The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-04-07
Liberal Viewpoint
BY DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

Editors Note-This is the first of two articles by
Harry Elmer Barnes PhD., based H. G. Wells
famous novel; "TonO- Bungay." 1t becomes of inter-
est in the light of the current debate the pure
food and drugs bill ponents that measure
make it clear that the bill is not aimed at Iegt-
mate proprietary remedies, but is intended
strain quackery
TT has surprised me greatly that no publisher
l. has been enterprising enough to promote H. G.
| Wells greatest novel, "Tono- Bungay." The new
pure food and drug act and the insult flight
have made it a perfect natural" for a new lease
/ of life and increased popularity.
The novel is built around the amassing Of q
! great fortune through the successful marketing
of a worthless patent medicine. All the frauds
| and fakes which Mr. TugWeI and others are
| aiming to curb today admirably illustrated
! in this work of quarter of a century ago. And
| in the end, Edward Ponderevo, who made great
| fortune in SWindling the poor and the hopeful
had to flee from England to die abroad in dis
| grace.
The novel is so cogent in our present situa-
ton that it will be worth while to present some
of the more striking passages which expose the
INSCRIPTIONS character of those who aim to get,
fat upon the credulity Of the simple minded, the
invalids and the hypochondriacs.
First we see Edward Ponderevo trying to in
duce his conscientious nephew George to come
with him and handle the publicity for "Tono-
Bungay," the fake remedy, which Ponderevo is
| ready to market.
A TER explaining the enterprise and adj
L hitting the worthless character of the bilge
as a medical remedy Edward asks his nephew
for his reaction to his proposition to join him
and get rich quick:
WELL George' he said, quite happily I'M
conscious of my silent criticism, what do you
think of it alp?
well I said, in the first place-its a
damned swindler
Tut! Tut' said my uncle It's as straight
aS-ItS fair trading
so much the worse for trading I said
" It's the sort Of thing everybody does After
all, there's no harm in the stuff-and it may do
good 1t might do a lot of good-giving people
confidence, fr instance, against epidemic.
See? Why not? don't see where your swindle
comes in.
HIM, I said. It's thing you either see or
don't see
I'D like to know what sort of trading isn't
swindle in its way. Everybody who does
large advertised trade is selling something COM
mon on the strength of saying it's uncommon
Look at Chickson-they made him a baronet
Look at Lord Radmore, who did it on lying about
the alkaH in soap: Rippin ads those were of his
too
"'You don't mean to say you think doing this
stuff up in bottles and swearing it's the quntes-
sence of strength and making poor devils buy it
at that is Straight?
why not, George? How do we know it
mayn't be the quntessence to them so far as
they're concerned?'
"Ohr said, and shrugged my shoulder.
"|TNHERES faith. You put faith in em .
Il grant our labels are a bit emphatic.
No good setting people against the medicine.
Tell me solitary trade nowadays that hasn't to
be-emphatic. It's the modern way! Everybody
understand it-everybody allows for it.
" But the world would be no worse and rather
better, if all this stuff of yours was run down a
conduit into the Thames.
Don't see that, George, at all. 'Mong other
things, all our people would be out of work. In
not quite SO good find for the world Peru
Wan bark but the point is George-it makes
trade.
And the world lives on trade. Commerce!
romantic exchange of commodities and prop
erty Romance. Imagination. See? You must
look at these things in broad light. Look at
the woodland forget the trees! And hang it.
George We got to do these things. There's no
way unless you do. What do you mean to do
anyhow
There's ways of living said, without
either fraud or lying
You're a bit stiff George. There's no fraud
in this affair, I'll bet my hat. But what do you
propose to do? Go as a chemist to some one
who is running business, and draw a salary
without share like I offer you. Much sense in
that! 1t comes out of the swindle-as you call
it-just the same
Some business are straight and quiet, any,
how; supply sound article that is really needed
don't shout advertisement
No George. There you're behind the times
The last Of that sort was sold up bout i've years
ago"