Infact，theyareorganizeduponthebasisofaclassstruggle。

"Thehistoryofsociety，"theysay，"isahistoryofclassstruggles。PatricianstruggledwithplebeianinearlyRome；thekingandtheburghers，withthenoblesintheMiddleAges；lateron，thekingandthenobleswiththebourgeoisie；andtodaythestruggleisonbetweenthetriumphantbourgeoisieandtherisingproletariat。

By"proletariat"ismeanttheclassofpeoplewithoutcapitalwhichsellsitslaborforaliving。

"Thattheproletariatshallconquer，"(markthenoteoffatalism)，"isascertainastherisingsun。Justasthebourgeoisieoftheeighteenthcenturywanteddemocracyappliedtopolitics，sotheproletariatofthetwentiethcenturywantsdemocracyappliedtoindustry。Asthebourgeoisiecomplainedagainstthegovernmentbeingrunbyandforthenobles，sotheproletariatcomplainsagainstthegovernmentandindustrybeingrunbyandforthebourgeoisie；andso，followinginthefootstepsofitspredecessor，theproletariatwillpossessitselfofthegovernment，applydemocracytoindustry，abolishwages，whicharemerelylegalizedrobbery，andrunthebusinessofthecountryinitsowninterest。"

"Theiraim，"theysay，"istoorganizetheworkingclass，andthoseinsympathywithit，intoapoliticalparty，withtheobjectofconqueringthepowersofgovernmentandofusingthemforthepurposeoftransformingthepresentsystemofprivateownershipofthemeansofproductionanddistributionintocollectiveownershipbytheentirepeople。"

Brieflystated，thisisthebattleplanofthese450，000menwhocallthemselves"socialists。"And，inthefaceoftheexistenceofsuchanaggressivegroupofmen，aclassstrugglecannotverywellbedeniedbytheoptimisticAmericanswhosay:"Aclassstruggleismonstrous。Sir，thereisnoclassstruggle。"Theclassstruggleishere，andtheoptimisticAmericanhadbettergirdhimselfforthefrayandputastoptoit，ratherthansitidlydeclaimingthatwhatoughtnottobeisnot，andneverwillbe。

Butthesocialists，fanaticsanddreamersthoughtheymaywellbe，betrayaforesightandinsight，andageniusfororganization，whichputtoshametheclasswithwhichtheyareopenlyatwar。Failingofrapidsuccessinwagingasheerpoliticalpropaganda，andfindingthattheywerealienatingthemostintelligentandmosteasilyorganizedportionofthevoters，thesocialistslessonedfromtheexperienceandturnedtheirenergiesuponthetrade-unionmovement。

Towinthetradeunionswaswell-nightowinthewar，andrecenteventsshowthattheyhavedonefarmorewinninginthisdirectionthanhavethecapitalists。

Insteadofantagonizingtheunions，whichhadbeentheirpreviouspolicy，thesocialistsproceededtoconciliatetheunions。"Leteverygoodsocialistjointheunionofhistrade，"theedictwentforth。"Borefromwithinandcapturethetrade-unionmovement。"

Andthispolicy，onlyseveralyearsold，hasreapedfruitsfarbeyondtheirfondestexpectations。Todaythegreatlaborunionsarehoneycombedwithsocialists，"boringfromwithin，"astheypicturesquelytermtheirundermininglabor。Atworkandatplay，atbusinessmeetingandcouncil，theirinsidiouspropagandagoeson。

Attheshoulderofthetrade-unionististhesocialist，sympathizingwithhim，aidinghimwithheadandhand，suggesting——perpetuallysuggesting——thenecessityforpoliticalaction。AstheJOURNAL，ofLansing，Michigan，arepublicanpaper，hasremarked:"Thesocialistsinthelaborunionsaretirelessworkers。Theyaresincere，energetic，andself-sacrificing……Theysticktotheunionandworkallthewhile，thusmakingashowingwhich，reckonedbyordinarystandards，isoutofallproportiontotheirnumbers。

Theircauseisgrowingamongunionlaborers，andtheirlongfight，intendedtoturntheFederationintoapoliticalorganization，islikelytowin。"

