The Washington times., 1910-06-05
STIRS THINKERS
BY TALK ON SOCIALISM
President Believed by Some TO Be Intmang That Either
Government Regulation Great Interests Must Be
Had or Socialism Will Step In.
BY JOHN SNURE.

rate With-the Government in bringing
about effective regulation. or they can
prepare themselves for actual govern
ment ownership OF railroads ana Gov
eminent ownership generally, ana Ior
either outright socialism or an ap-
Proclamation 10 il.
On the whole, it appears highly
probable that this is. in substance;
what the President has in mind ana
that from this time forward he VIII
insist 10 the utmost on the Republic
an party standing for strong Govern
meut regulation Of railroads cOrpOl-
atiOns. end the like, as the best way
TO escape socialism No surprise neeu
be felt n the President has more 20
say on this subject in his speeches
this summer and fall.
Chary of Comment.
Senators and members of the House
were not much inclined TO comment
for publication on the speech Of the
President, without giving IL more
thought It was generally suggested
that the success of the socialists in
Milwaukee recently had turned the
mind Of the President strongly 70 this
question.
Some take the view that the strong
insurgent trend in the Republican
party and the insistence on the part
of the insurgents that the railroads
and the interstate corporations must
be drastically controlled, has i'm
pressed the President with the view
that the party must take stronger
position on such matters than II ever
has before.
One leading Senator said:
THE fact is. the country is moving
rapidly IN the direction, not Of social
! ism in name. but 10 the adoption OF
many OF the Ideas of socialism. We have
adopted many things which twenty years
| ago would have been described as social
! fstic There are many things IA the rail-
/ long ago would have been assalled as
| socialistic.
Twenty years ago the PopUlists ad-
| vocated platform that was attacked
/ as containing many socialist features
/ But we have adopted most OF them !
| do not know Just what has led the
| President 10 take the matter up al tins
| time. It may have been the trend Il
Example of Milwaukee.
! The recent ,iry elections in Milwaukee
lunquestionably constitute the most
striking example this country has seen
! Of the growth Of socialism IN the United
States In that election the Social Dem
| ocrats. who are, in fact, socialists. with
| their views In some degree modified
/ from the opinions Of the German eX-
! eremists on socialism, selected the
mayor and elected enough members Of
/ the council 20 control g.
! Emil Seidl, one Of the leading social
4 lists Of Milwaukee, was chosen mayor.
J Victor Berger. who is recognized as one
/ Of the foremost socialists Of America,
was chosen as member or the council;
Not only have the socialists gained
| control Of the city government Out
/ since they have gained control, they
have shown a disposition 10 take hold
of things and run them a. exemplary
fashion.
! Should the Milwaukee socialists make
| a success OF their trial. II IS generally
conceded that II would give no small
impetus TO the growth of socialism III
the United States, and especially In
municipal government.