The Internet.

By far, one of the most amazing technologies to have ever existed. The Internet connects everyone, everywhere and I am astounded. I can tell this is going to be the way of the future. No longer will people have to wait days for communication, no longer will there be lengthy processes to find out any information, no longer will I have to write out letters by hand (E-mail is definitely in my future, if not everyone else's).

The speed with which I can now communicate is wonderful. I can now talk to a friend of mine living over in France with the click of a send button. Yes, I could simply pick up a phone and talk to him that way, but long distance charges coupled with the possibility that he wouldn't be home to answer the phone make me prefer to use my computer.

I've been looking up so much information lately, information about businesses, places I'd like to go, products I'd like to buy, that the convenience of the Internet makes me wonder how did the world live without this?

I'd write more, but I'm off to go create a web page for my law firm so other savvy Internet users can find me!

My way or the Highway.

In this case, either choice would lead to the Interstate. President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced recently that the government would be adopting the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, a piece of legislation that would provide for highways going from state to state to state to state. With more and more people gaining access to cars, with more families getting cars of their own and wanting to travel, a highway system seems like a smashing idea. Personally, Miranda and I are going to be located near the I-95 that goes North to South and the I-90 that goes East to West, so we are just a drive away from almost everywhere now!

I can tell this is going to be a huge project. It's going to cost a lot of money, and it's going to be almost entirely paid for by the government (Who knew we had so much extra money lying around..). I would assume there are going to be a bunch of turnpikes, in addition to the gas tax, to try to pay for such a big endeavor. The taxes and tolls won't be a bother to me, though. I just hope they don't deter others from driving. I'm also quite glad I don't live in a suitable place for a highway... having the government take my property by Eminent Domain would not please me.

Anyway, I like the idea of a highway and interstate system. It would make travelling really convenient. Commence construction!

Off to the World Fair!

We are in New York, so we might as well go see the World Fair. Miranda and I cannot wait to see all the exhibits from other countries. I am particularly excited to see Italy's exhibit. That country is always inspiring and entertaining. We shall see the exhibits, ride the amusement park rides, and even take a look at all the futuristic inventions. I hear there is a 'Highway to Tomorrow' or something of the sort. Cars are a bit of a passion of mine (Could you tell by my small army of Model T's?) so I want to see all the new car designs. For only $0.75 admission, this is more than a bargain. Maybe we'll even buy season passes and come back.... who knows. Off to the fair!

Strikes, Strikes, Everywhere.

On our trip to New York, the strikes across our nation became much more apparent. There people are striking all over the place. Boston is relatively calm, or at least the people there aren't so violent. I've heard of many strikes in places like Illinois that have become very radical. The Pullman Strike? Dear Lord. Thankfully the people who work for my family don't feel the need to rebel, though we do compensate them very well, so there is no real need to strike. With recent major industrialization, and more people no longer working for themselves, people are starting to realize that they want and deserve rights as laborers. We shall have to see how this turn out, and in the end which has the most power, laborers or big business.

A Well Deserved Vacation.

Miranda doesn't know it yet, but I've been called to New York to do some legal work. I am thinking of lengthening the return trip and turning it into a sort of vacation for the two of us. We'll take one of our cars down (the scenic route, of course) and then I'll spend my few days working with some companies who use the railroads in New York. From what I hear, some of the people in charge are doing some things that aren't very legal... Fraud, theft, bribery... As a lawyer, I shake my head in disapproval. I sometimes wonder if lower prices for consumers and wealthy capitalists engaging in occasional philanthropy are worth their unethical activities..
But I digress, this should be about Miranda and me enjoying a lovely time. Hopefully all goes well!

More than worth it.

(cloudwild.com)

I bought this for Miranda. Pretty snazzy, huh? I think we'll look so dapper riding around in this.

A Fleet of Model T's? I think so.

Looking at the new Model T's, I can't help but want to purchase one.. or two... or more. Actually, I was thinking seven. One for each day of the week. Excessive, I know, but what can I do? I am quite passionate about cars... I have seen friends and their cars, my brother Keith has two already, and it seems only logical to get one for my family, too. They are being made quite efficiently nowadays, only costing about 800 dollars. For going up to 45 miles an hour, that price seems more than reasonable to me. My only issue is this color thing... Any color I want as long as it's black? Personally, a fan of Hunter Green and Navy Blue, black isn't too far off, but still. Variety is the spice of life, is it not?

Scientific Management.

