George Allan England
The Air Trust
"The Air Trust" by George Allan England is a novel written during the early 20th century. The story delves into the themes of capitalism and monopolistic control, centering around the ambitious billionaire Isaac Flint who conceives a nefarious plan to monopolize the Earth's air supply. His vision, fueled by greed and the influence of morphine, presents a chilling assertion of power, as he believes controlling air will enable him and his partner, Waldron, to dominate the world unchallenged. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Flint, who, while observing Manhattan from his opulent office, is struck by an idea that could ultimately lead to enslaving humanity: an "Air Trust." This concept emerges as he reflects on the universal necessity of air for survival, leading him to plot how to extract and ration oxygen from the atmosphere to command submission from the masses. The opening chapters depict Flint's intense dialogue with his confidant Waldron and later with the scientist Herzog, who he pressures to develop a method for procuring oxygen on a grand scale, setting the stage for the impending conflict between power and the rights of the oppressed.