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About The independent. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907 | View Entire Issue (July 30, 1903)
JULY 30, 1903. THE NEBRASKA INDEPENDENT U i i i i 5 I r it ! 1 III! ; r - : . r Independent School of Political Economy THE LAWS OP DISTRIBUTION. ! The teachers of the old school of po litical economy sought to discover three laws for the distribution of wealth between the three factors of production land, labor, and capital. They did not keep the three factors separate, and their laws of distribution are unrelated. Henry George, after showing that the laws of distribution are laws of proportion and should correlate, says: "But between the laWS of the distribu tion of wealth as laid down in the standard works, there is no such rela tion. If wo fisn them out and bring them together, we find them to be as follows: Wages are determined by the ratio between the amount of capi tal devoted to the payment and sub sistence of labor and the number of laborers seeking employment. Kent is determined by the margin of cultiva tion;, all lands yielding as rent that part of their produce which exceeds what an equal application of labor and capital could procure from the poorest land in use. Interest is de termined by the equation between the demands of borrowers and the supply of capital offered by lenders. Or, if we take what is given as -the law of profits, it is determined by wages, falling as wages rise and rising as w97ps fall: or. to use the phrase of Mill, by the cost of labor to the capi talist. "The brinsing together of these cur rpnt statements of the laws of the dis tribution of wealth shows at a glance that they lack the relation to each otn both high in new countries, and both fall together as population increases; but wages do not fall because interest falls, but because rent rises. Labor and capital are both scarce in new countries and land is plentiful, conse quently almost all the product is di vided between labor and capital. As the country settles up, labor and capi tal both become plentiful while land becomes scarce, rent Increases, and although more wealth is produced, af ter the landlord receives his share there is less to divide between labor and capital than formerly. Wage3 faii with the increase of rent in spite of the fall in interest, and not owing to the fall in interest Again, inter est and wages may both be higher in good times than in bad, as more wealth is produced, consequently, there is more to be divided. Now, I think that I have done something towards making political economy a science. If I have blun dered I should like to have my mis takes pointed out; and hope that my blunder may put someone to thinking who can solve the problem. JAS. S. PATON. Riverside, Cal. POMP AND SHOW. Editor Independent: The writer is seriously thinkins of one whose younger days of life and opportunities for getting an education has been limited. At the age of forty-eight years, is it not too late in life to try to start even in learning political economv? Those who at that aee are that tney iacK tne remuuu - - -- - - - cr which the true laws of distribution observing can learn out of the large must have" nature, especially human na- ' In The "independent foe July 2 I ture, a great many things; and the pointed out Mr. George's mistake in wmer s not wholly deficient in that working out the laws of distribution; line. . and in this article I will attempt to But whatever our desires andwants ehow that although all have blundered are, they should not ead us beyond more or less, still all have been part- our means of getting them. And the lv riehf and I will go a step farther writer does not expect to get many than Henry George; and show, that books, but whatever he does get, if the laws of distribution not only thv are not much use to himself, they correlate, but that they may be stated will do some good to those whom he i dtiH leaves behind. You will understand as one law, viz; me iaw ui auyyij iuj.ii. . i demand covering of a book, as well as Landlord, laborer, and capitalist, a human being is not as its outside each tries to get as large a portion of appearance indicates, but its true worth inside. tne product as possiuie. wucu jo. -- - --- Is scarce, rent is high, and tne share If all of those good people who get of the landlord is the largest, wnat j ".f "J the laborer can retain as wages de- to teach the people how to die and nends not only upon "what the land- blessings hereafter retain, should give lord leaves," as Mr. George states, but some more attention to the duties of also upon the scarcity of capital as our lives to live and try to bring stated by other writers. Competition forward books of economy on good Is always one-sided, and it is always and honest government, we as parents the parties who represent the factor would have far more to be thankful that is most abundant who compete, for We who are observing and know When there are more laborers than that the tendency of our times is for landlords and capitalists can employ, show and glitter and is getting hold the unemployed compete for what 0J,thePfPle and the Places W0J" work there is and wages fall; when ship. It brings many a pang to think conditions are reversed, employers ng parents, who in their humble con compete for laborers and wages rise; djtion