New Ulm review., 1917-12-26
OUR STUPID PLUTocRATs.
BY A. B. Gilbert.

uS SIOOO AOA nave Unsupported III ASuSSlds
borne down by the weight of their own
greed and stupidity, the United States
may be said to possess the most greedy
and stupid plutocracy in the world Of
large nations. This is most unde-
sirable distinction and Americans who
know, admit it only because of the con-
elusive facts of the situation. In all
other countries the plutocrats have
yielded much to- give the nation greater
war efficiency, but in the United States
they have fought for every bit Of special
privilege they have possessed OF hope
to possess. They have endeavored to
use the national peril to acquire the
utmost power. In q previous article I
pointed out how the monopolizers of our
national resources were delaying pro-
duction by unjustifed prices, how they
were cutting their own production to
force still higher prices, and now they
oppose every government move that
does not promise more profits. .
Plutocrats Elsewhere.
In England, France and Germany,
on the other hand, the plutocrats, while
being in no sense less greedy than ours,
have shown more vision. They allow
the government to make many moves,
which temporarily cuts their power and
profits, to strengthen the nation in war
and to assure themselves Of some power
later. England, for instance, has known
no food profteering as we have; England
took over all railroads at the beginning
of the war; England took over the coal
mines to secure maximum production;.
England regulated the munitions work
strenuously, even operating many plants;
England admitted labor to an important
place in the councils Of the nation.
Germany, by government ownership
and strict regulation of production and
distribution brought her people thru a
period in which nearly every outside
economist and publicity man declared
they must starve. She made her mines
and workshops equal in production to
those of her more numerous opponents.
Parts in fact could be filled with inn.
portant instances Of how the plutocracies
Of Europe have given in the national
need. Even conscription of wealth to
wipe out some of the terrible national
debt is not sstrenuously fought.
What We Have.
While we have political government
at Washington, endeavoring to prepare
the nation for war with q nation that
has shown war efficiency beyond any
thing the world has known; we have an
other invisible government generally
known as Wall Street. which up to the
present has had the effective power in
the political government and this in
visible autocracy absolutely refuses to
let this nation become efficient in sup
plying home needs and efficient in the
war. They are unwilling that we shall
use the methods by which England.
France, and Germany became more
efficient. These methods are denied us
because they close the top of the profits
sack somewhat. The lack of these
methods is rendering it difficult to take
care of our own people not to mention
bearing the brunt of a wal. with the
wrold's greatest military power.
Big Business voluntarily furnished us
with an advisory committee of l33
members, given to the nation apparently
for a dollar each per year. According
to the press agents they were to add
unusual efficiency to government opera
tions. A recent study from official
reports shows that As corporations with
which these gentlemen are connected,
land the As are not all by any means),
made total net profit in 1916 of $780,
O0O, GOO 90 over the average total net
profits Of the three pre-war years. In
1917 these corporations raised the prices
Of their products beyond those Of 1916
and not q few cut down production to
force still higher prices. They also
fought labor with tooth and claw. It is
evident that their efficiency is not for
the United States. ,ssSts
Hoover threatens Secretary Baker
g s. .s Daniels