The Socialist local nearly broke up over the affair. A number were absolutely set against accepting aid from a "Bourgeois philanthropist," like Benson. Lipsky was in a violently embarrassing position. Suddenly there was a good chance of his election. The people of the district were manifestly excited over the issue. They were ready to vote for any one who would promise effective war against the cadets. It must have been a frightful temptation to him. But he stood fast for his principles. He did not want to be elected on a chance reform issue. If the people of the neighborhood stood for Marxian economics, he would be glad to represent them. But he would have nothing to do with demagogy. On the other hand, a young Jewish lawyer named Klein was the Socialist candidate for alderman, and he saw a chance of being elected on the "Down with the red light" cry. He was ready to tear the hesitaters to pieces. He felt that the social revolution and universal brotherhood only awaited his installation in office. At last it was agreed that a mass meeting should be called in the Palace Lyceum on Grand Street and that Klein and Benson should speak on the red light issue and Lipsky on economics. We brought out the "Vote the Socialist Ticket" poster. Benson was at the very top of the advertising profession, and he certainly threw himself headlong into this job. "I’ve persuaded about fourteen million people to buy Prince of Wales Aristocratic Suspenders," he said. "I don’t see why I can’t persuade a few thousand to vote right once in their lives." He certainly did marvels at it. The night before election, the Palace Lyceum was packed to the roof. And this in spite of the organized efforts of the strong-arm men of the machine. But the meeting was a miserable fizzle. Benson was helpless between those two speakers. Klein’s discourse consisted in telling what he would do if elected—among other things, I recall, he was going to nationalize the railways and abolish war. Benson was not much of a public speaker. As far as I know, it was his one attempt. But his success at advertising was based on his knowledge of the people and how they thought. They were not interested in Klein or the nationalization of the railroads. The one thing which moved them was the sale of their daughters. Benson went right to the point, reminded them of it in a few words, and then told the story of Root’s treachery, piecing together our facts and guesses. "It is not legal evidence," he said, "you can take it for what it is worth. It’s up to you—tomorrow at the voting booths." "To hell with Root!" somebody yelled. "There’s only one candidate better than Root," Benson shouted back,—"Lipsky!"