LAD #21 Gospel of Wealth

Andrew Carnegie, one of America's richest powerhouses, earned his wealth in iron and steel. His ideas on the distribution of wealth are discussed in his "Gospel of Wealth". He believes that the conditions of human life has been changed and revolutionized to where there is a huge contrast between the palace of a millionaire and the cottage of a laborer. Carnegie believes that this is a change that is highly beneficial and essential for the progress of the race. Some houses should be of the highest standard rather than there be no high standard houses at all. There are three mode in which surplus wealth can be disposed of. It can be left to the families of decedents, bequeathed for public purposes, or administered during tehir lives by its possessors. The first is the most injudicious and goes back to the monarchial times when the wealth was passed down to the first born son. The second mode means that a man will have to wait til he is dead before the money becomes of much good in the world. The third mode is the true antidote for the temporary unequal distribution of wealth. The ideal state is when the surplus wealth of the few will become the property of the many because this wealth can be a force fo th elevation of the race if the money is distributed in small sums to the people. The duty of the man of Wealth is to set an example of modest living, to provide moderatley for the legitimate ants fo those dependent on him and consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as trust funds where he is the administer.