The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-10
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

| If George HuddleSton was merely an amiable and genial enthusiast whose social studies had led him into the by baths of socialism, 1t would not be nec- essary to call in question his social Iistic vaporings about the discrimina- ton against the working classes, or to try arfd seriously confute his so- lcialistic propaganda.
 But he is in dead earnest in setting iclass against class in this great indus
 trial district, where men who can see ahead and think clearly are doing their
 utmost to make provision against the
 day when peace settles down on the
 battlefield that it will not fail to also
 cover the labor war which was so near
 to breaking out when we had to make
 truce in order to fight Germany. |
 l There were signs of gathering social trouble as the millions of proletarians from Europe were pouring into Amerf- ca before the outbreak of the great war. The period of depression became acute, the labor depression and dis
 location caused the gravest anxiety. Colossal capitalism was confronted with labor organizations of great num- bers and power. No one knew what the outcome would be. The entrance of the United States into the war added a new l peril
 The acid test had como in which tho most gigantic industriaism the world ing pot to turn out as brass or mint as pure gold. It took sometime for the situation to clear up, for capital and labor were called to sail on stormy and uncharted seas; but they had not been long on the voyage before both realized that it was no time to rock the boat, but that if they wanted to make a safe landing and win against Germany it was necessary to pull to- |gether.
 The call was for men of good will to operate for their own and the country's salvation, and a truce was arranged which is giving employers and employees a chance to work side by side not for more private or personal gain, but publicly and in mass for un- selfish and patriotic purposes. Now, every unbiased or unselfish man can see that in so doing both capital and labor have been greatly benefited and declared dividends, not only in dollars and cents, but in good understanding and better fellowship. Capital is pay ing better wages and laborers are vol untarily producing more under the spur of helping to lick the Kaiser.
 Now. I do not think Utopia will be ushered in when peace comes. or that labor and capital will not have vexed questions to settle; but I do believe that 1t is criminal for any one. for selfish aggrandisement, either for pe- cuniary gain or political preferment. to do anything to hinder the great em- ploying classes and the organized working classes from coming together in conciliatory mood, and then, if unable to agree, to leave the dispute to arbitration.
 Now. I recognize that the bad em- ployer is just as much a menace as is the interruptions labor agitator; and growing district, with it's yet un- touched possibilities. that the sober, safe and sane men among the workers and the employers ought to,.strive to create a sentiment which will make 1t impossible for any one to thrive in the community who seeks to live by caus- ing dissensions.
 If George Huddleston was afflicted with socialistic vagaries which he would confine to academic treatment, he might indulge in them as a pleasurable in- tellectual pastime, tinged with a dreamy humanitarianism; but if he is extent that he wishes to try them out here in the great Birmingham district, then it is up to those who believe so- cialism to be an impracticable social and economic nostrum, to at least not send him back to Congress to vote with the lone socialist member, who by the way, is in a terrific struggle to retain his seat.
 Now. I do not charge him outright with being a socialist, for have never heard him publicly admit it; although he has. if reports be true, not hesitated to support socialists for office here in Jefferson county, and has voted with them at Washington. I do know, how ever, that in his public utterances he has been credited with having leaned nightly towards socialism, and I have seen signs of the taint in his printed speeches.
 My heart beats in genuine sympathy for the poor and the oppressed at home and abroad. but I do not believe that socialism is the panacea that can cure our social. economic. or political ills. I believe in an educated and organized democracy which has been won through years of struggle and sacrifice here in our country-the kind which Woodrow Wilson wants to give as Americas best gift to the world.
 This is why I have the right as a voter to call in question the public rec ord of George Huddleston, who has eilAd to show an adeouate derree of