JULY 8, 1903.
THE NEBRASKA INDEPENDENT
13
Independent School of Political Economy
PURDY'S BOOK
F. W. Maguire of Chicago has also
contributed a copy of Lawson Purdyjs
"The Burdens of Local Taxation and
Who Bears Them." Bolton Hall's do
nation is now in circulation, and Mr.
Maguire's is ready for anyone who
cares to pay the 5 cents postage. Ask
for it.
KERR'S PUBLICATIONS.
The Director acknowledges receipt
of two of Charles H. Kerr & Co.'s
"Pocket Library!' series "The King
dom of God and Socialism," by Rev.
Robert M. Webster; and "Easy Les
sons in Socialism," by William
Leffigwell. These little booklets are
5 cents each and may be had of the
publishers, Charles H. Kerr & Co., 56
Fifth ave., Chicago, 111.
Joseph Chamberlain's recent sugges
tion of a new taxation scheme, which
Is generally felt in parliamentary cir
cles to mean a turning away from the
free trade policy to which Great Brit
ain had adhered for over half a cen
tury, has made him even more promi
nently the foremost figure in British
political life. Of particular interesjt in
this connection Is the estimate of Mr.
Chamberlain by the veteran statesman,
Justin McCarthy, in his recently pub
lished book, "British .Political Por
traits." It is easy to see that Mr. Mc
Carthy is by no means an admirer of
"Pushful Joe," as he calls him, and
that he is unable to reconcile his sud
den conversion from the radical ranks
tc the most pronounced toryism with
belief In his sincerity.
LITERARY NOTE.
The Macmillan Company will pub
lish within a few weeks a volume on
American Railways. This is a re
print, considerably amplified, of a ser
ies of articles that have appeared in
the London Times from the pen o
their special commissioner, Mr. Edwin
A. Pratt. The Times sent Mr. Pratt
to this country to make an investiga
tion of the subject of our railroads,
The volume, which runs to a little
over three hundred pages, is likely
to have some Importance on account
of the author's knowledge of his
theme, and also on account of the spe
cial - advantage a book of this sor
has when written from tlie pen of ;
student who looks upon the subject
from the outside. . x
IS POLITICAL ECONOMY A
SCIENCE.
I believe that political economy wil
become an exact science; but as taught
at present I don't think it deserves
the name; and the principal work of
the Independent School of Politica
Economy should be to make a science
of it.
The old school is simply ridiculous
and although the philosophy of Henry
George is apparently perfect, I think
I can show that it is not what it
seems. It is true that Henry George
has given us a multiplication table
for political economy, but It is also
true that he did not use his own table
to work out the laws of distribution.
In this article I will attempt to
prove that Mr. George laid down the
right rule ta work out the laws of dis
tribution, but did not work them out
according to the rule.
The word "law" has so many differ
ent meanings, that it may be as well
to state the sens 3 in which it is used
when speaking of the laws of distri
bution. Ricardo's Law of Rent states
rnd';r what conditions rent will be
high or low; and George in attempt
ing to aiscover the laws of wages and
irlfrost attempted to discover undir
what conditions wages and interest
wcukl be high, or low, in fact, his pur
pose in writing Progress and Poverty
was to discover under what conditions
w-.ges would be high, and how those
conditions could be brought about
After showing that the laws of dis
tribution had not been discovered by
his predecessors, Mr. George says:
"Let us, then, seek tho true laws of
the distribution of the produce of la
bor into wages, rent and interest. The
proof that we have found them will be
In their correlation that they meet
and relate and mutually bound each
other."
The following extract is Mr. George's
multiplication table for the Iaw3 of
distribution: "The laws of the dis
tribution of wealth are obviously laws
of proportion, and must be so related
to each other that any two being giv
en, the third may, be Inferred. For-to
say that one of the three parts of a
whole is Increased or decreased Is to
fay that one or both of the other narta
Is; reversely, decreased or Increased. If I
Tom, Dick, and Harry are partners
in business the agreement which fixes
the share of one in the profits must
at the same time fix either the separ
ate or the joint shares of the other
two. To fix Tom's share at 40 per
cent is to leave but 60 per cent to be
civided between Dick and Harry. To
fix Dick's share at 40, per cent and
Harry's share at 35 per cent is to fix
Tom's share at 25 per cent
According to this rule we must first
discover under what conditions one of
the partners gets a large or small pro
hportion of the produce. Having made
such discovery we kno"V that what is
left is the joint ' .are of the other
two, and it remains for us to divide
this joint share between these two
that te: to discover under what condi
tions ono of them will receive a large
and the other a small proportion o:
what the first leaves.
But Mr. George does not do this, he
accepts Ricardo's Law of Rent, which
determines the share of the landlord
and learns under what copditions the
joint share of labor and capital wil
be large or small; but he never gets
any farther, he never attempts to dis
cover under what conditions the la
borer gets a large or a small share
of what the landlord leaves. Now this
statement will be a surprise to some
single taxers, but it Is the truth.
