The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-17
INTERPRETING THE BUSINESS
MAN


The main text OF Woodrow Wilson'S
late utterances has been an interpreta-
ton of the business man. He is giving
his ideas of how the changing sentiment
of the nation has affected the view
point of the business man. Specifically
Mr.. Wilson thinks tho business man is
improving He believes that In
speaking to men of business, l am
speaking to men whose vision is
swinging around to the path which the
nation has marked out for itself. They
are swinging around to an unselfsh
and broader view of their duties to the
people"
BY the queer irony of public affairs.
this praise of business and the conse-
ouent expression of a hope that such
men would cooperate with him to
further justice and equal opportunity.
has reused d tumult of protest. There
is Immediate talk of a panic. A good
many people seem to think the next
President is making an academic spec
tacIe of himself and threatening the
prosperity of the people They want
to know where he stands. Yet their
confusion comes only from the fact
that Mr.. Wilson stands where he has
always stood. on clean idealistic basis
of common ethical beliefs. In every
speech ne has in some form repeated
his faith not in this or that patent
political panacea. but in the conscience
Of an awakened people lie has de-
clared that every man must feel right
and work for right, and that this
sentiment is d growth from within, not
4 compulsion from without. Now, Just
because he applies this standard TO
business men. and says they are learn
ing to feel right and to understand their
relationship to the common good, he
mvstifes the blind. who are not aware
that some such real change has taken
place in the heart of American CONNER
oial life
T. is not the real broad business man
who finds fault with the Wilsonian
Interpretation of his social aspects.
Big men are kecnly aware that their
business dealings are on new plane
i
pjllorv them or hang them high as
Haman. just as Mr.. Wilson declared
They do not want to be hung. They are
trying to live up to the new ideals.
Who are the leaders of all large philan-
thropic. educational and artistic en-
deavors2 Who are the men building
clean factories equipped for the safety
employee? who else but the business
man Is shortening hours, instituting
old age pensions. protecting women
and children. and avoiding labor
troubles by dealing out industrial
iustice2 His reasons are not always so
unseIash as Mr.. Wilson conceivcs
them. but he is responding TO d higher
idea OF service
In the last analysis. IL is not merely
money that biz man wants He wants
power. prestige. recognition and re-
spclt from his fellows. once he could
play q crooked game with fixed cards
and special favors. and win honor for
his achievements. Now the people are
informed as 20 hon money can be made
from special privilege. and they give
no honor 20 the man who wins money
thus. Hence. to be successful BY tho
new standards % satisfy his ambitions
90 be known as a docr. the business
man must serve. Re must play straight.
lie cannot disregard public opinion
and gain bis great prize. recognition
% nis genius by his fellows.
This is the simple foundation thought
Air. Wilson prcachcs. lie knows that
success 10 tho end depends on how
society views that surccss lie GAYS
tbat so-dsy society has made nex
rules ~ which to Judge OF business
success.
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