The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-18

to the man as to his work. but he
did this in such manner that not
one of the officials realized how keen
was the scrutiny TO which he war
subjected
1t was nearly week before the
president called the general manager
in again.
Mr.. Dodge" said he, II have given
to this report of yours as careful and
earnest attention as / have given to
anything that has come before me in
many years. ! wanted to find how
we'll you had Judged the business
merits and general qualities of each
and every man on our staff. There Is
one omission, however. You have no
report OF yourself"
The general manager smiled, and
there was suspicion Of blush.
ct hardly would be sesmly for me to
report regarding myself" he said"
~ wanted it, replied tho president
''for a particular reason. l desired
to know how accurately you aauged
yourself Let me explain something
first. [ have come here as president
for year only. 1t Is just to ascer-
tain what is wrong with this magnifi-
cent plant and organization, and set
1t right This is one of the finest
plants in America and by its advan-
tages of location, 1t should dominate
the whole field, cast of the Mississippi.
The company makes money but moth
ing compared with It's possibilities. My
concern In tho west makes three times
as much proportionateIy. and we have
, heavy handicaps and serious freight
disadvantages to overcome.
The trouble here is with you. Mr..
Dodge"
With mel" exclaimed the general
manager
Eyes" replied the president dryly
you are an excellent type of the most
Improbable men in the business world
In your zeal you destroy. You do not
! build You tear down. You wreck
And the sorrowful part of 1t is that
you never know 1t. You think you are
acting for the best. 7 GU never spare
yourselves. You are fidelity personi-
| fed. Yet you are blight, an incubus
| to business.
81 would not talk so strongly to
| you, Mr.. Dodge, We're 1t not that some
men, under the cloak of business, com
! nit murder.
| The general manager. trembling ano
/ his face flushed, rose In anger.
You are going too far, Mr.. Leon
J ard" he said, II did not come In here
TO be insulted."
Prey be seated" said the president
and Ii after tell you the story have
in mind, you think my language I'M
warranted l will beg your forgiveness"
The president motioned to the chair
| twice before the general manager de-
| cided to resume his seat, and then the
| president began his story:
'Mr I,n 'sTbI1 call the
man In this story, Smith. That wasn't
! his name, but 1t will serve. He was
/ In business like ours. and he had
! been In 1t a quarter OF q century Fle
| was about my age, but not SO strong
! and active, He was not of high ability
but he had an excellent position. his
| salary was equal to his needs, and he
! |aa assured OF retaining his job as
! long rs he lived
i Ono day the head of competing
/ concern, worrying because his company
| ~sg not doing the business 1t should
1 conceived the idea that Smith would
| be useful man. lie only knew Snt
/ by general reputation. but he was
/ aware Smiths brothcr-in- law was pur'
chasing agent of the Great Eastern
railroad, and that Smith. through
Il family connections and old time asso,
. -''NIHit9 tphtI cIiSu idll dhiObiIl ~
trade SO this man--let us call hin
iones--sought smith and courted hin
| aa earnestly as a youth courts maid
( lie il9ttcrGd Smith OH his salcsmanship
+! On bls friendships on his mentality OF
! his taste in clothes, even. You under
Ntand smith was not good salesman
f! We was fair, only fair Understands
TO, he waa vain and that Jones knew
" but Jones thought he saw posi-
biIifies IN Smith that his old firm ieNe
bad dacoyeroh so one day he put |
~ TO smith that If Smith would lear'
bla old employers Jones would SlN,
MIN decided Increase in pay Smitl
declined. IIc hntod to do so and rs
/ almost apoligtel to Jones In doing 50
H ne pointed out his long service Wit
nc fiu and how il would he lik
4 hfehklbg mp his home or giving u
aii old friendship to leave the Pcopl
Nth whom he had heer associated AZ
ma oMlnrsa life, Hut Jones was insls
ifnl. No would not listoni to smith,
protest ihat ts Was fifty three years OF
a1d waR on Tho down grade. lie laustl
~ A tinitta idea that it wau not Mis