The Honorable Thomas Vivian first started the Wealth Producing and
Distributing Society when but a young man, and though he is only middle
aged now, he is more honored than any other man in the country. Hundreds
have formed societies as he did, still all looked up to him as their
head and superior. The latter he objected to, for he claimed that every
locality should place their best managers at the head and then conduct
the business so that those who excelled could have the credit of their
own ability.
It only takes four or five years to show what kind of people are at the
head of any enterprise, then after each separate colony has proved its
standing, it should be recognized by the older branches, always in
business and honors also. It had been proved a wonderful incentive to
the good morals and honesty of the society, to confer titles and whole
neighborhoods were known by their prevailing sentiments, even if they
were peculiar regarding their ideas. If one branch found that another
was not truthful and honest as a whole society, they declined to do
business with them, or look upon their titled members as their equals,
therefore all aimed to be worthy of the highest honors, each in their
own locality.
It gave women a better title than Miss or Mrs., for marriages were not
always a mark of honor in those days. Then, besides, women did not lose
their identity as they did before in marriage. It was considered that
titles were a step higher for them. Each man and woman was known by
their own merits and if the names were changed it was a combination of
both names, or they kept their own; or if they wished to keep the old
custom it was no one’s business. Still the wife was the Hon. Mary, etc.
No society could regulate these things, but all right-living people
lived so as to be an honor to the cause, continually keeping the
greatest good to the largest number in view.
Again we find the Vivian family assembled to honor their mother’s
birthday. The grand-children with their husbands and wives make up a
good-sized crowd by themselves, but they cannot outdo their parents’
enthusiasm in making this the happiest birthday the mother and
grandmother has had in years, and here we leave them to enjoy the fruit
of their labors.
THE END OF FIRST STORY.
THE WEALTH PRODUCING AND DISTRIBUTING SOCIETY.
We, the members of this society, consider life, liberty, and happiness
sacred beyond all other earthly considerations.
Therefore we protect life, we liberate human beings from the bondage
that money holds over them, we make it possible for them to secure homes
and a pension that never can be taken away from them as long as they
live.
In securing this much for them we believe that we are laying the
foundation for their happiness.
Each member, as they sign their names promising to keep the laws and
rules of the society, must remember that they are binding themselves to
protect the life, liberty and happiness of all members. As the society
holds all wealth in trust for the members its laws are enforced to
protect their interests.
Each member is expected to know the value of wealth in comparison with
money. They must recognize that money is only a medium of exchange and
that the shares of the society represent their wealth earned by labor,
and that the society is the only source in which labor can be protected
sufficiently to ensure homes and a pension.
In joining the society all must agree to the following rules and
regulations and in no wise can any become members without doing so:
I hereby promise to keep all rules laid down by the wealth producing and
wealth distributing society.
In using the society’s property in the pursuance of labor or pleasure,
its waterways or conveyances, or anything in connection with said
society, I promise to protect it from law suits or any other unnecessary
expense or trouble. I take my own risk as to accidents and will in no
wise injure the said society by appealing to the law of the country.
I hereby agree to take the society’s shares, scrip, produce, or other
commodities in exchange for my labor or money expended in shares, and
will in no case exact coin from said society.
I hereby take oath that all money I place with the society is legally
mine.
I also agree to give up to the society my shares either bought with
money or labor in case of any law suit brought against me. I do this to
protect said society.
I agree to abide by the decision of the officers in charge of the
society in all cases of disagreement.
I promise that I will not employ those outside of the society to perform
any labor for me if I can find what I need in the society and that
whenever possible I will buy from the members of the society.
Any member breaking these rules also agrees to forfeit all claim on said
society. Members may sell their shares to other members, but cannot
withdraw them from the society, because each share represents the
strength in the society’s structure, in the same way as the bricks in
the wall of a building. If bricks were taken out of the building it
would soon fall. The same with the shares; they must remain intact
because the money and labor that these shares represent was used to
build the members’ home, to ensure employment and a pension when too old
to labor.
Each member pays $1.00 per year for general expenses, then agrees to buy
at least one permanent share each year at $12.00 per share. Permanent
shares represent all buildings on the land belonging to the Colony as
well as improvements. When a member has sufficient permanent shares to
entitle him to live in an apartment building or hotel he is exempt from
paying taxes or rent, and when he has sufficient consumable shares to
justify the society in awarding him a pension he will be independent for
life.
All money and labor is invested in permanent shares to buy materials, to
build factories, hotels, apartment houses, land or machinery that will
be permanent, fruit trees, etc. Members who had homes of their own could
buy sufficient consumable shares to ensure them an income. Then as many
permanent shares as would be required to allow them to live in an
apartment house. It wouldn’t exempt them from paying the regular $1.00
per year for general expenses except in cases where the whole amount had
been paid to insure them an income for life.
Scrip was issued with the consent of the officers in charge and only
issued to the amount of their security. The signature of the president,
secretary and cashier was necessary to make it legal.
