The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-12-28
THE CHANCES FOR YOUNG MEN.


THE CHANCES FOR YOUNG MEN.
There is always more or less COM
plant among certain classes that there
is no longer chance for the young
man; that most avenues are closed to
him and that henceforth he must pass
through life as the servant of others.
That this is mistaken and narrow
view of the situation is constantly be-
ing demonstrated. Never were there
greater opportunities for young men,
who are qualified to take advantage of
them, then are offered today. The
complaint of those who claim there are
no longer opportunities open for young
men, is that they no longer have the
chance to enter into business for them
selves and be independent. True,
there are not as many opportunities
for men to engage in business on
their own individual account as was
once the case, but it has not yet been
demonstrated that this change is alto
gether a detriment. A great deal is
said about the independence of men
engaged in business for themselves,
but it is a question if, except in few
instances, the men so engaged were as
independent in all particulars as the
men who now direct large industries
for others on a salary. They were
often bound hand and foot with debt,
and life for them was continual
grind and worry. Modern progress has
caused consolidation in every direc-
tion, but it calls no less for men of
energy and ability to direct affairs in
all the different departments and they
are well paid for their work, often
better than the individual operator.
1t has opened many avenues for the
young man, if he will but fit himself
to meet the demand, and prove faithful
to the trust imposed upon him.
The Minneapolis Tribune quotes
Chas R. Flint, a prominent trust mag
nate as saying: 81 have today p laces
for several men to whom l could pay
SO, 900 a year each, but they must be
men of all-around business ability. ,"
And the president of another large
trust is quoted as follows: 81 am
anxious at the present time to fill five
positions, three of which would yield
$50, 600 year, and the other two $780,
900 each. If the right men could be
found, they could step into these posi-
tions and these places tomorrow. .
In commenting upon these state
ments the Tribune says:
"This illustrates the old saying that
there is always room at the top, in
every profession or calling. Men pos
sessing the ability to command these
positions and salaries undoubtedly
make successes of business undertake
ings of their own, and yet it would be
a pretty good private business that
would pay $40, 900 or So, 600 year.
The man going to work for trust on
salary like that would be able to
employ whatever capital he might
possess in the purchase of home, or
for investment in some safe and pay
ing security, instead of risking it in
business, and his chances for making
a fortune would be better, on the
whole, than if he were to embark in
some small undertaking of his own.
1.-THE present tendency to large COM
binations does not mitigate against the
success of young men if they will
take the advice given by the late Gov.
Flower, of New York who said !:
"Instead of going about bowling
against trusts, get into one and share
in its profits It is not to be sup
posed that many SO, 900 and $50,
positions for young men are going beg
ging, but there are thousands of posi-
tions in our various industries for
competent men, with salaries ranging
from the lowest to the highest, and
the faithful and competent worker is
sure of promoti on in time. There is
more work to do in the world than
there ever was before, and conse-
quently more opportunities for those
who want to work .
All this is true There are more OPP
portunities in the world today for the
young man who is willing to prepare
himself for them, and when he has Sc
cured place be faithful, patient, and
diligent, than have ever existed before
The trouble in all too many instances
is with the young man, not with the
opportunity He thinks more of a
cigarette, of six O'Clock, of good
time, then he does of his employer s
interests and his own future welfare.
For the careful, diligent young man,
who wants to rise in the world, and
who is willing to pay close attention
to the little things, there is abundant
opportunity to work up in the great
busy world of today.
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The Mankato Free Press says there
are enough candidates in Blue Earth
l. e H.. 10,