“You say the people in one and two gets all the best of everything, but what about the tramps and beggars? You’ve got them in division one.”
“Yes, I know. You see, that’s the proper place for them. They belong to a Loafer class. They are no better mentally or morally than any of the other loafers in that division; neither are they of any more use. Of course, when we consider them in relation to the amount they consume of the things produced by others, they are not so harmful as the other loafers, because they consume comparatively little. But all the same they are in their right place in that division. All those people don’t get the same share. The section represents not individuals—but the loafer class.”
“But I thought you said you was goin’ to prove that money was the cause of poverty,” said Easton.
“So it is,” said Owen. “Can’t you see that it’s money that’s caused all these people to lose sight of the true purpose of labour—the production of the things we need? All these people are suffering from the delusion that it doesn’t matter what kind of work they do—or whether they merely do nothing—so long as they get MONEY for doing it. Under the present extraordinary system, that’s the only object they have in view—to get money. Their ideas are so topsy-turvey that they regard with contempt those who are engaged in useful work! With the exception of criminals and the poorer sort of loafers, the working classes are considered to be the lowest and least worthy in the community. Those who manage to get money for doing something other than productive work are considered more worthy of respect on that account. Those who do nothing themselves, but get money out of the labour of others, are regarded as being more worthy still! But the ones who are esteemed most of all and honoured above all the rest, are those who obtain money for doing absolutely nothing!”
“But I can’t see as that proves that money is the cause of poverty,” said Easton.
“Look here,” said Owen. “The people in number four produce everything, don’t they?”
“Yes; we knows all about that,” interrupted Harlow. “But they gets paid for it, don’t they? They gets their wages.”
“Yes, and what does their wages consist of?” said Owen.
“Why, money, of course,” replied Harlow, impatiently.
“And what do they do with their money when they get it? Do they eat it, or drink it, or wear it?”