Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-08-17

the silent distribution of that eloquent docu-
ment-the Declaration of Independence
Then, too there was a distant lack of this type
of orators. Most of them were very much pre-
occupied, in the army or in Fort L~eavenworth
doubtful if the causes they championed suf-
fered very greatly by their absence. So
cialism. 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 for
ever.
They were wrong. however. 1t is back again
this year. as vehement and as picturesque as
before-the long hair and the soiled collar in
cluded. Yet there are slight signs of improve
mcnt. Sometimes in place of a 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 a
result of the war. It is more entertaining than it
used to be. Poor MI. Woodrow Wilson. for in
stance. seems to have contributed a great deal
to the soap box socialistic cause. He has become
the great arch villain of their faith, giving 1t
the same kind of stimulus that the Devil gave
to Christianity for so long a period.
Sometimes, however. former President Will
son escapes and tho 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 e~xcitedly in
tho air and fbundpred ."Ah. when IL comes TO
placing the blame for the present intolerable
conditions-unemployment, slashed wages. slow
starvation-I want you. gentlemen, to thinK-
He paused. the crowd looked alarmed. 1t
was a hot night, and they had not gathered
there to THINK. But the SOap-DONeT lHlIIleuldleIy
came to their rescue.
1T is we-the working people-who are to
blame" he announced bitterly. I'VE have the
numbers, we havo the strength TO smash this
rotten system and get n fair deal. 1t brushes
us because we let it. Yet, mark me. the time
will come when we will rise up as one man
ooh, it's too hot" said a weary voice in the
crowd.
Then an old negro standing near the reporter
Dis sho' am de oratin'ist summer I ever
seen" he declared. Don't have t go t church
The socialists by no means hold the lead In
the long string Of soap box platforms which
stretches all the way from 59th street on the
West Side up through Harlem and the Bronx
The anti-socialists are just as numerous, while
nti-prohibitionists have a whole regiment of
in the field. whose feeblest haran-
draw wildly enthusiastic crowds. Religion
is another subject which is receiving much free
speech this summer. The question of who is to
be the next mayor of New York is another
Then there are many soap-boxers whose purpose
it is difficult to learn. They may be heard talk
ing long, loudly and heatedly about something,
but no one can determine what.
One of the chief rallying places is the open
plaza at 18th street, Hamilton place and Broad
way. where torchlight and wagon oratory at
tract large crowds every night. Sometimes four
or five would-be Patrick Henrys may be heard
holding forth on different topics at one time. In
one corner a Sim Feiner may be heaplng OPP
probrium upon the British empire; in another
the Eighteenth Amendment is receiving a ter
rife tongue-lashing; a little farther on an out
ragged tenant is reviling New York landlords.
just opposite is an explosive little man
who is spouting frenzied phrases in favor OF
disarmament.
whats the idea of all this free speech %
asked a policeman at 18th street. DO you
think it gets any results?"
Sure" he replied. at gives all them nuts a
chance to blow off steam"
Yes, he agreed, the city had been mighty in
hospitable to soap-boxers during the war, but,
as for him. he thought all precautions against
such spelling were unnecessary. All the, free
speech them nuts gave away couldn't harm
anybody, he believed.
lie then explained that no police permit is
necessary for the soap box orator. SO long as
he does not obstruct traffic or otherwise make
q nuisance of himself he may harangue until he
is hoarse. He may shower propaganda of any
kind upon the helpless populace and attempt to
convert them to his cause. and the police will
merely pass him by with a tolerant smile. There
il only one prohibition. He can say what he
likes about this government and any other gov
eminent, but he must mind his Ps and QsI
when it comes to religion. Denouncing or polk
ing fun at other mems religious beliefs is
strictly taboo.
A Safety Valve.
Free speech is once more taken as a matter
of course in New York just as it is in London's
Hyde Park. AS one official explains. Soap box
oratory is recognized here, as it Is there, as at
fording a safety valve for impassioned discon-
tent or contorted cerebration." In his belief.
the majority of New Workers find it more anus
ing that instructive.
I'm London. Hyde Park is a popular institu-
he says. The public loves it. Often you
find five or six hundred people gathered there
on a Sunday afternoon, listening to speeches on
from vegetarianism to birth control. (
In fact, in fashionable London it is quite the
smart thing to promenade in Hyde Park Just be-
fore tea time on a Sunday and listen to the rad
icals. No one takes them seriously, of course"
Yet outside of New York. London and other
large cities, the soap box orator is often taken
too seriously. Some of our own western cities
have very little patience with propaganda
against the government or against large families,
and have an impolite way of running such pro-
out of town. And there is the case
enterprising middle western town which
soap box oratory so important that
it established q Soap Box University to combat
socialism, Maybe some of the many anti-social-
soap-boxers in New York this summer are
from this university. They seem fairly efficient.
but if what the city police force says is true,
the socialists needn't be worried either.