It was issued for the purpose of exchange among members. It paid for any
kind of labor done for the society, the president having power to issue
sufficient to satisfy the demand of its members.
One benefit of scrip is that it cannot be stolen nor can it be issued by
any one except those appointed by the society and it must be for value
received.
As nearly all members lived in the city and were paid in coin for their
labor in the beginning of the Colony, money was as plentiful as scrip
and could always be exchanged. This society having its central Colony
within thirty miles of the city, made it easier to exchange either its
scrip or produce. The city members had money to buy either shares or
produce. The manager of the Colony having the land secured by the
membership fee each year could secure all labor by issuing scrip. He
could buy from the farmers in large quantities at wholesale the first
year or until he was able to grow the food that the members needed; he
could then sell to them in exchange for the scrip he issued for their
labor, at retail market prices if he employed them. If he sold to the
city members they would have money to pay; this money he could use to
buy from outside dealers such articles as the Colony could not produce
at first.
Special apartments were used for the aged. They were quiet and restful.
No children were allowed in the buildings. There were several parlors
where they could meet each other when socially inclined, but their own
rooms were private. In the beginning of the society some of these old
people contributed the best of their furniture towards fitting up these
parlors. The society bought them, allowing their value to go on their
shares, besides they contributed their tables and chairs for the dining
room. Elevators were used on all the floors so as to make it easy for
them to go up and down. Separate sections were used for lone men and
women. The men’s parlors were fitted up so they could smoke or rest,
read, or talk and make themselves comfortable in their own way, only men
were allowed in them. The women’s apartments were separated from the
men’s by those used by the aged married couples, the married people
using those situated in the center.
As the buildings were built the length of the street, this was an easy
matter. The public dining room was all in one, but each family or group
of friends used tables by themselves. Their own homes and freedom to
live as they wished was the object the majority had in view.
In some instances young married people also used apartments in these
buildings if they had no children.
One large public parlor for both men and women was on the lower floor
and was used at first for entertainments. All the parlors were furnished
with good, comfortable chairs, rugs, pictures, draperies, etc., not
necessarily new, but in as good order. The main object being to have
them homelike and cozy.
The society was able to reach a larger number by practicing these
economies and it helped these old members to dispose of their things
when they first joined the society. Five hundred dollars enabled one
person to secure one room and a small pension for life after they were
sixty-five years of age with all privileges allowed in the apartment
buildings. This did not include their board, but gave them more freedom
in their choice of food and besides they could use the scrip issued for
clothing or any purpose. They could cook their own food if they wished
or buy it already cooked.
As the aged had no social homes provided for them the society found it
could supply that difficulty by accepting members over 65 years of age
for not less than $300. This amount would allow them one room, heat,
light and their laundry done, or where two occupied one room it was $500
for their lifetime. This included their board. They were expected to
find their own furniture, bedding, etc., and attend to their own rooms
and wait upon themselves unless they were ill. After their demise if any
means was left it went to the society.
Five hundred dollars was the lowest sum accepted where a pension was
granted, and that only secured a small room. One thousand dollars
secured a larger and better room and a larger pension. The age of the
person made a difference also and these figures are only given to
indicate possibilities that would suit all kinds of people. The
apartments were also arranged so that the people could be classified.
They could change their apartments if they wished also. This low amount
is stated to encourage those of small means and help all to secure
homes.
The society’s apartment hotels were built to accommodate not only
wealthy people but those of refinement, who had only a small amount of
money. Small rooms could be found in all the buildings as well as large.
They were built in different localities to suit the habits and tastes of
all. The main idea being to secure the people against fraud and robbery
by the failing of so many insurance companies, banks, and mortgages or
where their savings had been placed, and to secure all from poverty,
from the infant to the aged person.
Men and women who had been accustomed to give a percentage of their
wages each week in times of strikes, found that it was as easy to pay
the same amount into the society for shares, for the money that secured
shares was not lost even though the depositor failed to keep it up. It
was safer than in a bank also and drew a better interest even than if it
was on a mortgage. The small amount accepted (twenty-five cents per
week) brought it within the reach of all industrious people. The
advantage of free burial in case of death, besides their being able to
sell the whole amount of shares in case of sickness, or disaster, was
appreciated. The money so invested could not be lost to the depositor,
because it was either invested in land, buildings, or other valuable
properties that secured it. Never before in history had the people’s
savings been so perfectly secured to them; no matter how large or small
the amount. People gave up their life insurances and when they lived in
the Colony even their fire insurance, because the society was sufficient
assurance for everything connected with their lives. Those who were
saving money to buy homes invested it in permanent shares because the
shares earned for them $1.20 each year, per share, which amounted to
$6.00 each single share in five years. In this way two shares bought one
more in five years with its interest alone. (As it had to stand five
years before being added to the principal it did not earn compound
interest.) Those who wished to secure homes within a limited time and
whose income was small could do so with less money than in any other
way. For they could secure shares entitling them to use one room or as
many as they could afford. Inexpensive apartment houses were built first
so as to meet the demand of the majority who would be employed. The
members lived in the apartments and paid rent for them when they
couldn’t pay for them in shares; but if they lived there five years that
rent was allowed on the shares.
