A Problem in Political Economy.
After I had left the world of Tor-tu I still lingered in the heavens
around the planet and examined a few of its moons. While enjoying this
pleasing diversion, I learned that not far away, less than one billion
miles, there was a world without an atmosphere. This peculiar condition
was not new to me, for I had seen, during my never-to-be-forgotten
journey, many worlds without gaseous air.
I would not have gone thither had it not been for an unaccountable
desire impelling me. Obedient to my impulse, I soon found myself on this
odd planet which I have named Airess.
I at once observed that the people are formed without nose or lungs. The
nose is substituted by an opening into which liquid air is received and
through which it passes to a bodily reservoir of two lobes in the
vicinity of the heart. When I saw how these people were obliged to fill
their living vessels with this air-supplying liquid, I at once thought
of the manner in which we in our world fill our lamps with oil to
furnish light and heat.
Now it is true that nature supplies this liquid air in reasonable
abundance, and no doubt all the people would have been happy until now
had it not been for the unjust scheming of a few unprincipled men.
The strange story of the air problem on this distant world is so similar
to the food problem of ours that I have time to describe it briefly.
There were certain men in Airess, shrewd above their fellows, who
secretly combined to secure a controlling interest in all the land
producing liquid air.
In course of time these shrewd schemers, who are known as monopolists,
gathered this liquid air into large tanks and warehouses, and put an
exorbitant price upon it. The business flourished greatly because
everybody was daily in need of liquid air.
The many sources of air-supply were guarded and men were employed to
carry the liquid from the raw springs to the private tanks of the
monopolists. Not long after this, when the monopolists saw that they
controlled all the liquid air of the country, they had rigid laws passed
forbidding the importation of air from any other country. Then when all
preliminaries were arranged, the magnates raised the price of their
commodity.
The burden fell most heavily on the persons of limited means, for some
were compelled to give half of their earnings for air.
The monopolists grew richer and richer, while the poor became still
poorer, until a cry went up for cheaper living. Then the
generous-hearted magnates decided to build new and larger storehouses,
thus giving employment to the large army of impoverished workmen. Thus
did the poor feel very grateful for the privilege of earning enough to
satisfy their hungry stomachs.
With the larger storehouses now in operation the magnates were enabled
to conduct this air business on a scale more economical, and so it
resulted that the profits of their business were constantly increasing.
Many who were unable to work became sorely distressed insomuch that
some died raving for liquid air. Others were more fortunate and were
helped by charitably inclined citizens. When a few poor comrades clubbed
together and contributed out of their mites, then the magnates sold air,
but if the sufferers had no money, they could have no air.
A growing discontent possessed the people. They appealed to the
legislative bodies, but the magnates had grown so immensely wealthy that
they controlled all the law-making assemblies and gave the members air
free of charge, an act of kindness indeed.
So the law turned a deaf ear to the cries of the people and many riots
followed. But these were all quelled by the standing army which was also
supplied with free air for the good service they were capable of
rendering to the monopolists.
The multitude of laboring people could do as they chose, that is, work
like slaves and live, or refuse to tolerate the monopoly and die.
[Illustration: Monopolizing Liquid Air on Airess.]
Many were the pitiful scenes witnessed in all parts of the land. Men,
women and children gathered around one or another of the large tanks
brimming full of the life sustaining liquid. It was heart-breaking to
see children with half-opened mouths dying for air. Of course none of
the magnates were within hearing or seeing distance. The tanks were in
charge of underlings who were bound to give no air except for the
exorbitant market price.
This state of affairs continued for many generations, nor did relief
come until one named Agitator went forth strongly set in his
convictions. He was a natural-born orator, a lover of justice, one who
believed in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.
As long as he went about speaking and praying, the monopolists gave no
heed. But when he began organizing the masses into sworn legions, then
did the magnates bestir themselves, seeing danger in the gathering
clouds of humanity.
"What shall we do?" cried they one to another.
"Bribe Agitator," suggested one.
"A happy hit," cried they all.
One was chosen to do the work. A description of the meeting and
conversation of these two great leaders is a choice bit of literature of
the world of Airess. I will translate it as nearly as possible into
English.
Magnate and his companion met Agitator three hours after sun-rise.
Neither one had ever seen the other before, and naturally Agitator did
not suspect the purpose for which Magnate had come.
"We are here," said Magnate, "to place into your hands one million
dollars to be used for the education of poor children. We have
confidence in your judgment and integrity, and if you will accept the
money on our conditions, we will gladly arrange all papers and place the
money at your disposal."
"A magnanimous offer indeed. But what are the conditions," hurriedly
asked the blushing Agitator.
"The conditions are easy to meet.
"1. You are to train and appoint sub-teachers and give your influence to
the building up of these schools.
"2. You are to spend your time in this noble work and receive as salary
ten thousand dollars annually.