of life and means cannot sup In that case even socialists could hard- P the yearn ngs of those wives and ly object to competition. children who like to make a good ap t j : ru.Q turo 5D tint pearance in the procession. And he enough suitable land offered for use cannot help but think there are many intelligent rich and well-to-do neonle ouirements of laborers. It may be who cannot help having feelings of cither naturally or artificially scarce. Pity and disgust for those poor who The same is true or capital ana Doin "j" -"c says: "If the state owns all the means of production, then the state must have the power to assign to each one his or her occupation and place." There is just a little truth in this statement, the same as exists m a of the nation's "ublic operations to day; and there is" no scarcity of appli cants for every place Uncle Sam has to offer. If the industrial republic should lack applicants for objectionable positions of labor, an increase of 20 per cent or 30 per cent in wages or the same ratio in decrease of the per diem, hours of labor, would bring plenty of applicants for any and all kinds of positions. We take the broad and practical ground that "where there's a will there's a way." There are no hard and fast rules relating to the details of modern socialism; there is but one, "must," in all its cunculum: "All productive wealth must belong to the people and be operated for the benefit of all the people." It cannot be expected there will be no friction, for we are all finite and human. Socialists are not ignorant of hu man nature any more than their op ponents, but human nature presents many phases of moral attainment. There are tribes who think it honor able to steal, and to kill their fellow creatures for culinary purposes; we have advanced somewhat above these ideas, although we kill thousands an nually, Indirectly, for the same pur pose. Socialists wish to create an en vironment wherein a much higher ad vance will be possible, and the man will be placed above the dollar" in an objective and practical sense, and uot as now in vaporous theories, ana senseless platitudes. So long as capl talism is allowed to exploit human en ergy, the "dollar will be auove tne man" and all childish prattle to the contrary is chaff thrown in the eyes of the Deoole. and a stall and prop to those who are now carrying on the machinery of human slavery with all its sequence of poverty and crime. B. F. FRENCH Bis bee, Ariz. ..THE.. linnnln Rnnr Rfill. VVVI IIIUUIII An Indestructible bell having bnt two working parts, and Is an entirely new and original invention lately patented. We make the only bell without spring or cog wheel in its mechanism, and when properly attached will last as long as the house itselt, and is an ornament to the best of houses. No battery to renew and no clock works to wind, kong Is & inches in diameter and is finished in nickel or bronze; door plates finished in either old or antique copper. Lacb bell fur nished with 8-in connecting rod to be cut re quired length for door-jam or wall, ileus sent prepaid to any part of United States or Canada at following prices: Complete bell with plain door plate. $1.25 Get An Education There is nothing so valuable to a young man or woman as a good busi ness education. I have a scnoiarsnip for sale at a bargain, good for a full course in one of the best business col leges in the country a splendid op portunity to secure a good education at a small expense. Address J. ru Farris, 1452 O st, Lincoln, Neb. C. L. Nixon, Capitola, Cal.: I think people generally are better satisfied with a little hell than to have things better; but they may get too much before the end. This beautiful land of California is a land of millionaires. Thev nearly join farms all the way from Los Angeles to San Francisco and the people seem satisfied. The motto thev hang in the best room o their hearts is "God bless our home and the republican party." f'nmniotohiii with lr?c oraa- 41 Cft wiupiviv v.. ' J , I 1 14 mented, embossed center aoorpiaie v iww Money refunded if not satisfied. LINCOLN BELL CO,, Lincoln, Neb. INVESTMENTS IN SOUTHERN LANDS QMAli iniimAnti ITA Tint ftnACTll fttlYft. Thtt J ULU Mil T I. W bUJ V M WW w w uv w - " , mi Ii im rk m nav rnnntrv. Market &Da, fclilD- f.AilUtA. ATA a Harm at find first-class. Th climate is mild and favorable. Notwithstand ing these and other advantages, southern lands are selling for prices far below their real value, and at present prices net large reinrns ou wi investment, ror a rree set oi circulars, to 10, inelosive, concerning the possibilities of lands in Kentucky, West Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana, on and near the Illinois Central Railroad, for homeseekers and investors, ad dress the undersigned. W. H. BRILL, District Y assenger Agent, usaana, ioo. THE TILLER'S LAriENT A tiller of the soil, T Hacrjv and free, you say; Without a care or trouble to vex A workman with his own way. A toiler who knows no boss; With naught but team and plow To hold his interest; for he ne'er need know If the country progresses, or how. It is enough for him to learn Nice Agriculture lore, And let hard problems of the state Rest with the "learned more." A tiller of the earth Whose price by the wise is made; Who buys Trust Goods at enormous rates. And sells his own by the Board of Trade. Conciliation and Harmony. Editor Indenendent: I feel sorry for the cause for which we are striv ing that you have been so unwise as to rjuDiisn at. tnis time a communica- at j.:h t r-- - - - - - - i its, a unci i am, tion like that headed,' Is Parker a B t wh must t feed Fraud," on page 4, June 10. It is cer- with011t fair Dlay. the neonle of Earta liiimy ui-umeu lu say uie least aim x From my 0f harvested Seed? om cure T-Innri'i Ttrrvnl f! ho TxrilllTlf I tn nav liberallv for iust such work as T toil. T rlii?. I crovel. x - o t 7 j- . m . 