* * * * *

But the dissatisfaction with the old policy, and with its old exponents, was not yet dispelled.  A new generation was knocking at the door, and some of the old leaders thought that the time had come to make room for them.  Hubert Bland was suffering from uncertain health, and he made up his mind to retire from the official positions he had held since the formation of the Society.  Bernard Shaw determined to join him and then suggested the same course to the rest of his contemporaries.  Some of them concurred, and in addition to the two already named R.C.K.  Ensor (who returned a year later), Stewart Headlam, and George Standring withdrew from the Executive in order to make room for younger members.  Twenty-two new candidates came forward at the election of April, 1911; but on the whole the Society showed no particular eagerness for change.  The retiring members were re-elected ahead of all the new ones, with Sidney Webb at the top of the poll, and the five additions to the Executive, Emil Davies, Mrs. C.M.  Wilson, Reginald Bray, L.C.C., Mrs. F. Cavendish Bentinck, and Henry D. Harben, were none of them exactly youthful or ardent innovators.

By this time it was apparent that the self-denying ordinance of the veterans was not really necessary, and the Executive, loath to lose the stimulation of Shaw’s constant presence, devised a scheme to authorise the elected members to co-opt as consultative members persons who had already held office for ten years and had retired.  The Executive itself was by no means unanimous on this policy, and at the Annual Meeting one of them, Henry H. Slesser, led the opposition to any departure from “the principles of pure democracy.”  On a show of hands the proposal appeared to be defeated by a small majority, and in the face of the opposition was withdrawn.  This is almost the only occasion on which the Executive Committee have failed to carry their policy through the Society, and they might have succeeded even in this instance, either at the meeting or on a referendum, if they had chosen to insist on an alteration in the constitution against the wishes of a substantial fraction of the membership.

Here then it may be said that the rule of the essayists as a body came to an end.  Sidney Webb alone remained in office.  Hubert Bland was in rapidly declining health.  Only once again he addressed the Society, on July 16th, 1912, when he examined the history of “Fabian Policy,” and indicated the changes which he thought should be made to adapt it to new conditions.  Soon after this his sight completely failed, and in April, 1914, he died suddenly of long-standing heart disease.

Bernard Shaw happily for the Society has not ceased to concern himself in its activities, although he is no longer officially responsible for their management.  His freedom from office does not always make the task of his successors easier.  The loyalest of colleagues, he had always defended their policy, whether or not it was exactly of his own choice; but in his capacity of private member his unrivalled influence is occasionally something of a difficulty.  If he does not happen to approve of what the Executive proposes he can generally persuade a Business Meeting to vote for something else!