The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-10


in the form of strikes or agi-
tation for increased wages,
calls forth complaint at the modern
concentration of wealth. The recent
formation Of corporations with capital
izations running high into the hum
dreds of millions, and in one instance
exceeding a billion dollars, has intensi-
fled this complaint. Signs of Il grow
ing undercurrent of socialism, are APP
nearing and many observers are filled
with alarm.
A good rule at such times is, when
in doubt consult an expert Professor
w. G. Sumner. of Yale university. is an
economic expert OF worldwide renown.
Here are some ideas by him upon this
subject. originally contributed to the
independents:
Every age is befooled by the notions
which are in fashion in it. Our age is
befooled by democracy We hear argu-
ments about the industrial organization
which arc deductions from democratic
dogmas. or which appeal to prejudice
by using analoges drawn from democ-
y
trial relations. Industry may be repub-
lican: it never can be democratic. so
long as men differ in productive power
and in industrial virtue. In our time
joint stock companies. which are in
form republican. are drifting over into
Oligarchics or monarches, because one
or Il few get greater efficiency of con-
for >.ir of nIr mi ictr
ton. They direct the enterprise in a
way which produces more, or more
economically. This is the purpose for
which the organization exists, and suc-
cess in it outweighs everything else.
We see the competent men refuse to
join in the enterprise, unless they can
control it, and we see the Stockholders
willingly put their property in the
hands of those who are, as they think.
competent to manage it successfully.
The strongest and most effective organ
iZations for industrial purposes which
are formed nowadays are those of a
few great capitalists, who have great
personal confidence in each other, and
who can bring together adequate means
for whatever they desire to do"
Again: mo man can acquire a mill
ION without helping million men to
Increase their little fortunes all the way
down through all the social grades. In
some points of view it is an error that
we fix our attention so much upon the
very rich and overlook the prosperous
mass, but the compensating advantage
ic hnt
emulation the most powerfully. What
matters it, then that some millionaires
are idle, or silly, or vulgar, that their
IDEAS are sometimes futile, and their
plans grotesque, when they turn aside
from money-making? How do they
differ in this from any other class? The
millionaires are a product of natural
selection, acting on the whole body of
men, to pick out those who can meet
the requirement of certain work to be
done. In this respect they are Just like
the great statesmen, or scientific men,
or military men. 1t is because they are
thus selected that wealth aggregates
under their hands-both their own and
that intrusted to them. Let one of them
the,concentration gives way to dispers-
ion. They may fairly be regarded as
the naturally selected agents of society
for certain work. They get high wages
and live in luxury, but the bargain is
good one for society,""
Professor Sumner it should be added,
is not perturbed by the friction which
characterlzes our industrial progress.
On the contrary, he appears to think
that while incidentally and locally
harmful it will in the long run work
out better general condition of soci-
ety. in which labor as we'll as capital
shall have Its due share of prosperity
and public privileges. There can be no
doubt of this without involving funda-
mental distruss OF American institu-
tions; but the friction at the place OF
it's generation Is sometimes very an
noying, as Scrantonans can testify.