The Air Trust

This book is the result of an attempt to carry the monopolistic principle to its logical conclusion. For many years I have entertained the idea that if a monopoly be right in oil, coal, beef, steel or what not, it would also be right in larger ways involving, for example, the use of the ocean and the air itself. I believe that, had capitalists been able to bring the seas and the atmosphere under physical control, they would long ago have monopolized them. Capitalism has not refrained from laying its hand on these things through any sense of decency, but merely because the task has hitherto proved impossible.

Granting, then, the premise that some process might be discovered whereby the air-supply of the world could be controlled, the Air Trust logically follows. I have endeavored to show how such a Trust would inevitably lead to the utter enslavement of the human race, unless overthrown by the only means then possible, i.e., violence. This book is not a brief for "direct action." Doubtless the capitalist press (if it indeed notice the work at all) will denounce it as a plea for "bomb-throwing" and apply the epithet of "Anarchist" to me; but at this the judicious and the intelligent will only smile; and as for our friends the enemy, we esteem their opinion at its precise real value, zero.

Given the conditions supposed in this book, I repeat--a complete monopoly of the air, with an absolute suppression of all political rights--no other outcomes are possible than slavery or violent, physical revolution. As I have made Gabriel Armstrong say: "The masters would have it so. Academic discussion becomes absurd, in the face of plutocratic savagery. And in a case of self-defense, no measures are unjustifiable."

I believe in political action. I hope for a peaceful and bloodless revolution. But if that be impossible, then by all means let us have revolution in its other sense. And with the hope that this book may perhaps revive some fainting spirit or renew the vision of emancipation in some soul where it has dimmed, I give "The Air Trust" to the workers of America and of the world.

GEORGE ALLAN ENGLAND.

Boston, Mass., November 1, 1915.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. THE BIRTH OF AN IDEA II. THE PARTNERS III. THE BAITING OF HERZOG IV. AN INTERLOPER V. IN THE LABORATORY VI. OXYGEN, KING OF INTOXICATORS VII. A FREAK OF FATE VIII. ONE UNBIDDEN, SHARES GREAT SECRETS IX. DISCHARGED X. A GLIMPSE OF THE PARASITES XI. THE END OF TWO GAMES XII. ON THE GREAT HIGHWAY XIII. CATASTROPHE XIV. THE RESCUE XV. AN HOUR AND A PARTING XVI. TIGER WALDRON "COMES BACK" XVII. THOUGHTS XVIII. FLINT AND WALDRON PLAN XIX. CATHERINE'S DEFIANCE XX. THE BILLIONAIRE'S PLOT XXI. GABRIEL, GOOD SAMARITAN XXII. THE TRAP IS SPRUNG XXIII. THE BEAST GLOATS XXIV. CATHERINE'S SUPREME DECISION XXV. THROUGH STEEL BARS XXVI. "GUILTY" XXVII. BACK IN THE SUNLIGHT XXVIII. IN THE REFUGE XXIX. "APRÈS NOUS LE DÉLUGE!" XXX. TRAPPED! XXXI. ESCAPE! XXXII. OMINOUS DEVELOPMENTS XXXIII. "NOW COMES THE HOUR SUPREME" XXXIV. THE ATTACK XXXV. TERROR AND RETREAT XXXVI. THE STORMING OF THE WORKS XXXVII. DEATH IN THE PIT OF STEEL XXXVIII. VISIONS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

"VISIONS!" SHE SAID SOFTLY, "DO YOU BEHOLD THEM TOO?"

"CAN'T BE DONE, EH?" SAID FLINT

HE GATHERED HER UP AS THOUGH SHE HAD BEEN A CHILD

AIMING AT THE BASE OF THE SKULL SHE STRUCK

THE SPY'S BODY BURST INTO A SHEAF OF FIRE

HIS FINGERS LOST THEIR HOLD--HE DROPPED LIKE A PLUMMET

THE AIR TRUST

CHAPTER I.

THE BIRTH OF AN IDEA.

Sunk far back in the huge leather cushions of his morris chair, old Isaac Flint was thinking, thinking hard. Between narrowed lids, his hard, gray eyes were blinking at the morning sunlight that poured into his private office, high up in the great building he had reared on Wall Street. From his thin lips now and then issued a coil of smoke from the costly cigar he was consuming. His bony legs were crossed, and one foot twitched impatiently. Now and again he tugged at his white mustache. A frown creased his hard brow; and, as he pondered, something of the glitter of a snake seemed reflected in his pupils.

"Not enough," he muttered, harshly. "It's not enough--there must be more, more, more! Some way must be found. Must be, and shall be!"