The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-08-07
M. E.TracySays:

MOST Of our social and political ills can be
1V1 traced to an extravagant faith in money.
We have trained ourselves to believe in buying
power not only as it affects the physical neces-
sites of life but as means to insure cultural
advantages We have come to a point where
we imagine that most everything can be bought
and that the only requisite to a fulfillment Of
ambition is to have the price.
1t goes without saying that a reasonable
amount Of money is Indispensable that We have
developed an industrial system which calls for
certain amount OF cash. that the family which
does not have an income OF $500 or $4,000 a
year is actually denied the ordinary comforts
and conveniences of civilization. That, however,
does not fathom the pernicious philosophy which
has grown up around money
The predominating thought especially in
these United States, is that the possession of
money represents the most important thing ir
life and that it is perfectly proper to rate men
by the amount of cash they command AS a
general proposition. the man with million is
regarded as far better of than the man with
half a million. while the man with a hundred
million is rated Al.
TINE dollar has come to be a well nigh uni
Il versal standard of value From a medium
OF exchange it has grown into social and
moral yardstick. The man who can produce
dollars in sufficient number usually is excused
from disclosing how he got them or from an
swering such breaches OF the moral code as his
methods may have involved.
1t has become very difficult thing to convict
milionaires. to subject them TO a system Of JUS
tice which we find it easy to apply 10 others.
1t has become even more difficult TO regulate
their practices, habits and attitudes.
Fines represent little hardship for the man
with money. He can afford to drive by red
light if it costs only SO or SIS. or even to
commit more serious offenses under a system Of
laws in which the employment OF smart at
torney is almost guarantee of immunity.
YOUNG people do not need TO be taught the
Il power of money. They see it exemplifed
every day in the week see their rich companions
get away with things that would make trouble
for their poor companions. They need no tutor
to tell them the important part money has
come TO play in determining the consequences
OF good or bad activities.
Even against their better instincts. they
come TO believe that it doesn't make much diff
ference how they get money as long as they
get il. In spite of the finer ideals which con-
scientious parents and instructors seem TO i'm
part. boys and girls are almost forced 70 the
conclusion that the pay job brings is more
important than the job itself and that success
is a matter OF reward rather than achievement
Such a conception makes il easy for the gang
10 get recruits for the crooked politician 10 OBJ
tain henchmen. for the CRATER TO soothe h:-
conscience. for the business man TO justify IN
fair practices.
We need TO resurrect the self-evident truth
that some things can not be bought that non
esty. ambition, courage and even the ability 10
do things only are obtainable through self-effort
and that while they pay in the long run, they
frequently do not promise such quick returns
as crookedness. fraud and deceit.