Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-07-22
CARNEGIE in THEORY AND PRACTICE.
A Chance for the '.PhiIanthropist' 60
Prove His Reputation Deserved.

Chance for the ''PhiIanthropfst'' TO
Prove His Reputation Deserved.
The reduction of wages in the iron
mills of Pennsylvania and the policy
pursued by Carnegie, Frick and other
protected iron barons is causing n great
deal of anxiety TO the party responsible
for this condition of affairs General
Clarkson. ex-chairman of the Republican
national committee, was quoted on July
as having criticised Andrew Carnegie
in the following language:
''A1r. Carnegie is a man of vast for
tune, and his wealth has been made by
his workmen. In saying this l do not
belittle Carnegie's marvellous faculty for
accumulation. He has written great
deal about triumphant democracy and
the responsibilities of wealth, and created
an impression among many that he is at
heart n philanthropist. Now is his .op-
portunity to show that this reputation is
deserved. Those workmen cannot be
wrong in Directing to the treatment
they are now subjected to. There have
been no commissions in business that
could possibly make these great reduc-
tons necessary. Mr.. Carnegie should
settle the difficulty at once and be gen.
erous to those men. AS understand it,
they have built their homes there and
made the town. There is no place for
them to go, and they must rely on Car
negie for their Lying.
In France and Germany cooperation
is now carried on successfully. Capital
invested receives a stated return, and
wages are paid as in ordinary business.
Surplus profits are then divided. An
drew Carnegie has discussed the beauties
of cooperation in magazine articles:
now he should put his theories into
practice and make his works co-opera-
tive. His employees would remember
him with gratitude and he would estab-
lish a reputation throughout the world"
1t may be we'll to recall some of the
absurd things said by this millionaire
apostle of protection to the few at the
expense of the many. Here is one taken
from Carnegie's article on Nv ealth, in
The North American Review of June,
1889:
Poor and restricted are our oppor-
tuniJies III this life, narrow our horizon.
our best work most imperfect, but rich
men should be thankful for one inesti-
Inable boOn-they have it in their power
during their lives to busy themselves in
organizing benefactions from which the
masses of their fellows will derive last
ing advantage, and thus dignity their
own lives. The highest life is probably
to be reached not by such limitation of
the life of Christ rs Count Tolstoi gives
US, but, while animated by ChriSts
spirit, by recognizing the changed con-
ditions of this age and adopting modes
of expressing this spirit suitable to the
changed conditions under which we live.
Thus is the problem of rich and poor to
be solved. The laws Of accumulation
viii be left free; the laws OF Gistribu-
ton free. Iudividualism viii continue.
but the millionaire Will be but q trustee
for the poor: intrusted for Il season with
great part Of the increased wealth of
the community. but administering it for
the community far better than II could
or would have done for itself. Such in
my opinion Is the true gospel concern
ing wealth, obedience to which is des-
tined some day to solve the problem of
the rich and poor. and thus bring Peace
on earth, among men good will