_Punch_ distrusted Socialism because, in his view, it led in practice to vicarious generosity. The Socialist would give half of everything, so long as he didn't possess it himself. Yet in apportioning the blame for the railway trouble in 1907, _Punch_ did not spare Capital. Railway directors and trade unions were in his cartoon shown as equally animated by a disregard for the interests of the public. Incidentally we may note that the volunteer service rendered by the general public in 1919 is anticipated in a humorous sketch of the experiences of an amateur porter. _Punch_, even where he felt strongly, was alive to the extravagances of the extremists on his own side, witness the verses in 1908 which purport to express the perplexity of "an open-minded beggar":-- [Sidenote: "_The Open-minded Beggar_"] Reader, tell me, if you know, What, on earth, is Socialism. Is it--men have told me so-- Some preposterous abysm, Into which we all may drop-- With the criminals on top? Is the vehement _Express_ Justified in all it mentions; And are Wells and G. B. S. Worse than _Sikes_ in their intentions? Do those Fabian beasts of prey Wish to take my wife away? Or--observe that I am quite Open-minded, gentle reader-- Are they sometimes nearly right In the shocking _Labour Leader_? Will the coming Commune be Paradise for you and me? Do you think it can be true That the death of competition Guarantees for me and you Sinless Edens--new edition? Or was Stuart Mill correct-- Will there be some grave defect? Shall we all be servile wrecks With the brand of Marx imprinted On our miserable necks, As _The Referee_ has hinted? Or--see _Justice_--shall we share Perfect freedom with the air? Will that entity, the State Of Collectivist Utopia, Actually operate Something like a cornucopia? Or will Hardie's fatted friends Leave me only odds and ends? In this monster maze of doubt I am groping like a blind man. Shall I boldly blossom out As a follower of Hyndman? Or continue to exist As an Individualist? So, dear reader, will you, please, Tell a poor, distracted Briton Whom, in troubled times like these, He should put his little bit on? And, philosopher and guide, _Do_ pick out the winning side! _Punch's_ comment on the Eight Hours Bill is influenced by the objections of those who opposed it on the ground that it would affect the cost of all the necessaries of life. King Coal observes, "This means that I shall have to reduce my output," and Commerce rejoins, "Then I shall have to reduce mine, too," and both agree in doubting whether the Government had ever thought of this inevitable result.