Apartment houses were built instead of cottages, for many reasons. They
were cooler in summer, and could be heated better and with less expense
in winter. They also afforded protection to lone women, as night and day
watchmen kept guard in the halls.
Some apartments had small kitchens so as to meet the demands of all the
people, but many used the public ones, for each could have their own
stoves, etc., and the persons in charge kept them clean. The majority,
however, bought their food already cooked or left their orders each day
with the cooks in charge. All apartments had large windows and porches.
They were built the length of the street, the streets being shorter than
usual, so as to make the gates that opened into the houses on the ground
floor convenient to go through with the steam wagons or automobiles.
This track was used to bring everything into the building, the main
doors being kept in better order by this method. The kitchens and
dining-rooms were on the lower floor or basement as they were called and
were on one side of the track, the other side being used for store
rooms. This arrangement kept everything unsightly (such as many back
dooryards are) from the gaze of the curious and enabled the apartment
windows to face the street with its flowers and trees on each side in
summer.
They were built facing east and west, so that all occupying them could
benefit by the sun’s rays and yet be protected from the intense heat in
summer from the south side, or from the severe cold in winter on the
north side.
The public parlors and library were at the end of each upper floor. The
inexpensive apartment houses were built not only to last for ages but to
give comfortable homes to its inmates. They were built plainly but of
material that gave them a superior appearance. As the society owned the
buildings, the members could secure better apartments as they increased
their shares, or as soon as a better grade was built. Apartment hotels
were built in modern style to accommodate those of large means and who
wished to secure their money by investing it in the society’s shares.
Money so invested proved to be absolutely safe besides returning a
better interest, and whether a small amount or large it came to the
member (without any annoyance or delay) either weekly, monthly or
quarterly.
All members had to be truthful and honest in their dealings or they
could not receive titles. Only titled members had votes on the
regulations and rules pertaining to the society.
Members were allowed $100 on their shares for every new member they
presented if the member thus secured remained in the society two years
and paid all dues.
This percentage was added towards the purchasing of shares for the
member who presented the new member.
Many members secured shares in this way that helped them eventually to
have homes that they could never have in any other way.
Members could build tent houses for summer use by paying rent for the
land.
Members who lived on the land controlled by the society had the benefit
of free burial when they lived in the Colony two years, and had paid for
two shares (these shares were used to partly pay the expense, the
society paying the balance); this was only done when the members were
buried in the Colony’s burying ground or cemetery.
All members who intended leaving their shares after their demise to any
one except to the society had to make a will to that effect, or the
society claimed the right to use the value of such shares for the
benefit of the aged members who were unable to provide all they
required. All shares left with the society by members who dropped out
and did not sell them was used for the same purposes in five years after
the last payment was made.
When any member left children or any one dependent upon them they were
expected to secure their shares to them, and if the children were young
the society held said shares until the children became members entitling
them to the privileges, or it used the amount for their care until they
were old enough to work. In such cases the society or some member
adopted the children and became responsible for them.
Many children were adopted by the society when their mothers had been
left destitute. These children were provided for by a special fund for
that purpose. It took care of them until they were old enough to provide
for themselves, but they were then bound to return to the fund a
percentage of their earnings each day to keep up the same advantages for
other children situated as they had been. Children adopted by the
society were not taken away from their parents as they were from private
persons, for the parent could live in the Colony, but the society could
compel the children to live in the Colony until they had repaid it for
any expense incurred in their childhood.
All young people who were employed by the society left a percentage of
their earnings to be used for present necessities for either the aged or
children, then they were exempt to the amount as well as the interest
that would accrue from buying consumable shares, for the rising
generation could do the same for them in their old age. This was one of
the greatest advantages in the society, after the first generation of
children were grown, for by that time the society knew the average
expense of supporting each member.
The amount each member had to pay was so small that a large number
invested their savings in factories. The stock was five dollars. That
gave all a chance to invest. The poor man or woman who had their savings
in the bank or those who lived on the investment of money, all had a
chance to secure better interest. You see there was no risk. The market
was already secured. Every member was interested.
Every dollar’s worth sold had to be by a member appointed by the
President and approved by the members. For ten per cent on every
dollar’s worth had to be allowed the society for securing the market.
Ten per cent had to be allowed the member who bought from them also, but
was not paid them in coin but added to the shares. That made it cheaper
to them than advertising. The company had to employ the society’s
members. Factories were started in the city, but only remained there
until they were built in the Colony.
A committee of members could build a factory on the land secured by the
society free from ground rent if it could be done without their going in
debt, for no materials unpaid for could be brought upon the society’s
land. This rule was made to prevent law suits that would endanger the
society.
