Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-18
Sunday Morning Talk

In these days of unprecedented business
prosperity, when the country seems to be
almost intoxicated with the mad pursuit
and extravagant enjoyment of wealth, it Is
profitable to pause and consider for a mo-
ment the relation of sentiment and busi-
ness. What part, If any, does human feeling
play in that great network of processes and
activities which we sum up under the COM
prehensive term business: Il l could get
the of the thousands of men engaged in
business for themselves l would put first of
all this question: Gentlemen, do you run
your business with or without regard to
sentiment
Presumably the ready answer of many
would be substantially this: why. business
is business; We are not running charitable
organizations; we must get dollar for doll
lar; we are forced to buy in the cheapest
and sell in the dearest markets; We can't
stop to palavar or poor-pussy our help or
cur customers Or the public; business Is
business and sentiment Is ruled out; We
leave that luxury to ministers and women"
Thus speaks modern business in stentor-
ian tones and when you hear only that
language you do not wonder that once Phil
lips Brooks in somewhat unusual-for
him-mood of Impotence declared that he
never knew one business man whom he
thoroughly liked. OF course he had refer.
ence only to this type OF business men reps
resented above.
But seem to hear notwithstanding these
cold-blooded statements another and DIFF
ferent note. 1t may be only a little whisper
not easily detected in the jargon the great
business world makes, but the tones thereof
are becoming clearer and the underlying re-
frain is this: There is place in business
for that quality known as sentiment"
After ALL doesn't 1t make any difference
to the customer whether the concern he
patronizes is considerable and accommodate
ing? When he sees printed on hotel
menu, Patrons are requested to inform
the proprietors in case employees are guilty
Of neglect or incivility," he infers that that
special hotel wants to do something moro
by its customers than simply to afford them
food and lodging. And does 1t not make
some difference to employees whether the
firm is bloodless entity or composed OF
men who have hearts and consciences e.
well as pocketbooks? If you want the
right answer to that question listen to what
the clerks. the stenographers. tie tenders
Of spindes and looms and all the other
members OF the great army of wage-earn-
ers say about their employers when dis
posed to talk freely and frankly.
No business value in sentiment! Why,
you narrow-visioned merchant or banker
or captain of industry, you will get twice
the service out Of your employees in the
long run IL you can make them believe
you possess bowels of compassion. Do you
want grudging and skinny service or WILL
ing and faithful compliance with your ex.
pectations and desires?
This is putting the matter on the lowest
plane, but some men need to have their
eyes opened to the selfish and commercial
aspects of the relation of sentiment and
business. Yet let US be thankful that hum
dreds of business men, moved by higher
consideration, in their relation to their Gus
toners, to those who help them make their
money, and even 20 their competitors. are
making 1t clear that they mean well by all
and that they believe In and practice the
square DEAL"
The processes of business are today un.
dergoing thorough examination. and ulti-
mately all forms of business viii be
brought to the bar of an awakened and
exacting public conscience, and not only
to that censor. but to the requirements OF
the Golden Rule. Happy the business man
who will then be revealed, not an a close
,fsted hargainer.s but as one who has earn,
ed and who receives the good will of hia
feliow-men y THE PARSON.