Again, Social Credit

The fourth political party in Canada, the one best known in the U.S., kept its principles but changed its name and chose a leader last week.

Convening in Toronto, some 150 Social Crediters from every province except Prince Edward Island whisked through three days of political muscle-flexing. They heard hopeful speeches (typical theme: Canadians "are tired of the hopeless old-line parties and at the same time they fear socialism"). They reaffirmed Social Credit's basic tenet: periodic "dividend" payments for all citizens. They decided to enter candidates in all constituencies in the next Dominion election. Their new name: National Social Credit Association. Their new leader: Solon Earl Low.

Sober Solon. Top Social Crediter for years was zealous, Bible-quoting William C. Aberhart. He rose to power in Alberta in 1935 by dazzling voters with promises (which he was unable to fulfill) of $25 a month apiece. Bill Aberhart died last year, but his Party still rules Alberta, has ten members in Ottawa's House of Commons. Out of these remnants, Solon Low must try to build a national political force.

A native Albertan, 44 years old, Solon Low neither drinks nor smokes. He first became interested in Social Credit's principle (artificial creation of purchasing power) when he was an economics student in crackpot-breeding Southern California. In 1935, he won a seat in Alberta's legislature as a Social Crediter. He became Provincial Treasurer in 1937. One of the least radical of Social Crediters, he has labored mightily, and in vain, to refund Alberta's $140,000,000 debt.

His Party's prospects are not bright. The best that he can hope for is that in a Parliament of many hues, the new N.S.C.A. will wield a potent bargaining power.

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