Omaha daily bee., 1905-12-03

into his home as one Of his family, and
she so works on him as 70 turn the current
of his nature and he becomes a blessing
instead Of a curse TO humanity. OF course
the rich man doesn't know that she is the
girl who has been holding him up TO scorn
and contumsly at the time he invites her
TO HIS home, but he finds II out in good
season. Incidentally the son and heir OF
the rich man weds the poor girl and they
all live happily ever after. The thought
is being welcomed In New York. and the
play, despite its manifest weaknesses, is
becoming much OF a success. II Is quite
within the province OF the stage to teach
sociology: In fact II the stage teaches
anything II is sociology. but It seems
rather weak weapon to be hurllng at
monstrous evil. Yet the reception OF the
play is hopeful sign, Just as the dis
closures OF the various graft investiRa-
lions are a hopeful sign. II is Indicative
OF an awakening Of public thought on
the topic. and the beginning Of an agita-
ton that must inevitably end In a better
adjustment of social relations. It Is not
at all probable that either great indi-
vidual wealth or wretched poverty will be
bsnished from the world as the result of
the change which now seems to be work
ing. but a better distribution Of wealth
has attacked the problem at only one
Of the many points II presents to the in
vestigator Others will follow, and exposi-
tons of the evil In other Of its diverse
aspects will come in the form Of plays
In this is the most inviting field for
dramatic exploitation that now offers II
Is not at all likely that any play that
may be written with a present altruistic
motive will yield the palm OF Immortality
to It's author; that would be expecting too
much. but all that seriously approach and
serenely debate the questions at issue will
aid In bringing about the desired read
justment, and in that way will be doing
much good for humanity.
The distribution of wealth Is the SUBJ
ject of most earnest consideration now
before mankind. The problem of produce
ton has been solved. All the agitation that
engages the attention OF economist and
demagogue alike is objected to a solution
of the problem Of dividing the output OF
Industry so that each individual will de-
rive as nearly as possible a fair share Of
the great wealth that is daily being pro-
duced in the world. AS the discussion
progresses attention is being more and
more called to the more crying of the evils
complained Of. Child labor the sweat
SHOp SySlcHl' lu6 dissemination OF disease
through unhealthy factory conditions, all
OF these and similar phases Of the one
great question must be treated before the
main problem can be properly approached.
The German and English dramatists have
advanced beyond the American in their
handling of these topics. In those coun-
tries, with their congested population and
sharper contrasts between the rich and
the poor, the issue presses more closely
than It does here but this fact does not
avoid the proposition that the same causes
will produce the same effects in America
While the public views the matter with
more of patient forbearance and with a
greater confidence in the ultimate out
come the struggle is none the less keen
and strenuous. Warfare between wealth.
entrenched behind privilege, and the peo-
pie, battling in the open for their rights,
Is already under way in America The
president is leading the fight for the people
His efforts In congress and through the
courts to curb the power of corporations
and to secure a square deal for each in-
dividual is but a part of the general move
ment towards a readjustment On all
hands evidences OF the conflict are to be
found, and apparent conclusion is that the
people are aroused as they have not been
In many years. 1t is not q fight against