New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-06
Fusion of Loyal C. o. P. and
Democrats May Be Answer
to Socialists
Will Fight to Hold
The Labor Element
First Step Likely To Be
Drastic Action Toward
Lowering Living Cost
By c. W. Gilbert

" ASHlNGION, Nov. "a large
anti-war vote, from which the Social
ist party will chiefly benefit. is looked
for by Washington in the several To-
calities where elections are to be held
tomorrow. But it will not affect the
Administration determination to pros
ecute the war Any one who thinks
ne will bring peace nearer by voting
for Mr.. Hillquit or for any equivalent
Of Mr.. Hillquit elsewhere than in New
York will be mistaken
The bringing Of this issue into mu-
nicipal elections in which the national
Administration can take no part has
made Mr.. Wilson angry. but the re-
suit will not shake his purpose. II
the Socialist vote should be large, so
/ large as to make uncertain the control
Of important seats in Congress from
industrial centres in the Congressona al
election next year, this winter may see
drawing together of the pro-wsr ele-
ments in the Republican and Demo
cratic parties.
And when nominations come TO be
made next year combinations may be
effected in the districts where the So
cialist, pro-German, or anti-war vote
is likely TO be large. Ii is still a long
way, however, from a lineup for and
against war. but to-morrow's vote will
no doubt bring such lineup nearer.
AND Mr.. wilson IS good enough poll
ticlan 70 meet the situation.
The Immediate effect Of to-morrow's
election will be that Mr. Wilson will
begin tight to hold the labor element
Of this country TO his support and 10
prevent II from slipping into the con-
troll OF the Socialists. The LOYALTY of
labor IS of infinite Importance in the
winning of the war. and local cam
psigns have forced upon the Admin
istrstlon's attention the danger with
which 1t Is confronted.
Steps toward winning the support Of
labor viii be likely 20 be first taken in
the direction Of lowering the cost OF
living. One hears now in Administra-
ton circles criticism Of both Mr..
Hoover and Mr.. Garfield for their fail
ure 20 90 what was expected OF them
IN lessening the food and fuel costs.
This criticism causes some surprise,
for in circles usually critical Of the
Administration you hear a good deal
of sympathy expressed for both the
food and fuel controller, on the ground
that both are confronted with difficult.
almost impossible problems. All the
same, among men close 20 the Presi-
dent one finds Impotence with the re-
suits they have SO far achieved. "
seems safe 10 predict that there viii
be more radical action b. both Of them
in the near future looking TO lowering
prices TO the public.
The idea Of pooling the products OF
an industry and then selling them 70
the public az an average price is being
once more discussed. This plan was
always the favorite of the radicals,
and the expected strength Of the So
c!alists has given new vigor 70 the
radicals. In case Of industries directly
affecting the public this plan may be
tried.
But the Administration will probably
ind il necessary 20 appeal to labor in
other ways than By efforts 70 lower the
cost of living. A large Socialist vote
will emphasize the necessity 20 do
something for labor" Even among
the conservative supporters Of the Ad-
ministration who are close 70 the Pres
dent one hears strong sympathy with
labor freely expressed. II is safe 70
say that the attitude Of the Admins
tration toward labor. as it becomes
necessary TO disclose il, will be found
70 be extremely radical.
The situation is the most difhcult
one before this country to-day. And u
is being rendered much more difficult
by the development of a peace move
ment among the classes from which
lnhnr i recruited.