Theymissnoopportunityofdrivinghomethenecessityforpoliticalaction，thenecessityforcapturingthepoliticalmachineryofsocietywherebytheymaymastersociety。AsaninstanceofthisistheaviditywithwhichtheAmericansocialistsseizeduponthefamousTaft-ValeDecisioninEngland，whichwastotheeffectthatanunincorporatedunioncouldbesuedanditstreasuryrifledbyprocessoflaw。ThroughouttheUnitedStates，thesocialistspointedthemoralinsimilarfashiontothewayitwaspointedbytheSocial-DemocraticHerald，whichadvisedthetrade-unionists，inviewofthedecision，tostoptryingtofightcapitalwithmoney，whichtheylacked，andtobeginfightingwiththeballot，whichwastheirstrongestweapon。

Nightandday，tirelessandunrelenting，theylaborattheirself-

imposedtaskofunderminingsociety。Mr。M。G。Cunniff，wholatelymadeanintimatestudyoftrade-unionism，says:"Allthroughtheunionssocialismfilters。Almosteveryothermanisasocialist，preachingthatunionismisbutamakeshift。""Malthusbedamned，"

theytoldhim，"forthegoodtimewascomingwheneverymanshouldbeabletorearhisfamilyincomfort。"Inoneunion，withtwothousandmembers，Mr。Cunnifffoundeverymanasocialist，andfromhisexperiencesMr。Cunniffwasforcedtoconfess，"Ilivedinaworldthatshowedourindustriallifea-tremblefrombeneathwithanever-ceasingferment。"

ThesocialistshavealreadycapturedtheWesternFederationofMiners，theWesternHotelandRestaurantEmployees"Union，andthePatternmakers"NationalAssociation。TheWesternFederationofMiners，atarecentconvention，declared:"Thestrikehasfailedtosecuretotheworkingclassestheirliberty；wethereforecallupontheworkerstostrikeasonemanfortheirlibertiesattheballotbox……Weputourselvesonrecordascommittedtotheprogrammeofindependentpoliticalaction……Weindorsetheplatformofthesocialistparty，andacceptitasthedeclarationofprinciplesofourorganization。Wecalluponourmembersasindividualstocommenceimmediatelytheorganizationofthesocialistmovementintheirrespectivetownsandstates，andtocooperateineverywayforthefurtheranceoftheprinciplesofsocialismandofthesocialistparty。Instateswherethesocialistpartyhasnotperfecteditsorganization，weadvisethateveryassistancebegivenbyourmemberstothatend……Wethereforecallfororganizers，capableandwell-versedinthewholeprogrammeofthelabormovement，tobesentintoeachstatetopreachthenecessityoforganizationonthepoliticalaswellasontheeconomicfield。"

Thecapitalistclasshasaglimmeringconsciousnessoftheclassstrugglewhichisshapingitselfinthemidstofsociety；butthecapitalists，asaclass，seemtolacktheabilityfororganizing，forcomingtogether，suchasispossessedbytheworkingclass。NoAmericancapitalisteveraidsanEnglishcapitalistinthecommonfight，whileworkmenhaveformedinternationalunions，thesocialistsaworld-wideinternationalorganization，andonallsidesspaceandracearebridgedintheefforttoachievesolidarity。

Resolutionsofsympathy，and，fullyasimportant，donationsofmoney，passbackandforthacrosstheseatowhereverlaborisfightingitspitchedbattles。

Fordiversreasons，thecapitalistclasslacksthiscohesionorsolidarity，chiefamongwhichistheoptimismbredofpastsuccess。

And，again，thecapitalistclassisdivided；ithaswithinitselfaclassstruggleofnomeanproportions，whichtendstoirritateandharassitandtoconfusethesituation。Thesmallcapitalistandthelargecapitalistaregrappledwitheachother，strugglingoverwhatAchilleLoriacallsthe"bi-partitionoftherevenues。"Suchastruggle，thoughnotpreciselyanalogous，waswagedbetweenthelandlordsandmanufacturersofEnglandwhentheonebroughtaboutthepassageoftheFactoryActsandtheothertheabolitionoftheCornLaws。

