Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-13
MENACE OF SOCIALISM

ESLIB M. SHAW, a prominent and
representative Republican, who
was formerly secretary of tina
treasury, and William ]. Bryan. the
leader Of the Democracy, unite in call
ing the attention of the country to the
menace of Socialism. The big Socialist
vote cast at the presidential election.
In their opinion, is a portentous sign
| Ihey think various causes have CON
tributed to what must be described as
the success of the third party-for IN
der present conditions it's growth con-
sututes its success-and they saw the
| progress Of Socialism is the most sig
nifcant political phenomenon of the
day.
This year the Socialist vote passed
the half million mark; a statement
which in itself carries with it convic-
ton that the third party now num-
bers among its adherents many oiti-
zens who represent the type called
'solid;" business men, writer's, pro-
fessors, scholars. Moreover. all the
Socialists did not support their own
candidate. Mr. Bryan says many So
cialists or citizens of Socialistic views
or tendencies voted the Republican
ticket this year, because they believed
the Republicans were inclined to
adopt and introduce some of the re-
forms demanded by the Socialists. This
accounted in part for Mr.. Taft's ma
jority, and it is certain that II the
Republicans in their legislative pro-
gram should fail to measure up to the
standard of their Socialist supporters,
these men will vote with their own
party for the future.
The Socialists and progressive Amer
leans not members of the Socialist |
party, Will expect these reforms to be
brought about, and win look for a |
marked permanent improvement in the
condition Of the workers. If the So |
cialists and Socialist sympathizers |
should be disappointed in their expec-
tations, the growth of Socialism in the |
future, by comparison with what 1t
has been hitherto, will be appalling,
and, to those who are not prepared
for it, startling. Leslie M. Shaw's
appeal to college men to save the coun-
try from Socialism indicates what is
in the minds of many Republicans. He
said: ST am alarmed at the trend to-
ward Socialism in this country today.
II there is any power in this country
to stem it. it ought to be the trained
minds OF college men. Yet four out of
five commencement day orations are
purely Socialistic. have met many of
the teachers of sociology In our schools
and universities. With few exceptions
these teachers are Socialists, as you
find by a few minutes conversation
with them"
Mr.. Bryan asks. what is to be the
future of Socialism," and answers the
question as follows: 1.-THE small vote
cast by the Independent party and by
the Populist party is apt to turn men
from both of these parties to the So
cialist party. The defeat Of the Dem
ocratic party is likely to discourage
some of the Democratic laboring men
and turn them toward the Socialist
party. Some of the Democrats. not
laboring men, may be weakened in
faith and made susceptible to the ar
guments of Socialists. but much de-
ponds upon the character Of Mr.. Taft's
administration. The president con-
stantly offered him to the party as the
only man to continue, to complete and
to clinch the reforms upon which he,
the president, had entered. In the east
Mr.. Taft was represented as a quiet
and amiable candidate who would re-
store peace in the business centers,
and as Mr.. Rockefeller put it, avoid
rash experiments In legislation. Mr..
Taft cannot satisfy both sides. He
may make an attempt at reforms, but
he is quite sure to be thwarted by the
element of his party, and his
failure to accomplish anything in the
interest Of the people-if he fails-will
the Socialist strength ,,