The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-03-05
Commercial Development.

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telligence among the working class,
than the old system under which the
laborer knew the whole of his trade. I
Take the man who works in modern
shoe factory feeding an automatic sole
cutting machine, or automatic heeler;
he does not need nor will he have the
mental vision of the ancient shoe
maker. Furthermore, the bringing to-
gether of SO many individuals under
one centralized management, destroys
to material extent the powers of self
reliance and Of self-directiOn Oh the
part of the individuals, which are nat
urally developed by the struggles of
the competitive system.
1t is we'll understood that if a man
of average intellect were to rapidly re-
peat one word necessarily for a GER
tain period IF time, be would become a
raving maniac. Absolute solitary COP
tinement would in lime likewise under
mine the mental faculty. And the ex-
treme division of labor under the mod
ern factory system, tends to exert the
same influence upon the human in
tellect.
Just as the running stream eats its
way into the river bank, just SO the
strict adherence to the extreme classl-
| fcation of labor will slowly but surely
narrow anu stunt the fhtellect and
weaken the character. 1t is true that
such cases where actual insanity Oc-
ours thru monotonous grind of labor,
are rare compared with the large popu-
lace employed. However, where we
find one hopeless case. we are sure
there are thousands suffering frOm
mental arrangement, nervous prostra-
tion or stnnted minds. Again, where
we find one actual case of suicide
another evil that has steadily increased
during times of prosperity-we are
sure there are innumerable thousands
on the brink of disgraceful grave, or
despondent from the thankless life of
toll they have, or restless amid their
fellowmep, money mad. And it seems
that the percentage of the enormous
!: increase in these terrible evils has been
far greater in the large cities and cen
!, ters Of commercialism, than in the av'
erage community. This emphasizes
the fact that the people striving fol
their existence and comforts of life
r are either subjected to the strenuous
. demands of labor, or become inocu
lated with the spirit of insane pro
I gression, and endeavor to emulate tn,
a example of those who set the pace
: They marvel at the ease with whicl
Q money is made OH extended credit
p then proceed to plan some sort of al
: organization and prestO-a new enter
prise is launched upon credulou
T public.
d 1t reminds me of the story of
s Hebrew who visited Philadelphi
d wooden house, and after announcin
= his intention of starting in bushes
g for himself, selected goods to the vaIu
of several hundreds of dollars. Tn
II salesman asked him what he intende
j. to manufacture.
y 81 mex pants" was the reply.
e, "How do you want to buy thes
81 goods?"
J. "The best way can,' was the auswe
4 "How will you pay for them"
D. "Well, i kif you my note for fol
y months"
to ''Is your note good -
~ The Hebrew looked around, winke
re at the salesman and put his finger
Id his nose. "My friend" he said, wit
IN AN air of one about to impart con
I'd dence, sif my note vas goot, wou
es mex notes, not pants"
n This little story only accentuates Il
it. i'm pressioA the writer desires to co
IN vey that unprecedented prosperi
lis tends to induce an unwholesor
lis growth and expansion of credit,
veigles capital into numerous ent'
NJ prises of doubtful value. encourag
ne manipulation and unwarranted inf
mt ton of the stocks intrinsic worth, q
IN creates prevalent neglect and VIC
I'm ton of civic duties, with the natul
or result, when the wave of unlimit
re- optimism has reached its crest,
in breaks, and the dire consequences