Nebraska Newspapers

    THE O'NEILL FRONTIER
D. H. CRONIN. Publisher.
O'NEILLNEBRASKA
A government regulation against gam
bling In foreign money, especially marks
and francs, already lias curbed the prac
tise in Madrid, which amounted to a
craze. Marks fell to 15 pesetas for 100
marks, francs to 55 pesetas per 100 and the
dollar from five pesetas 17 centimes to five
pesetas. It is estimated that upward of
1,000.000.000 marks were bought during the
past few weeks. The decision to arrest
this wild speculation in foreign exchange
■pelis the ruin of many Spaniards. Thous
ands of persons were engaged in the gam
bling from small shop keepers who in
tome cases mortgaged their businesses to
large dealers. When the craze started
marks were as high as 40 pesetas and with
a drop to 15 many fortunes were wiped
•ut
The Interallied military mission to ttie
Baltic state, appointed to deal yitli the
complications caused by the continued
presence of German troops In the Baltic
region, has left Paris for Riga, Brig. Gen.
Sherwood A. Cheney, the American mem
ber of the mission, will accompany it with
Instructions simply to assist in obtaining
the withdrawal of the German troops. He
la instructed not to take a hand in in
ternal politics as the United States does
not desire to interfere In Russian domes
tic affairs.
Copies of the legal evidence for the sur
render of 1,200 Germans, so they may
stand trial'for offenses committed in Bel
gium during the war, have been forward
ed to the peace conference. The indict
ments ore principally tiased upon the exe
cutions of Belgian civilians at Louvain
and other towns, upon the deportation of
Belgian workmen, upon the forced labor
exacted from prisoners of war, upon the
treatment of young men who attempted
to cross the frontier to Join the Belgian
armies and upon Instances of pillage.
The body of Count Dl Cellere, the late
Italian ambassador, will be taken aboard
the presidential yacht Mayflower some
time next Monday for the trip to Newport
News, from where the warship North
Dakota will carry tthe remains to Italy.
An Investigation in all California high
schools, to ascertain if "radical literature
of the bolshevists and I. W. W. type,"
has gained circulation among the students
t» requested by Will C. Wood, state super
intendent.
The central conference of American
rabbis meeting appointed a committee to
confer with various Christian church
bodies on closer cooperation and especially
for the purpose of launching a movement
to provent alleged discrlmlnatin against
Jews in certain social organizations. An
effort is to be made, it was announced
to discourage reported plans of some
Christian churches to convert Jews to
their faith.
Lieut. Col. Theodore Roosevelt refused
to be a candidate for any office in the
American Legion, because of his engage
ment in politics. He leaves Saturday for
the convention in Minneapolis. "It would
bo a calamity for the legion to huve In
any of its officers," Col. Roosevelt said,
"a man actively engaged in partisan poli
tics. No matter how clean the Individual
action might be suspicions and resent
ments would unavoidably arise."
The first international working women’s
longress considered a plan for perma
nent organization, before adjournment, In
Washington. Another international meet
ing will be called within the year, at the
• same time and place as the meeting of the
International labor conference of the
League of Nations. Legislation safe
guarding mothers and babies secured a
majority appreval; It approved legisla
tion prohibiting the employment of women
In Industries in which poisonous materials
were used.
sorry nign scnooi teachers or, Kansas
City, Kan., have applied for a charter
from the American federation of teachers
which is affiliated with the American
Federation of labor. The teachers now
are temporarily organized "to interest
the public In the necessity of Increasing
teachers’ salaries make teacherH more
Independent and to determine working
conditions.”
Five striking coal miners appeared be
fore the United States district court at
Pittsburgh, Pa-, and were refused citizen
ship papers by Judge Charles P. Orr. He
declared that the government had ruled
that the coal strike was Illegal and added
that "you could not faithfully take the
oath of allegiance and remain on strike
under existing circumstances.”