These members were allowed to make all they could out of it, within the
rules, for a certain number of years, but had to sell to the society
when the time was up, at the cost price of labor and materials, etc.
One or more people would take up the different branches and were given
the exclusive right to sell to the society as long as they kept within
the rules. The rules were that a member was to receive ten per cent on
every dollar’s worth of goods they bought. This percentage was to be
added to their shares. All goods to be sold at a price regulated by a
committee of members and those who were investing in the enterprise. Dry
goods of all kinds were represented, hardware, crockery, etc. A general
overseer was appointed to see that a right percentage was paid to the
society for securing the customers.
Three men started a hat factory, for both men and women’s hats. They
were given the exclusive right to manufacture them as long as they kept
within the rules of the society.
Two women started the millinery department. Four others dressmaking.
Three men did tailoring, others took charge of the shoe department, all
using their own capital, each group paying their share of the rent.
Every line of business was represented that the members required.
It gave all a chance to invest their savings. As each business venture
enlarged so that more partners were required to run it, the society took
charge of it. In every instance those who started the business and had
brought it to that point, were given charge of it at a percentage that
paid them more than it would to keep on alone. The society had to pay
cash for everything that it controlled; so did the members when they
sold under the society’s patronage. If there was no debt there was no
danger of the society being wrecked.
In all the large department stores several salesmen and saleswomen saw
the advantage to themselves in co-operation with the society and soon
such stores were started in the cities. They realized their benefits and
determined to secure homes and pensions without delay. Each department
was represented by those that understood the business. The money that
had been kept in the banks was withdrawn and the days of small
beginnings had returned once more.
It was a satisfaction that no one could become rich from their labor
except those who were co-operative with them. The people lived more
simply, the chief aim being to live honorable, truthful lives; to gain
titles that showed friends and strangers who and what they were was
worth more to them than all the flash and make-believes that had
contented them in days gone by.
The society found it cheaper to make good roads with the labor of
crowded-out men than to use the old system of cars. Automobile cars that
carried coal and grain, as well as every kind of produce, spoke loud and
plainly as to the price they were going to pay those magnates of
commerce.
Wealth beyond what each could use was only foolishness. It was almost as
bad as giving their labor away. They received honors when they donated
wealth to the society for the benefit of little children, invalids, or
the aged. Young people were given extra advantages who cheerfully helped
those who belonged to them and who were unable to do all for themselves,
but no member was allowed to support another if that other was better
able to work for themselves than the one who was doing it. The society
gave employment to all healthy men and women who were members and paid
their dues. All being consumers, they helped to keep the scrip in
circulation. In the beginning of the society many city members sent
their aged parents to the colony to live. It gave them a chance to do
light work when they were able, and their permanent shares could be
added to those members at the old peoples’ death.
Those who held highest rank were always given the best offices. They
also controlled the councils, because they gained their titles for
honesty and truthfulness first, then for special services to the
society, bravery in times of danger, self-denial in giving up their
wealth for the love of the people. Merit, not money, ruled. Often those
who held the highest titles saw that someone besides themselves were
better fitted for the duties that naturally came to them. In those cases
the best person was appointed of either sex. No one could hold an
important office that had not received a title, nor could they in any
way be placed over members who had proved themselves superior.
The object of giving titles was to place the best members in control.
Money had ruled so long and so unjustly that it was necessary to place
the members in positions that they would be honored for their integrity.
So the custom was established at the beginning of the society. All knew
what to expect when they joined and could not complain if they saw a
certain class preferred to themselves. No person’s honesty was taken as
a matter of course. The business of all concerned had to be constantly
under the supervision of committees formed each month to audit the
accounts, receive complaints, and settle disputes. It is a well-known
fact the world over that some people are always in trouble. That kind
know nothing else and they must be weeded out of the association,
otherwise they will cause a dissatisfaction that no power can stop if
let run on. They are like a small fire that can be controlled in the
beginning. Compel such people to sell their shares if reasoning fails to
bring them to their senses. The greatest good to the largest number must
always prevail. There is nothing so contagious as unreasoning discontent
among a mixed people.
Patience is necessary in all walks in life, but was never needed more
than in becoming accustomed to the new forms of government. So many
would forget and fall back to the old ways at first, and those who were
careless were nearly always jealous of the persevering members who
surpassed them.
The scale of wages was the same as union men and women received in
factories outside of the society, even if the hours were less per day,
excepting in cases of piece work that was done by old or infirm people,
who only worked as they were able at any time.
The pensions paid to members for the first ten years were according to
dividends earned in the factories, etc., in which their money or labor
was invested. After ten years it was increased, but at no time could it
be decreased.
