Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/37

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THE REASON FOR IT
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roads and bridges; but best of all he taught the Man. He made a better man, a more efficient machine; he taught him how to be a better farmer; in short, he did what our efficiency expert, Mr. Taylor, does to-day in a great factory. To accomplish this he did not hesitate because of expense, yet the investment was good, and after a time the prince received more taxes while more happiness and prosperity came into the land.

This story and that of the ruined city are one, and the problem they reveal is our problem. It is possible that their solution may be ours. With all these digressions in mind, let us return to our diagram. Let us consider the problems which would confront a business efficiency expert. Let us suppose that we are working with him and put down the questions which come to our minds. They may help us in reaching a solution.

How did Stage 1 become Stage 2? To find this out we must consider what is represented-by the thin line beneath wealth.

Who are our richest men? Are they not the men who have made use of that Force in contract which comes from monopoly, artificial or natural? The long list of oil magnates, railroad kings, etc., certainly seems to prove it.

Could they have won without Force? Perhaps the strong and intelligent might have done so—very slowly, to be sure—but the concentration of wealth would not have been so great.