WEALTH UNDER CONTROL.

NZ Truth, Issue 570, 20 May 1916, Page 8

WEALTH UNDER CONTROL.

♦ ■ - ■ 9 ' '■' ' ■ • - -■■■. ■ Dear 'Truth,"— No less eminent a newspaper than the Chicago "Tribune" advocates straight out that great fortunes should be brought under controlIt said m a recent issue: ."Every suggestion of sound* finance ;>yrges that great fortunes be brought Under control. They represent a monopoly of opportunity, and although they may be directed toward the accomplishment of "tremendous results for humanity, they may also be xised to, restrict the rightful chance of the ordinary American to make his way toward a competence and comfort. This is no longer the land of grand and inviting opportunity. The doors of adventure are closing, if not closed. We know that 'resources are not lying on the surface of unexplored territory for the explorer to find, them. They are wrapped, estimated, and accounted for. The problem is one of equitable distribution. Many, if not all, of the great fortunes represent accomplishment m the old time of adventure, discovery, and exploitation. Consider the estate of Astor, now! a British baron— an estate for which he did not work, a value made for him by the millions of Americans who do work. His right to become an expatriate \?e Americans, who built a nation upon the desire of men to leave their native country, cannot deny, although we may hold his motive m detestation. His right to draw upon the resources of this land unlimitedly we can deny and his privilege we can restrict." ;Wheh wealthy, influential' newspapers write like this it gives one some hope of an ultimate improvement m economic conditions. — Yours, etc., H.M. Wellington. *