War was declared upon the
capitalist masters of the nation. Martial law was declared over the
whole United States. The supreme power was vested in the President.
In one day, child-labour in the whole country was abolished. It was
done by decree, and the United States was prepared with its army to
enforce its decrees. In the same day all women factory workers were
dismissed to their homes, and all the sweat-shops were closed. "But
we cannot make profits!" wailed the petty capitalists. "Fools!" was
the retort of Goliah. "As if the meaning of life were profits! Give
up your businesses and your profit-mongering." "But there is nobody
to buy our business!" they wailed. "Buy and sell--is that all the
meaning life has for you?" replied Goliah. "You have nothing to
sell. Turn over your little cut-throating, anarchistic businesses to
the government so that they may be rationally organized and
operated." And the next day, by decree, the government began taking
possession of all factories, shops, mines, ships, railroads, and
producing lands.
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