Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-09-30
ONE AGAINST FOUR
Socialism spd HesrslIsm Pro pounded by Lusly Lupaed 1es.

There was head on collision at
 the corner of Bank and Grand
 streets last evening about o'clock
 when the Flying Wedge" of Wil-
 Ham R. Hearst crashed into the ad-
 vance guard of Eugene V. Debs'S
 Red Special" No one was hurt. It
 was n case of an immovable body
 meeting an irresistible force and the struggle for life, following the crash
 was watched by couple of hun dred spectators---some of whom wero
 there at the beginning-some of
 whom came later. None of the peO- pie present when the event started was there at the finish--except the speakers and the policemen. The festivities started at 7:45 o'clock when Guy D. Miller, speaker for the socialist rally, put In an app pearance. He was Is minutes ahead Of time but he thought that he might just as well get the drop on the wedge so he took his stand on the platform-an improved style easily movable and having the shape Of soap box. Patrolmen Flaherty and Madden were On hand at this time to keep the crowd from push ing too close to the speaker.
 The wedge" which had anticipa- tons of a big night were jared some when they arrived at Salvation Army square and found 1t occupied by speaker who seemed to be load- ed to the muzzle with ammunition. volley after volley was coming out In much the same manner as they come from a rapid fire gun. The wedge got reckless and burned some red fire and procured one of, the ready made platforms for their speakers-this platform also had the soap box style.
 The wedge took up a position un- der the spreading tree looking di- rectly down at Miller, who by this time was going as though he had the momentum of 50-horse power engine. The committee wishes to apologize for not having music but the cornet player who was to do the "soloing" became chilly around the toes and as a result he had to do little walking to keep his feet warm. John Roach of New ark, N. J., who claims to be the secretary of the Amalgamated Leath- CT Workers union, was the first speaker of the wedge. It is said be- fore he took the stump someone asked him to, show the union label and 1t was found wanting; this could not be verified.
 But the presence of Roach and his fellow workers did not disturb Miller in the least and the latter continued to make himself heard Tor blocks away. Meanwhile the people as they came and stood in the square did not for the first few moments know where they were at. Such mass of doctrines, blanks and jamboree was propounded from tho different speakers that the transient audience had difficulty trying to free its head of the entanglement.
 After Roach spoke awhile-there was change of pitchers--he intro- duced Bernard Nolan of New York. a member of the Printing Press- mems union. Nolan was prepared "to get" Miller but Guy could not be got" He seemed to grow strong CT as the game proceeded and when Nolan stepped down to be succeed ed by John w. Kelly of Bridgeport, member of the Typographical un- ion, the crowd roared.
 Joseph E. Collins was the fourth speaker at the Independence ballf wick. MT Collins came from Hack , ensack. N. Y., but that did not pre- vent him saying: Gentlemen and fellow citizens. z
 The battle continued unabated until after 10 o'clock when both rallies came to an end simultan- eously. Miller was somewhat tired but he had the satisfaction of know ing that he had lasted while four of the other army had been "soapbox~. ing" The independence speakers lambasted both parties. while Mir Miller endeavored principally to point out the advantages of the so> cialist party. He had his subject down to- science and his address was by far the most interesting of the evening.
 A crowd was on North square last evening about 8 o'clock to hear from one of the small political parties. Rumor had it that there was to be a rally and all who could be there were on deck. About half past a man appeared with box under his arm and he planted 1t near the water tank. Some said this was against an attack of dry ness of the tonsils. Another said the box was the platform of the party the man represented. But subsequentI developments showed both guesses were wrong for there was no rally, no speech, no adoption of any platform, no sudden or unex- pected attack of thirst. In fact, as one man expressed 1t, there was