The general public takes little interest in local elections. Most citizens abstain from voting. Therefore the numerous corporation employees often have the decisive vote in local elections, and they will support only a candidate who promises shorter hours or higher pay. Municipal employees sitting in the public galleries will even dominate the council chamber, intimidate councillors, and shout down those of whom they disapprove. Besides, they may strike and disorganise the public services, and make the Socialistic authorities look ridiculous. Therefore it is better to humour and to obey them than to oppose them. The Fabian Society demands for municipal servants "full liberty of combination," because "the servants of the public may often need protection against the public, as in the Post Office."[702] The results of Socialist teachings are to be seen in many municipalities. "The servants of the public" are already, and will in an increasing degree become, the masters of the public. Under municipal Socialism the wages of tramway-men have increased as follows: "In Sheffield, where the private company paid _100l._ for labour, the Corporation pay _165l._ for the same amount of work. In Bolton, where the private company paid _100l._, the Corporation pay _137l._ In Wallasey, where the private company paid _100l._, the District Council pay _185l._ In Northampton, where the private company paid _100l._, the Corporation pay _120l._ In Birkenhead, where the private company paid _100l._, the Corporation pay _315l._ In Portsmouth, where the private company paid _100l._, the Corporation pay _130l._ In Sunderland, where the private company paid _100l._, the Corporation pay _145l._ When the Manchester Corporation took over the trams they paid increased wages amounting to _60,000l._ a year."[703] The foregoing information is given by a Socialist. Some of the advances may be justified, but others, and probably the majority, have been made with that fine disregard of economy which is commonly found among men who can afford to be generous at other people's expense. Municipal Socialism is an ever-growing cancer which is rapidly exhausting the country.