The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-02-07

was Summond from my home
early on morning in October by the
editor Of this magazine, who said,
Il have an important piece Of work
that can be done only by a brave man
--one who is not afraid TO pursue his
investigations, no matter where they
may lead him, Ii you will undertake
this commission YOU may name your
own price"
i will gladly name my own price
Ii You will promise not to name yours
Immediately afterwards" | replied
eagerly, "But what manner OF work
is IT'D
Undertaking in its most dreaded
form" replied the editor, "In fact
It is the undertaking trust itself that
/ wish 10 investigated
Bright and early the next morning
| called upon the editor Of one OF the
chief undertaking periodicals in the
country. His solid gold automobile
stood before his Office door and l
noticed as | was admitted to his pres
ence that his overcoat was lined with
costly sable, trimmed with ermine
and ornamented with great buttons
OF solid silver. Even the most casual
observer OF political cartoons would
have recognized him at once as a
trust magnate.
"The undertaking trustl" he ex-
claimed when made known the OBJ
ject Of MY visit, "why never heard
of such a thing undertaking is a
business like any other and conduct
ed on business principles, Yes, it is
quite true that some OF the lighter
work Of undertaking is performed BY
women and children, but always at
their homes: and so far, | have never
heard any complaints. Il is perfectly
healthy work and the money earned
By the little ones contributes material
ly to the comfort OF many poor lit
erary family"
Seeing that he could view the mat
ter only from the capitalistic stand
point, took my leave. but just as |
had gained the elevator a young man,
who had followed me, bare-headed
from the outer editorial rooms, touch
ed me on the shoulder, saying: Elk
cuse me, sir, but ! 1happened to over
hear your conversation with the bos
and | knew that you would gain nj
information from him. But let m
tell you that this concern has beei
! patronizing literary sweatshops fot
the past two years In fact. it was il
this Office that the Muck-rakers
Trust was formed-a grinding mono
poly that now has complete control o
the business. Go to the unfortunat
workman whose name / have writ
ten on this card and he will tell yo
the story OF what he himself has sui
| fered through this iniquitous combins
tion Of magazine barons,"
| At the address given on the card
found the neatly furnished, inexpen:
i've flat in which dwelt the Fairvie-
family, who have followed the litei
ary trade for two or three generation
and during the past decade have ider
titled themselves with the most az
vanced form Of undertaking.
~Come into the kitchen" said job
Fairyiew when he had carefully scar
ned my credential. Here we ca
talk without fear Of interruption" h
added as he closed the door and me
toned me to comfortable seat nea
the gas range Then, while a look c
mingled pain, sadness and anxiet
came into his face, he began his sim
pie tale of misfortune:
Twelve years ago / was as com
fortably situated as any man in tn
trade Of letters could hope to be.
had nice house in New Jersey bull
on the almost-paid-for plan, and wa
making good wages at humorou
prose and verse and short storie:
besides special articles for newspa
per syndicates and Sunday supple
ments. Every Friday it was my Gus
tom to come to New York with m
basket piled high with fresh literar,
wares, and, having delivered thes
and obtained orders for my mex
weeks work, | would generally bu.
some trifles to take home to the wifi
and little ones who were always Gag
erly awaiting my return. All, sir
when / think Of the little home nearl,
paid for our children growing u
about us and the market for cherrfu
optimistic prose and verse strong an,
acfive-well when | cnn1nared fhnsl