"Yes," said Debs. "The trusts are wiping out the competitive system. They are a stage in the process of evolution: the individual; the firm; the corporation; the trust; and so, finally, the commonwealth. By killing competition and training men to work together, trusts are preparing for the coöperative stage of industry: Socialism."
"Then you would keep the trusts we have and welcome others?" I asked.
"Of course," he answered, and Berger nodded approval.
"They do harm now," I suggested.
"Yes," said Debs, but Berger boomed: "No; not the trusts. Private owners of the trusts do harm, yes; but not the trusts."
"Well, but how would you deal with the harm?"
"Remove 'em," snapped Berger, and Debs explained: "We would have the government take the trusts and remove the men who own or control them: the Morgans and Rockefellers, who exploit; and the stockholders who draw unearned dividends from them."
"Would you pay for or just take them?"
Berger seemed to have anticipated this question. He was on his feet, and he uttered a warning for Debs—in vain.
"Take them," Debs answered.