What Mr. George does after discov
ering the joint share of labor and cap
ital, is to attempt to discover the law
of interest; not by dividing what the
landlord leaves between the laborer
and capitalist; but by eliminating the
laborer and giving the capitalist al
that the landlord leaves; that is, he
gives all of the joint share to capita
and finds in that case the capitalist's
share depends upon what the landlord
leaves. He adopts the same method to
discover the law of wages, he elimln
ates the capitalist and divides the
whole product between laborer and
landlord, and of course In this case
the laborer gets the joint share which
depends upon what the landlord
leaves, and is net affected by what the
capitalist gets, a3-the capitalist "gets
rothing. No wonder, that Mr. George's
laws of distribution correlate, for they
are just the same thing over and over.
But , Mr. George has probably made
the best attempt to' discover the laws
of distribution.
Is political economy a science?
JAS. S. PATON.
Riverside, Cal.
MONEY.
Through the kindness of James S,
Faton, Riverside, Cal., The Director
is in receipt of . a copy of "Money a3
an Institution of Society," being a
lecture delivered in Christchurch
New Zealand, by William Sievwright
barrister and solicitor, Gisborne
Mr. Sievwright is a student of Alex
ander Del Mar, whom he regards as
certainly the highest living authority
recognized as by far the best in
formed, as well as the ablest and the
rairest-mmded of writers on mon
ey. Mr. bievwright could affiliate
with the people's party here bevond a
doubt, if we may judge by the closing
sentence or ma preface: "Above all
things else, the supplying of money,
that is to say the mean3 for distribut
ing or circulating all kinds, of wealth
throughout the community, should be
a state function, controlled and reg
ulated for the common good, and not
for private gain."
THE AMERICAN FARMER.
Director I. S. P. E.: Receive "Th
American Farmer." As to condition,
it was wonderfully underlined and had
several marginal notes, perfect condi
tion otherwise. I have marW sev
eral passages and have added my in
itials to a few notes.
The book evidently was not writ
ten by a farmer; it a verv rmort
outline and fair enough, too, from the
bianapoim or a socialist and a man
writing of an occupation that he ts
rot perfectly familiar with.
Mr. Simons says that the cHv
ii i . "
me Dest young men and women from
the farms. The farmers say that the
fellow got the big head or irnt lnv
He may make money, but farmers gen
erally do not partake of commercial
ism as plentifully as do the Hrv --
ploiters.
In speaking of the citv vprnna (ha
farm, he says that the former cnna
to the highest development of culture
art, literature and science. Why did
he not add Immorality to the list?
tie narps on the competitive system,
le should study populism, find mn.
nopbly. Nearly every farmer knows
tlaf the 'other fellow" fixes the price
of his surplus as well as his necessity
. . .....
mere is no competition in It.
Mr. Simons falls into the economic
error that "cost of production" fixes
"price." , He says on p. 108, that "the
ordinary farmer hires a man only dur
ing seed time and harvest." He has
studied the bonanza farmer rather
than the ordinary farmer. He says
we find but 14 per cent of the farmers
gain a competency. Yet If 14 per cent
oi farmers gain such under our pres
ent accursed system, he is better off
than any other clas3.
under our system of "dog-eat-dog
Vne rarmer is yet the best off. even i
ho does "worto twelve hours each day
have a modest home, eat plain food
secure a moderate education for
reasonable number of children," etc.
itxe farmer's burden Is weighing
mm down, but the nation will not fal
until the burden is made larger, for
as long as the farmer stands the na
tion will stand.
I hold the book awaiting your fur
tber orders, and suppose I am to mai
It to some other member of the school.
Retain the balance of the deposit
and as soon as I receive "orders." I
will send enough besides for Del Mar's
"History of Monetary Crimes." Long
lire to tne school; and, by the way,
you might post my name as being one
desirous of economical correspondence.
I have already written to Perry D.
nam, Aiwaier, m.
E. W. FERGUSON, Jr.
Hartington, Neb.
THE REMEDY FOR COAL STRIKES
The nation's remedy for the coa
monopoly is to abolish the tariff on
coal (thus introducing foreign comDe
tition), make all highways public and
free (it would be no more necessary
for the public to engage in the car
rying trade on the railways than it is
on the streets and turnpikes, lakes
and rivers, or the high seas) and exact
from the coal barons in taxation the
full rental value of all their coal lands,
1 .11. . 1. t
wneiner wonted or not
Foreign competition cutting down
prices would preclude the possibility
of the coal barons recovering this tax
m increased prices. The tax would
absorb all the present total net prof
its. Consequently, the barons would
be obliged tp disgorge all the" coal
lands which they were not actually
1 t Ji 4 a - -
wuramg. joai miners could co-op
erate, pay the tax on small holdings,
sink shafts and employ themselves.
Their, product would be their wages.
The coal barons would be obliged to
pay as much or let their mines lie
idle.
There are millions of dollars of idle
capital which would be forthcoming
to assist the miners In developing
their lands for a small share of tho
profit Soon the miners would be able
to dispose with borrowed capital. This
13 the proper solution of the mining
troubles. A. FREELAND.
Mt Pleasant, Tenn.
