“In my opinion, the reason for the present hard conditions for the
rank and file of men is the concentration of business within a few
hands. This is a vast subject, and I do not intend to discuss it now.
I only want to say that the remedy for the evil, which is felt most
keenly by young men trying to succeed in life, lies largely in their
own hands. Let them interest themselves in politics and insist, in
the first place, that public utilities in cities, such as gas works
and street-car lines, which all the people must use, and which bring
in great revenues, be conducted for the benefit of the people at
large, instead of for a few individuals. This would be only the first
step to bring about improvement, but it would be a very important
one. The present conditions may be worse before they are better, but,
sooner or later, the problem will be solved. I have too much faith in
the American people not to be sanguine of the future. And even now,
although fortunes cannot be acquired as easily as they used to be,
there are ample opportunities to acquire true success in life.