TaÌˆgliche Omaha tribuÌˆne. [volume] (Omaha, Nebr.) 1912-1926, 1917-11-06

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ism popular-not only the con-
ditions described by the Even
ing Post as affecting the poor,
but the example throughout the
world Of the survival Of the So
cialistic doctrines over the ge-
neral conventions under which
society has lived heretofore.
In Russia Socialism has sue
cessfully overturned czarism; in
Germany the Socialists are the
really effective agents in the
promotion OF democracy; in
England, we are told that Marx
is rapidly becoming the idol Of
the masses, while in France
the Socialists are the brake on
the wheel. In both the latter
countries much is transpiring
that is not allowed TO reach the
public save in driblets.
It almost seems as If the
whole world is politically arun
today on Socialistic principles.
Nor can it be we'll denied that
in the United States, where the
regulation OF food and coal sup-
plies and the prices of other
commodities and public utilities
by the Government is develop.
ing apace, we are seeing a prac-
teal Endorsement of the Social
istic profession Of faith, while
the Administration is continual
ly reported as expressing
sympathy with the growth
of Socialism in nearly all coun.
tries save our own. Here the
application of its tenets is still
disguised under various euphem-
istic terms.
The average American very
naturally says to himself, I'll
our Government approves So
cialism abroad, and is itself fore.
ed to adopt expedients laid
down in the textbooks Of the
Socialistic theorists, the system
can't be as bad as we are told,
and the experience OF a Social
ist regime in our largest city
can do no serious harm. The
long experience Of a rule by the
men who support candidates
like Mitchell has brought no
new ideas OF government into
relief. Socialism, since it has
become universally effective as
a popular panacea, may be a
very good thing for New York,
since it is a good thing for
Russia and Germany, and
especially in view of the fact
that it is taking such hold on
the British Government that il
promises to administer private
fortunes after the war in order
to pay off its debts. Democracy~
seems to have been pretty mucha
and successful only under
the aegis of those in control OF
the resources of a country; So
cialism penetrates beneath the
veneer of democratic Liberty
and goes audaciously to the root
Of popular government"
The man who argues like this
nothing of the theory Of
Socialism. He has generally
regarded it as something to be
afraid Of and to be antagonized
as an insidious menace to his
welfare. He has now become
familiar with it, not from per-
sonal investigation but from
worldwide demonstrations of it's
adoption and commentator In
circles, as something akin
to a sheet anchor in a storm.
He is not yet a convinced So
but he has commenced
to prick up his ears and TO open
mind to new Impressions.
The long-dreaded gray ghost1
IF Socialism is knocking at the
gates of Father Knickerbocker's
When bread is dear
flats are underheated, with
coming on and the pas
oers full Of dire predictions that
worse is yet to come, the poor
yrasp at a straw for safety, not
merely the m~iserably poor but
he average wage-earner." Nit
;hel's pose as a war Mayor"
s not supplying the need of the
lour. 1t grati6es the well-feds
yell-housed members of the y
American Defense Society, thct
of third-rate authorsh 4
.tc., but people who are living 2