Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1911-12-28
Two Million Men Say They Will Shm Wheeling
If Auditorium Is Built 81 Non Union Workn1e1
Cutting Melon
In Los Angeles
Big Interests Now Preparing to Reap
Spells of Victory
Won.
MOTLEY GANG ARRAYED
AGAINST WORKING PEOPLE.
-O-
Withal Growth of Working Glass
Solidarity is Example
Ia Nation

| w.
Withal Growth of Working Glass
Solidarity is Example
| to Nation.
| Los Angeles, Cal, Dec. 28.-Thero
has been little change in labor and
political circles during the past week.
The exultation of the labor haters
lasted but few days, when they set
| tied down to the serious business of
| the division of the spells of the chase.
The so-called good government ma
chine is shattered. The Old Guard,
composed of the Southern Pacific poll
teal bosses and their henchmen, the
liquor interests, the gamblers and dive
keepers are calling for their reward.
The saloon men are getting slow
return for their loyal support. The
administration is returning licenses to
some of the, worst deadfalls that ever
caught unwary girls in any American
city. One of these which was sup
pressed overa year ago, has re-opened
| in the center Of the city and the
revelry there is strong reminder Of
the old days when graft and Doodle
was Minked at,
Six. houses Of i'll fame were re-
opened within a wee kafter the cleo
ton. These have been closed several
vars. This is taken as an indication
that the administration will take OF
the lid in the red light district.
Corporations are also prompt in
making their demands. The city coun-
Gil sidestepped action on investiga-
ton of street car fares. One, of the
reelected councilmen declared there
was mo longer any reason for inYes-
tigating." This Is taken to mean that
there will be no legislation. inimicaI
to the railways which have a COM
plete monopoly of a large portion OF
the city streets.
F. J. Zeehandelaar, secretary of H.
G.. Otis Merchants and Manufacturers
Association, has written and submit
ted a s.spur track ordinance which
the city council will undoubtedly
adopt. This gives the railways full
swing regarding such franchises.
It is the Old Guard, however, that
threatens the most OF the trouble.
They were the ones who put through
the Mcnamara plea Of guilty. when 1t
was found a dicker could be made.
The old guard raised the half million
dollars ,Nsed as a slush fund at cleo
ton time; the Old Guard put up the
money and bought 5000 votes; the
Old Guard used "strong arm" methods
at the polls and sent thousands or
men and women away on false chal-
3enges and bulldozing methods; 1t was
the Old Guard that counted the So
cialists out of about 1000 votes the
night after election; it was the Old
Guard that made every banker in the
city come across with from $1,000 to
$4,000 andIforced the Realty Board in
to action that brought in a hundred
thousand or more dollars for the cor
ruption fund.
The question that has arisen in the
minds of the people is: What has
Mayor Alexander promised the OLD
Guard and how soon will it take con-
troll of the city's affairs? If Alexan-
der does not deliver the goods, then
there will be terrific row at city hall.
If Alexander becomes too bold in pay
ing his political debts, the reform ele-
ment of the city will turn against him.
So great was the menace OF So
cialfsm" that all forces were com,
PEELED to fuse. This put all the preach
ers, gamblers, prohibitionists, saloon
keepers, Y. M. G. A., Royal Arch"
(Liquor Mems Association), Y. W.. 9.
A.. dive keepers; Democrats, Republic
cans, reformers, progressiVes, reac-
tionaries into the melting pot All
were determined to save the city,
and it appears they have saved 1t for
the gambling houses, the brothels and
the dives.
In the meantime the Socialists are
organizing a vigorous campaign Tor
next fab. There is greater demand
for Socialist books and pamphlets
than before election. Applications for
party membership are pouring in from
all sides and number OF new
branches will be organized in outlying
districts.
The effect of the Mcnamara affair
was to cause big desertion from
Hartman by the timid men land wo-
men who were sympathetic with the
workers, The test resulted in $1,000
standing firm under fire, and 1t Is an
excellent test Of the strength of the
Socialists In Los Angeles.
The growth Of the Socialist vote in
Los Angeles is shown by the following
figures covering elections during the
mast IL years: The first recorded vote
numbered lI8; the next was 460, then
.O52. $500, 1850. In 1910 the So
cialist vote for j. Stitt Wilson was
ID 1913. In the recent municipal pri-
mary Hartman received 10000, and
| in the final, Dec. S, he received $1,000.
Socialists in Los Angeles have an
excellent chance Of electing a. Con-
! gresham and several state legisla-
| tors next fall. Organized Labor has,
stood Arm with the Socialists and
hundreds Of them are taking cut mem
berships. Both the political party and
| the unions are growing ct q most en-