1 The British giant Handley-Page biplane
Atlantic, almost ready to start a nonstop
flight to Chicago, with a cargo of express
packages was held In New York by cus
tom officials pending a ruling from Wash
ington, on the status of the first airplane
tc land In the United States from a for
eign country. Vice Admiral Mark Kerr,
pilot of the British airplane, had violated
customs regulations, it was said.
The leather men of France have made
a proposition assuring the cut of $1 In
shoes. The French Association of Leather
Merchants proposed that M. Loucheur,
minister of reconstruction, hand over the
eommlssalrlat stock of leather, sufficient
for 1,000,000 pairs of shoes. They will sell
this for $8 as equal for what is now sold
at $12.
Voters at the Toledo, Ohio, polls, yester
day voted to cast the street cars from
the streets, by a slight majority. The
Toledo Hallway & Light Company has
operated for several years without fran
chise. Recently fares were Increased to !
cents and city authorities submitted the
ouster question to the voters.
Motion picture directors are at last be
coming enthused over the posibllltles oi
aircraft. California has now. three com
pletely equipped commercial flying fields,
all operated by picture magnates. Cecil
De Mille, the Chaplin brothers and Thom
as Ince have established fields beating
their names. Ince offers $00,000 for the
first Chan to fly to Australia.
The present measures of economic pr-s
•ure on Russia will continue until a demo
cratic government ts established In Russia
which can be recognized by the allies ac
cording to a statement made by the house
of commons today by under seeretaiy for
foreign affairs Harmsworth.
The 12 German delegates to the Inter
national labor conference in Washington
ijtlll hope to reach Washington Cor the
closing sessions. Having been unable to
secure accommodations on a ship sailing
from Germany, the delegates now arc
seeking passage across the Atlantic from
a neutral po|t.
John Wanamaker yesterday was elected
chairman of the executive committee of
the World’s Sunday School Association
to succeed the late H. J. Heinz, of Pitts
burg.
Establishing a record for immunity
from failure, national banks of the United
States have gone through the last £!
months with only one enforced closing,
according to an announcement tonight
by John Skelton Williams, comptroller of
the currency.
Only indoor meetings will be permitted
In Berlin by Minister of De'jnse Nosk.-,
on the occasion of the first anniversary
of the revolution in Berlin, Sunday. In u
restricted zone of the inner city, all meet
ings are forbidden. Herr Noske has balked
every attempt to observe the anniversary
ct tUe licsgia revolution.
1
GOVERNOR INSISTS
ON POUCE PROSE
Believes People of Omaha, of
the State and Himself Have
Right to Know Ac
tual Conditions.
Lincoln, Neb.. Nov. 17.—Governot
McKelvle insists on police probing, in
a letter to Mayor Smith and other
members of the Omaha city council.
He says that this Investigation should
follow the adjournment of the Douglas
county grand Jury that has been in
vestigating the riot of September 28.
He Calls attention to the appointment
of Judge Ralph P. Wilson to conduct
an Investigation for the purpose of
finding out what officers have been
neglectful of their duties, if such is the
case, that the state may satisfy itself
whether it shall take further action.
The council is asked to permit Judge
Wilson to participate in the examina
tion of witnesses and to that end that
he be given space in the city hall.
The governor nays that he feels thut
such an investigation is necessary in
order that the people of Omaha as
well as himself, may be informed
whether the law enforcement officers
of Omaha performed their full duty
during the riot
—4—
HIS BRIDE WAS TOO
ATTRACTIVE FOR HIM
Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 17.—David
Chapman told Judge Morning of the
Lancaster county district court that he
was much put out during their honey
moon trip when he observed his beau
tiful young wife flirting with men at
the railway station and on the train.
He said that he could hardly blame
the men because Betty was one of the
most beautiful girls he had ever met,
but he did think that It was quite un
becoming on the part of his bride. He
had written to his parents over in
Centerville, la., if he could get married,
and they had given their consent. The
newly weds then went to Centerville
to visit the old folks. Then the bride
began to exercise her spells on the
young men of Centerville where she
became something of a sensation, ac
cording to the young husband.
