Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-06

to draw the line between socialism and
anarchism. The socialist is the theorist
merely and teaches his views or dis-
cusses them with others who believe more
or less in the same principles. The an
archist tries to carry these theories into
action and comes up against the police.
The English Practice.
Some people think it better to give
such teachers of anarchy and such adj
vocates of evil plenty of room and plenty
Of time to air their theories: that 1t Ii
safer for them to let of steam; that
their meetings are safety valves and re-
lieve mental pressure which might 9TH
erwise be exerted in action. That is the
policy followed in England. Every Sun
socialistic and anarchistic orators declaim-
ing against law and authority and advo-
eating a defiance of both. They assail
the king; they denounce parliament; they
abuse the rich and advocate destruction
of property in most violent language. But
nobody ever interferes with them. They
are allowed to talk as long and as
flercely as they like. but they are always
watched by the police, who never lose
sight of them.
Gen. Bingham. superintendent of police.
believes that such a policy would be safer
in New York than to repress the anar-
chist orators entirely and has asked an
appropriation of $1C0COO for secret serv-
ice force to keep in touch with them.
The socialists here claim numerical
strength of two millions In this country
and counted 10000 votes at the last
presidential election. The leaders 1 have
talked with here declare that that vote in
1904 represented more than a million
men and women. and that the number has
doubled since then by conversion and by
immigration. They insist that socialism
is not confined to the $4,000 persons of
foreign birth on the East Side Of New
York and the foreign colonies of Chicago
and other cities. but declare that their
publications go into thousands Of the
some Of their sympathizers can be found
in the palaces of 9Th avenue and In
the membership of the most fashion
able clubs for women as we'll As men.
who secretly contribute to the propagan-
da. The wife of the president of one of
the most prominent interstate public util-
tiles is claimed as an ardent believer and
liberal supporter of socialistic doctrines.
and they insist that President Roosevelt
has been their most effective missionary
by his exposures of the rich malefac-
tors and the selfishness of predatory
wealth. 1t is certainly true that all
the socialistic leaders-''the parlor So
cialists.' as they are called by the real
wild-eyed agitators. unshaven and UNI
bathed. and some of them are people OF
property. education and social position.
Wealthy Socialists.
Robert Hunter. one of the most active
of the socialistic and theoretical philan-
thropic leaders in New York. is mill
1ionaire settlement worker who has
residence on Madison avenue and coun-
try place at Greenwich Conn. He has
nothing whatever in common with Berk
man or Silverstein or Emma Goldman
but works in company with them for the
same ends that they are trying to Ac-
complish: Gen Bingham calls him
than that. He is a dangerous character
The real socialists complain that he will
not practice what he breaches; that he
has never shown any inclination to share
his millions with the suffering poor, but
limits his assistance to oratory. They
speak bitterly of his wealth. but, never
theless they listen to his speeches.
You know all about Mr.. Stokes. the
rich young man of the aristocratic old
and works in the slums He contributes
more literally than Mr.. Hunter and his
influence is even more dangerous.
The Rev. Alexander Irvine and the Rev.
the Ascension are both outspoken social
lists and permit their parish houses to be
nurseries for anarchists.
Robert Bruyere. general agent of the
Association for the Improvement of the
Condition of the Poor, is also a socialist,
but has shown more practical common
sense and less idealism than some Of the
other leaders. for he understands the
people he is dealing with. Mr.. Bruyere
Is very urgent about permitting them to
air their opinions which,. he says, are
harmless when uttered. but dangerous
when repressed He believes that 1T
would be a good thing for the municipal
authorities to provide free halls for the
discussion of socialistic doctrines and
theories, which would keep the crowds
out of the streets and prevent what the
police call unlawful gatherings in the
squares and public places. AS long as
the orators have an opportunity to air
their eloquence and their followers have
the privilege of hearing them no harm
will be DONE he thinks. But as soon as
the police begin to interfere with the con-
stitutional right of free speech then the
trouble commences.
Mr. Bruyere has the same opinion con-
corning the mails. and believes that less
harm would be done by allowing the an
archist papers to circulate than by pro-
hibiting their circulation.
The socialists propose to print daily
paper to be named the Evening Call,
which will be the official organ of the
socialistic party in America. They have
engaged Office rooms and have been work
ing up business for several months. They
claim to have already $1,000 paying sub
scribers on their list and will issue their
first number early in May.