ABSTRACT
The dominant note in all countries is now a desire to enlarge the sphere of State action and control in nearly all departments of industrial life. That State control has improved the conditions in factories and workshops out of recognition admits of no question. The most extreme apostle of laissez-faire would admit that it is the right and the duty of the State to take a longer and larger view of the economic well-being of the community. State socialism is no more immoral than individualism, or syndicalism. These different schemes for the economic organization of the community must be judged, each on its merits, and primarily upon economic merits. In plain words: industrial conscription and birth-control are the inevitable concomitants of any complete system of communism or even of State socialism. In many other ways the State has, during the last half-century, indirectly interfered with the conduct of industry.
