New-York tribune., 1908-12-13
BUSINESS ETHICS
ABLY PRESENTED
IN n RECENT TRADE
DOCUMENT.
Historic Firm CenSureS Certain EUlt
Business Practices - Discusses
Freight Congestion Here.

kny striking tendency OF the day toward moral
uplft any the various phases Of national life
s. quickly commented upon. well widely
sought for. b. the fortunately great army Of op-
tirnists believe in Americas final victory over
certain evils which considered, and, usually 20
too great extent tolerated, Ills incident TO the
rapid increase OF population and wealth Of a coun-
try These growing evidences Of moral better
r11ent are rnestones marking the way toward gen
ersl Improvement, when more settled and auspi-
cious conditions shall exist, and when the ma
chinery the social. political and financial activi
ties OF the nation is properly oiled and adjusted
In politics the agitation against corrupt methods,
the opposition to large campaign funds. the law
forbi6ding contributions for campaign purposes by
corporations, and the political death Of legislators
believed be influenced by the latter. all hope
ful signs OF the times In the business world, the
prosecution so-caed acting in restraint OF
trade. the appointment Of public service commits
sons TO safeguard the interests of the people. and
The laws governing public carriers, are further in
dicstions Of the state Of the public mind and con-
science. Financial circles have been recently
startled by the conviction of leader in the new
school OF frenzied finance and the ever increasing
vigilance against get-rIch-Quick schemes on the
part OF the postal authorities coupled with the dis
credit banking circles. attached 10 dubious
methods Of speculation. all evfnce healthier tone
fn that direction.
other good signs are the enactment Of the
called pure food law. and the constant watchfulness
of national officials over the public health. Allied
10 fhese, as health measure. comes the anti
noise crusade. Ignorant and careless people, the
helpless poor. being protected more and more
conceptions of civic duty broaden As an eN-
srHple. taken random from among several re-
op:ouetTic law. which goes into effect the
:irst day Of the coming year. and which VIII pro-
tect the people against fake opticians.
In the vast business OF buying and selling par
iicsry staple goods, radical changes have grad
ualy taken place. which perhaps have passed un-
noticed because public attention has been directed
striking and sensational events in poll
t.Cs and in finance. The delhcation of the Vaunted
Yankee shrewdness OF the get cost
practices, have greatly nuInbed or retarded the
awakening Of the sense OF commercial honesty
among millions of newcomers. who are guided
solely by the evidence or their own senses anu
whose ignorance has uisled them 10 judge as COM
Enendahle all the methods they have found here
Fortunately, the pendulum is now swinging the
other and in trade, in other lines no other
Than COMMERCIAL honesty and the success which is
based fair dealing likely 10 long sur
science, but is greatly due to the example and
teachings OF some OF the great commercial estab-
shnsnts, whose nota hle success, worldwide buSi-
mess and dominant position are irTefutable evil
oences that, from any ethical considerations,
honesty is indeed the best policy
A specihc recognition Of public sentiment In this
commercial institution OF ts position concern
ing certain trade evils, and its outlining OF the
policy which II has constantly pursued ana Whch
Is the keynote OF Its success; 1AlS step. py =
leader in trade, is practically declaration OF
against certain abuses ana an invitation 10
EFIs conservative forces 10 campaign asalLlSl
-ben. Il is also q conscience prodder TOR the to-
Of shystsT methods, and for the followers
Of the Oriental style Of trading
Reference is made TO an announcement ny lhe
H. 3 Clafin Company, which recently appeared
in the journals Of the trades which that great
document is in truth. worthy OF the careful
consideration Of larger circle OF resderS-that OF
~ tie business world-since it lays down an ad-
I0Irable code of business ethics, the which II oul-
lines in Z lucid and comprehensive way