The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-06-28
A Social Crisis


and why are you publishing this series on the
other side by Iliff?"
The question is so pertinent and may have
occurred to so many other readers of the Palla-
dlun1 that the editor herewith subtends his rea-
sons where all who to know may have the
opportunity.
First and foremost grave social crisis ex-
lists not only in the United States but throughout
the civilized world For the purpose of this dis
cussion, however, the United States will afford
big enough example.
The cause of this crisis may be explained in
this statement:
In the fifteen or sixteen years of unparalleled
prosperity this country has recently experienced,
the wages and salaries of laboring men and
clerks and bookkeepers, etc., have advanced
about 40 per cent. Living expenses, however,
legitimate, necessares- life expenses have ad-
vanced over hundred per cent.
In other words, the dollar of the vast major
lty OF our citizens does not go as far in these
days of prosperity as it did fifteen odd years ago.
Consequently, many people of this great num-
Der feel that they are being robbed of portion
of their earnings under the present industrial
and economic system. Those who belong to or
gained labor seek to equaze by securing as
often as is feasible advances in wages
expensive strikes, demoralizing to the industries
affected and to whole communties-or entire
states, witness the plight of West Virginia
and it's down-trodden coal miners.
There have been strikes like those at Pater-
son, New jersey and Lawrence, Massachusetts,
where the truthful description would be to de-
clare that a state of anarchy and civil war
existed.
1nasmuch as the editor believes as the result
of close study of economic and industrial con-
ditlons, that system does exist whereby many
men are robbed of part of the fruit of their
toll, he has tried to be honest with himself and
his fellow beings, who read the paper he edits
and many of whom belong to that very percent
age that he feels is being dealt with unjustly
IL helping bring about a system where all will
be given their inherent right of free access to
equality of opportunity.
No man has right to ask for more than an
equal chance
No man should have the special privilege of
gathering to himself more of this worlds fruits
than his legitimate and consciencous efforts en-
title him to.
This very night that this editorial article is
being written little children of six and seven
years of age are working long hours at monot-
onously grinding machines in the cotton mills of
the South.
And think, oh you who stifled in the nights
Oppressive heat, how those little youngsters
must have suffered, too. And all because there
is no just law to that their natural protectors
shall be guaranteed a wage sufficient to main
tain family on.
This is only one of countless examples that
might be cited. 1t is enough to show, however,
that human beings with hearts and souls will not
be punished so for ever
Therein lies the present social crisis There
is vast unrest that any observant person may
easily sense. There is deep seated and resent
full discomfort with the present system that will
bring FORTH and that shortly as eras go in the
worlds history, either chaos or the remedy for
these many existing wrongs against humanity
No one wants chaos
The socialists propose as their remedy the do
ing away with the profit system as the basis of
incentive to human endeavor, through govern
ment ownership.
1ndividuaHsts maintain, and that truthfuly
that tremendous advance has been made in the
lettering of humanity's condition through the
present system, and therefore, it should be pre-
served Preserved also because of the undeniable
freedom of action, liberty, enjoyed by the indi-
vidual through the institution of private prop
erty.
The 40 per cent wage increase and the hum
dred per cent advance in cost of necessares,
sticks in the editors craw. To him the idea of
little children being forced to work for the family
living and, therefore, being denied the splendid
opportunities of our public school SYSTEM is re-
voting.
The editor wants the remedy, whatever it is.
Assurance has been given that practically all
the thousand socialists of Wayne county are SUBJ
of no