The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-03-13
SOCIALIST PLATFORM
Local Organization Explains Its En-
try Into Village Politics.

clare our unqualified belief in, and
adherence TO, the principles Of inter
national Socialism as defined in the
National Platform of the Socialist
party. We believe that the next
stage IN social evolution will be
marked by a change in our economic
system. which by the establishment
of collective ownership of the means
of production and distributions, will
do away with the power of the priv
ileged few to exploit the labor of the
producing class
We believe in private ownership OF
property-that which is privately
used must be privately owned and
that which is publicly used must be
publicly owned. We realize that this
primary aim of the Socialist move
ment can only be accomplished in a
very small degree through the medi-
UNI of our village government, but
whenever possible, our candidates, If
elected, will at all times favor the
principle of collective ownership, as
against capitalist ownership, which
is based upon the principle Of profit
for the few, at the expense of the
many. We call the attention of the
voters whose interests we would
serve, to the fact that even in this
little village there has always been
an understandings deal-between
vested interests and politics. How
else shall we explain the fact, that
the Bennington Gas Light company
has raised its rates although its con-
tract expressly forbids it, and the
village fathers have silently ac-
guessed.
If elected our candidates will take
whatever steps may be possible to
compel strict observance of the
terms of the contract or they will
compel forfeiture of the same. An
other instance of the alliance of pol
itics and vested interests may be
found in the inequitable contracts for
public lighting made with THE Twin
State Water Power and Light Com.
pany." Not only do we pay too much
for light, but the contracts are entire
ly one-sided. If elected our represent
tatives will put an end to this abuse
In short whenever there is any issue
between business interests" and the
interests OF the village, the Socialist
party pledges itself to work in inter
est of the people as whole. Just as
the Socialists of Milwaukee, contrary
TO the falsehoods circulated by the
enemies of Socialism, are giving
that great city the best administra-
ton in its history, so, inspired by the
same principles and ideals, would we
endeayor to give this village the
most efficient and honest administra-
ton in all its history.
During the, last ten years the peo-
pie of the village have spent an enor-
nous sum OF money upon curbs and
cutters, and street improvements.
The amount paid is probably far
greater than the actual cost of these
improvements Yet our streets are
in a disgraceful condition; a reproach
to every resident. The reason for
this condition lies in the fact that
incompetent officials through failure
TO comply with the legal require
ments, have allowed property owners
to escape payment and thus to saddle
the cost Of improving their property
upon the long suffering tax payer
Frauds of this kind would not be
tolerated under a Socialist admins
tration
Considering the fact that a bequest
has been made for the purpose of pro
vlding a hospital for the treatment OF
the sick and injured, we believe that
Bennington village should act at once
in this matter, and furnish an up-to-
date, modern hospital. The need OF
such an institution is becoming more
and more apparent. The sick are
constantly being sent to neighborine
cities. with great suffering and often
at the peril of their lives. We be
lieve that a hospital would be a fan
greater benefit TO the community
than an armory and that the towr
should take steps in thai
direction. We believe that a
an early date It will b,
lieve that at an early date it will b.
advisable to make the water suppl.
of this village a collective undertake
ing. This is in line with the pro
gressive movement throughout th'
world.
e Our village, like every other, ha
@ heavy Indebtedness, and II is higl
. time that the people awake ant
e throw off the leeches fostered b.
] scheming politicians.
q Fellow citizens, on the 21st da
e Of March, you will have It in you
o power to destroy the unholy allianc
5 OF vested interests and local govern
= ment, by electing the Socialist cand
= dates. Nothing else will do this.
Local Bennington Socialist Party.