When the couple moved to Lincoln
the bride is alleged to have again ex
ercised her flirting ability and soon
had a devoted band of admirers about
her. David said he stood for her flirt
ing tactics until he found her on a
dancing floor with a student, and the
student had his arms around Mrs.
Chapman. He hit the student on the
nose and took Betty home. After this,
Lincoln palled on Betty. She told him
that she would not live with him even
if he was covered with diamonds. She
Informed him that she was going to
leave him, nnd that her name was not
Goldburg. but Schutt. Then she and
a couple of other girls took a train for
Kansas City and the romance was
ended. Judge Morning granted the
husband a divorce.
—4*—
INCREASED PRODUCTION
IS VITAL NECESSITY
Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 17.—The seventh
annual convention of Nebraska manu
faturers closed after the biggest and
best session in the history of the or
ganization. James A. Kmery, counsel
for the National Association of Manu
facturers and a member of the national
labor conference board, and O. G.
Smith, president of the Farmers' Na
tional congress, were on the program.
In resolutions passed by the Nebras
ka association the vital necessity of
increased production was emphasized.
The open shop was endorsed, the coal
strike condened and strikes, boycotts
and lockout were frowned on. It was
declared that the decrease in the hours
of employment means the Increased
cost of living. The right of employers
and employes to join organizations was
recognized, but the individual freedom
of contract was endorsed. Better
working conditions for employes were
insisted upon. The manufacturers will
meet at Omaha in 1920.
Officers elected for the ensuing year
were president. R. A. Leuser, Omaha;
vice presidents. J. W. Steinhart, Ne
braska City, W. J. Monaghan, Omaha,
Herbert E. Gooch, Lincoln, C. O. Smith,
Exeter; secretary, J. M. Silver, Super
ior, and treasurer, A. G, Scott. Omaha.
USURY CHARGED, MONEY
LONER LOSES INTEREST
Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 17.—C. W. San
ford, a Lincoln money loaner, was de
prived of $5,000 interest on a note by
a supreme court judgment finding it
was usury. It is the first case of the
kind in years. Other opinions filed
are as follows:
Hammond vs. Hammond, Douglis
conuty, affirmed.
Barrett, appellant vs Selden Breck
Co.. Douglas county, affirmed.
Neligli vs. Niernow. appellant. Ante
lope county, affirmed.
Steinberg vs. Skinner Co., appellant.
Dounglas county, judgment reduced to
$2,600.
Fox vs. Fox. Lancaster county, af
firmed.
Seymour vs. Larsen. appellant,
Wheeler county, reversed.
Rngland vs. Omaha Light and Rail
way company, appellant. Douglas
county, affirmed.
Sanford vs. Hawthorne, appellant,
Lancaster county, reversed.
Cose vs. Ben Hur, appellant. Lan
caster county, affirmed.
Janike. appellant vs. Butler county,
affirmed.
Dawcer vs. Myers, appellant. Ar
thur county, affirmed.
Frovincetown. Mass., is the only town
in the United States which boasts still, of
a town crier Provision is made for this
office, established by the pilgrims, in the
town laws. The only salary is that paid
by those who employ the picturesque fig
ure with the jangling bells, to cry their
news over the old town. His rates are $1
to cry down street and $1 to cry up street.
"A return to work by your men in the
•
same spirit in which you recalled tlie
strike order will mean a death blow b
bolshevism in this country and a viiullca
tion of the loyalty of American labor.”
the telegram : aid
I
Young Woman Asks $5,000
Damage For His Refusal to
Keep His Promise to
Marry Her.
Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 16.—Allen K.
Williams, pastor of the Home church,
; Lincoln, is defendant in a $5,000 breach
' of promise suit case brought by Miss
Nevada H. Wilson. The plaintiff says
that they became engaged on the first
of September last, but that later the
defendant came to her and said that
he had prayed over the matter and
that it was the Lord’s will that they
should not wed. Whereupon Miss
Wilson says she began to sit up and
notice things, and now is of the opinion
that the preacher is making the Mas
ter a scapegoat. As a result of her
investigations she she says she found
that Miss Elsie Eichelberger, a young
woman of much charm of face and fig
ure, has come to Lincoln to assist in
evangelistic services at his church,
and that he has becojme vastly enam
ored of her.
