The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1921-03-25

There is no controversy about the question that these are
perilous times in our country. There is social disorder; there is
business depression and financial distress which is not paral
Conditions Which call for the brains and the constructive con-
servatism of the very best thought of the country.
wealth Of the United States. Money is not ali powerful but it
is too powerful to look for a healthy and satisfied state of pub
lie sentiment when such a u small number of people own and con-
troll sucA a large percent OF it
York, has recently given to the public some startling figures,
and he states that he thinks the time has arrived for the govern
ment to limit the accumulation of private fortunes. We think
M; Klein groups his wealth owners into classes; he states
500, ooo, 900, 100 families each control more than $50, OOc, 900
and that 500 families each control more than $40, 900 600. In
other words, $50 families control more than fifteen billion dol
lars. He states that J. D. Rockefeller is worth So, 900, 0oO, 900
an0 H 1aa 4is wrlla tha ko Sa n r art is " we r s. 900 5000
by II Families with the Rockerfellers far in the lead; that ten
railroads are controlled by l $40 of the stockholders and that
of the stock.
Here are some of the rich families Mr.. Klein names:
Pratt family, $500 ooo, 900; Hardness. s4oo, 900 900; Car
negle, $500, 600, 900; Weyerhauser estate, $500, 600, 900; Astors.
800, 600 900; Vanderbits, $500, oOo, 900; Payne Whitney fami-
600 900; J.. J: Hin estate sioo, ooo, 600; Hetty Greens estate State,
S 4 , o 600; Hartman, 1oo,ooo;ooo Morgans, $3.50,
600; Armour, 800, 100000 Swift, 100, 600, 900; and Goulds,
Which leads the New Orleans Daily States to observe:
These figures are startling. They invite serious thought.
Oov1ouSly there is danger in a social structure under which
wealth. must continue to accumulate in the hands of the few
We marvel almost at some things that are happening, yet
Inc greed ana race for money in the so-caled upper classes, or
among what is termed big business, we must realize is not cal
Gu,ated to Soothe the feelings of the toiler or the small man
"o""Hl Vic III III Is cOHpelleQ by conditions to lie awake of
nights thinking how he is going to pay his debts and care for
his wife and children.
1t is not calculated to put a very good taste in the mouth of
n man OF small means or the daily toiIer to read in congress-
lonal Proceedings that mine owners charged the government for
coal Slo.oo per ton while at the same time the general public
was Delng charged only about So. so per ton. 1t is not calculat-
T 10 put a very good taste in the mind of the man STRUGGLING
ro meet ms Obligations who reads about the Federal Reserve
BANK IN New ork City earning 2O per cent dividends last
year ihese illustrations might be multiplied but this is enough |
Iruiy is TINS a material period. One of the most prominent
one OF the best and most intelligent citizens in Grenada County
agreed TO the statement made a few days ago that a yeritableI
lgnoromuS IN almost any community with a big bank account is
a potential factor and a man of influence.
we DOUBT that there will be any great Improvement in the
soclal order OF the country until we get back to the standards
oe' = ~ loTelathers when honesty and when the duties of
Gltzenshlp and the rearing of a family were placed ahead
of making money. r'"" "'"o
.:., n e whoie country has been living in wild excesses. Those
httle ana many without money, have been irving to keen
steps WIN those regarded as more favored by fate, and the re-
sN is that we nave forgotten that "The excuses or extrava-
e eS"e ESQ ol today are drafts upon our future payable with inter
81 ABOUT every thirty days" and that money is a good servant
y III d dangerous master, a master dangerous to his country"
!, Let us get back to simpler things. Let us think more about
tne nome and our childhood and worship less at the feet Of
those who think and live in millions.
-O-
NO TIME FOR EXTRA PUBLIC EXPENDITURES