TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION AND REPORT

I

1. Ask each of a number of prominent citizens in your community to
define socialism. Compare the definitions secured with that given in
section 122. What do you conclude as to the indefiniteness of the term
"socialism"?

2. Make a brief study of the social classes in your community. Does it
appear that all of the community's citizens may be grouped into either
a wealthy employing class or into an impoverished laboring class?
Compare your conclusion with Marx's statement. (Section 128.)

3. Select for study a shop, factory or mill in your locality.

(a) Does it appear that the interests of the laborers and the employers
are identical or in opposition?

(b) Carefully observe the actual conduct of the business. Does it
appear to you that the laborers alone create the product? Give your
reasons.

(c) Do the laborers under observation appear to be getting barely
enough wages to enable them to keep alive? Check up your conclusion by
visiting the homes of some of the laborers in question.

4. Write to the Department of Justice, Washington, D. C., for
information regarding the activities of American socialists during the
World War.