OPINION: Socialism in Our Time

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One American in four thinks some form of socialism would be a good thing for the U.S., the FORTUNE Survey of public opinion revealed last week. Surprisingly, 39.9% of U.S. executives favor socialism, as against only 24.5% of the poor.

> 38.8% think the Government should stop regulating the railroads, as against only 10.6% who think the Government should take over the railroads; 36.9% favor continuing regulation.

> A smacking 46.9% think the Government should keep its hands off the telephone companies entirely, as against only 31.7% who favor regulation—clear evidence of how successful the telephone companies' advertising has been.

> 74-3% think the Government should collect enough taxes after the war to provide medical care for everyone who needs it; 73.8%, enough to pay a pension to every citizen over 65; 67.7%, enough to provide jobs for everyone able and willing to work.

> 31.9% believe that after the war there should be a law limiting the amount of money any individual can earn.

> The average young man will have a better chance to get ahead than a young man had after the last war, in the opinion of 46%, as against 26.3% who think his chances will be the same and 17.2% who think his chances will be smaller.