The Huttig news., 1907-08-03
OPPRESSION IN FOREIGN LANus
Laborers Reduced to Slavery Through
 Systems Of Land Holdinc.

Systems Of Land Hola;nc.
 Americans should be thankful for the liberty that their form of govern ment allows. It is only necessary to study into conditions as they obtain in many of the European countries, to learn how enslaved ars the common classes of the people of those coun- tries. The holding of vast estates by the nobility has reduced the peasant classes to a condition of serfdom.
 In these countries it is algo notice able that the artisans, and the work. ,ers in the mills, receive wages that are barely sufficient to buy them food and clothing. In many of the conti- mental countries of Europe the farm laborer receives as compensation from s1 to Sf.50 a week. In Silesa, where there are large cotton factories, expert weavers receive from SIPS to sS per week, and women employed at like work earn less than $2 per week. Even in Old England, where labor is paid the best of any European coun- try, in the cotton factories the scale for labor runs from s4.S6 to s10.20 a week. Where wages are so low it is impossible for the people to save money, and it is necessary <hnt they live upon the plainest and cheapest food in order to make ends meet. In comparison with these countries how grand are the opportunities for the laborer in the United States! In America there are homes for all who would build them. In no part of the earth is these such reward for indi- vidual effort. It is said by some that there is tendency even in this free country toward oligarchy. That the tendency towards the concentration of financial power and business in the densely populated districts is men, ace that is too lightly estimated. The preventive remedy for this evil Hes in the hands of the masses. There is great need of the people in general studying more deeply into economic subjects. The simple principles upon which business rests appear to be lit tie understood by the average citizens. The remedy for the prevention of the building up of one section of the United States at the cost of another section is readily at hand, and each and every citizen can do his part in administering this remedy.
 For many years great insurance companies have maintained their lnrl apfar Tn To, o,+ Millions upon millions of dollars annu- ally were contributed to them by the people in all parts of the United States. The vast funds built up for the protection of policyholders had to seek profitable investment The great captains of finance evolved means for the employment of this capital. A dozen small industries independently conducted would be combined into one company, capitalized far up in the millions and the money contributed --ss-sz.~rss.~~-1- ance companies uN carryinN out the plans of the gfs combina1 tions. Thus it can be seen how trusts have been built up and the money of the people used for this pur. pose, and too often to oppress the very classes that contributed the funds which made it possible for bringing into existence these combina. tions.
 It can be understood how essential 1t is that industries of this kind l.. es- tablished in the different states. and now the money contributed by the people of a state to company in some other state works directly | against the contributors. What holds l good in the insurance business applies equally to other industries. By keep- | ing the earnings of people in the l community where these earnings are produced, is to the best interests of | the people. If it is necessary that they be sent from the community, as far | as possible keep the earnings within | the limits of the state, for what assists state to greatness makes lighter the | burden of taxation upon all the people within it and materially helps every community within the state.
 The student can plainly understand | how the concentration of business and | of money can be prevented by sim pie rule which involves the patronage of local institutions and the retaining 1 In each community as far as possible | all the wealth produced within that | community. If this principle be close ly adhered to it will be impossible for any requirement of such vast power as will oppress the American people | as the common classes of many of the European countries are oppressed.
 Need Good Bank.