the Socialists have been shown up
thoroughly. Since the conspirators against family life are so fond of
harping on the matter of prostitution, with a view to drawing critics
away from attacking their doctrine of free-love, the reader will be
shown that even prostitution, instead of decreasing in the Socialist
state, would, together with immorality of every sort, become far more
prevalent under Marxian rule than it is today.

Prostitution and impurities of every sort may, of course, be due to many
different causes. First, let us consider prostitution in connection with
poverty and destitution. The Socialists claim that there will be far
less prostitution in their state since the people, as a whole, will be
supplied more abundantly with the needs of life. This talk about greater
supplies for all in the Socialist state is mere assertion. The Marxians
have never proven that such would actually be the case. If so, where is
their proof? Can they give any convincing argument? Can they name any
country, state or city, where they have ever ruled, in which the people,
as a whole, were better supplied with the needs of life under the red
flag than they were before the Socialist rule began?

The fact is just the contrary. Look at any part of Europe over which the
Socialists have ruled and you will see far greater destitution under
Socialism than there was before. As for places that have never yet tried
Socialism, enough arguments were given in the chapter, "Socialism a
Peril to Workingmen," to show that there would be so many upheavals, so
much turmoil, discontent and strife in a Socialist state, that
production would be at a minimum and entirely insufficient to supply the
needs of the people.

We concede that poverty often leads to prostitution, and this is one
reason out of many for sincerely wishing that our poor people were
better supplied than they now are with the necessities of life. Still it
must not be forgotten that poverty and want are often greater factors in
preventing prostitution than in helping it. Think of the millions of
poor people whose very poverty indirectly makes prostitution and vice in
general less likely by keeping them from immoral theatres, movies,
dances and cabarets and association with bad companions of greater means
who would be attracted by better clothes and greater wealth if these
poor people had them.

Do the Socialists claim that the average poor woman is less moral than
the average rich one