The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-08-31
DEcADENCE OF SOCIALISM.

Nonpartisans in Idaho, as elsewhere
propose a purely Socialistic program
relative to public utilities and sucf
major businesses as relate to agricul
lure. In lieu of this fact, it is interest
ing to note the decay of Socialism.
popularity in England where, priol
to 1914. it had many advocates ane
had gained considerable foothold
Writing to the Boston News Blu
reau from London, after an exhaus
live study of English political condi
ions. Herbert Casson said recently
There is no Socialist party in
great Britain and there is no likli-
hood Of one. Everybody has had
enough of Socialism. Even the
Labor party when it votes in favor
of national ownership is careful
to say that it is not in favor of
the sort of national ownership
that exists at the present time.
Before the war, socialism, as a
theory, had practically captured
the British people. There was a
steady swing towards nationalist
ton; and the arguments in favor
of it were believed to be logical
and sound. Even the Liberal
party, while in power. voted in
favor of public ownership of rail-
roads. Today socialism has faded
out, like a morning fog. There
are no longer any enthusiasts who
point the glories of the cooper
alive commonwealth
Practically every nationalized
business in Great Britain is bank
rupt. Prices have been increased.
Service has been lowered. Wages
are less than in private companies.
Nothing holds Britain solvent at
the moment except the private
businesses that were not weaken
ed BY naturalization.
In London, there are private
omnibuses and socialist trolleys.
The omnibuses pay small profit
and the. trolleys are bankrupt.
The omnibuses pay tax of $500
per bus; the trolleys pay nothing.
The buses are solvent and popu-
lar; the trolleys are 5000, 900 in
debt and generally disliked
Twenty years ago the Socialists
promised that the profit on the
trolleys would wipe out most of
the rates; and the operating loss
in the last three months has been
100000.
The telephone rates, too, are
now being raised so per cent, al
though they were unreasonably
high before, and for shambling
service such as no American city
would tolerate. The telephone
department lost nearly $20000,0O0
last year, and is now asking for a
loan of $s0,00O.000 from the ma
tional revenue. 1t is now as hope
lessly bankrupt as the telegraph,
which has lost $s,OO0,O0 a year
for more than 80 years.
Even the postoffice, which was
formerly the pride of the Social
ist, is now staggering into insolv-
ency and has had to raise its rates
to q four-cent per letter basis.
The most hopeful sign in Great
Britain, at the moment, is the
general disbelief in all govern
mentalism and the trend in public
opinion towards private owner
ship and more personal liberty.
As for British Socialism, it is
bankrupt.
Perhaps it is necessary that thu
Nonpartisan theories be given
thorough trial in the United State.
before they, too, are shelved as in
tolerable. There are too many who
still fancy that North Dakota is paw
ing the way to new Utopia. Elk
perience is a dear teacher but perhap.
her lesson in applied Socialism car
be learned in no other way.