Ten per cent each year was paid for interest on these shares until the
pension was paid, but had to be left to accumulate with the society
until then. When a member begins to draw a pension the amount will have
to be according to the number of shares and the age of the members when
the first allowance is paid. When a pensioner begins to draw his pension
at forty-five years of age, it will be less than if they did not draw it
till they were fifty-five or sixty years of age, for the amount of
shares will have to be divided so that they will last at least until the
member is seventy-five years old.
This does not mean that the pension will cease at that age, for it will
be paid as long as the member lives.
To protect itself the society had to make rules to pay pensions,
according to the members’ shares, but it was found by practice that such
large amounts were donated for this purpose that their shares were much
larger than their personal shares represented.
This rule had to be made during the first generation, but after the
first generation of children had the advantage of being provided with
homes and an education in childhood, and regular employment in mature
years, the society was able to pension them at forty-five years of age,
because it had the whole benefit of their labors until that time. In
winter we had the machinery so arranged that it could either run the
weaving of cotton or the different kinds of materials just by adjusting
a certain lever of machinery. In this way we kept men and women employed
all the time, securing at least eight hours a day to all who needed it.
At night the white materials were woven when practical and night workers
were given shorter hours with the same pay as the day workers. In this
way all were secured steady employment, for the same was done with every
kind of factory work. In the summer a large percentage of these people
were given different employment. Some went to the wheat fields, others
to the cotton plantations, for the steam carriages made it possible, or
the fruit farms, etc. The first few years it was necessary to work just
as many hours in the society as out of it; as soon as all the exchanges
were complete the hours were shortened, and those who were not able to
work so long each day, even at the first, were given less to do, for the
society never was a money scheme but a protection to labor. At the same
time those who only worked three or four hours a day got that much less
for their labor. It had to be that way at first or idle people would
have shirked their responsibilities. This put a stop to overproduction
in all lines of goods. All had a large field of employment to choose
from and nearly all were satisfied, at least all were better satisfied
than they had been before they joined the society.
At the end of five years the society owned the first land that it had
built upon and all the industries on it, besides. Then dividends were
granted to members, either in permanent or consumable shares, according
to the amount they had at the time. The society holding the right to
keep in its possession sufficient money or script to increase the
standing wealth. The dividends were secured to the first members at this
time to reward them for trusting its management and giving the society
its impetus. It showed the value of small beginnings and taught a lesson
in co-operation among the members in the most practical way.
THE END OF THE RULES.
THE PLANET VENUS.
SECOND STORY.
CHAPTER I.
A gentleman and his wife were sitting in their study. He was reading;
she was doing some fancy work. In a few moments their son came in, and
seeing his father occupied, took a seat by the window to wait until his
father was through.
These people were titled, or, rather, the father and mother were. The
elderly gentleman was a lord and his wife a princess. They had both
received their titles for their grand and faithful work in helping to
restore order to the country in which they belonged. Their name was a
combination of both their names, Just and Ring, consequently he was Lord
Justring and she was Princess Justring. She could not raise him to her
title, nor could he change hers, even had they desired it. Their two
children were therefore known as the Justrings, they had received the
title Honorable, and their parents wished them to gain greater titles
which was the custom of the country. Their motto was: “The world is
better for my living in it,” for when any one did a great
self-sacrificing act, it always added to their title in some way.
In a few moments Lord Justring looked up to see what it was that his son
wanted.
The young man approaching, said:
“The study of worlds may be a very interesting subject, but, father, I
am positively sick of it. There is nothing in it to reward you for all
your trouble, that I can see. Take the planet Earth, for example. The
missionaries have not made one beneficial change in the condition of the
masses from what they were twenty-five years ago. The fact that we are
able to hear as well as see them, I admit, is something to our credit,
but what good is it to them? I thought after we had perfected those last
instruments that we would be able to make them catch the ideas we are
trying to convey to them.”
“Your life can only be perfected by the good you do for the more
ignorant worlds. You must be patient; but why are you discouraged?”
“Because the ones I wish to reach and help don’t catch the messages.
Instead of helping them I have found that we are actually helping the
wealthy people to see their advantage, for they are the only ones who
have been able to make use of the suggestions. This wealth, in turn, is
being used to cement all the closer the bond of servitude and those who
toil are in a worse plight today than in any time during the Earth’s
history. Since I have taken up this work, I have no peace of mind and I
cannot enjoy life.
“It is a fearful thing to see millions upon millions of people toiling
to sustain life, even in times of peace, besides knowing that those who
work the hardest have the least for their labor, while the cry of those
who are starving because they have no work to do, is unbearable. Then
the unnecessary wars all brought about to enrich those in power and keep
the ignorant dependent.”
“Why, my son, that is the reason that we who live on the older planets
form these societies to reach the younger ones; the planet Herschel has
caught the messages sent to them. That should be encouraging.”
“Yes, it is, but only a few in comparison with the multitude of worlds
after all.”
[Illustration]
“Well, all have to make a beginning; then they can go on and perfect
their system as we have done ours.”
