THE CONQUEST OF ARID AMERICA 



new movement of colonization like those which, during 

 the past two centuries, peopled different sections of the 

 United States. For it is ever the intelligent discontented 

 who make colonies and plant institutions. 



As with labor-saving machinery, so with the concen- 

 tration of capital, which is the phenomenal economic 

 movement of the hour. Fifty factories under one con- 

 trol ; a few great and attractive stores dealing in all lines 

 of merchandise; ten railroad systems consolidated into 

 one, and that one stretching its arms from ocean to 

 ocean all this may, and probably does, make for cheaper 

 goods and better service, for more scientific business 

 methods, and for the progress of civilization in the end. 

 But the intermediate process of adjustment to new con- 

 ditions is a hardship to multitudes of men and women 

 in many ways. It lessens the demands for labor in nu- 

 merous local instances, and the result is a large aggre- 

 gate of discontent. "What is infinitely more important, 

 it makes it increasingly difficult for men to lead inde- 

 pendent lives and make independent livings. 



The startling and disturbing aspect of our new eco- 

 nomic development is the downfall of the small man. 

 Modern production demands the largo factory and ex- 

 pensive machinery ; hence, great capital. Modern trade, 

 especially in the principal cities, requires an immense de- 

 partment-store, with a host of poorly paid employes; 

 hence, great capital. Modern transportation requires 

 railroad systems so extended and diffused as to give 

 absolute control of a certain territory'; hence, great 

 capital. 



When production was conducted upon a small scale 

 men of small means found no difficulty in becoming 



250 



