Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-08
IS FORTY-FIvE THE DEAD LINE.
BIemishes in the Business System of
the United States.
New York Times.

In a recent report to his government. en-
bodying his conclusions relative to Amer
lean business methods, the British consul
at Chicago laid much stress upon the COM
paratively early age at which a man in
the United States is relegated to the ranks
Of the superannuated. Inquiry and obser-
walton leads the consul to believe that
when a man reaches the age Of As he has
great difficulty In finding employment in
Chicago, and, indeed. in any American city.
This he considers a great defect in an
otherwise admirable business system. He
says: There are many business men in
good positions over that age who will, IN
all probability, retain them for some years
to come and then retire, but a newcomer
Of that age has little chance of employ
ment, as he cannot expect to learn new
ways. A man who is out of work at that
age is regarded with suspicion, especially
when trade is good. because If he had
proved that he was worthy Of his position
which should be a good one after many
years of service-he would not have been
forced out; or IL he had been, some other
firm which had come into contact with him
in business would try to secure his
services"
This would seem to be a very fair state
ment of the facts Of the case, and, being
so, 1t leaves no basis for the conclusion
that II constitutes a blemish in the other
wise admirable business system of the
United States. The man who reaches and
passes the age Of As years, and looks It, {"
without having made a place for himself
In the world Of business which renders him
independent of the necessity OF seeking
employment is perhaps the most unfortun-
ate individual among all of those who ex-
cite the sympathies Of the practically
benevolent. 1t may be due to any one Of a
great many causes, but however explained
or excused, II remains a misfortune for
which it Is quite impossible to ind any
adequate relief. A successful commercial
business csnnot be organized on the plan
of an asylum for ineapables. AS the rule,
the reason these middle-aged applicants
for salaried positions have trouble In get
ting them is that they are not in a position
to o1er an employer services in any line
for which he would be justified in paying
the salary expected and demanded by the
applicant. For the man who can do some
one thing better than Others can do II there
Is no dead line" The incapacity OF mex
perience IL capable OF correction; at least,
It may conceal the poteDtialitles Of great
usefulness. The incapacity which lands a
man in middle life without employment and
without the character and reputation which
make a market for his services is hopeless
from the point OF view OF the employer.
The condition may be due TO the fault or
the misfortune Of the victim-to a misspent
youth or to the shape OF his head. In most
instances It is attributable to the fact that
the victim has been content to drift, con-
tent with rendering q minimum service for
the largest salary he could earn, and
thoughtless OF the future until he sud-
denly wakes up TO the fact that he cannot
hold his own in the competition with the
younger and more ambitious men seeking
a chance 20 do what he failed TO do. In
such matters en- post faeto wisdom IL ex-
ceedlng wise. but not especially useful.