"3. Of course you will be glad to put your whole heart and time into
this enterprise and encourage all workmen to show their appreciation of
this generous movement in behalf of the oppressed."
"But what would become of my other great work?" asked Agitator, as a
well-defined interrogation point covered his face.
"This new enterprise will solve the whole question. Is it not true that
ignorance is the cause of nearly all the discontent in the world? If you
scatter the clouds of ignorance, with them the darkness of nearly all
our woes will fly, and you will stand at the head of a new race,
educated, refined, and capable of understanding and securing their
rights ten-fold more surely and more intelligently than now."
Agitator was a man of quick mind. He was, however, almost caught in the
fine network spun around him. He bowed his head a moment in quietness.
"There is a tinge of truth in your words," admitted Agitator. "If I can
avoid it however," he continued, "the people now living will not suffer
for a whole generation in hope of imaginary relief. Your scheme is a
worthy one, but you must seek elsewhere for a leader. I have sworn in my
soul to bend my every effort to break the strong arm of the Monopoly."
Magnate was a cool man, and held his dignity in a pleasing manner. He
carelessly changed his attitude and spoke with decision "If you will not
lead this educational enterprise, the whole offer will be withdrawn and
it will be advertised to the world that the leader of the poor people
has refused the most magnificent offer of the age for the uplifting of
the masses."
"Ah," quickly replied Agitator, "if the offer be sincere, why should it
go by default on my simple refusal to be turned from my present course?
Let some other one, better qualified than I, attend to the management of
this noble cause."
Magnate advanced a step and with emphatic gesture gave his ultimatum:
"You are the recognized leader of the masses, the idol of all the poor
and of the so-called oppressed. In you the very persons whom we hope to
benefit have unbounded confidence, and naturally you are the only man
who can make wisest and most efficient use of this large sum of money.
We have no other choice and I ask you once more, for the sake of
suffering humanity, to accept the leadership of this worthy cause which
will do more for the people than all other reform movements combined.
You can make no mistake in accepting our offer. This is the only right
thing for you to do."
Agitator took no time to study his reply. His words were born on the
occasion for the occasion. He spoke with marked power in his voice and
fiery electricity in his eye:
"I have made my final decision. I am married to my reform movement and
seek no divorce. I want all people to have free air as they have free
sunlight. I am determined that neither favor nor force, neither Magnate
nor money, shall swerve me from my course. The people of my time shall
see their liberty, or I shall see my death!"
This reply of Agitator is most memorable. It is quoted more than the
famous words of Patrick Henry of our world: "Give me liberty, or give me
death!"
Agitator pushed his cause with remarkable skill. Soon his movements
reached such proportions that great men courted his favor. The masses
clung to him with truest loyalty. He took full advantage of the
situation and gained control of the legislative bodies.
Then followed the great enactment. All the air of the world was declared
to be free, and any one attempting to buy or sell this natural and
indispensable product was guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by fines
and heavy bonds.
The celebration of this victory was extreme. The most wonderful
jubilations were held at the air tanks. Famous speeches were made and
the tanks were sold by permission of their owners. One enthusiastic
person bought a tank, declared that he would sell it in small pieces for
relics, and use the proceeds for educating poor children. The scene that
followed beggars description. Everybody knew that this was a cut at
Magnate, and the buying of relics was carried on in an unprecedented
manner. The amount of money netted by this sale was so large that
several schools were erected and an endowment provided for their
maintenance.
All this happened long ago on the world of Airess. But the memory of
these unusual times will never die. They have an annual day of
celebration much resembling, in its festivities, our Fourth of July.
The most peculiar human condition of Airess, according to my view, is
the manner in which these people sleep. They do not lie down and
gradually drift into unconsciousness, but they lie motionless and still
retain full consciousness. The rest comes from the quietness of the
bodily members. It is not even possible for these creatures to become
mentally insensible to their surroundings, except by an accident or
through medical treatment.
I was most impressed, however, as I learned of the powerful eyesight
which these people enjoy. Their eyes are indeed little telescopes,
capable of examining heavenly bodies with as much accuracy as we are
enabled to do with the aid of magnifying glasses.
Then comes the surprising statement that these same people have never
invented anything similar to a spy glass or a telescope. Imagine how far
they could peer into the depth of space if their own gifted eyesight
were augmented by good magnifying glasses.
I spent a little longer time on Airess than on some other planets
because I found that I could more easily understand the philosophy of
their attainments.
The last moments of my stay were spent in the largest structure of this
whole world, the central building of education. From this structure
endless lines of power and influence are maintained all through the
territorial divisions of Airess.
I studied this unusual plan of education and viewed with delight the
ponderous portion of this imposing edifice. At last I bid farewell to
all these mute instructors and, looking skyward, fixed my mind on the
shores of another world.