The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-03
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
Information Bureau
BACK ON THE OLD soar BOX.
FREDERIC j. HAsKIN, Director,
Washington, D. G.


New York City, Sept. If you are
in New York and feel an irresistible
impulse to tell the world your beliefs
and opinions, simply mount a soap
box and go to it. No one will stop
You. Some will even pause and listen
to you-with curiosity if not with in
terest. Nowhere is it easier to attract
a crowd than in New York. Be your
remarks ever so futile and your style
of delivery ever so anaemic, you will
nevertheless be sure of an audience,
and a much larger one than if you had
hired hall.
This summer soap box oratory is
something of a novelty after a long
period of absence. During the war, the
gentle art was monopolized entirely by
war charities of one kind and another
which used the street as q. stage for
their various drives. With their brass
bands and pretty girls and uniforms
the lone, unadorned orator could not
compete. Besides it was not always
safe to attempt it. Unofficial elo-
quence, however innocent, was re-
garded with deep suspicion by the au-
thorities. who even objected to the
silent distribution of that eloquent
document-the Declaration of INDIE
pendence.
Then, too, there was a distinct lack
of this type of orators. Most of them
were very much preoccupied in the
army or in Fort Leavenworth or in
holding down jobs paying fat wages.
1t is doubtful if the causes they
championed suffered very greatly by
their absence. Socialism, indeed,
seemed to benefit by it, acquiring a
new dignity far above the level of the
soap box as its opponents became able
to afford hair cuts and clean collars.
Some said that soap box socialism had
disappeared forever.
They were wrong, however. It is
back again this year, as vehement and
as picturesque as before-the long
phair -and the soiled collar included.
| Yet there are slight signs of improve
ment. Sometimes in place of soap
box a sturdy table or even pushcart
| is used. Along the streets of New
York our American democracy is
| coming in for all the old pre-war
| criticism in addition to a brand new
| supply created as result of the war.
1t is more entertaining than it used
| to be. Poor Mr.. Woodrow\ Wilson,
for instance, seems to have contrib
uted a great deal to the soap box
| socialistic cause. He has become the
great arch villain Of their faith, CIV
ing it the same kind of stimulus that
| the Devil gave to Christianity for so
long a period.
| Sometimes, however, former Presi-
| dent Wilson escapes the blame for
everything is suddenly thrust upon
the proletariat, as was the case the
other night when one historic soap
boxer in the Bronx waved his arms
excitedly in the air, and thundered,
'Ah, when it comes to placing the
blame for the present intolerable con-
ditions = unemployment, a h d
wages, Slow starvation-I want you,
gentlemen, to think"
He paused. The crowd looked
! alarmed. 1t was hot night, and
they had not gathered there to think
But the soap-boxer Immediately came
to their rescue.
sit is we-the working people
who are to blame" he announced bit
| terly. 1--WE have the numbers, we
have the strength to smash this rot
ten system and get a fair deal. 1t
! brushes US because we let it. Yet,
mark me, the time will come when
we will rise up as one man"
''Oh, it's too hot" said a weary
Il voice in the crowd.
Then an old negro standing near the
| reporter spoke.
Dis sho' am de oratin'ist summer I
ever seem" he declared. Don have
t. go t. church."
Soap Box Users.
The socialists by no means hold the
lead in the long string of soap box
platforms which stretches all the way
| from 9th street on the West Side up
thru Harlem and the Bronx The anti
| socialists are just as numerous. while
-prohibitionists have a whole regi-
ment of soap-boXers in the field
whose feeblest harangues draw wildly
enthusiastic crowds. Religion is an
other subject which is receiving much
Tree speech this summer. The ques-
ton of who is to be the next mayor of
New York is another. Then there are
many soap-boxers whose purpose it is
dlIflcult to learn. They may be heard
talking long, loudly and heatedly
! about something, but no one can de-
termine what.
One of the chief rallying places is
the open plaza at f37th street, Hamil-
ton Place and Broadway, where torch
I ltSht and wagon Oratory attract large
crowds every night. Sometimes four
or i've would-be Patrick Henrys NAV
ba heard holding forth on different
topics at one time. In one corner a
S'nn Feiner may be heaping oppro-
Lr1um upon the British Empire; in an
other the Eighteenth Amendment is
receiving terrific tongue-lashing; a
little farther on an outra ged tenant
is reV1ling New York landlords. while
Just opposite is an explosive little man
VINO is spouting frenzied phrases in
| favor Of disarmament.
What's the idea of all this free
speech" We asked a policeman at
IS7th street: DO you think it gets
any results?'
Sure" he replied "It gives all
them nuts a chance to blow off
Yes, he agreed, the city had been
mighty inhospitable to soap-boxers
during the war, but, as for him, he
thought all precautions against such
spelling were unnecessary. All the
tree speech them nuts" gave away
couldn't harm anybody, he believed.
He then explained that no police per-
init is necessary for the soa n HOY ora
tor. So long as he does not obstruct
traffic or otherwise make a nuisance
of himself, he may harangue until he
is hoarse. He may shower propaganda
OF any kind upon the helpless popu-
lace and attempt to convert them to
his cause, and the police will merely
pass him by with a tolerant smile.
There is only one prohibition. He can
say what he likes about this govern
ment and any other government. hut