Towson University - Tower Echoes Yearbook (Towson, MD)

Page 11 text:

THE TOWER LIGHT Beyond supplying tools and maintaining well-being necessary and appropriate for wholesome living and effective service, possession of Wealth or power would not be turned to private benefit, but would be held in trust for society as a whole. Men would not consume resources simply because they had inherited or had seized them. Surplus resources would be available for improving the common lot, and for seeking out ability and Worth wherever they might appear and giving them oppor- tunity for development. fEDlTOR,S NOTE: Dr. Arthur Morgan of the TVA was formerly president of Antioch College.J Triad In Autumn, Dancing leaves Sway and caper In the ecstasy Of the tune of the winds. A Tremor, Pulsating, Ascends gayly, Rustling bough and leaf: Each a theme of music. The Forest:- Home of trees Ever singing Leafy tone-poems, Nature's works unequaled. H. B., Senior III. 5

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THE TOWER LIGHT personal expenditures, and to use his financial power to make other men pay him tribute for his personal ends, also would be turning tools into privilege. Clearer ethical discrimination is needed to lead men to refrain from using tools as privilege. This is true under either capitalism or socialism. PRIVILEGE OR STABILITY After all reasonable demands of social and economic efhciency have been met, after the forceful man has insured himself a favorable environ- ment in which to work, with powerful and adequate tools in the form of money, plant, or organization, and with abundant reserves, it still remains that many men in addition demand privilege. They would avoid the common lot. They provide themselves luxury denied to other men. They would use the lives of men to maintain a scale of expenditures not necessary for personal or social well-being, in conspicuous contrast with prevailing- standards. This is privilege. In the usages of some labor unions and in many workmen's customs, there are habits of getting pay for work not done, and habits of holding to preferred positions not justified by services rendered. This also is privilege. Privilege is not a characteristic of any one social class, any more than animal parasitism is characteristic of a single species. Many men would keep the present social order unchanged to preserve the privileges they possess, and they smother with denunciation any person who questions any phase of it. Desire for stability is desire for orderly production and distribution of goods, desire that one may reap what he sows, that labor may have its own reward. Desire for privilege constantly hides behind this desire for security. When attacked, it cries that order and security are attacked. Privilege dares not defend itself openly for it is indefensible. It deliber- ately confuses the issue between privilege and security, and then de- nounces the common man for being confused and for attacking security. Privilege is thus the greatest enemy of order and security, for it draws upon them the attacks of men who resent privilege. The flaunting of privilege embitters men. In so far as men of great power are sincerely guardians of that power for the public good, and are willing to share the common lot, to that extent radicalism and bitterness have no permanent hold. LIFE WITHCUT PRIVILEGE How would life be without privilege? Great men would have great tools: power, money, influence, conveniences. Small men would have small but appropriate tools. Genius would have necessary leisure and freedom. 4

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THE TOWER LIGHT Youth My eyes lingered on that face! I knew she once had dreams Of happiness unmarred By petty things-or scarred by Life. And yet she stands here! Dreams tumbled about her feet! She has but an empty shell, But one could not tell by her face. Visions have clouded. g Life has not proved too kind. Yet perhaps she's happier Than I with these dreams of mme, awaiting Life. 9:0 , Age She was old! Silver hair, Sweet face, Hearing almost gone. Yet, there throbbed a heart I knew had done its part for others. She drifted back. Seemed quite sad. Her life had been Just one of little things. Rejoice! The big things are for self. The little things bring wealth To others. Life Love's warm tender glowg Intelligence's lightening of timeg Friendship's ever sweet understanding, And Eternity's whispering softly of the Divine All are Life. 6