s of
private capital and places it under the control of a political
organization. And private capital already has secured control of
that political organization, and graft and robbery are running
riot. Government ownership of railroads has increased the cost of
operation 100 per cent. The payrolls are packed with friends of
officials and friends of friends. If a man can control a few votes,
they reason, why shouldn't he have a job? What's the railroad for,
if not to provide jobs? The folks down there are very much like
people in other countries, you see.'....

"'But why doesn't the Socialist administration take control of
industry and commerce, and put the interests out of power?'
demanded the reporter, determined to uphold the faith in the face
of disappointing facts.

"'Well, of course, that sounds easy; but Socialists are just
people, after all, and when a Socialist gets into office he finds
it quite as hard as ordinary folks to resist the subtle influences
that surround officials. A man can't be sure that he is a real
Socialist until he is put to the test of being a part of the
government. The commercial interests offer him opportunities to
make money; they give him and his family social advantages. He
begins to see that capitalism has its good points, after all.' Mr.
Birch smiled half-satirically, half-tolerantly. 'Some members of
the Assembly have made fortunes during their year of office. One
member, who handles concessions, illegal and otherwise, has cleared
over a million pesos."

The February, 1918, issue of the "International Socialist Review,"
Chicago, was suppressed by the authorities of the United States
government, and, as a consequence, it is probable that not very many
copies are in circulation. The author of "The Red Conspiracy," however,
has in his possession a copy of this edition, in which there is a very
interesting article, beginning on page 414, entitled, "Your Dream Come
True."

"A Land of practical Socialism in active operation.

"Nearly 4,000,000 people without one cent of money in circulation;
and where no man owns a foot of land or the tools of
production--trades unionism, industrialism, single tax and
socialism all rolled into one.

"Ninety thousand square miles without a policeman; where gold rings
are placed in the public m