Miss Wilson says that she had looked
forward with pleasurable anticipation
to marrying Williams, who is well to
do, young and healthy, and estimates
the damages to her feelings at $5,000,
which Judgment is asked.
STATE MUST PAY PART
OF SUFFRAGE CONTEST COST
Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 16.—Secretary of
State Amsberry will not appeal to the
supreme court from the decision of the
district court of Lancaster county as
sessing the state for half of the $3,300
costs in the suffrage referendum case.
Two years ago the suffragists began
an action to enjoin tho secretary of
state from placing a referendum on
the ballot, claiming the petition was
fraudulent in character. Attorney
General Reed defended for the state
and a group of wealthy Omaha men
and women, a iti-suffragists, inter
vened. The suffragists won after long
litigation, and now tho state and the
intervenors must pay the costs, rep
resenting in most part money the suf
fragists had advanced to investigate
the character of the petitions. Tho
antis compelled the state to spend
most of the money in the special fund
to advertise the referendum that was
never held, and the state cannot now
pay his judgment.
—f
SAYS SOUTH OMAHA
YARDS SELL BAD HAY
Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 16.—James M.
Claflin, a cattleman Of Knox county,
has asked the state railway commis
sion to cite the Union Stockyards Com
pany of Omaha, io appear and show ,
cause why an order should not be is- ^
sued commanding its officials to cease
furnishing rotten hay to cattle men
who patronize that market. Cltsflin says
that on two occasions recently cat
tle that he sent there were fed hay that
was dead when cut and which was so
black and rotted that the cattle lost
weight and their gaunt and shrunken
appearance cost him a lot of money,
that he would have received if the hay
fed them had been good stuff. He
thinks it ought to be at $40 a ton, the
price he paid.
Claflin has sent two sacks of the hay
to the commission as proof of his
claim as to its character.
— +
OMAHA LIBRARIAN NOW
AN AMERICAN CITIZEN
Omaha, Neb., Nov. 16.—Miss Edith
Tobltt, who lias been head of the
Omaha public library for a number of
years, was admitted to American citi
zenship this week by District Judge
Wakeley, presiding over the naturali
zation court in the court house.
Miss Tobitt’s witnesses were Miss
Jessie Royse, 836 North Forty-second
street, and W. J. Connell, attorney,
Blaekstone hotel.
Miss Tobitt stated that the enfran
chisement of women and patriotic
reasons in connection with the war
prompted her to become a citizen of
the United States.
She was born in Hawkhurst, Kent,
England, and came to this country
when she was a child. She has been
in Omaha since 1887.
GOVERNOR WANTS GUARD
REQUIREMENTS CUT DOWN
Lincoln. Neb., Nov. 16.—Governor
McKelvie has written Secretary of
War Baker asking that he reduce the
requirements for national guard com
panies from 100 men to 05. The latter
figure is about the limit of young men
that can be secured in the smaller
cities of the state for membership in
a guard company, and 100 would great
ly reduce the guard. The governor
says that the home guards and the
men subject to riot call are ample to
cope with emergencies, but it is de
sirable to reo.vanize the guard as soon
us possible.
—♦—
OMAHA—All records in the number of
marriage licenses issued in Douglas
county have been broken so far this year,
according to "Cupid” Stubbendorf. To
date. 2.709 licenses have been issued since
January 1, 1919. as against the previous
high record of 2.916 during 1917. In 1918 a
total of 2.427 licenses were issued.
OHD—The board of education of the Ord
city schools has voted a bonus of (h)
per month for the remaining seven
months of the school year, to all grade
teachers. The bonus is conditional on
faithful service during the year and
will be paid at the end of the term.
OMAHA—An unidentified person living
in Homestead addition on the south side,
who poisoned their dog with turpentine,
is held responsible by Mr. and Mrs.
