Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-05-07
Addressed Large Gathering Last
Evening In Federation Of
Labor Hall.
HIS SENTIMENTS APPLAUOED.
Question OF Capital aud Labor and
The Eyil OF Glass Distinction Prev.
alcnt In society Today

Ing 10 Federation Of Labor han last
evening his subject being Socialism"
There was a large gathering of mem
bcr6 Of trades unions and others inter-
cstod IN labor questions. and the speak
or was listened to With rapt attention
! and a. times received hearty applause
for The expression OF sentiments that
met with favor IN the minds Of the ma
, Iori'y ~ the audience The lecture wa
IA response TO an invitation extended by
IN Socialistic society OF Salt Lake
Pr sidont Rooscvelt's recent utter
ares ancnt the limitation OF fortunes
YVES read by the speaker. as also RABBI
Emit J. Hrschs comments on the
sumo. Tho Socialists we're cOngra tulat.
81 bY Mr.. Roberts for having a dis
tlneushcl believer aud advocate, IN the
person " Rabbi Iirsch. but the views
of he latter we're In no wise conceded
VIII by last nights lecturer.
DEFINITION or SYSTEM.
Mr., Roberts suggested the advisable
~ Of those believing IN the so.called
Socialism Of more accurately defining
the system. number Of definitions
We're read by the speaker, each differ
Ing from the other The one accepted
~ lin AZ the basis OF his remarks was
that ut equality, sought 10 be estah-
lisheG ami maintained through the OPP
crations Of human laws, That certain
evils exist which should be met and
overcome Was granted by the speaker.
The greatest of these, he thought, per-
tainci 10 the question Of capital and
labor close second was the class
distinction prevalent In Sclety. In
G. a - IL 4
ellls Nh Roberts said he believed the
purposes and endcaVors Of the Social
isjs were al least honest. However,
the end sought would be difficult 60 At
tain 50 long as human nature remained
q, has been and Is,
THE OBJECTIONS.
As objections to Socialism the lee
turer enumerated several He said
that competition II necessary to de-
yclop man and to bring out the best
that IL IN him. Take away this ele-
ment. and the impetus for progress
would disappear Again. 10 take away
the apprehension felt by man lest
he and his should lack the essentials
Of life, condition that Socialism
would mako impossible, the speaker
did not believe was thing 10 be de-
sired 4 tendency to idleness would
follow the absence Of concern along
tie lines indicated Citations were
made Of communities where thrift is
lacking, as tending TO show that the
inhabitants are deficient In civiliza-
tton. ON the other hand, the people
NJ the earth who most are compelled
TO labor and strive in order that they
may subsist are the ones who are maxi
ing Tor progression.
BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE
Mr.. Roberts said that Socialism
would preclude altrustic tendencies.
Events that bring sorrow ana that
seem nothing else than evil, are Oft
times laden with blessings While
II may be u hard thing to think and
stlll harder thing to say, he said, II
believe that the great feeling OF human
sympathy which was aroused all over
this land and IN other lands was worth
To humanity all san Francisco paid for
it, "
The history of Peru. which witnessed
the largest measure Of Socialism that
the world has yet known, was cited by
Tho speaker. II had been recorded that
The people Of that country slowly but
surely declined while the system pre-
vailed Absolute equality as pictured IN
he mind of an enthusiast would re-
move much Of mans sympathy for
nan.
GOOD WORD For UNIONS
Mr.. Roberts said a good word for "a.
DOR unions. They have accomplished
good and Will continue to be beneficial,
10 said. However, he had no sympathy
with wrong acts, either on the part of
OF labor unions, or as COM
uitted by their sympathizers, These
Inions, ne said, were IA power for bet
ering existing conditions, He believed
hat an unlawful combinations should
Do rooted out. If the laws are lack
ng In this regard, more stringent
should be adopted to correct
he evil He believed 1t to be the right
II capital to form such combinations
Is conditions warranted, but such
entered into for unlaw-
'ul gain. should be excluded.
OLD FASHIONED HONESTY"
Compulsory education was strongly
md eloauently advocated BY the speak
n as a remedy of undesirable social
md economic conditions, odd fash
oned honesty" should be proclaimed
throughout the world and should be APP
,led In every phase of life.
At the close OF the lecture the speaker
vas warmly appIauded A number Of
questions were propoundcd TO Mr. Rob-
,rts. which he answered \ meeting Of
he Industrial Workers OF tho World
yill be held next sunday evening In the
same hall when endeavors will be
made to combat some Of the ideas Of
Mr.. Roberts which did not meet with
he approval of all present last night.
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