THE MENTAL MELTING POT

The foundation in Utica of a Toleration Society, is a most refreshing piece of news in these days when it requires a presidential election and a football season to drive the Ku Klux Kian off the front pages of the newspapers. The Society, which purposes to foster patriotic ideals and "a spirit of toleration in economics, politics and religion," seems to have a happy future before it, and in Elihu Root has found a worthy sponsor.

Half of the hundred charter members are Catholics, half are Protestants. This precisely equal division is to be maintained in the Utica chapter as long as it exists.

The club, however, is organized to gain toleration not merely in religion but also in economics and politics. And if members are chosen equally to represent the two great parties in the Christian religion it would seem that, in the interests of perfect toleration, there must also be an equal division politically and economically.

Mr. Root in a long and varied career has confronted many difficult problems, but never, perhaps one quite so ticklish as this. Like Diogenes he must wander through the streets searching for new members who will meet all the requirements of membership at the particular moment. One candidate will have to be not only a catholic, but also a Progressive, a free-trader, and a supporter of the open shop. Another vacancy may call for a Protestant, a supporter of Davis, a backer of immigration, limitation, and a firm friend of high protective tariffs.

Above all, no man may chance his views on any subject. No Catholic may become a Protestant, no Democrat may support Coolidge, no capitalist turn socialist! Or once again would Mr. Root be forced to take up his lantern and wander out into the night.