George Galentin. Forty-ninth and W
streets, for the death of their daughter.
Lanora. The child died Wednesday from
hydrophobia contracted when she handled
the dog after its death.
LINCOLN—Miss Lulu Wolford, who for
many years has been in educational cir
cles in Nebraska, has been appointed head
of the state certification department tin
■' r .’—'.tender.: Clett'.r.’.osa,
STATE SATURATED
WI6BLYMEMBERS
Gov. McKelvie’s Letter to County
Attorneys Warns and Urges
Immediate Drastic
Action.
Lincoln, Neb. Nov. 15.—Governor
McKelvie has issued a letter of in
struction to all county attorneys in
the state to immediately cause the ar
rest of all members of the I. W. W.
wherever found in the state. This ac
tion was determined upon after infor
mation had been received indieating
that among the many construction
camps In the state a number of these
workers were employing force to com
pel the other workmen to join the one
big union movement. The governor
came into possession of a bulletin is
sued by the association in this state,
from which these are extracts:
“Stromsburg — Anyone coming this
way should stop off, as sentiment to
ward the X. W. W. is good.”
"York—No use here for the I. W. W.
but a few live men could make this
safe for the order.”
‘‘Oakland—Fifty per cent of work
ers here I. W. W.”
"Craig—Some wobs on the job now.
Ought to get 100 per cent.”
“Norfolk—Some live delegates should
get on the job here and make this safe
for the I. W. W. and show the slaves
better things to eat than dogs and
beans. *
‘‘Scribner—This is a scissors bill out
fit, but a few live men could make it
safe for the one big union.”
Wobblies are reported in this bulle
tin as working on consructlon jobs in
Geneva, Osceola, Fremont. Humphrey,
Madison, St. Edward, Aurelia and Jul
ian in addition to the towns reported.
The Governor’s Letter.
The governor's letter follows:
County Attorneys: Judging by Informa
tion that has come to the attention of
the state, and upon the theory that con
ditions here are not wholly uidike those
in other states, it is reasonable to as
sume that revolutionary radicals are op
erating in Nebraska.
“It is our intention that all such ene
mies of the government shall he appre
hended and dealt with in the most vigor
ous manner that the law provides. Among
these revolutionary forces, the members
of the I. W. W .are no doubt the most
active, and every effort should be made
to apprehend and take into custody the
members of that organization wherever
they may be found.
“There is a great deal of construction
work going on in Nebraska now, both in
the conduct of public and private Im
provements, and you will, no doubt, be
surprised to know how many members
of the I. W. W. are scattered throughout
the construction - camps and among the
industrial workers in this state. These
men are with us for the specific purpose
of carrying on the propaganda of 1. W.
Wism., which is revolutionary industtrial
unionism and embraces forceful opposi
tion to the law.
“I, therefore, request that you feel it
at once incumbent upon your office to
take cognizance of this situation and take
into custody any member of the I. W.
W who may be found within your juris
diction, Such ones will be prosecuted un
der the state law which relates to crim
inal syndicalism.
“I am Informed by the attorney general
that fie is prepared to co-operate with
you to the fullest extent in making such
prosecutions. Also, the state law enforce
ment division is at your disposal in tak
ing such ones into custody. I urge your
earnest and promtp attention to this mat
ter and trust you will not delay in seek
ing assistance from the state whenever
you feel that your own forces are inade
quate to handle the situation.
DRAWING OF IRRIGATED
LANDS EARLY NEXT YEAR
Gering, Neb., Nov. la—The first gov
ernment land drawing within the limits
of the Gering and Fort Laramie irri
gation project is slated to occur early
in 1920. AH the legal descriptions and
necessary information has been for
warded to Washington by the project
engineers, and the date and rules of
the drawing will be promulgated at the
earliest possible date.
