The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-12
He Believes the Redistribution of
wealth VIII Come About Natur-
ally, Not by Violence.
TALKS OF ITALIAN AFFAIRS
AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS IN ITALY
AND AMERICA COMPARED.
How the Pope Is Spending His De-
cIining Years-Mr. CrawfOrd's
Latest Dramatic Production.

Correspondence OF the Indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, Jan. lis the world drift
ing TO socialism? f. Marion Crawford
says he thinks it is, and he hopes and
thinks il will be a peaceful revolution
which Will bring about the new condition.
We were talking OF Italy casually and
without view to publication and Mr..
Crawford said that public sentiment in
large part OF that country favored a re-
public.
But they are not fit for a republic,
he said. I'm fact, nine-tenths OF the peo-
pie of the old world are fit only for
wise despOtism-' ."
And wat are we coming tor L asked.
Perhaps TO socialism, he said. II hope
and believe it will be the socialism of Be-
bel. brought about by peaceful means and
without resort to bloodshed."
you don't believe in the strictly equal
division OF wealth."
''NO. You remember that old story OF
the Viennese millionaire. A committee
waited on him and argued the distribution
of wealth. Very WELL gentlemen. he re-
piled. There are so many millions Of peo-
pie i'm Austria. My wealth amounts to so
many forms. If it was distributed equally
among all Austrians. your share would
Il
money. Depart in peace No. the distri-
button of wealth in any radical way would
mean only temporary change in con-
ditions. 1t would gravitate back into the
pockets of the money-makers. The redistri-
button will come about, L think, by natural
process In this country there is no guar
antee that wealth will hold together be-
yond a single generation. A man may &C
HE
it away in half lifetime. We don't know
what new extravagances may develop. In
the new century it may become fashionable
to own Islands in the Pacific and go to
them in four or five hours in flying ma
chimes"
Don't you think the extravagances of
the rich are to be encouraged rather than
decried?''
oh. yes" said Mr.. Crawford. ANY
thing is better than to have the money
piling up. This vast accumulation of wealth
in the United States must cease or we shall
have money oligarchy. That would not
perhaps be an unmixed curse. Venice
fiourished under one and existed for a
longer period than any other government
IN the history of Europe"
A STUDENT OF HISTORY.
Mr.. Crawford is a student of the world 3
history. but especially of the history Of
Italy. He says that governmental condi-
tions In that country are greatly improved
since the young King came to the throne.
HE is more approachable than his father,
as well as a much ADLER man." said Mr..
Crawford. He is a more intelligent man
than Humbert and better educated and pre-
pared to rule his people. His father was a
timid, retiring man. 1t is said that the new
Kings door is literally open at certain
hours OF the day so that any of his sub
jects may approach him and lay a petition
before him. He is especially interested in
the army and navy and just now he has
under consideration a matter of vital i'm
portance TO the Italian people-the reduc-
ton OF the taxes and a coincident increase
I'm the strength and prestige of the army
and navy. The Italian people are tax
ridden. The army and navy budget and the
payment of interest on the national debt
are the things which keep the Italian peo-
pie poor and make possible bread riots
And by the way. there were more people
killed in the bread riots growing out of the
Letter wheat corner than was ever known"
/ quoted to Mr.. Crawford what the Hon.
J. w. Bookwalter. of Ohio. had said to me
recently about the shortage of grain in this
country and his belief that we had reached
the limit of our productive capacity.
THAT is true" said Mr.. Crawford. land
partly because every man in this country
works the land for all that he can get out
of it for himself. In the first place. many
OF our farmers men from Europe who
come over here to make all the money they
can, with the idea of returning to their old
homes and living in comparative luxury
second place. no man in this country is sat
isfied TO have his son succeed him as a
farmer. Every farmer in the United States
wants his son TO become a lawyer and his
daughter TO play the piano. No one can be
blamed for wishing to improve the condi-
tion OF his children. but no farmer will do
the best that can be done with his ground
unless he is filling II for his SON. In Italy
hitherto every farmer has been working
not only for his son. but for his grandson,
and so the land in Italy produces as well
to-day as il did two thousand years ago"
Since the new King came into power
order of things seems TO be growing
up in Italy. Mr.. Crawford likens him in
activity. versatility and intelligence to En-
peror William. Mr.. Crawford says, more
oves'. that he has the confidence OF his peo-
pie Politically. he says. Italy is quiet.
'Of course. there are Anarchists in
Italy" he continued. There are cranks in
all countries, and the Anarchist is merely
a dangerous form Of crank. But the So
cialists in Italy. who control a strong par
~. are peaceful men and not murder
ers. Italy by the way. probably has more
than her share of Anarchists because capt.
tai punishment is unknown there. Even
the life sentence is seldom imposed on muir
derers. But the Italian people. as a rule.
are peaceful. Revolts there growing out of
poverty and hunger are not at all signif-
cant or political unrest"
RELIGIOUS PEOPLE
Mr. Crawford says the Italian people.
fn spite of the separation OF the church
and state. are a deeply religious people
''Why. then" / asked. lis the Pope a
prisoner Of the Vatican-as he describes
shimself?'/
His public appearance would be a sort
OF submission TO the Italian dominion.
but IT would hardly be safe for him 10