New-York tribune., 1909-12-18
URGES FAIR PLAY
Isaac n. Sehgman Discusses
Business Ethics.

Isaac N. Seigman and Edward d. Page
spoke last night at Clinton Hall on busi-
ness ethics They made a strong plea for
honesty and fair dealing on all occasions,
and severely condemned the men who took
unfair advantage of their competitors for
pecuniary gain.
Rabbi Stephen S. Wise carried matters
still further. and said that fair play should
exist between nations as much as between
individuals. He told some anecdotes in the
beginning of his address, which amused the
crowd immensely. and then said:
"One of the finest things 1 ever heard
was when John Hay said that. long as
he was Secretary of State the policy OF
the government in dealing with foreign
countries would be controlled by the Golden
Rule.
1--WE have not always acted on that prin-
ciple. For instance We have not only shut
out Cinnamon. but we have done it most
discourteously. We have rudely slammed
the door in their faces. Then we have de-
manded privileges in China, and insisted
on getting business there.
I'VE can afford 20 be gentlemanly and
just to the littlest country in the world.
We, as large and powerful nation, ought
not to play the part ofsa bully toward any
body, even to a small country in Central
America"
Mr.. Seligman in his address said:
"A we'll known cotton broker told me"
he said, that legitimate cotton business
had been very difficult to conduct, since so
many Liverpool and Havre firms would, If
the price materially declined, make unfair
reclamations-that is, refuse to accept the
cotton, alleging that it was damaged, or
did not equal the samples-and this system
became so customary that shippers fire.
quently silently agreed to these allowances
under duress, rather than enter into law
suits
This resulted in representative American
shipping firms refusing to deal except with
reputable European firms and gradually
this brought about its own cure. Many
tricky European firms were forced out of ex-
stence, and healthier condition resulted.
l refer to this incident merely to show that
business deceit and trickery is not confined
to any one country, and that, sooner or
later, it exemplifes the old adage that hon
esty is the best policy"
Buying real estate on private knowledge
procured from political sources that new
streets were to be opened III a district he
declared was delicate matter, but it was
clear, he said, that the public official giving
The statistics of banks and trust COM
panies which have failed" said he, demon
strate that these failures are substantially
due TO the malfeasance or the carelessness
of the officers of the concerns and, in
few instances, TO colluson between the Off
GERS and clerks There have not as yet
been any checks discovered. and there
never will be, to prevent fraud or dishon-
esty The only safeguard is the careful
selection of men,"
Mr. Seligman eulogized Colonel Roosevelt
as setting a high standard of conduct in
business and private life. He also defended
the Public Service Commission.
Among the agencies that, IN my opinion,
are elevating public and corporation moral
ity, I regard the establishment of the Pub
lie Service Commission as among the most
important This may surprise some of my
good friends who have been busy IN de-
nouncing this commission"
Edward D. Page spoke on unfair compe-
tition and how best TO fight against il. He
recommended publicity as being one of the
best weapons against evil conditions and
Just reward for those who strove to better
conditions.
First let us see what is success said
Mr.. Page I'VE may name the three touch
stones OF SUCCtSS III Tie DuSlllSSS VI llIC
as, first, the acquisition of character and
reputation; second. the development of in
dividual talent, and, third, the gaining of
a competence
The shirtwaist strikers may not get all
they ask for. bat if they invite the CO.
operation of the fairest of their employers
they will certainly emerge from this strug
gle with a very material improvement in
the conditions of their work, which will be
a great gain 10 all concerned.
To employers I would say Be sure and
not grind the face of the poor-the public
won't stand for it To trade unionists 1
would say: Be sure not to be unreason-
able in your requests-one unreasonable de-
mand persisted in weakens your position
the next time you have something to ask
for To both sides l would say: Pick out
your calmest, fairest, most unprejudiced
business men and let them do your bar
gaining with as little i'll feeling and fric-
ton as possible "