The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-05
BETTYS TWILIGHT CHAT.


1t is amazing to note the number Of in
competents occupying positions for which
they have no fitness. and making life
miserable for those who have TO endure
their careless ways, because there seems
TO be nobody to replace them, Employ
ing them is encouraging shiftless ways
and wasting money, but employers have
not yet come 10 a realization that no
service Is better than bad service, and
that by touching men and women through
their pockets conditions would be i'm
proved.
Nobody is quite indispensable, least Of
all the worker who believes overmuch in
self. Yet it is possible to do such good
work as to add to the satisfaction and
comfort OF an employer. and make il diff
cult to find a successor. No duty is too
insignificant TO be thoroughly performed
and unreliabilIty in small matters means
unftness for responsibility. have never
yet seen a person who was afraid Of do
ing a little Bit too much that was worth
hiring. and ] have seen a number of
that unusually large class, all Of whom
were so busy trying TO stand upon their
rights. or what they regarded as such, as
20 overlook the rights Of those who made
living possible to them.
A bank president once told me that he
owed his position 10 faithfuIness in the
performance Of the humble duties which
marked the beginning of his career.
He said that he had always made it
a point to learn something Of the po-
sition just ahead OF him. enough 10
allow him 70 step into the vacancy when
It occurred. But he never sighted the
work he was doing. because he realized
that II was really his title 10 future
consideration. the stepping-tone TO bet
! ter opportunities. He confessed that
there was an enormous satisfaction in
earning his place at the head Of the enter
prise 10 which Re had devoted bis life.
Next 10 carelessness in the performance
Of duties comes carelessness Of speech.
No person has the smallest right 10 be-
tray business secrets, 10 talk over the af-
fairs which concern the employer more
than everybody There Is good money
to be made by minding ones own busi-
ness. for men Of affairs pay handsome
salaries TO discreet employees. and without
regard 10 sea Nobody cares 70 work all
the time. and We can hardly be expected
10 give more than is paid for save when
there Is something 20 be attained II is
well to attract attention. for when there
are vacancies 70 be filled those in the
foreground stand che best chance Of pro-
motion One seldom goes into 0bscurity
in search Of treasure without an inkling
Of what may be concealed.
Few OF US have the patience. in these
days. 70 keep at task until II is mas
tered. a smattering Of things is con
si6ered sufficient equipment for the bread
and-butter struggle, and az no time In
the worlds history was there a greater
need Of proper weapons with which 10
conquer success. Competition Is too
sharp 20 allow us to take risks, 10 rely
upon the tolerance and easy nature Of
those who have work 10 be done. And it
Is not the easy-going man or woman
whom We do our best 90 please. by the
way. but the one who is likely 90 visit
carelessness with severe penalty. That
is human nature-we have wholesome
respect for those who refuse to bear i'm
position The cashier who knows she
must make good every penny she loses OF
the money intrusted 10 her is likely TO be
extremely cautious
BETTY BRADEEN.