The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1909-06-10

Idea That "Pull" Controls
Best Places in Gary Steel
Mills Is Erroneous
Adaptability Is Worth
Far More.

It frequently has been stated that
every young man having influence with
those higher up could obtain prefer
ment and ready promotion in the Gary
Gary steel plant The idea is an err
ronious one, but still 1t is general
throughout the country that all one
needs to mount the ladder in any in
dustrial establishment is the aid of
influential friends.
A practical refutation to this idea is
afforded in the rise of Judge Gary,
chairman, and W. E. Corey, president
of the steel corporation. or in the To-
cal plant, of Gen. Supt. Gleason, Master
Mechanic EIbe, Supt. Kirk or any of
the officials
little more than ten years ago
Judge Gary was the Chicago attorney
for railroad and it is not so far back
since Mr. Gleason, who is a young man.
was an apprentice boy in the Joliet
steel plant. That the rise of these
and the high salaried Mr.. Gleason, to
their present position has not been Sc
cured by influence is a known fact. In
connection with the subject of infiu-
ence in securing preferment The Iron
Age states that the day has arrived
when ability is placed higher than in
huence. 1t says:
Influence in Securing Prcferment.
The young man who enters a bust
ness house may be given his opportun-
ity because of the influence OF his
| friends, but he is no longer exempted
| from the serious labor incident to a
proper training, as often used to be
the case. His work is no sinecure
| Uusualy it begins with the more mental
of office duties. or as workman in the
shop or factory. starting at the bottom
in order that he may eventually be
we'll equipped for a position of re-
| sponsibility which it may be intended
! that he shall fill. The complaint was
! formerly well founded that patronage
played too important a part in indus
| trial establishments; that the young
i man with influence usually accompany
ing capital invested in the business by
family or friends. was put rapidly
ahead. beginning not too far from tht
top. 1t Is rare that such criticism is
we'll founded today. Capital demand;
the greatest possible efficiency from
/ those VINO direct us INV Ca bIAANAbor air
young men must make good" in pre-
liminary training and test before they
are Entrusted with important duties
Very often men who were unknown t
the management when they began theil
connection with the establishment arr
pushed ahead of those who have beer
destined for executive offices, because
they have acquired a superior equip
{ 3,
survival and promotion of the fttest
moneyed or family interest does no
count unless it is backed by abilit.
coupled with practical training. Their
is a democratic relationship of men ii
American business houses, in that non
is too humble to be advanced by hi
own efforts to the limit of his abilit,
and industry.
Preparing for the Future.
Training in the works themselves i
now keenly valued by employers. The.
insist that the young men who are in
tended for the higher positions shal
come in contact with conditions as the
exist in the plant outside of the office
A more intelligent knowledge of tn
business is acquired in this manner
The successful executive officer in
cludes in his conception of the affair
over which he has control something
more than the actual knowledge o
manufacturing processes and costs an
methods. There is a certain persona
equation to the management of
plant. The young man of normal min
i naturally gets to be on a friendly foot
ing with those with whom he work.
In later years, should he rise to tn
management. this acquaintance an
t friendship may stand him in good stea
at critical times