[Illustration]
At this point of the conversation a young lady entered the room. Her
face showed a depth of thought unusual in one so young. She looked at
them for a second to see if she would be interfering with the
conversation, but as they seemed to be on the same subject she
commenced:
“Father, is it necessary for me to continue my efforts to reach the
planet Earth?”
“Why, my dear, surely you are not going to complain also. Your brother
has just told me that he would like to give it up. It would grieve me
sorely if either of you do.”
“Oh, brother, you don’t mean it? Men are so strong, they ought not to
give in so soon.”
“It is all very well to say so, but I have not had any peace since I
took it up, sister mine. I don’t understand why I should give up so much
of my life to what seems such a hopeless task.”
“Well, children, sit down and tell me what you have accomplished.”
“Father,” the young lady replied, “I have accomplished nothing,
absolutely nothing that I can see.”
“Well, tell me what you saw.”
“It is so discouraging that I hate to talk about it. The last time I
used the instrument I could not only hear all they said, but see them.
One of the first things that I saw made me so ill that I can hardly
sleep. I saw a woman who lived in a city, in a part of the world they
call America, burning her children to death. You know I had asked to
take that part of the world because I was told it was the home of
freedom. I couldn’t see what the term ‘Freedom’ meant when little
children could be left at the mercy of a lunatic. I tried to get away
from the instrument, but I was fascinated. Then I directed the
instrument to a home, not fifteen minutes’ walk away, and saw the other
extreme. I saw women and girls dressed for a reception in beautiful
gowns and quantities of jewels; they actually had on their persons
enough wealth to support twenty such families for the rest of their
lives.”
“Well, I should think that is all the more reason that you should
persevere in trying to reach those and make them hear you.”
“Oh, well, father, I cannot talk any more about it today. It is too
terrible.”
Lord Justring looked at his children for a few moments and then said:
“You must remember one thing, that you owe to many others besides your
mother and I all the blessings you now enjoy. Had we become discouraged
at seeing the terrible things all around us when we were at your age,
you would not be enjoying all the recreation that you do now, the
holidays or the advantages of travel that afford you so much pleasure.
Forty years ago the government secured all the land and gave it back to
the people, believing that everything created by nature belonged to all;
but it did not give them a particular amount to live upon. Myself and
others had to work very hard to convince the majority that it was the
only just way to do. Now your income is so large that you will never use
it all. I have never used all mine, nor do I need it. If you will read
the history of the last fifty years you will see a wonderful difference
in the lives of the people. They live longer because they have more time
to take care of their bodies. They were not compelled to work so many
hours, even forty years ago, as they had done in the ages past, but as I
said before, there was no special income for all, as there is now.
“At that time we felt justified in setting a certain sum or value for
every individual born in our district. Strange as it may seem, humanity
was left until the last, all kinds of property were secured to us in
this part of the country, but human beings had not had their right value
set. We then enforced a law that every man, woman and child had a right
to be fed, housed and clothed. An industrial army had been a fact before
and the proceeds of their labor enabled the government to secure to all
the people an income.
“You know that even yet those who will not work are locked up and
deprived of the income they would have otherwise. When they have had
enough of solitary confinement we try them again, but don’t allow them a
choice of their occupation until they do the best in what we give them
to do.
“The people ran riot on this planet, robbing each other as they now are
doing on other worlds. History repeats itself over and over again in
everything. Well, after the people had gone through the struggle of
gaining so much, they were satisfied to let results remain as they were.
The majority could not see the dangers ahead, but we who did were
determined to settle matters once and forever. Some wanted money given
to each individual instead of cards representing their wants.
“‘No,’ we said, ‘money was the enemy that had robbed labor at all times
and now money must go.’
“We told them that without its use we had emptied the cities of its
criminals; we had scattered the people into the country where all could
have sunshine as well as homes. If we still retained money it would only
be a short time before a few people could corner the majority in the
cities that we had built.
“Children, every advantage that the people possess, the working people
had to fight for and they did it by determination and the exacting of
their own rights. Even the public schools had to be fought for. The rich
were determined that the ‘common people,’ as they always termed those
who served them, should not have them. It would raise the taxes, they
said, and why should they pay for other people’s children? Common
children didn’t need an education. Then many of those ignorant
dependents, like so many parrots said, ‘Oh, no, we did without an
education, and so can our children.’ This was all before our time. Every
generation has its new duties to perform. We received help from older
worlds, just as you have been appointed to do our part to the planet
Earth. If they had done as you children wish to do, we would have been
just where the people upon that planet are now.”
“Well,” his daughter replied, “I will try it again.”
The son answered: “I will not be left out of the struggle now that I see
my duty plainer.”
Their father thanked them and when they had left the room said to their
mother:
“We must encourage them more, for it is a hardship to see suffering when
you cannot relieve it.”
CHAPTER II.
Professor Longrin had been appointed to select the missionaries in the
different worlds. Princess and Lord Justring were talking over their
children’s discouragement with the professor, for they were feeling
quite badly over their desire to give it up.
