The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-12-28
Gordon Replies to Watkins

Reading, Mass, Dec 20.To the Editor of
The Independent In reply to Mr.. Watkins If
he will look over census bulletin $50 again he will
see that the $2395958, 161is the original raw ma
teria The partly manufactured materials cost
$4,65S,697.S41 and the fuel and freight cost $685.,
251,O77, total cost of materials of $7,3779O7,-
O79. Then he will also find that miscellaneous
expenses cost 81 ,031 654,355. total expense not
counting wages of over $S,40O,0O0,OOO Subtract
ing this from the gross value, $1,000 ,876,790 and
in place of the $1O,695,918,629, which Mr.. Watkins
figured out, We have about $4,600000,000 as the
net wealth production.
Then If Mr.. Watkins will look at table he
viii iind that there were 397750 clerks ETC..
which as explained by the bulletin also include
superintendent, fOremen etc., etc.. and that their
wages, or salaries, amounted to $404,837 So, or
total wage fund of $1,000 900 in round num-
bers This wage fund is about So per cent of the
net wealth production.
In table two we also find that there were
709,326 proprietors and firm members. 1t is safe
to assert that $650,909 OF this number were work
ers, and as the census volume seven explains
they received no salary-depending upon profits
in the business for the remuneration of their
labor. The real problem is what part, if any, of
the difference between $46OO,000,000 net wealth
production, and $270O,O0O,0O0 total wage fund.-
which is $2,9O000O,0OO, did the workers produce?
Did machinery, plant, the skilled labor of $780,
600, or more, proprietors produce all of this ST.
90O,0O00O0 or did the wage hands in the factories
produce 1t? AT any rate one see that the
workers are not being exploited to anywhere
the extent which the socialist claim The great
middle classes workers; some, of course, wage
workers, some farmers, some merchants, lawyers,
M. d., ETC., etc.
AS for the farmers they are making tremend-
progress If we can believe Secretary Wilson's
late report. He tells that the American far
mers have produced over S. 100000 900 in wealth
during the past twelve months and further, that
the wealth OF the farmers has increased by over
six billion dollars during the past five years.
amounting to more than $26,500,0 100000 at present
AS for the total wealth of ninety-four billions
in 10000, twenty and half represented the wealth
on the farms, nearly ten billions in manufacture
ing and twelve billions in railroads, etc. Mr.
Watkins asks in what does the other fifty bill
lions consist. 1t consists OF homes city lots
mines, public property (the city, state and fed
eral governments in New York City have nearly
one billion in wealthy shipping, United States
bonds, state lands, Qike those in Texas and
state city and national institutions, etc. etc.
Look up the savings bank statistics, the number
of insured, the number of stockholders in steam
and electric railroads and manufacturing plants
banks, etc. etc., and you will have better idea
OF the extent of the middle class wealth and their
number As for your theory, Mr. Watkins, OF
mountains OF wealth and valleys of poverty, there
is just this to say: In those nations in which we
find the greatest number of millionaire we also
find the fewest paupers and the greatest number
Of the middle class per 10000 of population; SO
it would seem that Mr.. Watkins theory was wrong
according to statistics
Suppose, Mr.. Obenchain says in same
issue, that it does cost $S75000,00O to advertise
and sell the manufactured wealth of the nation
1t is not waste. The goods will not distribute
themselves. 1t requires both skilled and UNI
skilled labor do this and there can be no doubt
whatever that we able to distribute the vast
wealth of the nation produced each year at one
fourth the sum it would require under tn gigan.
tic wasteful system of socialism.
F. G. r. GORDON