Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-03-17
THE PUBLIC WELFARE

Times like these are of some ben
efit-in that they make us think. 1t
is said, and undoubtedly true, that we
think better with an empty stomach.
1t is we'll for all of us to have tried
some ups and downs, to get better
and truer realization of life. But it
is not we'll to be I'm want, to lack
food and clothing. That causes bit
terness which does not make for bet
ter citizenship.
Farmers and workers have much
in common. but it is the old game to
keep them divided, keep them quar-
reling amongst themselves, and thus
let the big fellow get away with the
lions share The farmers and work
erS constitute the great bulk of our
population, they are the producers
who make their living from the
sweat of the brow, and when they
work together can accomplish much
for the general public welfare.
The argument is used that when
farmers get big price for their prod
ucts the laborers have to pay more
for it in the cities, and when the
laborers in the cities get big wages
the farmers have to pay more for
manufactured articles, machinery,
building material, etc. How much
difference does it make in the price
the city labOrer pays for potatoes
whether the farmer gets 25c. soc or
75c for a bushel of potatoes? The
handling charges, freight, comm IS
sion. and selling expenses are about
the same whether the farmer gets a
small, moderate, or good price. And
vice versa with the machinery. Tar
iff. combines, and monopoly play a
bigger part in the price of machinery
to the farmer than does the wages Of
the labOrer in the cities.
The farmers and workers have
much in common. They constitute the
masses. 1t should be only natural
that the one would like to see the
other do well. They should unite in
preventing the building up of ever
increasing fortunes, adding to the list
OF millionaires. 1t is a fOregOne con-
clusiOn that when some folks have
ever so much more than they need
others will have less than they need.
And what good are all those millions
Of dollars to some people? 1t may not
hurt the man who has built or is
building up the fortune. He is kept
busy doing it. But often it is a detri-
ment to his sons and daughters, and
the grandchildren sometimes go en-
tirely to pieces in the midst of all the
luxury. In the meantime others,
often more deserving, are i'm need.
Some folks are more ambitious than
others, they are interested, have
initiative and work hard, and it is
we'll to recognize ability and thrift
Such folks are entitled to good COM
pensation but the monopolizing of
wealth is of no good to them, and
especially not their descendants, as
pointed out. An old saying is that
there are only three generations from
wealth to shirt sleeves.
Money is power. And too much
wealth in the hands of the few makes
them too powerful i'm the selection of
and other public men of influence.
When a man has money it is much
easier to make money.
The best remedies against piling up
wealth in the hands of the few are
the income tax, inheritance, gift and
estate taxes. That will make for less
taxes to the people of smaller in
comes and if the big industrialist does
not like to pay so much in income
taxes in order to avoid it will pay
higher wages which gets the money
into circulation. 1t will give buying
power to the masses and that is what
is needed to get the wheels of indus
try going. Those speaking in behalf
of wealth will argue that we must be
careful and not tax the wealthy sc
much that it will remove personal
initiative, the desire to go ahead, ag
greSsiveness. rugged individualism
and all those other good virtues 81
far we are a long ways from havin,
reached that point and the tear.
spilled on that score are of the croco
die variety. They are not the pain
full tears. Anyway men of ability will
always enjoy keen competition and tn,
satisfaction of going ahead ever
though they do not pile up the mil
lions.