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, Ph.D. 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 Proponents of that
make it clear that the bill is not aimed at legiti
mate proprietary remedies. but is intended to
strain qUackery.
TT has surprised me greatly that no publisher
Il has been enterprising enough to promote H. c.
Wells greatest novel, "Tono- Bungay" The new
pure food and drug act and the insult flight
have made it perfect natural" for new lease
of life and Increased popularity
The novel is built around the amaSsing of a
great fortune through the successful marketing
of worthless patent medicine. All the frauds
and fakes which Mr. Tugwell 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
unScrupulous 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
uniting 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-it's
damned swindler
"'Tut! TutI said my uncle. It's as straight
aS-It's fair tradng!'
$50 much the worse for trading said.
ats the sort of thing everybody does. After
all, there's no harm in the stuff-and it may do
good. 1t might do lot of good-giving people
confidence, FIR instance against epidemic.
See? Why not? I don't see where your swindle
comes in
HIN, I said. It's a thing you either see or
don't see'
"'Id like to know what sort of trading isn't
a 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 baronet.
Look at Lord Radnore, who did it on lying about
the alkaH in soap: Rippn 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 quinteS-
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 quintessence to them so far as
they're concerned?'
'Oh! said, and shrugged my shoulder
"|TNHERE'S faith You put faith in EN- :.
l. I 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 wayI 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 NIong other
things, all our people would be out of work I'm
Employed I grant you Tono-B ungay may be
not quite so good find for the world as 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 a 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 I said, without
either fraud or lying
You're 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 a business and draw 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."