The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-04-17

ciety. His rapier-like observations were
bright light permeating the dialectical fog.
There have been frequent allegations that
Mr.. shaw's radicalism has long been on the
wane and that he has become a dodder.ng
apologist for Fascist reaction. There was no
evidence Of this in his New York address.
He denounced the evils of old-line capitalism
as vigorously as he did forty years ago.
He expressed an amiable receptivity to the
Communism which, as a Fabian, he repudi-
ated in his younger days.
If Mr. Shaw extolled enlightened dictator
ship, that is no proof of Shav1an eccentricity
or Of capitulation to Bourbonism. 1t is mere
ly a measure Of the general decline of demo-
cratic institutions before the bar Of realistic
liberal opinion Of the world
The futility and inadequacy of govern
ment by debating societies in our complex and
dynamic civilization has been amply and dan
gerously demonstrated time and again
throughout the world in the last quarter of
century. If one desires competent represen-
tative government it can be secured only by
adopting the British plan. which makes the
cabinet the executive and also a responsible
committee Of the parliament
Otherwise we must be prepared either to
tolerate strong executive leadership or else
collapse in the face of the pressing need for
decisive action. So far, President Roosevelt
has been in closer harmony with public opin-
ion and the popular will than any legislators
who have sought to deride or impede him.
Mr.. Shaw certainly put his finger on the
major evils of contemporary economic So
ciety: Cd The piratical and irresponsible
leadership of speculative finance; Cd the
short sighted orgy of foreign investments and
the export of American capital; 90 the ig-
noring of economic fundamentals and the
interests of the consuming wastes by our finan-
cial overords; "a the inadequate income al
lowed to laborers and farmers who must buy
the goods, the sale of which alone can sup
ply the dynamics of capitalism; 90 the
breakdown of old-line capitalism through the
failure Of its custodians to supply even en-
lightened self-interest in it's support and per-
petuation; and 90 the idiotic resort to force
in the settlement of international complca-
tons.
Mr.. Shaw was equally sane and realistic
in urging Americans to work out their own
brand of radicalism and liberalism in terms
of their own peculiar evolution, institutions,
and currents of thought, instead of merely
importing and parroting some foreign cult,
no matter how well the latter may seem to
work elsewhere.
If most of his speech was rebuke and ar
raignment of 100 per cent Americans, this
section well may be referred to American wor-
shippers of the cult of Moscow pure and
defiled.
Perhaps the most humorous item in Mr..
Shaws address was one as unconscious as his
reference to Mr.. Roosevelt's campaign baby.
He asserted that the Academy of Political Sci
ence, under whose auspices he spoke, was
consciously devoted to the destruction Of the
American Constitution.
The academy is an excellent organization,
but it always has been conducted by men most
notably devoted to defending our constitu-
tional system.
Imagine Elihu Root Charles Evans Hughes,
Ogden L.. Mills, Thomas w. Lamont Jackson
E. Reynolds William L. Ransom, George A.
Plimpton, w. Randolph Burgess and Adolph
Lewisohn engaged in obliterating our vener-
able instrument of government!
There was nothing new in MI. Shaw's adj
dress. He has uttered the same sentiments
many times before They have been said,
time and time again, by American liberals
and radicals.
Yet his appearance was significant and
gratifying He attracted unique popular at
tention to important truisms. He brought
them to many millions Of Americans in
his vast radio audience. And the news
papers published his speech in full.
He showed himself capable of being man
of good taste and of deep seriousness of
thought. His short visit to New York was an
event which will reverberate for good during
many months to come.