Edward Mandell House was an important figure in the political scene surrounding the Wilson administration and the first World War in America. Throughout most of the duration of Woodrow Wilson’s two terms in office, House was one of his most prominent advisors, also forming a personal friendship with the president. Wilson went so far as to describe House as his “second personality,” stating that “his thoughts and mine are one.” Despite never being elected to any sort of political office, House holds a uniquely influential position in American history and social development during the 1910s.

Early into his camaraderie with Wilson, House anonymously published the novel for which he is best remembered, Philip Dru: Administrator. Set a few decades after its 1912 publication, the book follows the titular character–a bright, young, and optimistic military genius–in his quest to alleviate poverty and promote equality and world peace by means of overthrowing the existing government. It is widely believed that Woodrow Wilson read the novel during a trip to Bermuda. Given House’s significant political influence in the politics of the World War I era White House, it is worth considering his views on liberty and government intervention presented in the novel.

After graduating from West Point, a series of occurrences leads Philip Dru to withdraw from military life; most notably, damage to his eyesight. Alongside his companion Gloria, he devotes himself for a length of time to writing on social theory, promoting his progressive ideals. A chance encounter with an impoverished mother and child–the bedridden former subsequently passing away–devastates the pair, leading Philip to announce his dedication to the cause of resolving such issues. “Our thoughts, our habits, our morals, our civilization itself is wrong, else it would not be possible for just this sort of suffering to exist,” said he.

A certain powerful politician known as Senator Selwyn is introduced, who hatches a plan to land a presidential candidate of his choice into office, in order that the former might be able to possess political control without himself being in office. It is worth nothing that such an arrangement somewhat resembles Edward House’s position in government in relation to Wilson.

Through another series of events, Selwyn’s comprehensive plans–albeit sworn to secrecy–are exposed to the press. This creates outrage among the general public, who convene and ultimately decide to overthrow the government. Philip Dru emerges as a leader in this movement; at first militarily, then later as the administrator of the new government. Subsequent victory of Dru’s forces in the huge battle against that of the existing government leads him to power in the country.

A restructuring of the government in accordance with Dru’s progressive ideals soon follows. Committees consisting of leaders selected by Dru begin to take charge of each aspect of the new government. Contrary to the Constitution on which America was founded, state jurisdictions are largely replaced in favor of federal law. This powerful federal government overhauls existing tax systems and imposes, among others, new gradual income taxes. In addition, the federal government seeks control of the economy with the ultimate goal being, of course, to promote equality by means of coercion and political plunder.

As Utopian fiction often portrays, such a system as this seems to undermine fundamental liberties in exchange for seemingly greater security and equality. At what cost are these freedoms eliminated?🔹