Hereandthere，however，certainmembersofthecapitalistclassseeclearlythecleavageinsocietyalongwhichthestruggleisbeginningtoshowitself，whilethepressandmagazinesarebeginningtoraiseanoccasionalandtroubledvoice。Twoleaguesofclass-consciouscapitalistshavebeenformedforthepurposeofcarryingontheirsideofthestruggle。Likethesocialists，theydonotmincematters，butstateboldlyandplainlythattheyarefightingtosubjugatetheopposingclass。Itisthebaronsagainstthecommons。Oneoftheseleagues，theNationalAssociationofManufacturers，isstoppingshortofnothinginwhatitconceivestobealife-and-deathstruggle。Mr。D。M。Parry，whoisthepresidentoftheleague，aswellaspresidentoftheNationalMetalTrades"

Association，isleavingnostoneunturnedinwhathefeelstobeadesperateefforttoorganizehisclass。Hehasissuedthecalltoarmsintermseverythingbutambiguous:"THEREISSTILLTIMEINTHE

UNITEDSTALESTOHEADOFFTHESOCIALISTICPROGRAMME，WHICH，UNRESTRAINED，ISSURETOWRECKOURCOUNTRY。"

Ashesays，theworkisfor"federatingemployersinorderthatwemaymeetwithaunitedfrontallissuesthataffectus。Wemustcometothissoonerorlater……TheworkimmediatelybeforetheNationalAssociationofManufacturersis，first，KEEPTHEVICIOUS

EIGHT-HOURBILLOFFTHEBOOKS；second，toDESTROYTHEANTI-

INJUNCTIONBILL，whichwrestsyourbusinessfromyouandplacesitinthehandsofyouremployees；third，tosecurethePASSAGEOFTHE

DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCEANDINDUSTRYBILL；thelatterwouldgothroughwitharushwereitnotforthehectoringoppositionofOrganizedLabor。"Bythisdepartment，hefurthersays，"businessinterestswouldhavedirectandsympatheticrepresentationatWashington。"

Inalaterletter，issuedbroadcasttothecapitalistsoutsidetheLeague，PresidentParrypointsoutthesuccesswhichisalreadybeginningtoattendtheeffortsoftheLeagueatWashington。"WehavecontributedmorethananyotherinfluencetothequickpassageofthenewDepartmentofCommerceBill。Itissaidthattheactivitiesofthisofficearenumerousandsatisfactory；butofthatImustnotsaytoomuch——oranything……AtWashingtontheAssociationisnotrepresentedtoomuch，eitherdirectlyorindirectly。Sometimesitisknowninamostpowerfulwaythatitisrepresentedvigorouslyandunitedly。Sometimesitisnotknownthatitisrepresentedatall。"

Thesecondclass-consciouscapitalistorganizationiscalledtheNationalEconomicLeague。Itlikewisemanifeststhefranknessofmenwhodonotdilly-dallywithterms，butwhosaywhattheymean，andwhomeantosettledowntoalong，hardfight。Theirletterofinvitationtoprospectivemembersopensboldly。"WebegtoinformyouthattheNationalEconomicLeaguewillrenderitsservicesinanimpartialeducationalmovementTOOPPOSESOCIALISMANDCLASS

HATRED。"Amongitsclass-consciousmembers，menwhorecognizethattheopeninggunsoftheclassstrugglehavebeenfired，maybeinstancedthefollowingnames:Hon。LymanJ。Gage，Ex-SecretaryU。

S。Treasury；Hon。ThomasJeffersonCoolidge，Ex-MinistertoFrance；

Rev。HenryC。Potter，BishopNewYorkDiocese；Hon。JohnD。Long，Ex-SecretaryU。S。Navy；Hon。LeviP。Morton，Ex-VicePresidentUnitedStates；HenryClews；JohnF。Dryden，PresidentPrudentialLifeInsuranceCo。；JohnA。McCall，PresidentNewYorkLifeInsuranceCo。；J。L。Greatsinger，PresidentBrooklynRapidTransitCo。；theshipbuildingfirmofWilliamCramp&Sons，theSouthernRailwaysystem，andtheAtchison，Topeka，&SantaFeRailwayCompany。

