The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-02
BIG INCOMES.

The end of the war and disappoint-
ment over the continued existence of
high prices .have given rise to a re-
newed attack upon big business"
Much Of the Misunderstanding of in
dustrial conditions is due to the ex-
aggeration of inequalities in incomes.
The real differences in the incomes of
individuals are not properly shown by
the figures.
Charlie Chaplin, the moving picture
actor. is said to have an income of
over 81 100000 per year. Whatever it
may be 1t is given up to him volun-
tarily and eheerfully by the public in
exchange for what he has to give. It
is difficult to see why anybody should
find fault with the arrangement and
nobody apparently is trying to take il
away from him.
But money is only a means Of get
ting something else, and it would be
great mistake to conclude that the
movie star gets 1000 times as much
OF the comforts and good things of
life as any man whose income is 81, 900
per year. The statement in terms of
money does not give a correct meas
urement of actual distribution. Prob
ably only a small part of the movie
stars income is spent upon himself,
the most of it going into investments.
which is not consumption or appropri-
alton TO private use. All devoted to
investments is returned TO the public
for its use indefinitely
Henry Ford's case is the most won
derful example of fortune-making. 1t
illustrates the whole process of aceu-
mutation and distribution. No banker,
Spectator, merchant, mine owner or
other individual in any occupation ever
made money so rapidly as Mr.. Ford.
but what percentage of II has he per-
sonally absorbed in an exclusive sense,
| by withdrawing 1t from the common
fund of wealth. To what extent has
the common supply OF food. clothing.
house-room, coal. railway service.
amusements recreation, reading mat
ter. educational facilities, medical
services been drawn upon by Mr.. Ford
for his personal use and pleasure =?
How much more OF these has he had
than the average OF his employees? To
what extent have his wants interfered
with the supply available for others =?
One view of Mr.. Ford's career. look
ing only at the figures OF his personal
income, would regard him a leech
upon society. but instead of that he
has been a great benefactor. What he
has withdrawn from the common fund
is nothing compared with what he has
contributed to 1t, and that is true of all
men who accumulate fortunes in hon
est business. The ability to organize
Industry and to contribute new ideas
to production is the greatest agency
for the Improvement OF general condi-
lions.
How much faster would society
move forward. and how much better
would II be for the average man, II
whenever a man with the genius for
the direction of industry showed his
head above the mass - surplus earn
ings should be forthwith taken from
him. either by clean sweep or gradu-
ated taxation?
John d. Rockefeller is credited with
having accumulated the largest for
tune Of any man in America. But
what does Mr.. Rockefeller get out OF
It more than does a man possessing
one-hundredth part of his wealth ?
But out OF that fortune the world is
getting mu h more than it does out OF
the smaller one, Thru the foundation
which the oil king has endowed work
fcr the hapafft ~ humanity, f~ hafro
prosecuted all over the world and its
contributions to war relief were in ex-
cess of 100000