The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-27
GREAT SOCIAL WASTE
DR.. Howerth's Lecture in the STAN
lev Hall Gourse

DR.. Ira W. Howerth's lecture Saturday
evening in the Stanley Hall course was
in part as follows:
1.-THE people Of the United States pride
themselves on their ability to produce
wealth. The estimated value of the
wealth Of this country IS $4,000, OOO 900,
and our annual income Is reputed to be
s12, 300, 100000 And yet we are told by
the critics Of our Industrial institutions
that modern industry is painless, and con-
sequently falls far short of it's possibilities.
Social waste Is exemplif1ed by the So
cial expenditure Of wealth or energy with
out the largest return of social benefit.
War, for instance, represents waste, be-
cause the benefit derived might conceiv-
ably be attained at much smaller cost.
If the one-hundred and sixteen millions
Of money appropriated for our army In
1902 were used, for instance, Ito irrigate
our arid lands, how much greater the
turn would be. Forests are ruthlessly
destroyed, game is exterminated, the soil
is exploited without reference to the ef-
feet upon it's continued productiveness.
We ought to utilize our educational sys-
tenn in q far more effective manner than
we do at present to discover and delevop
individual capacities.
1.-THE neglect to utilize all available
means for social Improvement is one Of
the most serious criticisms that may be
urged against society as it is at present
organized. OF our arabic land, which
must be at least a million five hundred
thousand square miles, perhaps not more
than one-seventh is under cultivation.
Much is withheld for speculative purposes.
Farm tenantry is increasing. In the north
central states it has increased during the
last twenty years from 20 to 20 per cent in
the south central from SO to IS per cent,
and in the western states from IA to 20
per cent.
Few realize the enormous wastes Of
the competitive system. Much Of the cap
ital now employed in our industries is
wholly unnecessary for the production of
the social goods and services that are
required. Railroads and industrial plants
are duplicated, not for social but for spec
ulative purposes; $500, 100000 are spent
annually in advertising, much of which
is wholly useless. In the last twenty
years the waste Of capital due to strikes
has been about $50o,00o,000 We have
8, 900, 900 paupers, and a large leisure class.
Every able-bodied member Of these
classes represents so much wasted labor
power. The most serious waste perhaps
is our employment Of children in condi-
lions which prevent their physiological,
to say nothing Of their mental and moral
development.
"The perfection Of individual economies
will not result in social economy. Social
economy will be manifested more and
more as society becomes more conscious
Of its interests and pursues them as an
intelligent Individual pursues his inter-
ests. '-"
GAS social intelligence develops slowly,
so we must expect that the solution of
the social problem of production will in
volve a number Of steps towards a better
utilization Of the land, labor and capital
Of the country. New Zealand lays q heavy
tax on land values with the avowed OBJ.
ject of discouraging speculation in land.
The large landholder is declared to be
social pest The tax increases in pro-
portion to the amount of land held and
aliens are taxed 20 per cent more than
citizens. We might encourage better
use Of the land by consciously and de-
liberately levying a tax to discourage land
speculation - ~. .Es-. . ....
Another step in the right direction is
the establishment Of labor bureaus as
department Of our public service, which
shall assist in mobilizing labor where it's
services are demanded.
Finally think we may expect an ac-