Root matters in socieal and economic problems

Abstract

All observers are nearly agreed that the accumulation of wealth and wealth-producing power have prodigiously increased within the present century. Of this there can be little doubt. Modern discoveries—as regards the properties of matter, the discovery and development of new lands, the uses of steam, electricity, and labour-saving inventions in every department of social and industrial life—have enormously increased man's power over the forces of nature. With this immense gain of power vast continents of virgin forest and barren swamp have become gardens of plenty.