The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-10-21

1 tHcSc cOulTON6TSIeS
 | Finally, there is pending the ques tion of municipal ownership of gas
 water and electric light, including tht
 almost immediate ownership of ar
 electric light plant, which would
 make competition with gas, and com. pei the price of gas to be lowered tc l the consumer.
 Is it not fair to inquire if MT
 Warmers advent as the actual though not nominal head of the Re-
 publican party, is not dictated by his relations to these several powerful
 corporations?
 Is there not a fair assumption that his leadership may result from the objections that public service monopo- lies entertain to becoming the prop
 erty of the people?
 Men do sometimes change their views, when confronted with new
 duties and equipped with better ideals. Historically, Saul persecuted
 the Christians but became saint Very wealthy men become socialists. Almost -contemporarily Tom Johnson, who became rich man by ownership of trolley franchises, expended all but the remnants of his fortune in in augurating municipal ownership of trolley lines in Cleveland
 But his conversion was shown by his acts. Does MT. Warmers leader of public utilities. for filtered water to prevent typhoid. for cheaper gas. for three cent trolley fares? How much will HE spend of his fortune to get these good things for Bridge port, to get into Tom Johnson's class?
 So far as anything is known of MT. Warmers leadership in politics. as exhibited by his lieutenants, it has been constantly arrayed against the demands of the majority of his fel- low citizens. in the city, in the state and in the nation, and his policies have been acceptable only to the great corporations enjoying monopo- lies.
 Business men demanded public utilities legislation.
 Who were employed, of Bridgeport, to beat that legislation, and fought with nobody knows precisely what weapons. or how much, to do it?
 Workers and public spirited manu- lecturers alike desired modification of the employers liability law, in the interest of humanity, and the adop- ton of workmen's compensation act, also in the interest of humanity !?
 The same men who opposed the public utilities bill opposed these measures. Does MT. Warner know any of these men. Are they aides, l employees, or assistants to the same of which he is a repre- sentative?
 A single further point. Why do | the proponents of MT. Warmers lead ership denounce the discussion of these facts as "demoniac''
 Can any inference be plainer? The new leadership wants its political past shrouded in silence, because il knows that the kind of politics it | represents will not appeal to the peo- ole.
 It is not discussion they wish 10 avoid, if it is discussion by journal stic Iackies. It is the truth, that is to them.
 If rhIs leadership had been in the orefront of the fight for public utili- ies. employers liability, workmens' municipal ownership, and referendum and direct primaries it would invite discussion, pay for discussion, put discussion on he bill boards and make Main street ] great white way" with discussion.
 From the sea wall to the TrumbullI own line the new leadership would proclaim it's loyalty to the people, ing the song of it's patriotism, and demand, as of right, what it is now compelled to seek by stealth pretense, and conceal lroe1t