Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-05-31
PARASITES
BV H. AddingtOn Bruce

y
TT ABITUAL criminals are social parasites.
II So are tramps, hoboes and perpetual
idlers at street corners. With this
you will readily agree. One and ALL they con-
form to the definition of parasitism in being
carried along by society without rendering
adequate return for value received
But do not make the mistake of taking it
for granted that social parasites are to be
found only among unpleasant folk on the Or
der of habitual criminals, tramps, hoboes,
and corner loafers
In higher social circles exist parasites fully
as parasitical these. Nay the higher para
sites are even more parasitical. For crimi-
nails, tramps, hoboes, and corner loafers on
occasion do contribute something through
honest labor, if only under the compulsion Of
stern necessity.
But these other parasites labor not at all,
contribute nothing to the social well-being,
| claiming exemption because of fat bank &C
counts mostly handed down to them by
worthier progenitors. And, oddly enough,
the mere fact that they do not have to labor
sets them glorying in their parasitism, as
though it were a token of superiority.
The pity e. it is that thep are too generally
confirmed in this pernieious notion by the at
titude taken toward them by those who do
work.
In their favorite loafing places - club
lounges or card rooms, summer and winter
resorts, opera foyers and other places of fash
ionable assembly-the higher parasites are
listened to deferentially, pointed out admir-
ngly Let them register at hotel, the best
rooms, the best places in the dining halls are
made available for them. Their entrance
into a store is signal for the disregarding
of better people.
Year in and year out their lives are feast
of adu1ation. No wonder they strut and
vaunt and puff themselves No wonder their
feeble half-brains are turned until they
imagine themselves men and women of the
utmost consequence.
Actually they are persons of not the slight
est consequence whatever-mere cumberers
Of our good old world. They belong in the
same category the frowsy ne'er-do-wells
whom they regard with supercilious contempt
'Those lazy, useless good-for+nothings
should be made to work. is their indignant
affirmation. What about themselves, every
whit as lazy and useless, if more genteel?
Surely in these days of world stress and
world need it is time for universal recogni-
ton of the arasitical nature of such gilded
nerts. Surely it is time to administer to
them the best possible medicine for their par
ticular type of parasitis-the medicine of So
cial ostracism.
Their possession of wealth may make it
out of the question to force them to labor, as
every one should labor, for the common good.
1t is not out of the question to shame them
into useful effort.
Instead of fatterng them, workers should
hold them in righteous scorn. Instead of flock
ing about them, workers should leave them
as much as possible to themselves. Contin-
ual1y they should be made to feel that their
lives and their attitude to life are despicable.
That is the one logical course for all work.
ers to adopt as regards pauper and well-to-do
drones alike. Until it is adopted parastism
must remain the crushing burden it most as
suredly is today.
copyright, 1921, by The Associated News
papers)