“The people of the Earth have my sympathy,” said the Princess, “and we
must find some one who will be willing to devote their time to reaching
them. Many public school children among the poor are so hungry that they
cannot study in many of the large cities. Then you will hear a great cry
go up, ‘A bank has failed for $400,000, or perhaps more, the savings of
widows and orphans, all lost by speculating.’ The bank failure seems by
far the most important to the inhabitants. Buildings are erected to keep
and protect money in that cost more than would support all the poor
little starving children in the world. Just consider all the labor that
is thrown away in earning all those millions besides the amount stored
in them. Then think of the temptation to rob by those in charge when
money means so much to every one.”
Professor Longrin told Princess Justring that she could take up work
with her children and possibly she could encourage them by her
experience for a time at least.
In a few days she with her daughter called upon a young married friend
who had twin babies, and while there one of the public officers called
to present the young mother with her babies’ card entitling them to draw
upon the government for their support. The quiet and matter-of-fact way
that the mother accepted it recalled to Miss Justring’s mind the
difference between the mothers on the Planet Venus and those on the
Planet Earth, so she said to the happy mother:
“You may be glad that you don’t live on the Planet Earth, with two
babies at once to care for.”
“Why, I don’t see what difference it makes whether there is one or two,
in fact it seems to me better for them because they will always be such
companions and I think any mother would be glad.”
“Not all mothers,” replied the princess, “Gondell and her brother are
studying the Planet Earth and are trying to civilize it.” “Oh,”
continued Gondell, “children are born to some mothers there who have
nothing to feed them or herself and the poor things die from neglect.”
“Why,” exclaimed the young mother, “what are the people doing to allow
such a thing? Why, I think we mothers are doing our part in life
supplying the world with its men and women, without supporting them.”
“Well,” replied Gondell, “little children are dependent upon their
mothers and the majority of mothers on their husbands, their husbands in
turn are dependent upon some one to employ them, who has money. In fact
they are the worst kinds of slaves, for if the rich owned them, they
would be sure of being fed, clothed and given a shelter.”
“But why should they be slaves,” replied the friend, “haven’t the people
any intelligence?” “Oh, dear, yes,” Gondell says, “but they allowed the
rich to control the medium of exchange, which is money, until they have
gained control of nearly everything. Few people realize their position
or know that it is money that compels them to pay a tax on everything
they consume. They don’t even know that they are slaves. Mothers are of
no account in comparison to men. Men are given pensions in the police
force and other public positions, such as the army where they kill other
men, but never to women or children. Women cannot even earn as much as
men when they do the same kind of work.”
“Why, I think they are fools to marry and risk being mothers until they
know how they are going to be protected, don’t you think so, Princess
Justring?” “No, I don’t think they are fools, but I do think they are
not as brave as they ought to be or they would set everything aside that
interests them in life until they had secured to every child born, every
woman and man an income to protect them for life.”
“It certainly is wrong to become mothers when they cannot protect
helpless infants against poverty under every circumstance,” the young
mother said.
“Money does not protect the rich either, for even the largest fortunes
are lost in many cases. Under the present conditions no one is safe from
poverty all their lives,” the Princess replied.
Looking lovingly at her infants the mother said, “Thank God, I don’t
have to worry about them.”
“Come,” said the professor, the next time they were assembled, “I want
you to see an ideal home in the country of America, among the working
people. Look at that man, isn’t he a noble specimen of manhood, using
all his energies to secure wealth to lavish upon his wife and children.
See with what pride he gazes upon all their attainments. No exertion is
considered where they are concerned, and the wife takes her share of
responsibility in managing and controlling all within the home so that
her husband may have all the rest and comfort possible after his hard
work in the office. The children are their pride, nothing must interfere
with their attainments, while he works to supply the means, she works to
fit them to be an honor to their name. All the united affection these
two can lavish upon them, is considered only justice to the little ones
they have been instrumental in bringing into the world. With what loving
care the mother gets up in the night to carry the little one that is
crying beyond the ear of the father, who has to work next day. See her
as she rocks it in her arms, then walks the floors, anything to secure
him the rest that he must have if he is going to continue the success
that he has had in business. The next morning the children are sitting
on each side of the breakfast table while he is at one end and his wife
at the other. A merry conversation ensues about the childish pleasures
and interests that each have in the other. The husband goes to his
employment with that picture in his memory to encourage him and to
hasten his home coming. And yet they are living in as great an
uncertainty as the poorest in the land. That home may be wiped out and
the wife and children become as desolate under existing customs as any
others. While it lasts it is fine, but nothing is certain for anyone.”
The members of the class each took their turn in studying out the
conditions, and after a while they became confident that something had
happened to awaken or at least startle the inhabitants.
“Well, Princess Justring,” says the Professor, “we may be reaching them
after all. Come to the observatory again tomorrow and we will see what
is going on. Good-bye, my friends, for the present.”
