Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-27
WHAT IS poL1T1csa


- yesterday afternoon Prof. John
Graham Brooks. one of Americas most
profound students and eminent author
tiles on sociological and economic mat
ters, defined politics as ''the reflex Of
forms of business" This definition, he
declared. he had not been able to dis
cover until after something like quar-
ter of a century of research In many
civilized countries.
Those who have been prompted to dig
deeply into the problem of politics with
rare exceptions will find 1t inevitable
that they accept the definition given
by this distinguished scholar of world
wide reputation. In seeking for data
on which to base arguments we find
that everything in recent years tends
to prove the contention that municipal
politics has for it's corner stone. its
whole foundation, its superstructure
clear to the roof, the business of the
community; at least 1t reflects the busi-
ness which engages the attention OF
those who control the great public util-
tiles and of those who, in their more
nearly private enterprises, are COM
business in more or less nearly perfect
harmony with the desires of the mas
ters of the chief public utilities. These,
it is hardly necessary to add. are the
men who control the transportation in
dustries in the various communities or
connecting them with other communi-'
ties.
Prof. Brooks has simply reiterated
and emphasized truth which is ap-
parent to all intelligent thinking men.
He has crystallized into half a dozen
words a great truth which is thunder
ing through the intellects Of men every
where. He has induced turbulency
Of spirit, has helped to accentuate the
feeling of disquietude in the minds of
the handful of earnest men of Los
yesterdays intimate talk, which, as
the agitated area spreads as the result
of discussion, will become the ultimate
means of salvation for the republic.
"A kissing and a byword among
other civilized nations" has the politi-
come, asserts this scholarly investiga-
tor half of whose life has been de-
voted exclusively to the study of eco
nomic problems in every progressive
country of civilization. Why? Because
the American people, long inert, asleep,
IT,
mass. to the predatory operations of
organized wealth controlling the great
public utilities, have allowed them
selves to be reduced to the status of
political thralls.
One of the most noted and successful
railroad attorneys of America once re-
marked to Prof. Brooks that when he
wanted to enjoy the most vigorous
mental gymnastics he would undertake,
through hours of argument, to con-
vince some great railroad president
that the latter did not own the great
system built by him or a predecessor
with the money of others, perhaps,
upon lands the right to use which had
been conferred upon him by the people.
1t was this sense of absolute proprie-
torship and the necessity. in the view of
such self-supposed owners, of controll-
ing in local politics that forms the chief
evil of the day. The men of the east have
been slow to recognize the tenacious
character of the hold upon the life of
the country which these interests have
managed to secure. but in the west.
Prof. Brooks declared. there is a much
keener perception of the situation, and
here the people are more thoroughly
alive to the necessity of regaining pop
ular government.
History teaches that the people are
seldom sufficiently aroused to correct
a master evil until through it, their
sufferings have reached a most acute
stage. The fact pointed to by Prof.
Brooks and known to all, that many
railroads maintain political bureaus,
at enormous expense, in state and city,
to influence and, wherever possible tu
control legislation on matters affecting
their welfare, is all the proof we need
that the people have ceased to govern,
that hence the republic has become
"a kissing and byword," and that
politics is "the reflex of forms of busi-
ness"