LASKI URGES AMERICA TAKE OVER SOCIALISM

Addressing to America a stirring appeal to save Europe and herself by turning to the principles of socialism, Harold J. Laski, professor of Political Science at the University of London and onetime Harvard Lecturer on Government, in turn inspired, amused, and enlightened a capacity audience in Ford Hall Forum last night.

Introduced by Felix Frankfurter, Byrne Professor of Administrative Law, who presided, Laski developed the subject of his address, "Our Vanishing Liberties," declaring that "the reason why our liberties are attacked is because the foundations of our social order are being questioned, and the resulting insecurity breeds intolerance and curtailment of freedom."

Property Becomes Scared

"Men of property become scared and regard as license what was, in less turbulent times, viewed as liberty. The striving of the masses for equality can only be satisfied in periods of economic expansion; and when contraction (depression) comes, moneyed interests deny the right of democracy."

Laski, prominent author and a member of Britain's Labor Party, pointed out that in a capitalistic democracy "the economic power is concentrated, while the political control is widely extended. In times of economic contraction, the relationship between these two ruling groups cannot be maintained and one must suppress the other."

In conclusion, Laski exhorted America "to save herself by her own energy so that she may save Europe by her example."