Socialism and Democracy in Europe Part 46

2. Unemployed Workmen Bill.

3. Education (Administrative Provisions) Bill.

4. Electoral Reform Bill.

5. Eight-Hour Day Bill.

6. Bill to Provide against Eviction of Workmen during Trade Disputes.

7. Railway Nationalization Bill.

Motions to be balloted for in order named:

1. Militarism and Foreign Policy: (on lines of Resolution pa.s.sed by the Special Conference at Leicester).

2. Defect in Sheriffs' Courts Bill (Scotland) relating to power of Eviction during Trade Disputes.

3. General 30s. Minimum Wage.

Other Motions from which selection may be made after the three foregoing subjects have been dealt with:

Sat.u.r.day to Monday Stop.

Eviction of Workmen during Trade Disputes.

Extension of Particulars Clause to Docks, etc.

Nationalization of Hospitals.

Adult Suffrage.

Commission of Inquiry into Older Universities.

Workmen's Compensation Amendment.

Atmosphere and Dust in Textile Factories.

System of Fines in Textile and Other Trades.

Inclusion of Clerks in Factory Acts.

Eight-Hour Day.

Electoral Reform.

Inquiry into Industrial a.s.surance.

Poor Law Reform.

Truck.

Railway and Mining Accidents.

Labor Exchanges Administration.

Labor Ministry.

Veto Conference.

Day Training Cla.s.ses.

School Clinics.

Indian Factory Laws.

Hours in Bakehouses.

House-letting in Scotland.

FABIAN ELECTION ADDRESS

[The following is an election broadside issued for the munic.i.p.al election of London, soon after the establishment of munic.i.p.al home rule for the metropolis, by the organization of the London County Council. It discloses the practical nature of the earlier Fabian political activities.]

COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION: ADDRESS OF MR. SIDNEY WEBB, LL.B.

(LONDON UNIVERSITY), (PROGRESSIVE AND LABOR CANDIDATE)

Central Committee Rooms, 484, New Cross Road, S.E.

ELECTORS OF DEPTFORD,

On the nomination of a Joint Committee of Delegates of the Liberal and Radical a.s.sociation, the Women's Liberal a.s.sociation, the Working Men's Clubs, and leading Trade Unionists and Social Reformers in Deptford, I come forward as a Candidate for the County Council Election. I shall seek to lift the contest above any narrow partisan lines, and I ask for the support of all who are interested in the well-being of the people.

_The Point at Issue_

For much is at stake for London at this Election. Notwithstanding the creation of the County Council, the ratepayers of the Metropolis are still deprived of the ordinary powers of munic.i.p.al self-government.

They have to bear needlessly heavy burdens for a very defective management of their public affairs. The result is seen in the poverty, the misery, and the intemperance that disgrace our city. A really Progressive County Council can do much (as the present Council has shown), both immediately to benefit the people of London, and also to win for them genuine self-government. Do you wish your County Council to attempt nothing more for London than the old Metropolitan Board of Works? This is, in effect, the Reactionary, or so-called "Moderate,"

program. Or shall we make our County Council a mighty instrument of the people's will for the social regeneration of this great city, and the "Government of London by London for London?" That is what I stand for.

_Relief of the Taxpayer_

But the crushing burden of the occupier's rates must be reduced, not increased. Even with the strictest economy the administration of a growing city must be a heavy burden. The County Council should have power to tax the ground landlord, who now pays no rates at all directly. Moreover, the rates must be equalized throughout London. Why should the Deptford ratepayer have to pay nearly two shillings in the pound more than the inhabitant of St. George's, Hanover Square? And we must get at the unearned increment for the benefit of the people of London, who create it.

_A Labor Program_

I am in favor of Trade Union wages and an eight-hours day for all persons employed by the Council. I am dead against sub-contracting, and would like to see the Council itself the direct employer of all labor.

_Munic.i.p.alization_

At present London pays an utterly unnecessary annual tribute, because, unlike other towns, it leaves its water supply, its gas-works, its tramways, its markets, and its docks in the hands of private speculators. I am in favor of replacing private by Democratic public ownership and management, as soon and as far as safely possible. It is especially urgent to secure public control of the water supply, the tramways, and the docks. Moreover, London ought to manage its own police, and all its open s.p.a.ces.

_The Condition of the Poor_

But the main object of all our endeavors must be to raise the standard of life of our poorer fellow-citizens, now crushed by the compet.i.tive struggle. As one of the most urgent social reforms, especially in the interests of Temperance, I urge the better housing of the people; the provision, by the Council itself, of improved dwellings and common lodging-houses of the best possible types, and a strict enforcement of the sanitary laws against the owners of slum property.

_Local Questions_

I believe in local attention to local grievances, and I should deem it my duty, if elected, to look closely after Deptford interests, especially with regard to the need for more open s.p.a.ces, and the early completion of the new Thames tunnel.

A more detailed account of my views may be found in my book, "The London Programme," and other writings. I am a Londoner born and bred, and have made London questions the chief study of my life. I have had thirteen years' administrative experience in a Government office, a position which I have resigned in order to give my whole time to London's service. With regard to my general opinions, it will be enough to say that I have long been an active member of the Fabian Society, and of the Executive Committee of the London Liberal and Radical Union.

SIDNEY WEBB.

4, Park Village East, Regent's Park, N.W.

The following meetings have already been arranged. Others will be announced shortly.

February 11.--Lecture Hall, High Street, at 8 P.M.

February 25.--Lecture Hall High Street, at 8 P.M.

March 3.--New Cross Hall, Lewisham High Road, at 8 P.M.

FABIAN ELECTION DODGER

[The Fabians and other Socialists broke into London munic.i.p.al politics under the name "Progressives." The following is one of their earliest election dodgers.]

COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION

_Sat.u.r.day, March 5, 1892_