The great owners ignored the three cries of history. The land fell into fewer hands, the number of the dispossessed increased, and every effort of the great owners was directed at repression. The money was spent for arms, for gas to protect the great holdings, and spies were sent to catch the murmuring of revolt so that it might be stamped out. The changing economy was ignored, plans for the change ignored; and only means to destroy revolt were considered, while the causes of revolt went on.
– John Steinbeck
The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 19. Steinbeck is merciless in his criticism of the great owners for their unchecked greed in acquiring more and more land and dispossessing people. Instead of tackling the causes of the people’s revolt, they spent large sums of money stamping it out with guns, gas and spies. They shut their ears to the cries of history.