TRAGEDY OF SOCIALISM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1084, 19 December 1911, Page 4

TRAGEDY OF SOCIALISM.

A municipal employee in the town of Elbeuf, Normandy, on entering the cellar of the town hall on October 23, found the body of M. Moucbel, a Socialist deputy and mayor ol the town. By the side of the body was a revolver covered with blood, aud it was ascertained that M. Mouchel had shot himself. The mayor’s suicide was a tragedy of municipal trading and a sequai to a dramatic statement by M. Moucbel wheu he confessed that his Socialistic experiments had ended badly for the town. As the result of a campaign organised by M. Mouchel the Elbeuf gas works, which were privately owued and working at a profit, were municipalised. A sum ot ,£30,000 was spent m the erection or a modern plant. After a year's working it was found that there was a deficit ol £2,300, aud that £IO,OOO mote would ffave to be spent to carry on the work.

Au exceediugly conscientious man, M. Mouchel was distracted at La. raiiure 01 Lus pet scheme, and although he was assured, even by political opponents, that no blame attached to him he look the matter to heart. At a meeting a few days ago ot the town council he rose aud, iu a dramatic speech, denounced himselt as beiug responsible for the town's loss.