The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-11

~ bilities of discussion, a kind
4 n of economic Lady or Tiger"
puzzle, is propounded by the
Philadelphia Ledger and is filling its
columns with contributed opinions. 1t
is this:
The manager of department store In
large city was lately applied to by two
boys who desired II position. He had
but one place to offer them. and to dis
cover. ii he could. which was the more
suitable, he put them at Il common task.
Each was given a package, which was
to be opened, and the contents set out
for inspection. One boy went at his
work with thought and care, picked at
the knot in order not to waste the
string, folded the paper and brought
forth each object with precise regard
for the considerations of neatness, clean
liness and economy. The other boy
looked at his package. whipped out 4
jack knife, threw the paper and twine
into a waste basket and was done his
task before his rival had yet succeeded
in untangling the knot in the string. The
author of this moral story, after stat
ing his premises. concludes: Il leave 1t
for you to decide which boy got the
place" The problem assumes this form:
Does the employer today prefer the old
|
in the Sunday school story-who saved
the ten-penny nails in the boXlid and
picked up the pin from the floor. after
ward being taken into partnership be-
cause of his diligent ways-or does he
want the quicker boy, with whom time
Is money" and who dashes about and
serves his chief by performing his ap-
pointed task in the most direct manner?
1t seems to us that if only one boy
was to be hired the boy who saves time
should have preference over the lad
intent only upon saving waste paper.
Modern business conditions make it
decidedly ineXpedient to save at the
spigot while wasting at the bunghole.
The employe who is always doing
something and doing it intelligently
and quickly can usually get his ex-
pense account allowed and be consider
ed valuable investment even if that
account be large.
But it has been we'll remarked by one
of the contributors to the Ledgers dis
cussion that in a well-regulated modern
department store there is room for both
types OF boy. Employees who are quick,
direct and snappy are needed; and so
are employees strong in deliberation and
in close attention to minute details.
The most successful business establish
ments are those which have both kinds
in the proper places--not interchanged.
Careful and close figuring, the saving
of penny wherever possible, is a
necessary feature of wise management;
but the ability to know when and how
to put out hazard and to SOW dimes
for "A harvest of dollars is equally re-
quiste.
The ideal boy, of course, is the lad
paper when that represented tempor-
arlly the best he could do. but who
would have discrimination enough and
gumption enough to choose the quicker
method when business was rushing.
That kind of boy doesn't remain long
at the package wrapping counter His
destiny is partnership.
The United States embassy at Lon
don has again issued notice to save
Americans who are led to invest money
for the purpose of prosecuting claims
TO fortunes that are supposed to rest
in the Bank of England awaiting the
appearance of heirs In the United
States. AS the officials OF the embassy
state, the notices received by alleged
heirs to foreign fortunes are as rule
fraudulent and prepared by attorneys
seeking clients. and the man who
spends money in this direction stands
less chance of getting returns than the
"come on" who pays good cash for
worthless packages supposed to con-
tain "green goods"
connected with West Point Military
academy Is to be converted into for
est reserve, with scientific forestry
regulations; and from 1t the academy,
with the aid of it's young men, will
hereafter draw its fuel supply. In 9TH
er words, the cadets will be taught to
say less and saw more wood-certainly
wise innovation.
The next grand duke that Russia
sends over here will please come de-
odorized.
Charles r. Flint's steam yacht, the
Arrow, which ON Saturday went mile
at the rate of 1906 statute miles an
hour, the fastest time on record, is an