The New York herald., 1922-11-12
Proposed Capital Levy
Causes Strong Opposition


The capital levy in the Labor plat
form, which was intended to catch the
voter who was without capital, was
counted on as the greatest vote getter,
but since the municipal elections this
point is not being so strongly stressed
as before. IL has not met with the
response expected.
Sir Robert Horne, Chancellor Of the
Exchequer in the Lloyd George Cabi-
net, expressed the opinion that the
chief factor in the defeat of Labor In
the municipal election was the wom-
ems vote, and he predicted that the
same factor would be felt in the Par
liamentary elections.
The chief aim of the Labor party
was to place in the field as many can
didates as the Conservatives They
fell short of this by some fifty. 1t
was said that a close analysis of the
electoral strength had been made by
the Laborites in all constituencies and
adjustments regarding their candidates
were made accordingly. 1t was not
proposed to indulge in any propaganda
or electioneering stunts All selected
candidates have been chosen with a
view to fighting those seats where
there was a reasonable hope of sue
cess. A number of old traditional
Conservative seats. therefore, are not
being contested by Labor. Every effort
is being made to concentrate on the
Industrial constituencies
1t is acknowledged that there is un-
certainty in regard to the women's
vote. Labor feels pretty well assured
Of the trade union following, but the
wives of trade unionists are consid-
cred to be so conservative by nature
and their general support OF Labor so
uncertain that special electoral ma
chinery is being utilized to obtain their
support for the Labor program. There
is a special women's group affiliated
with the Labor party, and this is look
ing out for the woman's vote.
Labor Speakers Hedge
In Most Radical Policy
The London press sees a decided
tendency on the part of the Labor
leaders to hedge from the first demand
for levy on capital. 1t is said that
cialisn, the speakers have been in
structed to make 1t clear that the levy
is suggestion. not definite pro-
posal.
John r. C1ynes asserts that Labor
would abandon the capital levy plan
II there were a better method OF meet
ing the national expenditures, but II
the other parties have no plan they
have no right to say that Labor's
plan could not succeed without giving
It a trial.
Labor opponents charge that the
party has adopted a policy enunciated
by theorists and doctrinaires, some of
whom had never done a days work,
and that the real workers have had
nothing TO do with formulating the
party platform.
Labor expects TO make gains In
Glasgow. where II has been conducting
a spirited campaign among tho large
Industrial population. At present II
has but one representative in the flf-
teen constituencies Of the city. It has
nominated former Balie Mitchell 10
oppose Bonar Law from the central
bANi'fVh VI tAiV NiAsF WiliAt 1tOiEb
Paish. the writer and economist, well
known In America. whence he has
just returned. is also contesting the
seat as a Liberal on a free trade
platform.
John MacLean, the Communist, re-
Gently released from prison, where he
had served term for sedition, is an
other candidate from Glasgow and has
a strong following. Incidentally, the
Communists have many followers in
that city.
1t has been reported that Premier
Bonar Law intended to abolish the
Ministry of Labor, but his appoint
ment OF Sir Montague Barlow to this
portfolio is considered as a refuta-
tion Of this. Labor leaders had at
tackled him bitterly on this point.
Here are the platforms of the four
parties:
Conservatives
A policy of tranquility and stabil-
ity to give free scope 70 initiative
and enterprise,