Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-05-06
Gossip About

the bad nx, thought Mr.. Klein, 10 help
him out, suggests that he make an ass
OF himself. but Il isn't likely that he'll
do that
Late news from wall street suggests a
possible remedy for at least a portion OF
the dificulty. Some unfeeiinR person down
there has punctured the tank, and the
water IL running away In large volumes.
In this way some Of the colossal fortunes
OF America are certain TO undergo a very
considerable skrinkage, without the de-
struction Of a penny OF the actual wealth
OF the country. But this is not a remedy,
nor IL Mr.. Klein's plan a remedy. II IL
possible to confsoate for the uses Of the
government, under form Of special taxes.
some portions Of the great Accommodations,
ana to prevent the passing from father to
son OF these immense fortunes thus min
imizing their danger to the national life
but what one man can DO another can
John d. Rockefeller has raised himself
from AFFECT poverty 70 the topmost pin
nacle Of wealth In his lifetime, and no
reason exists why another, with his faculty
for organization and his genius for ad-
ministration, cannot do co. Therefore, TO
redistribute the fortunes will not prevent
accumulation. II will have the eject OF
making the new rich man begin a little
further down, and that's ell. The remedy
lies deeper than the personal penitanos
OF John Burkett Ryder, who. after all only
promised that he would let up on Judge
Rossmore, and didn't even suggest his In
tention to relent on the public, or 10 relax
his hold on the United States senate.
.
In politics, at least, steps are being takon
that must result In a eurtaiiment Of the
opportunity for the accumulation Of un-
wieldy fortunes by means that have been
made odious. Combinations that throttle
competition and thrive ON extortion are 20
be limited In their powers for evil, and "a
far as possible the square deal" rule
viii be established. But even this IL not
enough The reform needed is under way,
but it takes the shape of a change OF In
dividual attitude toward wealth. People
who are really capable Of doing some part
Of the worlds work are ranging them
selves In support Of the growing idea that
mere wealth Is not the ultimate end OF
human endeavor. without detracting from
the Importance of the Individual, society In
general is more and more becoming the
object of first consideration, and strong
men and women are bending their efforts
In direction Of whatever will be OF assist
snce to the world. with less, regard for
their own personal convenience or profit
than ever. 1t is a stupendous task that has
been set for them, for IL calls for the re-
versal Of opinions that have held man more
or less firmly bound for ages. The advance
Of thought In the last half-century has been
such, though, as to warrant confidence in
the ultimate triumph Of the new idea that
puts the man above the dollar This doesn't
contemplate In any sense any OF the dog
mas Of socialism, nor does it look forward
to the abolition Of patient and painstaklng
endeavor on part of mankind. II was
foolish notion of the anoients that made
Paradise a place where there was no work.
and which CLASHES as a curse the dictum
that set men to work. Drudgery IL not
pleasant, and in the new day It will be
ameliorated, but work IL good for man, and
he alone is cursed who finds himself un-
able to take part in It. Work will be better
rewarded in the new order OF things q
greater share OF the products Of labor will
go to labor. but none will be denied his just
reward. The man who can combine and
direct great undertakings VIII get a great
share OF the creations OF those undertake
ings, and the man who bends himself to
boarding will still be permitted to pile up
a surplus that can be OF no service 10 him
or any one else while he lives, But the
Millionaire will no longer be respected as
such.