The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-05-25
Misconception Of Equality
Discussed By c. K. Mayer

Charles X. Mayer, president of the
Civic and Commerce Association at
noon day luncheon today spoke be-
for the kiwanis club on the topic
OF "Misconception of Equality" He
stressed the fact that people must
reexalt plain old fashioned work II
they expect their children 10 become
a factor and service TO the commun-
ity in which they live. .
Mr.. Mayors address in part is as
follows:
You men are all no doubt aware
that there exists a great misconcep-
tion OF the equality OF men. So great
is this misunderstanding that ii is
without doubt affecting the welfare
not only of this and other communi-
ties but the very nation itself is
feeling the serious affects of this
fallacy especially as it manifests it.
self In the impairing Of her indus
tries.
"A very interesting fact with re-
gard to national vocational occupa.
tons in this country was brought
out at a convention held recently in
Los Angeles when ii was shown that
there are now thousands fewer
workers engaged in productive pur
suits than IN 1910. This in spite of
the increase In our population. 1t
was also shown. most conclusively,
that few persons are learning voca
tional occupations. rs-- III.
"The full significance of this COM
dition is understood by manufactur-
ers and persons having the Welfare
of the workers and industries Of this
country al. heart. But will the gen
eral public grasp its seriousness be-
fnro ~ Ia fAn late avoid the diSaQ-
tiers which are sure to result II these
conditions are allowed to continue
unchecked? -.
THE general unwillingness OF men
and women 10 apply themselves in
productive pursuits and the ire
sponsibility exhibited in all walks Of
| life which are now so prevalent all
about us are the most serious prob
lens which confront the industrial
life of this nation today.
1.-THE great reduction in the num-
Der Of workers. the shortening OF our
working hours and the apparent dis
inclination TO wor by the greater
number of those who are still on the
lob have been the important factors
in advancing the prices Of most ev-
erything. ..... .-.
Growing Shortage of Labor.
81 leading periodicals of the coun-
try, say that what is worrying man
ufacturers. at the present time is not
the prospective slump in demand for
goods, but the growing shortage OF
labor. All of this will result few
wears hence in our manufacturers
being forced to meet the full force
OF foreign competition. Will we then
be compelled to admit defeat and
surrender TO the producers Of foreign
markets?
"a false conception of equality is,
in my opinion, more responsible for
the serious conditions existing in
productive pursuits at this time than
any other one factor. This miscon-
ception is not a new one. 1t has
been handed down to us from gener-
alton to generation. The full signi-
ficance of the word quality was no
doubt uppermost in the minds of the
FIVE men who drafted the Declaration
Of independence. This is substanti-
ated by the beautiful sentiments so
forcefully expressed ip that sacred
THE contention that one man is
as good as another even though he
be good for nothing does not hold
good, 1t has become the stock phrase
of individuals who lack the ambition
to make the necessary effort to ap.
ply themselves and to give the best
there is in them to some useful and
gainful, occupation. This phrase will
so continue to be used until public
sentiment brings about a change in
our present economic system with
regard to our views toward produc-
tive vocations.
I'VE need to educate the masses
thoy cloar hot
such representation of equality is
erroneous, and that the only way to
equality is by way of personal
achievement that makes men equal.
Equality of opportunity is the only
equality of being that we can recog-
niZe.
I'VE must increase our determine
ton to educate our boys and girls