Those readers of The Independent
who are interested in economical bu v.
ng of up-to-date and fashionable drv
goods should write today for the
Spring and Summer Fashions book
just issued by Lincoln's most progres
sive store, The FitGerald Dry Cood
Co. The fashion Took has 60 pages
profusely illustratsd and is sent free
to all who ask for it and mention Tts
ndependent.
ALLIED PEOPLES PARIY
CbalrniHii I'nrkcr Inn Official Cll for
Nalioiml Committee to Mast In
JJ;n ver, July t
The national executive and central
committees of the allied (mid-road)
people's party are hereby called to
mee't at the St. James hotel in Den
ver Colo., on Mcnday; July 27, at 10
o'clock a. m. The purpose of thi3
meeting is to confer with other re
formers as to the future, and above all
the best plans to bring about the com
plete reunion of those who in the
:ast have fought within the ranks of
the people's party. The meeting is
to be one of conciliation and harmony,
and while I know it will be a great
personal sacrifice for the members of
ray committee to attend this meeting
on account of the distance, I think
the opportunity to bring about peace
and unity is worth the hardship im
posed, v
. On behalf of the committee, I cor
dially invite all who are opposed to
the two old parties to meet with us
in informal conference. While this
meeting will have no power to make
any material changes in party organ
ization, there is no doubt that some
definite plan will be heartily agreed
upon on which all elements can un
ite, and restore our grand movement
to its former vigor. The principles
for which the people's party has
stood from the beginning are immor
tal, and are how upheld by the ma-
oniy
jcrity cf the pople. and need
thorough and systematic effort to be
come successful.
Especially do I invite representa
tive men who are tired of the old
parties, but who have not affiliated
with us In the past, as well as thoso
who are so gallantly fighting for so
cialism and other minor parties to fcs
present and see what can be done.
No one will be bound by the action of
this conference further than he may
personally agree at the time.
JO A. PARKER.
Chairman.
Louisville, Ky., July 1, 1903.
(All reform papers please copy.)
GREATLY REDUCED RATES.. ..
via
WABASH RAILROAD & .
. Below is a partial list of the many
half rates offered via the Wabash
Railroad:
$32.10 Atlanta. Ga., aid return; sold
July 5. 6, 7.
$33.75 Boston, Mass., and return;
sold June 30 to July 4.
$32.20 Saratoga, N. Y., and return;
sold July 4, 5.
$21.00 Detroit, Mich. and return;
sold July 14, 15.
$32.25 Baltimore, Md., and return;
sold July 17, 18. ,
$32.25 Baltimore, Md., and return;
sold Sept 17, 18, 19.
All tickets reading oven the Wa
bash are good on steamers in either
direction between Detroit and Buf
falo without extra charge, except
meals and berth's. Long limits and
stop overs allowed. Remember this I
"The World's Fair Line." Go this
route and view the grounds.
For folders and all information ad
dress, . . ,
HARRY E. MOORES, G. A. P. D.,
Omaha, Neb.
ROCK ISLAND SYSTEM
LOW RATE BULLETIN
No need to stay at home THI3
summer. All sorts of low rates are
offered by the Rock Island and, they
apply to all sorts of places. Not
these:
To California, in June, July and
August
To Colorado, In June, July and
August
To Detroit and Boston, in July.
Particularly low are the rates to
Colorado which will be In force early
m July.
Detailed information as to through
car service, cost of tickets, etc., will
be furnished by nearest Rock Island
ticket agent, or by writing
F. H. BARNES,
1045 O st Lincoln, Neb.
MORE CHEAP EXCURSIONS
VIA
On sale July
On sale July
From Omaha
Atlanta. Ga.. $32.10.
5, 6 and 7.
Detroit, Mich., $21.00.
4 and 15.
Baltimore, Md., $32.25. On sale July
7 and 18.
Saratoga Springs, N. Y., $32.20. On
sale July 5 and 6. . .
Buffalo. N. Y., $41.50.
Pittsburg, Pa., $38.45.
Waterloo, la., $11.85.
St Paul, Minn., $12.50.
Minneapolis, Minn., $12.50
Duiuth, Minn., $lC.u0.
Waterville, Minn., i0.50.
Waseca. Minn., $10.50.
Fairbault, Minn., $10.50.
Northfield, Minn., $10.50. .
Clear Lake, la., $10.70.
Spirit Lake, la. (Okoboji), $9.95.
Tickets on sale daily during June,
July, August and September. Good
for return until Oct 31, 1903.
AbovKtes ara For Round Trip Ticketa
Homeseekers' round trip tickets on
sale to points in the north, northwest,
south and soutL"is, on the 1st and
3rd Tuesdays in each month. Also one
way solonist rates to points in the
sduth and southeast on same dates.
Summer tours via Duiuth or , Cht
cago and steamer via the Great Lakes.
Write me about your trip and let
me give you an itinerary, showing
time, connections, cost, etc Sleeping
car and steamer reservations made la
advance.
Corr8Dondenea foliclted and tnfnmf(
efcearfnlfr girt. W. H. BRILL,
Disk Past. At., IU. Cant B. Omaha. Nl
1402 Farnam 8k