Instancesofthetroublededitorialvoicehavenotbeenrareduringthelastseveralyears。Thereweremanycriesfromthepressduringthelastdaysoftheanthracitecoalstrikethatthemineowners，bytheirstubbornness，weresowingtheregrettableseedsofsocialism。

TheWorld"sWorkforDecember，1902，said:"ThenextsignificantfactistherecommendationbytheIllinoisStateFederationofLaborthatallmembersoflaborunionswhoarealsomembersofthestatemilitiashallresignfromthemilitia。Thispropositionhasbeenfavorablyregardedbysomeotherlabororganizations。Ithasdonemorethananyothersinglerecentdeclarationoractiontocauseapublicdistrustofsuchunionsasfavorit。ITHINTSOFACLASS

SEPARATIONTHATINTURNHINTSOFANARCHY。"

TheOUTLOOK，February14，1903，inreferencetotheriotingatWaterbury，remarks，"ThatallthisdisordershouldhaveoccurredinacityofthecharacterandintelligenceofWaterburyindicatesthattheindustrialwarspiritisbynomeansconfinedtotheimmigrantorignorantworkingclasses。"

ThatPresidentRoosevelthassmeltthesmokefromthefiringlineoftheclassstruggleisevidencedbyhiswords，"AboveallweneedtorememberthatanykindofCLASSANIMOSITYINTHEPOLITICALWORLDis，ifpossible，evenmoredestructivetonationalwelfarethansectional，race，orreligiousanimosity。"ThechiefthingtobenotedhereisPresidentRoosevelt"stacitrecognitionofclassanimosityintheindustrialworld，andhisfear，whichlanguagecannotportraystronger，thatthisclassanimositymayspreadtothepoliticalworld。Yetthisistheverypolicywhichthesocialistshaveannouncedintheirdeclarationofwaragainstpresent-daysociety——tocapturethepoliticalmachineryofsocietyandbythatmachinerydestroypresent-daysociety。

TheNewYorkIndependentforFebruary12，1903，recognizedwithoutqualificationtheclassstruggle。"Itisimpossiblefairlytopassuponthemethodsoflaborunions，ortodeviseplansforremedyingtheirabuses，untilitisrecognized，tobeginwith，thatunionsarebaseduponclassantagonismandthattheirpoliciesaredictatedbythenecessitiesofsocialwarfare。Astrikeisarebellionagainsttheownersofproperty。Therightsofpropertyareprotectedbygovernment。Andastrike，undercertainprovocation，mayextendasfarasdidthegeneralstrikeinBelgiumafewyearssince，whenpracticallytheentirewage-earningpopulationstoppedworkinordertoforcepoliticalconcessionsfromtheproperty-owningclasses。

Thisisanextremecase，butitbringsoutvividlytherealnatureoflabororganizationasaspeciesofwarfarewhoseobjectisthecoercionofoneclassbyanotherclass。"

Ithasbeenshown，theoreticallyandactually，thatthereisaclassstruggleintheUnitedStates。Thequarreloverthedivisionofthejointproductisirreconcilable。Theworkingclassisnolongerlosingitsstrongestandmostcapablemembers。Thesemen，deniedroomfortheirambitioninthecapitalistranks，remaintobetheleadersoftheworkers，tospurthemtodiscontent，tomakethemconsciousoftheirclass，toleadthemtorevolt。

Thisrevolt，appearingspontaneouslyallovertheindustrialfieldintheformofdemandsforanincreasedshareofthejointproduct，isbeingcarefullyandshrewdlyshapedforapoliticalassaultuponsociety。Theleaders，withthecarelessnessoffatalists，donothesitateforaninstanttopublishtheirintentionstotheworld。

