﻿T-BONE SLIM DISCUSSES OUR SYSTEM 
 
Yes, the Capitalist System Superseded — his. What’s That to Brag About ? 
 
Undoubtedly the capitalists’ system was well conceived. It had features about it that make it desirable to the people and, since it was to supplant a system that had flowered into full iniquity, people did not look closely into the merits of the thing. The child was born ailing, and — its flaws wen left uneradicated. So, and so long as the flaws remained, the system might as well have been “still born,” conceived in deceit — for it was unfinished business; only a “partly thought-out program.” 
If left an opportunity for the few evil-minded men to impose upon the good nature of labor—in fact, it left them an opportunity to live off labor, on the principle; “A load on another man’s shoulders is easy to carry.” Further, it left men an opportunity to garner riches and great wealth by the sweat of another man’s [b]row No safeguards were thrown around [unclear] men to prevent “crooks going South with the products of [labors toil]. 
The system was instituted based on the theory that crooks are honest — and if the crooks had remained honest the system would have been a roaring success instead of the howling shame and failure that it is. (It is here the superficial examiners make their bi-weekly reference to “human nature,” just us if that settled it). But it doesn’t. Human Nature can be changed, but it isn’t necessary. 
The system can be changed —and IT IS necessary! 
Prating about collective bargaining is idle: collective bargaining today is like sermonizing a hop head — preaching to a drunk, drunk on power. Like dickering with a “high-jack” for the price of a breakfast. I tell you our chances are slim . . . . along those [o]nes. 
Freedom of speech and free assembly, a principle that guarantees us a right to holler for help anywhere and whenever we feel like it, isn’t going to help us in our trouble — but it goes far to justify this howl because its very prexence proves that even the farmers of our constitution fully expected a considerable “holler” for redress of wrongs. 
Guarantee of a right to holler may be priceless, but it’s like crying over spilled milk: just the same — what we [unclear] system so equitable that a holler for justice would be evidence [unclear] for conviction — eighty thousand years to be the minimum sentence for that offence. Such a system it is entirely possible to install but, it will not come by wishing, or whistling. 
I will come by individual action — it will and can come only by organizing ORGANIZATION! 
The thing is very simple. Give labor the full social value of its work, [plus] the upkeep of unnecessary establishments, plus the upkeep of detrimeital establishments such as parasites and their retainers. 
Nou let me say in conclusion; I am satisfied the world’s brain supply will be sufficient for this undertaking. I do not think we will be obliged to import many brains from other planets. If worse comes to worse, and some of us begin to feel lightheaded, we can always fail back on a fast diet —and those of us that know too much already can subscribe to the “Wobbly press”—it helps to “keep life in the thing,” and keeps it handy for those to get at that are not so self-sufficient. 
Yes, the change will come — a change will come — and it will come with a rush 
It will come when, and regardless of wether, labor organizes or inaugurates it. If labor oversees the job, as an organized body, it will be of lasting benefit for all concerned. 
If labor again does it by proxy it will have flaws grievous as those that caused the downfall of the capitalist system— the germs of strife, war, will be left in it. . . .  
T-b. S.