The Harris-Ingram ExperimentBolton, Charles E. (Charles Edward)
Science
The Harris-Ingram Experiment
Bolton, Charles E. (Charles Edward)
Science fiction, American
Business cares were locked up in the office desk down town, and Gertrude
forgot home annoyances as soon as George was seen coming up the lawn, and
she and the twins ran to meet "papa." He always brought home the latest
literary and scientific magazines and journals, while the reviews of
America and London kept the family up-to-date on the latest books and
leading topics. George's vacations were sometimes taken with his own
employees, all of whom in the heated months, had two weeks off, some
camping along the shores of the lake, others taking boat excursions to
neighboring groves, or enjoying the outdoor band concerts which were
furnished every other evening on the public park.
What concerned his employees, concerned him. When any of his workmen
were injured or sick, the company at once sent a surgeon or physician.
Rightly, he thought it more important that an employee should be kept
in good working order than even his best piece of machinery.
George Ingram was once heard to say that eleven letters covered a large
part of his religion, and that he wished he could write across the blue
dome in letters of gold the word "Helpfulness." To assist an unfortunate
individual permanently to help himself, is preaching a gospel that
betters the world.
The community of Harris-Ingram had little or no poverty. Everybody had
money in the savings bank, or accumulations going into pretty homes, and
mill stock, and all respected law and order, hence few if any policemen
were ever seen on the streets. Everybody was well dressed, courteous, and
daily growing more intelligent. Taxes were light, and general
improvements were economically and promptly made.
Both George and Gertrude believed that the tendency of the age was
towards more practical education for the people. London publishes
millions of penny books, penny histories and biographies, penny
arithmetics, astronomies and dictionaries, and penny books to teach good
behavior, honor, and patriotism. In London and elsewhere, the people were
organizing workmen's clubs, colleges, and institute unions, for mutual
improvement, and glimpses were already caught of Morris's "Earthly
Paradise that is to be."
"Then a man shall work and bethink him, and rejoice in the deeds of his
hand,
Nor yet come home in the even too faint and weary to stand.
Men in that time a-coming shall work and have no fear
For to-morrow's lack of earning and the hungry-wolf a-near.
Oh, strange, new, wonderful justice! But for whom shall we gather the
gain?
For ourselves and for each of our fellows, and no hand shall labor in
vain."
Free night schools over the country, for the child of eight to the man of
eighty, will go a long way in solving the troublesome socialistic
problem.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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