Theyintendtodirectthelaborrevolttothecaptureofthepoliticalmachineryofsociety。Withthepoliticalmachineryonceintheirhands，whichwillalsogivethemthecontrolofthepolice，thearmy，thenavy，andthecourts，theywillconfiscate，withorwithoutremuneration，allthepossessionsofthecapitalistclasswhichareusedintheproductionanddistributionofthenecessariesandluxuriesoflife。Bythis，theymeantoapplythelawofeminentdomaintotheland，andtoextendthelawofeminentdomaintillitembracesthemines，thefactories，therailroads，andtheoceancarriers。Inshort，theyintendtodestroypresent-daysociety，whichtheycontendisrunintheinterestofanotherclass，andfromthematerialstoconstructanewsociety，whichwillberunintheirinterest。

Ontheotherhand，thecapitalistclassisbeginningtogrowconsciousofitselfandofthestrugglewhichisbeingwaged。Itisalreadyformingoffensiveanddefensiveleagues，whilesomeofthemostprominentfiguresinthenationarepreparingtoleaditintheattackuponsocialism。

ThequestiontobesolvedisnotoneofMalthusianism，"projectedefficiency，"norethics。Itisaquestionofmight。Whicheverclassistowin，willwinbyvirtueofsuperiorstrength；fortheworkersarebeginningtosay，astheysaidtoMr。Cunniff，"Malthusbedamned。"Intheirownmindstheyfindnosanctionforcontinuingtheindividualstruggleforthesurvivalofthefittest。AsMr。

Gompershassaid，theywantmore，andmore，andmore。TheethicalimportofMr。Kidd"splanofthepresentgenerationputtingupwithlessinorderthatraceefficiencymaybeprojectedintoaremotefuture，hasnobearingupontheiractions。Theyrefusetobethe"gladperishers"soglowinglydescribedbyNietzsche。

Itremainstobeseenhowpromptlythecapitalistclasswillrespondtothecalltoarms。Uponitspromptnessrestsitsexistence，forifitsitsidlyby，soothfullyproclaimingthatwhatoughtnottobecannotbe，itwillfindtheroofbeamscrashingaboutitshead。Thecapitalistclassisinthenumericalminority，andbidsfairtobeoutvotedifitdoesnotputastoptothevastpropagandabeingwagedbyitsenemy。Itisnolongeraquestionofwhetherornotthereisaclassstruggle。Thequestionnowis，whatwillbetheoutcomeoftheclassstruggle？

THETRAMP

Mr。FrancisO"Neil，GeneralSuperintendentofPolice，Chicago，speakingofthetramp，says:"Despitethemoststringentpoliceregulations，agreatcitywillhaveacertainnumberofhomelessvagrantstoshelterthroughthewinter。""Despite，"——marktheword，aconfessionoforganizedhelplessnessasagainstunorganizednecessity。Ifpoliceregulationsarestringentandyetfail，thenthatwhichmakesthemfail，namely，thetramp，musthavestillmorestringentreasonsforsucceeding。Thisbeingso，itshouldbeofinteresttoinquireintothesereasons，toattempttodiscoverwhythenamelessandhomelessvagrantsetsatnaughttherightarmofthecorporatepowerofourgreatcities，whyallthatisweakandworthlessisstrongerthanallthatisstrongandofvalue。

Mr。O"Neilisamanofwideexperienceonthesubjectoftramps。Hemaybecalledaspecialist。Ashesaysofhimself:"Asanold-timedesksergeantandpolicecaptain，Ihavehadalmostunlimitedopportunitytostudyandanalyzethisclassoffloatingpopulation，whichseeksthecityinwinterandscattersabroadthroughthecountryinthespring。"Hethencontinues:"Thisexperiencereiteratedthelessonthatthevastmajorityofthesewanderersareoftheclasswithwhomalifeofvagrancyisachosenmeansoflivingwithoutwork。"Notonlyisittobeinferredfromthisthatthereisalargeclassinsocietywhichliveswithoutwork，forMr。

