The New York herald., 1921-09-11


A SKIING an author whether or not he
~ really means what be writes is a
delicate task calling for a rare
show of tact and minute discretion. But
now and then it must be done, especially
when the subject matter drifts from the
beaten trail and into fields that have hith-
erto been regarded as the pet hunting
grounds of industrially prominent persons
who need the exercise
Thomas A. Edison can scott at the school
system calling it harsh names in several
languages, and the educators come to their
own sturdy defence; Henry Ford can get
the boys out Of the trenches by Christmas,
and no one really cares, but when fic-
ton writer turns prophet he must be at
tended to promptly.
So when it was announced that Owen
Johnson, writer who has previously COM
mitted nothing more violent than a search
ing survey of schoolboy life, with a brief
whirl at the daring flapper had christened
his latest novel The Wasted Generation"
something had to be done about it, Some
one had to see Mr.. Johnson And at this
exciting turn of affairs we were rushed
into the game
After an informal conference, followed
by formal interview, we are inclined to
the belief that Mr.. Johnson has not reached
down in the bag and pulled out title that
he thought might have a popular appeal.
Not alone does the book belle this intent,
but the author is quite ready to back up
his fictional challenge to American man
hood with his confirmed personal opinion.
When a character sets down the words:
I'VE see the failure of our generation-its
failure to rise to its opportunities and re-
sponsibilities, its consequent weakening
and approaching impotence and the inevi-
table surging up from beneath Of another
more virile force" it is actually owen
Johnson speaking
Qualities the Wastage,
But Only in Minor Way
Mr.. Johnson believes that the generation
qualify this for general circulation.
Il am not saying that the whole gener-
alton is wasted" he explained "Of course,
that is not true. But the generation of the
class that has power and opportunity has
failed to carry on. The sons of the men
who have accumulated wealth and attained
enviable positions of leadership are not
assuming their responsibilities.
"The old American strain is gradually
losing it's heritage and yielding before an
other that has not been long in this coun-
try. The natural process is to have a
strong, invigorating strain coming up from
the bottom. Certainly the self-made man
is the strength of America, but the weak
ness is that the sons, with all the advan-
tages of wealth, education and friendships,
do not utilize their opportunities.
"To my mind, the greatest problem
which we are facing to-day is whether the
future of America is going to be In the
hands of the descendants Of America or
passed on to German-Americans, Russians
and others who have been here but a short
time
THE problems to-day are so tremendous
that they should almost arouse the instinct
OF self-preservation. II the moneyed classes
are going to be turned over to sons who
have never known the battle of life, who
take no II terest in political institutions
then will come radicalism and socialism. /.
IL they do not realize that wealth means
responsibility, they are going to be swept
away"
Here Mr. Johnson paused, intense in his
subject, yet unwilling to assume the
preachers role. He was ready to talk
about something else IL we wished. But
we asked him to go on.
BlameS Educational System
And Colleges Mostly
AS ! see It," he continued, the great
defect lies in our educational system. |
do think that education falls down IL It
cannot carry on developed type. Instead
Of turning out men inspired to be leaders,
our American universities take the sons
of euccegsful men and etffle any intereSt