Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-14

dpNSo anu CdplLdllSClC CONSIDERATIONS
have been formed which in spirit, If
not in letter, have contravened one or
more Of the ANTITRUST laws. The peo-
pie are dazzled with the almost astro-
nomical figures employed in measuring
the wealth Of individuals derived from
monopoliStic organizations and of con-
solidated companies which have been
formed. The revolt against trusts seems
to have subsidized, or at least the voice
OF opposition has been paralyzed. Gil
gantic mergers in nearly every line OF
business are increasing, and are de-
tended upon economic grounds: and
billions Of capital are being maSSed to
secure the control Of banks, trust COM
panieS, industrial and business plants
and organizations. The small corpora
ton and the man Of limited means
are absorbed or destroyed by the ad-
vancing hosts Of big business which
leaves behind the mangled remains Of
thousands of individuals who have been
crushed beneath this modern Jugger-
maui. It is claimed by some that these
great consultations contribute to the
centraliSing OF political and govern
mental authority. II the wealth of the
country Is controlled by few. the po-
litical power of the many will be weak
ened, and the National Government
will increase its authority thus affecting
the citadelS of democracy and local
Self.government.
Mr.. Andrea Siegfried. in his recent
book, America Becomes OF Age" sub
nits observations which challenge at
tention. He refers to the use Of ma
chinery or Standardization, and to our
intensified division and organization OF
labor resulting in "Super-collectiv
which he declares is a grave risk for the
individual" The integrity Of the in
dividual is seriously threatened, not
only as q producer, but as consumer
rs well. He refers to the fact that
American workmen may have house.
a bath and o car, and he fears that
these are obtained at tragic price
no less than the transformation OF mil
lions of workmen into automatons." He
calls attention to some forms OF Amer1-
can industry which result In the stand
ardization of the workman himself, so
that artisanship has no place in the
New World, and that its disappearance
there has diSSipated certain concep-
tons of mankind which Europeans con-
slider the very basis Of civilization" He
declares that Ito express his own per-
Sonality through his creative efforts Is
the ambition Of every Frenchman, but
it Is incompatible with mass produc-
ton" He further states that 81"
once It is admitted that their concep-
ton of society Is materialiStic in spite
Of the idealiSm Of its leaders, 1t is only
logical that the doctrine Of efficiency
should become the central idea OF the
country. Today in America no SAcrtfice
is too great to be endured for this sa-
cred principle. There is no possible es-
cape Big profits overShadow liberty in
, all its forms, and the exercise OF intel
lisence is encouraged only II 1t f1tS in
with this common aim. Any one who
turns aside to dabble in research or
dilettantism is regarded as almost men
tally perverted. Hence q growing tend
ency to reduce all virtues to the prl-
rnordial ideal Of conformity An
important transformation of society re-
suits from this concentration Of energy
on the one supreme object Of mass pro-
duction. The individual, having become
q means rather than an end, accepts
his role OF cog in the immense machine
without giving q passing thought to the
effect on his personality. Religion, also
enrolled in the movement, exalts pro-
duction as an ideal akin to the mysti-
CiSm Of life and Of human progress. the
ideal of service" Sanctifies this col
liberation and It's superb material re-
wards. Caught between the atrophied
individual and the overdisciplined COM
munity, the family hndS its field OF &C
ton greatly restricted; for in the eyes
of the apostles Of efficiency the family
is regarded as barrier impeding the
current"
Mr.. Siegfried refers to the tendency
Of American society to adopt an as
pect of practical collectiveneSs which
is Subtly undermining the liberty OF In
dividuals and restricting his outlook to
such an extent that without so much as
reRretting or realizing 1t he himself as
sents to his own abnegation."
The views of this acute critic may
be extreme and perhaps inaccurate.
Undoubtedly they viii be resented by
many Americans. l submit, noWevel'
that our industrial and economic S1tua-
ton Is infiuencing-if not determining
our political views and shaping our
roliticaI institutions. The sources con-
trolling trade, commerce, business, IN
dustrial and economic conditions, direct
and drive the thoughts OF the people
into naterialistic channels. 1t Is con-
ceded by some that more and more
our lives are influenced by capitalistic
views at the expense Of those noble
ideals and principles Of democracy
that exist only when the true spirit
of democracy prevails in political, So
cial and industrial activities.
There are those who contend that
the great consultations Of wealth which
are taking place in the United States,
and the development Of an economic
system which seeks the greatest possible
production, though individualiSm IS
destroyed, will, If continued, overthrow
democracy and destroy initiative and
independence, and produce condition
of mental, il not moral, inertia that will
lead to a modified feudal system.
Great Changes Conceded.
That profound economic and indus
trial changes are taking place in the
United States is conceded by all. What
the consequences will be 1t Is difhcult
to determine. 1t is. apparent though
that we have come to parting OF
the ways. A new economic period
has come. It may be called the me
chanical era" or the age Of CONSOLE
dations and trusts" The progress ana
development Of our country have been
attributed, and justly so, to the superb
qualities possessed by the American peo-
pie lin part the product Of our DEM
ocFatic institutions), to their courage,
independence and initiative, and to the
competitive opportunities afforded them
in the various fields of human endeavor.
The rural communities, the farms and
small cities and towns, have contributed
men of genius and ability who have
added to the strength and wealth OF
the States. as well as the National
Government. This policy which has
advanced our Nation to the em!nence
which it enjoys is now challenged:
and II we are to believe the financial
prophets and powerful business repre-
sentativeS, it is to be discarded and
CONTEMPORARY cast upon the scrap
heap.
Perhaps this is inevitable. The rail-
roads, which were at one time denied
opportunity to consolidate If they were
competitive, are now to be forced into
huge consultations. Mr.. Ford declares
that all power companies should be
consolidated and merged and brought