Princess and Lord Justring with their children arrived the next day to
find an unusual amount of excitement among the other members. Something
had happened on a portion of the planet Earth called the United States
of America. The money power was in an uproar. Some one in a position to
know facts was telling the whole country how their money was being
invested. This man was daring enough to denounce the whole system in
sufficiently plain language that there could be no mistake. The people
were excited. Those who had a few dollars in the banks to those who had
invested their thousands in stocks of different kinds. The great men of
finance were rushing to their telephones, commanding subordinates to
appear before them, and the excitement was increasing. Was it some one
of their associates that had fallen through to earth? Had the President
of the country died, or what did it all mean? Something far worse than
anything yet guessed. One of their own familiar spirits had dared to
expose the tricks by which they had amassed their millions.
“Well, why all this excitement here on the planet Venus?” asks one of
the members.
Professor Longrin answers: “After all the years that we have taken to
perfect our instruments so we could reach the planets and suggest to
them better management, giving them our experiences, helping them to
originate telegraphs, telephones, everything we could imagine that would
civilize them, when, lo and behold, the Great Ruler of the Universe
chose a millionaire to expose the whole money scheme, chose one who
obtained his money by the same methods that he now denounces. Nothing
could be more convincing to the rest of the world that lets other people
do their thinking for them, than this. I believe we can leave the
results with those who are awakened on a part of the earth at least, and
now friends we will direct our effort toward showing them the remedy.
The remedy is to organize a society that will protect them from all
dangers, poverty heading the list.”
WE ARE GOING TO BE INSPECTED.
BY GARRETT P. SERVISS.
(This clipping was taken from a newspaper in the winter of 1905.)
There is something on the cards for this winter of wider interest than
social functions, theater parties, Wall street plunges, politics, and
even war—it is an inspection of which the whole earth will be the
subject. The inspector can already be seen approaching, lantern in hand
(for it is a nocturnal job), peeping over the rim of the world at
sunset. This inspector is the planet Venus.
Venus, we have excellent reasons for thinking, is a world crowded with
intelligent inhabitants, and as, for several months to come, it rises
higher every night, and beams more and more brilliantly, we may almost
feel the eyes of those inhabitants fixed curiously upon us. For if we
think of them, can they fail to think of us?
But their opportunity for observation is far better than ours. It is
customary for us to consider other planets only as they present
themselves to the earth. Quite as interesting, and infinitely more
novel, is it to consider the earth as it presents itself to other
planets, and particularly to Venus, its nearest planetary neighbor, and
its closest counterpart.
Once grant that there are intelligent beings on Venus and the conclusion
follows with irresistible force that they must study our globe with an
intensity of interest and application proportional to the ease with
which their observations can be made. And this is exactly the particular
in which they possess a great advantage over us. In fact, there is no
place in the entire solar system where an astronomer could have so
favorable a position for examining another world than his own as he
would have on the planet Venus.
The reason is very simple; it is because when Venus is nearest to the
earth—about twenty-six million miles away—she lies between the earth and
the sun. At that time we cannot see her at all, because our eyes are
blinded by the flood of sunshine which envelops her. But, on the other
hand, at that time the earth is in the middle of Venus’ midnight sky,
blazing with light reflected from its continents and oceans and polar
snows, and looming so large and splendid that the sight must be
unutterably magnificent—such a sight as a terrestrial astronomer would
sit up all night to gaze at, and then feel that the swift pace of time
had robbed him.
In order to comprehend how great the earth must appear from Venus when
the two are in line with the sun, it will only be necessary the coming
winter to look at Venus herself, shortly after sundown—at the same time
remembering that the splendor which dazzles our eyes comes from but a
small fraction of the illuminated surface of that planet, while the
earth as seen from Venus will show its whole round face like a full
moon!
To my mind there is nothing, not mathematically demonstrable, more
certain than that the astronomers of Venus are already preparing for the
great spectacle that will adorn their heavens late in the coming winter,
when the earth, with its attendant moon, swims in the midnight.
The culmination of the earth must be one of the greatest events in their
calendar. Studying it with powerful telescopes, they must long ago have
familiarized themselves with the geography and the meteorology of our
planet. Our continents and oceans, and even our groups of islands, our
vast river valleys, our mountain chains, must all appear on their school
globes of the earth. We have made school globes of Mars, but Mars is far
away, and our opportunities for studying his features are insignificant
compared with those which the people of Venus have for studying the
earth.
To the readers of this book I have this to say: I believe the ideas it
contains are a prophecy. Time will prove it if it is so, and every one
can do a part towards helping along its fulfillment.
LENA JANE FRY.
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TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
1. P. 114, changed “ride our your back” to “ride on your back”.
2. There was no CHAPTER IX or XV. Renumbered the chapters.
3. Table of Contents added by transcriber.
4. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling.
5. Archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings retained as printed.