O"Neil"stestimonyfurthershowsthatthisclassisforcedtolivewithoutwork。

Hesays:"Ihavebeenastonishedatthemultitudeofthosewhohaveunfortunatelyengagedinoccupationswhichpracticallyforcethemtobecomeloafersforatleastathirdoftheyear。Anditisfromthisclassthatthetrampsarelargelyrecruited。IrecallacertainwinterwhenitseemedtomethatalargeportionoftheinhabitantsofChicagobelongedtothisarmyofunfortunates。Iwasstationedatapolicestationnotfarfromwhereaniceharvestwasreadyforthecutters。Theicecompanyadvertisedforhelpers，andtheverynightthiscallappearedinthenewspapersourstationwaspackedwithhomelessmen，whoaskedshelterinordertobeathandforthemorning"swork。Everyfootoffloorspacewasgivenovertotheselodgersandscoreswerestillunaccommodated。"

Andagain:"Anditmustbeconfessedthatthemanwhoiswillingtodohonestlaborforfoodandshelterisararespecimeninthisvastarmyofshabbyandtatteredwandererswhoseekthewarmthofthecitywiththecomingofthefirstsnow。"TakingintoconsiderationthecrowdofhonestlaborersthatswampedMr。O"Neil"sstation-houseonthewaytotheice-cutting，itispatent，ifalltrampswerelookingforhonestlaborinsteadofasmallminority，thatthehonestlaborerswouldhaveafarhardertaskfindingsomethinghonesttodoforfoodandshelter。IftheopinionofthehonestlaborerswhoswampedMr。O"Neil"sstation-housewereasked，onecouldrestconfidentthateachandeverymanwouldexpressapreferenceforfewerhonestlaborersonthemorrowwhenheaskedtheiceforemanforajob。

And，finally，Mr。O"Neilsays:"Thehumaneandgeneroustreatmentwhichthiscityhasaccordedthegreatarmyofhomelessunfortunateshasmadeitthevictimofwholesaleimposition，andthiswell-

intendedpolicyofkindnesshasresultedinmakingChicagothewinterMeccaofavastandundesirablefloatingpopulation。"Thatistosay，becauseofherkindness，Chicagohadmorethanherfairshareoftramps；becauseshewashumaneandgenerousshesufferedwhole-saleimposition。FromthiswemustconcludethatitdoesnotdotobeHUMANEandGENEROUStoourfellow-men——whentheyaretramps。Mr。O"Neilisright，andthatthisisnosophismitistheintentionofthisarticle，amongotherthings，toshow。

InageneralwaywemaydrawthefollowinginferencesfromtheremarksofMr。O"Neil:(1)Thetrampisstrongerthanorganizedsocietyandcannotbeputdown；(2)Thetrampis"shabby，"

"tattered，""homeless，""unfortunate"；(3)Thereisa"vast"numberoftramps；(4)Veryfewtrampsarewillingtodohonestwork；(5)

Thosetrampswhoarewillingtodohonestworkhavetohuntveryhardtofindit；(6)Thetrampisundesirable。

TothislastletthecontentionbeappendedthatthetrampisonlyPERSONALLYundesirable；thatheisNEGATIVELYdesirable；thatthefunctionheperformsinsocietyisanegativefunction；andthatheistheby-productofeconomicnecessity。

Itisveryeasytodemonstratethattherearemorementhanthereisworkformentodo。Forinstance，whatwouldhappentomorrowifonehundredthousandtrampsshouldbecomesuddenlyinspiredwithanovermasteringdesireforwork？Itisafairquestion。"Gotowork"

ispreachedtothetrampeverydayofhislife。Thejudgeonthebench，thepedestrianinthestreet，thehousewifeatthekitchendoor，alluniteinadvisinghimtogotowork。Sowhatwouldhappentomorrowifonehundredthousandtrampsacteduponthisadviceandstrenuouslyandindomitablysoughtwork？Why，bytheendoftheweekonehundredthousandworkers，theirplacestakenbythetramps，wouldreceivetheirtimeandbe"hittingtheroad"forajob。

EllaWheelerWilcoxunwittinglyanduncomfortablydemonstratedthedisparitybetweenmenandwork。{1}Shemadeacasualreference，inanewspapercolumnsheconducts，tothedifficultytwobusinessmenfoundinobtaininggoodemployees。Thefirstmorningmailbroughtherseventy-fiveapplicationsfortheposition，andattheendoftwoweeksovertwohundredpeoplehadapplied。