This land will be parceled oul in
tracts of not more than SO acres, and
all is under irrigation from the first
unit of the Gering and Fort Laramie
canal on the south side of the North
Platte river. It is presumed that thc
usual homestead rules will prevail in
every respect save that Ihe holders of
the lucky numbers will have to pay
down not less than 5 per cent of the ap
praised value of the land and assume
the purchase price of the perpetual
water right from the government. This
purchase price, however, will he dis
tributed over a period of 20 years with
out interest on the deferred payments.
It is not definitely known what this
water right will cost per acre, but it
will be somewhere in the neighborhood
of $75 an acre. All the land in ques
tion lies in the Goshen Hole of Wy
oming. just across the line from Ne
braska. Irrigated land of similar
quality on the south side of the river
and wholly unimproved, is selling at
from $250 to $350 an acre.
FARMERS PROPOSE TO
BUILD ROAD THEMSELVES
Lincoln, Neb. Nov. 15.^-Farmers liv
ing in Chase and Dundy counties have
raised a pot of $600,000. and have
asked the state railway commission
to use it in building a 35--mile railroad
connecting Benkleman, Dundy county,
on the Burlington, with Champion,
Chase county. They say they have
vainly tried to get the Burlington to
build the line, which taps a rich wheat
country, and now are determined to
build one themselves.
They propose establishing both
freight and passenger service, one train
each way a day, an/1 have a novel plan
of financing. Instead of selling bonds
to build the road and give common
stock as a bonus, they propose to issue
stock to the amount of $600,000, and
bonds of the same amount, and then
retire the bonds as fast as they can
from the surplus earnings, leaving the
stock as the basis of issue
BEET GROWER*S GIVEN
OVER $3,000,000
Gering. Neb.. Nov. 15.— Tuesday was
the second "beet check" day in the
North Platte valley, and the Great
Western Sugar Company paid out over
$.3000.000 to beet raisers in tlte terri
tory of the company’s three factories
at Gering. Bayard and Scottsbiuff.
The beet crop in tlie valley this year
will put about $5,500,000 in the pockets
of the beet raisers. 90 per cent of whom
live in Scottsbiuff an 1 Morril’ coco
j Training Little Children \
" ' ■ ' .i J
Every Mother Can Learn to Tell a Story—She Can Als*
Play Games With Her Children and Supply Them
With Good Music and Books.
Suggestions by mothers who hire been ktndergnrtners. Issued by the United States Bnreaa
ForUeth "s'treet.'n*w Turk”' D' °" ,lld the NaUonal Kindergarten Association. 8 West
•BY MRS. ONA B. KRTITER
Kindergarten methods, whether
begun by the mother In her own
home, as should be the case in the
home of the right kind, or by the trained
teacher in school, are of inestimable
value to the child, for character build
ing is always made their principal
aim and object.
Perhaps mothers may not have been
trained in kindergarten methods, but
at least they can learn how to tell
a story. Anyone can read a story but
telling one is much more effective and
much more enjoyable to the child.
Every mother should learn how to tell
a story. Use your own words and
choose simple and forceful ones. A
bare plot is interesting to the tiny
child, but many details should be sup
plied for the older boy and girl; they
love them. Use direct discourse when
possible. Be enthusiastic. Be drap
matic. After the story is finished,
talk it over freely with the children.
Choose some stories which teach kind
ness to animals and some which give
training in morals or good habits, but
never point the moral. Let the story
bear its own message.
A taste for the best literature is of
ten formed in early childhood through
a wise choice of stories. This is also
true of music. The songs and music
used in the kindergarten are always
carefully selected by the kindergart
ner, and should be just as carefully se
lected for the home by mothers. Al
low your children to hear only the
best. There is plenty of good, simple
music now published, simple enough
for children to enjoy and good enough
to lead into a love of true music.
Besides story-telling and music,
there are also pictures. Those which
interest the child most show action
and movement. Pictures are helpful
because they develop the imagination
and arouse creative faculties. Care
should be taken as to the subject mat
ter of the pictures. They are teach*
ers and comrades when rightly un
derstood.
Although my son is only fourteen
months old, he enjoys his picture
book much more if a little story la
told about the pictures.
