The ten scientists arrived back from Palgrave Island on July 6.  Heavy platoons of police protected them from the reporters.  No, they had not see Goliah, they said in the one official interview that was vouchsafed; but they had talked with him, and they had seen things.  They were not permitted to state definitely all that they had seen and heard, but they could say that the world was about to be revolutionized.  Goliah was in the possession of a tremendous discovery that placed all the world at his mercy, and it was a good thing for the world that Goliah was merciful.  The ten scientists proceeded directly to Washington on a special train, where, for days, they were closeted with the heads of government, while the nation hung breathless on the outcome.

But the outcome was a long time in arriving.  From Washington the President issued commands to the masters and leading figures of the nation.  Everything was secret.  Day by day deputations of bankers, railway lords, captains of industry, and Supreme Court justices arrived; and when they arrived they remained.  The weeks dragged on, and then, on August 25, began the famous issuance of proclamations.  Congress and the Senate co-operated with the President in this, while the Supreme Court justices gave their sanction and the money lords and the captains of industry agreed.  War was declared upon the capitalist masters of the nation.  Martial law was declared over the whole United States.  The supreme power was vested in the President.

In one day, child-labour in the whole country was abolished.  It was done by decree, and the United States was prepared with its army to enforce its decrees.  In the same day all women factory workers were dismissed to their homes, and all the sweat-shops were closed.  “But we cannot make profits!” wailed the petty capitalists.  “Fools!” was the retort of Goliah.  “As if the meaning of life were profits!  Give up your businesses and your profit-mongering.”  “But there is nobody to buy our business!” they wailed.  “Buy and sell—­is that all the meaning life has for you?” replied Goliah.  “You have nothing to sell.  Turn over your little cut-throating, anarchistic businesses to the government so that they may be rationally organized and operated.”  And the next day, by decree, the government began taking possession of all factories, shops, mines, ships, railroads, and producing lands.

The nationalization of the means of production and distribution went on apace.  Here and there were sceptical capitalists of moment.  They were made prisoners and haled to Palgrave Island, and when they returned they always acquiesced in what the government was doing.  A little later the journey to Palgrave Island became unnecessary.  When objection was made, the reply of the officials was “Goliah has spoken”—­which was another way of saying, “He must be obeyed.”