1 . Ml I M 1. pnTnTniin. canons or rnis cnaracter wiiiirrn rn a npnnv mv own: ? rr harmnnv Ti1 A TNJATrTjT I rnmn in -V AJ V Ji JV VA- UIV ( - 1 I 1.41 Chairman Maryland State Committee, In disposing the crops that are sown? feomes rarty. 1 m. muiie 523 North Paca st, Neligh, Neb. (The Independent has never had any may be scarce at the same time, or V"5' . ' 16 see , . wiye! business dealings with Mark flanna 3 one may be scarce while the other is fJ children dress neatly and m good and h doeg not know the exact ij.nif,.i. h,, if ta tmnncsihip fnr the taste and be comfortable; but to starve n o. vrot-b- .t three factors to be plentiful or scarce uur mmub irom we reai auues 01 nie, L,in pay liberally for." The only at the same time; for, if laborers are to feed a trait for dress and show , to Which eVcr shaken The In- scarce it must be either because there Re an appearance as good, or pet- dependent's belief that Jo Parker is a is more good land, or more capital man our neign Dors, is degrading frau(J of the first water is the fact than they can use. tot ony to onef'ut the coming that Geo H ghibl seems t0 re. The law of distribution may be generations. And if those public and considerable faith in Parker's Stated thus: " I'P eers wno nave so many inteerltv. There can be no "concilia- The distribution of wealth between u cAyiCOo ao w uuw The date at which your sub- dt scription has expired or will expire is printed plainly with & the address on the wrapper of the paper each week. It is sufficient notice to all readers j of The Independent as to the condition of their account Ex- j9 amine the date on the wrap- 3 TQl 1 T UrO Blinn I V rT 1 T" . 1 f 1 1 1 X 1111 I I 1 1 1 ' " their surroundings indicate, think is scarcest taking the largest; and that fre 'or 3ustice would Im? AaTIth smallest sharA. Delhi, N. Y. XT A i J.V. J.nJ.Mw.nnJ. 0 oo on fafta9 tt W. E. Moore, Blossom, Tex.: There a onn uui niv11 i.r vvii.ii n. i 1.111. .uv. strengthen Parker and It ought to. Ed. Ind.) Joseph Sinton, 419 El Paso st, Colo rado Springs. Colo.r The hundred copies Henry George Edition came to hand in due time and are being used harmonize with all the facts? It vv. uoure, possum iex.. inere - G. Aldrlch. Arborville. Neb.: nrVu, L,. TL!":,,' r ZZ is in perfect harmony with Ricardo's we a mnuon voiers mat nave aooui c ,t do without The Independent. I wnere i mm iuB, w. uu im Law of Rent. It is in harmony with osi nope or euner xne oemocrauc or haye been a constant reader ever since gooa. the old idea that "wages depend npon tCL ZS '- the first copy was sent out. Keep up the ratio between the number of la- 5r:j" iT'rr. ,. your hammering-you will often hit a W . r v i i. eovernment out of the control of rnr-1 . " T.. .. " M. 13. Kiaaen. Leign, ixeD.: u Mr. iorerTand the lnt of capital de porations. I think Secretary Edgerton jammering-you win ouen niL a had been man enough to joIn borers and the amount of capital ae iv e mullet head. nnnn1ista lnstead of beine such a borers and the amount of capital de-1 Ss-i Zi. t L ., , 5 " mullet head, voted to their employment;" and rec- Jid the right thing in calling a con- mu n onciles that theory to Mr. ueorges ;"u" fcUVJU iC theory that "wages depend on we BU, 1U"U"' margin of cultivation, falling as it falls and rishur as it rises." It shows Antwort Fntrlfiharrl t licit iiiaLcau JL iuc i. v mwnvo "o i I . . . . Tt. . t nnfnTnTltif thp whole trutn in- niuitor muepeuueui; i oeg me jjj .v,.., j - , -"77 , antagonistic, tne wuuie uutu m : Uo tivn Tho TndPnpniPTit frrnn taLc nawpp-n (Kas.i Blade, asks an IiiHpo thorn both lavur ui ct uiaii eyciue in yuur cui- 1 1' ij.v, ..v- VA 0 . It is not in harmony with Mr. umns in answer to the objections of first issue and cannot do without it. exchange, which The Independent is u is not iu ndiiuuuy witu i L tti ti. ,iii t am a true Donulist: was always Had to make. He says: "We are St rfsf anrSi to W .hould nn- Jopuli.t, and are i d In the fu t nni nrmose the enemv with a bold tnre of the nrinciples. interest cannot De increased wimum jtua m 1 - - - - - Increasing wages; nor wages lowered m-ciatuio "souu '"" " . . . . . .. i. i n..i u I TirTi?fi Tin ovI.oTitlv Anna Tint raail I ?itBout depressms wr.i. . ,,r; T)r. John Cochran. Teoimseh. Neb.: Sr "GSteSlSSi1"1 R-, and piacS Ttn Plea,e credit n,e with ,1 in favor of . ntr0t r ppnerallv. Paper, proceeds to burn It up. lie me oest paper m iu uutieu owiw. T. B. Brace. Mt. Grove. Mo.: The Independent is the best educator I have ever read. the noDulists instead of being such a strong partisan, there would have been a great people s party today. He killed the populists and also the dem ocratsboth are dead. John" E. Cook, editor and publisher .T TI. Osborn. Hopkins, Mo.: I live In Iowa, and Iowa will go republican seventeen years after the republican party Is extinct