Games also aid in the great work of
character-building. They help to de
velop self-expression and originality
and can also be used to teach help
fulness toward others. Through
games children may be led to discover
the evil effects of self-will and the
good resulting from self-control.
But again we say, “Do not moralize.
Let the game make its own impres
sion.” t
Play a story with your child. See
how attentive he will be and what
powers of self-expression he possesses.
Childhood Is the time of "make be
lieve and let’s pretend” and play means
more than anything else to a child.
If only more mothers would learn this!
Some mothers can, in a degree, give
the training that is necessary for llt-i
tie children. But how much better lt|
is, If possible, to have the help of a
trained kindergarten teacher. She
has the proper materials to work with. I
Then, too, in a kindergarten, the child
mingles with other emldren of his own
.ge. These experiences with his equals
are of special benefit to him. A child
will not learn many needed lessons byi
merely being told to, but he soon learns,
them through contact with others,
who have the same needs and wants
as himself.
Mme. Montessori says, "In every
child, I see a possible Christ.” No per
son, besides a mother, realizes this as
much as the good kindergartner. <—
Please pass this article on to a
friend and thus help Uncle Sam reach
all the mothers of the country.
f ■ ■ - ------ - ..
j A Wages and Capital Debate, j
From National City Bank Bulletin.
The National City Bank of New York, New York City, N. Y., June 18, 1919.—
dear Sirs: Your issue enclosed "Economic Conditions," etc., under date “New York,
June, 1919,” on page 14 states that In 1914 “the amount of capital in manufacturing
within the United States amounted • * • tor each person employed to • * •
$2,848.” This when discussing labor conditions.
Has it never occurred to you that the “production cost” of the person employed
Is capital used in the business; this to the same extent as is capital investel in tho
business plant; and that the use of that capital is an absolute essential to the
business?
If this be conceded, is it not reasonably certain that employes have contributed to,
used in, the business of manufacturing a larger amount of capital than have those
whose moneys have provided the industrial plants? That is, is it not reasonably
certain that the average "production cost” of the tmploye has been in excess of
$2,848?
*•••*•••• ••
I would be very much pleased if your ideas in this connection shall be expressed
in your next issue and a copy mailed to me. Youfs truly,
24 California St., San Francisco, Cal. George W. Towle.
The value of an individual in a given occupation Is not related to his V
production cost, but to his ability and willingness to produce goods or services. \
Nobody ever hires a man on the basis of what his father has expended on him. \
Capital in like manner is rewarded upon the basis of service rendered, xy
as we see by the fact that some investments pay more than others and many \
are unprofitable. x
We fear that our correspondent above missed the point of the statement
relative to the increasing use of capital in industry, which called forth his
letter. The census report shows that in 1899 the amount of capital employed
In manufacturing was $1,770 to each person employed, while 15 years later, in
1914, the amount of capital so employed was $2,880 to each person employed.
What was the effect of this increased investment of capital? It put more ^
effective equipment at the service of labor, increasing the output, besides
having the effect in many eases of reducing the amount of hard manual toil.
Moreover, the money wages of wage earners increased. The census table
shows that in the five year from 1899 to 1904, the number of wage earners in
manufacturing establishments increased 16 per cent and the total wage
payments increased 30 per cent; in the five years, 1904-1909, number of
wage earners increased 21 per cent and wage payments increased 31 per cent;
in the period of 1909-1914, number of wage earners increased 6.4 per cent, and
total wage payments increased 19 per cent. These figures and all other indus
trial reports are so uniform and consistent that they demonstrate the workings
of economic law.
We give the table from the official census report again, as it cannot be
published too often, showing as it conclusively does the increase of production
and the steady distribution of benefits to the wage earning class from the
investment of capital in industry. We would repeat that the figures for 1914
over 1909 are doubtless affected by the demoralization of industry in five
months of 1914, resulting from the outbreak of the war. The first effect of
the war was to cause much unemployment.
