The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-09-04

either, but the fact Is proven instead
by the agitation in connection with
the much advertised and predicted
railroad strike. The cause of this agi-
tation is very plain when reduced to
figures, for no consideration Is given
the slaves that have been made as a
result OF the agitation. Finding that
the privilege sought was not given
them they decided to make poverty
prevalent in the land. Some $4,000
employees were laid off. Probably
there is good reason for 1t but it is
unusual that such would be when we
consider that the per capita wealth of
this country is now reported to be ST.
$500. No such poverty as Is reported
throughout the land was found in
1871, when the percapita wealth was
but $4,000. 1t becomes evident then
that some part of society has had the
advantage of the increase shown here
since that time The question then
naturally arises: How did it occur?'
To determine this, we will simply
take the railroad proposition as re-
ported. 1t is estimated that there were
approximately 100000 idle cars in
this country. and ca h valued at about
100000. We therefore have in this
| item alone $100,000,000 idle capital.
] Recently the owners of these cars re.
tired some $4,000 men from service
without indication in any way what
the amount of idle capital was repre-
sented thereby. To determine this for
them as the laborer must do, we find
from the American Annuity tables
the estimate that ca h life at 80,
which produces over $1,000 above
personal expenses Is worth s13,32000,
according to a six per cent computa-
ton. The rule OF reason is not neces-
sary to determine right here that
railroads have made more than bill
lion dollars worth of idle capital in
the form of human lives In our land.
Government statistics show that the
toiler earns much more than he is
compensated in wages, and the argu-
ment that the earnings of such $4,000
men as were laid off was but $500
per year Is consequential
Capital under the present system
provides for it's earnings and its de-
probation, but utter disregard is
shown for the loss of earning power to
the laborer of the resultant depre la
tion from worry, anger and starva-
ton during idleness. The cars are
earning even though idle, as they are
insured SO that they may be repro
duced in the event that they are de-
stroyed The laborer is earning moth
ing, but instead depreciating for the
reasons cited heretofore. Even his pro-
ductive power is destroyed, but any
money due is not reproduced for the
benefit of his family What is being
reproduced for them might aptly be
described by the amount which would
be necessary to insure his valuation,
according to insurance statistics. The
laborer at 30, being worth $13,320,
should carry insurance for that sum
for protection Of his dents, and
that his valuation she OF be lost
| to society The cheape. SUI nce he
can acquire at that age necessitates
that he have the flat sum of 3,540.S6
to pay his premium. That is, the rate,
according to the fraternal congress
tables, would be $266.23 per thousand
for single premium, whole life in
surance. 1t is generally conceded that
few workingmen at the age of 80 ha e
this necessary amount. Between the
ages of 80 and 40, man would be
required to have a larger sum.
Some employers very conveniently
arrange to discard the man at that
age, and the representative of one OF
the benefit associations in the steel
industry has proven this point In a
recent letter, | was advised upon this
subject in the following words: I'VE
have unique body Of men. We know
our average age is between thirty to
thirty-one years. Only five per cent OF
our men are over forty years Of age
The work at our plants requires en-
durance and stability, and advancing
age tends to decrease rather than In
crease. The older man quits work fol
4 HBnter occupation. mat Is the con
dition which is being forced upon oul
workingmen by the false system II
modern society Where the argument
might be raised in connection with
idle capital that commensory benefits
were necessary in connection with in
surance of the idle toilers, and tina
such should be taken from the earn
ings acquired on idle cars, we nov
. cite that it is likewise necessary II
provide for men who have passed
their Both year, and have gone to tn
human discard. Probably the five pc
cent of the men who are no longe
fitted with the necessary requirement
, of endurance and stability may tint
, lighter employment Surely it will b.
, too late for them to attempt to lear
another occupation, as industry l
now crowded with idle men. TIL
! question naturally arises: Where ar
> these to be putt"
3 The very railroads that have lai
: off the $4,000 men don't want Their
Y IL they have passed their thirty-fift
: year. In fact, it is generally under