The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-03-30
COMPETENCY WINS.

subject of interesting and very correct discourse Ou
San Francisco contemporary points out that the genera
failure of the many affords sweeping opportunities for tn
few and breaches lesson that ought to go home to th
toers of the land in every line of trade Says the Bulletin
1t seems sometimes though nine tenths of the workers
in any profession business art craft incompetent
Thorough going competency is hard to find is usu
ally richly rewarded The of people in any field OF
labor are either totally untitled for their calling just
barely able to pass Indifferent journeymen. There
very few real master workmen whether seek them in
the clerical the legal the medicinal the pedagogical the lit
eray the engineering professions whether in the arts
of painting, carving music architecture whether in
the skilled trades
The question not one of the possession of brains One
does not need to be genius Of talent to
ter of the recognized cangs Genius stands in class
by itself and not be measured by ploddng medocry
any than feet pacer breaker of records can be
measured by the aborious and useful draft horse But
there are few occasions when competent mediocry coup
edwith industry not accomplish given piece of work
well native genius Most of the work of the world
must be done by honest medocrt for there enough
geniuses to do ALL But the trouble is that there is not
nearly enough of honest and thoroughly competent med
ocrity and much of the worlds work. for that reason
generally unfit
One would suppose if he did not know human nature and
had no dealings with men, that the average man would
strive with all his might to make himself competent as
possible in the business which he has chosen to pursue
One would suppose reasoning prior, that the divine
would read his divinity by day and by night that the law
yer would bend in all his leisure hours over his professional
tones; that the physician and the surgeon would attend
clinics and walk hospitals whenever they had an opportu
ity that the newspaper man would read read read his
tory and current affairs that the mechanic would perse
his trade journals and perfect himself by constant study
and practce that the merchant would read closely the
literature of commerce. in Short that every man would add
unceasngy to the knowedke and skill by which he earns
his living and hopes to make his career But there is mol
such general striving for perfection The aorty of peo
pie are conented not to be conspcuousy inferior to their
fellows They want that love of their work. that zeal for
perecon that ambition to do the very best within ther
powers that makes the MASTER whether he be an artist or
an artsan whether he work with his brains or with hs
hands The average man is satisfied with himself cond
ton which stops progress and makes for incrae infer
iorty.
competence will be recognized and rewarded because
1t is so rare Every person who has had to employ large
number OF workers is that it is no easy matter TO dis
cover one that fits exactly the place which he is expected
to fill Hire man to do odd mechanical job about your
house and the chances that he will do it badly unless
you stand over him. Take senographer into your office
and, unless you are lucky you will have to correct punc
ation spelling and dctaon every page and can never
trust to the stenographers general intelligence Compe-
tent service is hard to get high low Every employer is
looking for it eagerly Put bright boy into railway
companys Office, or into newspaper Office and he will be
picked up and pushed forward rapidly as he fits him
self for higher promotion. Competence commands prem
um The inability of the many the opportunity of the
few.