higher among the people against the whole inner kingdom of hedged and secret privilege, out of which inequalities spring which rational men no longer justify. There will be infinite variation of opinion as to ways and means through which these too absolute economic powers are to be brought under social control. That in some way this has to be done, few men of detached and disinterested intelligence any longer doubt. To do this work legally and in the spirit of a social legislation which at last enrolls in its service the very best that science, education and a cleaner politics have to offer, is the ennobling hope now before us.
Within a quarter of a century in a dozen countries, the actual work in establishing new and permanent standards of health, education and opportunity are the supreme achievements of our time, because they lie at the foundation of any and every attempt at social reconstruction which has the slightest promise of performing that hardest of all tasks—democratizing economic power and privilege. Of the time required for this task; of the difficulties involved; of the long educational and disciplinary needs, the wisest among us have but shadowy knowledge.
As for constructive suggestion, our I. W. W. have so little as to embarrass the most indulgent critic. In their convulsive and incendiary appeal to the forgotten masses, there is, nevertheless, a saving utility that should bring the movement within our sympathetic acceptance. To the utmost, we should work with it as those determined to learn, from whatever source the message come.