My family has come into ownership of a new factory, in which we have applied some of Taylor's new 'scientific management' theories. It all seems quite brilliant to me, motivating workers with pay based on production and effort, and what not. This is good for production, for business, and for the workers. Idle hands are replaced with people working to meet their quotas. I don't really enjoy how most other factories seem only to be using these theories to benefit owners, and workers don't share in the increased output. Doesn't seem right to me, they are the ones doing the work after all... In my factory, I'm going to implement these ideas to increase productivity to benefit everyone, myself, the managers, and laborers included. Thankfully I don't need to rely on this factory to make a living, so I can try to focus on making it a fair place.

I am also going to look into this new idea of vertical integration. Controlling every step of my factories' processes and how products get to my factories could be beneficial financially. Maybe with my control over every part of making my product, I can save some money, and pass on that savings by making prices even cheaper for the average American. Hopefully lots of good comes from this!

Andrew Carnegie Comes to Boston.

It has come to my attention that Boston will soon be host to an Andrew Carnegie steel plant. For this, I am a bit confused. I do, however, appreciate the business it will bring to my city. I'm confident that there will be many a man employed at this steel mill, maybe even men who might need a lawyer from time to time (I'm willing to do the work pro bono, of course, if people cannot afford my rates yet still need the help). It is always nice to see opportunity for the inhabitants of this city.

Carnegie seems like a brilliant man, and an ambitious businessman. It seems like he is setting up plants everywhere, and for that he is raking in the profits. I would have respected him merely on the fact that he is one of the few people in this country richer than myself, but his story is inspirational. From colleagues, I here he immigrated to this country, worked his way up in factories, and is now regarded to be the second richest man, after JD Rockefeller, of course. With his new plant in Boston, I think I shall look into doing some legal work with the company.

With a new steel plant in town, this could mean more steel products more readily available and for lower prices. Though this does not phase me, friends of mine, as well as most of the city would benefit from cheaper goods. Cheaper goods, more jobs, opportunity. It would seem that this is nothing but a positive for Massachusetts. My only question is... why Boston? I didn't think we had that much iron ore to help with the production of steel. But then again, I am merely a lawyer. Carnegie's the expert here and must see something promising in our city.

On Board For Reform!

Ever since the Second Great Awakening, it has felt like there are reform movements popping up all over the place. Reforms that has taken up a resonance with me is the Temperance Movement and abolition. I'm not one to go out and campaign like there is no tomorrow for my causes, in all honesty, I'm more of the silent, reserved type who agrees with ideas but is more concerned with other things... like running my law firm. Temperance has stood out to me as important when I was talking with my wife one day and she mentioned that she knew of a woman who has a husband that drinks every day and even hits her! I find this behavior reprehensible! Alcohol in excess is a poison to society, one that needs to be eradicated. In addition to temperance, abolition has always been important. The enslaving of Africans is a practice I find vulgar and ancient and crude. One that America could ultimately do without, even if transitioning out of it will take a while. For now though, I'll just donate some of my copious amounts of money to these causes because there are other things I can be doing with my skills and time.

Telegraph.

What a fantastic invention! Today I picked up my usual morning newspaper, skimmed through the headlines, and in between the news of protests movements, church happenings and other random news, I found out that Boston recently received it's first telegraph! Now, this is not strikingly new information, as my friends down in Maryland and D.C. have already told me about it, but the news that Boston now has this technology is wonderful. The first telegraph here was probably not as monumental as "What hath God wrought?" but this is quite innovative technology we have here. I know that some of my clients, who are part of or work closely with the Boston Associates, will use the telegraph for their railroads. I cannot wait to know more about the telegraph's importance in Boston, and maybe I'll use it one day.

Reaction to the Erie Canal Completion.

As the Erie Canal is located in New York, and I live in Boston, there aren't many direct effects of the Erie Canal on my life. I do represent some merchants who utilize the canal, though. And the Erie Canal tremendously affects them, making their lives easier and their wallets richer... which means I could always charge them more for my legal counsel. I will not, however, because I don't need the money. I am glad, however, that their shipping costs will go down and the whole shipping process will be much easier. Maybe with the money they save they'll buy themselves more mules to help pull their barges through all the locks in the Canal...

Though, my wife's brother does use the Canal for shipping... which only succeeds in making my family richer. For this, I won't complain.

About Me.

My name is Emmett Harkin. I am 41 years young, 6'2", blonde hair, blue eyes, and I have a slight southern drawl. I was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, with my two brothers (Daniel and Keith) but I moved to Boston at the age of 18 for school. I come from a very well off family. My father, William, after serving as a general in the army, was a politician and my mother, Pippa, was the heiress to my grandfather's estate. I can proudly say it is not run by slave labor. Although I enjoy it, I don't only rely on my family's money. Now that I am no longer an active army general, I work as a lawyer around the Boston area, having graduated from Harvard University. I enjoy reading, writing, piano, and my lovely wife, Miranda.