The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-03
which will flow ceasclcssly influences
OF good and uplift.
now TO HEAT THE SOCIALISTS.


HOW TO BEAT THE SOCIALISTS.
Lincoln Stefrcns. the we'll known SO
biologist. told tho City Club of Los
Al >los tho other day that tho way
to beat the Socialists Is to beat them
to IT," Steffens Is not Socialist, but
rega-ds them as idealists. and the les
son he has learned from undertaking
is th,.t idealism is the only unpurchas-
able thing. '"rhe way to beat tho So
cialist is by facing the social problem.
There is poverty and vice and corrup-
tton all over tho world, and we must
overcome them" he said. Many faults
in life exist to-day. and nobody is do
ing much to combat them, save the
Socialists, he thinks.
Meyer Lissncr. president Of the city
Club, agreed in a measure with Mr..
Stefrenss view. Tho former thinks that
it is vitality necessary to be progress
stvo politically in order to give the
people what they want nowadays, but
1t is mt. he thinks, necessary to call
ones self n Socialist in order to stand
for progressive measures. During the
past Ave years. points 1T Mr.. Lissner,
more progressive legislation has been
enacted in California than has ever
been written into law In the game
space of time in any State in the
Union. 1t is Il remarkable record OF
achievement by Legislature with not
a single Socialist in It, The city of
Los Angeles. the home of California
progrcssivism." has made it's giant
stride without tho help of the Social
ista
Some OF the things brought about
by others than Socialists in California
In the last few years arc here enumcr-
at>i: direct legislation: tho initia-
tive. referendum and recall applied
throughout all branches of State,
county and municipal government; d.
rect primary nominations; direct cleo
ton Of United .Stntes Senators, I'M
der the Oregon system; tho Australian
ball doing away with tho party
circle, party column and straight
ticket voting; non-partisan election of
judges; woman suffrage; conservation
C. natural resources; regulation OF
public utilities: enla rBcment OF powers
of railroad commission; full crew bill
ana sixteen hour railroad employe bill;
employers liability act, providing for
Industrial accident insurance; pay
check and monthly wage payment bills:
eight-hour law for employment of wo-
men; limitation Of hours and aEe for
employment of minors; anti-race track
offenders; employment of prison in
mates at useful labor on State work:
extension OF parole and probation
laws; revision OF criminal procedure:
local option In sale OF liquor. great
extension of inheritance taxation; care
an effective board of control;
great reduction In cost OF school
books; home rule in county govern
ment, and application OF simplifed
commission government to cities:
smashing of the Southern Pacific Rail-
way political machine.
others than Socialists have achieved
the following reforms in the city OF
Los Angeles alone: establishment OF
non pal tisanship In municipal affairs;
n minatIon by petition and abolition
of ward lines in election of ofhcials;
breaking of the brewery trust; efficient
regulation OF public utilities; splendid
+ nagement of great municipal en-
terprises. including the water depart
mcnt and the Owens River aqueduct;
success full prosecution OF suits for re-
covery of tidelands; work begun and
laid for great development
at the harhor; eventual municipal dis
tribution of light and power generated
from aqueduct and building Of the mu-
IL ipal railroad TO the harbor; COM
pre-. e-sive plan outlined and work
commenced on magnificent develop
ment OF parks. parkways and boule-
wards; nrst- class development of play
ground and recreation centres; good
start in the use of public school build
ings Ms civic centres: department. of
health and sanitation recognized as
one of the best In the United States:
hnc work by housing commission in
clearing up slums and house courts;
putting an end to pcrations OF salary
loah sharks on municipal employees.
This Is progressive and humani-
tartan record, and, II 1t were Initiated
more generally, perhaps the spread of
socialism would not be 30 rapid as Ii
now Is. The California record is suifl-.
cicntly progressive. That State has
ei. ugh new thlngn to satisfy itself
for so...e time 10 come.
THE PERFECT MAN.
(Selected for The Trnes- Dispatch