,-Percentage of Increase
1904 over 1909 over 1914 over
1899 1904 1909
Capital employed . 41.2 45.4 23.7
Primary horsepower . 33.6 38.5 20.7
Wage earners, average number . 16.0 21.0 6.4
Total wage payments. 30.0 31.0 19.0
Value of products . 29.7 39.7 17.3
Increase added by manufacture . 30.3 35.7 15.8
Tho Economic Law.
These figures furnish proof of what the leading economists have always
asserted, viz; that the profits of capital which are left in industry, or returned
to industry for its development, inure to the benefit of wage earners and con
sumers. increasing the demand for labor and the distribution of products to tho
latter. Nothing inures to the capitalist personally except the earnings which he
withdraws from business and spends upon himself. The unusual profits, the
profits which excite antagonism, and are denounced as “profiteering” as a rule
go back into industry for its development. It is true that in instances they may
be unfairly obtained, but when they are used in industrial development the
public has offsetting benefits. Nothing justifies injustice, but the natural
economic law has its own way of correcting injustice. It doesn't always take
care of individuals, but it takes care of society. The surplus profits of capital
and excess earnings of individuals when invested in production for the public
market become public capital, devoted to the common welfare as truly as
though paid into the public treasury.
The sum of it all is that labor, or to put it differently, the ma^of
consumers, is the residuary legatee of all surplus wealth above what tho ric
actually consume. The consumption of the rich is an insignificant share of tha
total production.
The Great Opportunity.
By John D. Rockefeller, jr.
The parties to industry are four in num
ber: they are capital, management, labor
and the community. Never was there
such an opportunity as exists today for
the industrial leader with clear vision and
broad sympathy permanently- to bridge
the chasm that is daily gaping wider be
tween t lie parties to Industry, and to
establish a solid foundation for industrial
prosperity, social improvement and na
tional solidarity. Future generations will
rise up and call those men blessed who
have the courage of their convictions a
proper appreciation of the value of
human life as contrasted with material
gain, and who, imbibed with the spirit of
brotherhood, will lay hold of the great
opportunity for leadership which is open
to them today. Upon the heads of those
leaders—it matters not to which of the
lour pai ties they belong—who refuse to
reorganize their industrial households in
the light of the modern spirit will rest the
responsibility for such radical anti drastic
men: i res as may. later be forced upon
industry if the highest interests of ali are
not shortly considered and health with in
a spirit of fairm ss. Who, I say, dares to
block the wheels of progress and to let
par:? the present opportunity of helping to
usher in a new era of industrial peace and
prosperity ?
--- -—
air penal service is to \c inaugur
ated between Tokyo and Osaka.
4k
A New Function. 8
From the Boston Transcript. j
“John, I simply must have another
“Fcr what occasion?” I
“The new cook is coming tomorrow and £
i I have nothing decent to receive her in.” ^B
Histrionic or Historic? H
From Lcndon Tit-Bits. U
I Little Girl (to film actress)—My father «
says he often saw you act on the stage ^B
' before you went into pictures. ^B
| Excited Actress—What did he say h# H
, had seen me in? IB
Little Girl—The ’80s.
Hard on Good Clothes. V ^B
From London Answers. \ ^B
The “pictures” were a great novelty ir» AMgBB
Slowville: any traveling outfit was sura
of crowded houses.
1j..* cut ly old Mrs. Brown v oided to her
I ’ and's | -r.-ra - *•:• **. und paid her first fig
\ jy,t to the (buna. She put cm her Sun-|H
da> bonnet and cloak in honor of th»Bfl^^BBB
[great event pr Bl
.\ they *nteie«l. a thrilling cowboy filmBHw tj”
being in which eattla^^BW H
[land hors-.s w* re well mixed. jl IB
Mrs. Brown gripped her husband ner-BBpf M
[ vousiy by the arm. |H
• Bill.” she whispered frantically, BB
•.going straight out. Just look at t’ne dust
' i .• i a <’ «-ows is raisin’! My B |P*
| clothes will be ruined!” , __. ^ J| y * ^