The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-10-02
THE LAGER MOTIVE IN BUSINESS.

are mostly expended in the promotion OF
the commercial and industrial enterprises
in which they are engaged. Much OF their
time is given to the daily tasks imposed
upon them by their connection with busl-
ness life. Why do men work? What 90
they hope to gain for all their labor under
the sun? What they do gain is another
question. But what motives actuate them
in carrying forward the worlds work
That various motives prompt men to the
manifold activities of the business world is
evident to any one who has considered the
matter even specifically. But most men
are too busy to give much thought to the
analysis of their own motives. Motives
indeed DO lot lie on the surface. Yet they
are often disclosed, and when uncovered
are not always attractive. Indeed, motives
are often very repulsive when seen in their
naked ugliness 10 the lives Of other people.
They would appear no less so if seen in our
own lives, could we see them in the same
light.
There is certain degree of compulsion
in the daily toll of great majority of men;
but there is also joy in labor among men
who love their occupations. The modern
industrial and commercial world is SO or
ganized and in!erdependent, and mems
lives are so bound up with it, that it simply
must Re carried f, rvard, and men accept
the plac. open to them, and perform their
tasks-to some extent at least-as mere
matter Of course. What is meant by that
pregnant phrase "a living" is for most
men involved in the organization of the
business world, and living does not come
to them automatically-th must go after
it. To make living men work, and while
the work Of each does tend to advance the
vast system, it is not that advancement, but
their living, that concerns the greater num-
Ter of those engaged in the worlds work.
But there are also large numbers whose
living seems fairly we'll assured who are in
business to make money, either for its own
sake, or for the sake Of the comforts and
will buy beyond the ordnay living, or pos
sibly the pleasure of occupation. When
the multiplied conveniences and luxuries of
the modern civilized world are considered,
the standard of living which, though costly,
seems almost necessary, especially to those
whom man loves, and the possibilities of
securing for himself and his loved ones
what other men and their loved ones en-
joy-when all these things are taken into
account, we have fairly complete state
ment of the motives which actuate very
many, if not most, Of those successful men
who cherish a higher ambition than to
merely make living.
That word "ambition'' suggests that the
business worll appeals to some men be-
cause of the opportunities for achievement
it affords. They want to do extraordinary
things, to carry on great enterprises, to
outdistance all competition. If there is a
large element of risk in the enterprises
upon which they. embark, that does not
make the enterprise less attractive, rather
more. The game looks alluring. That the
industrial and commercial world owes
something OF its progress to those daring
spirits who risk all that they may gain
more, no student of the industrial evolution
for moment questions. The business
world as it is to-day would be impossible,
if all men were seeking mere living; or
even if they were striving to meet the de-
mands Of a fixed and high standard of
living. AS an enterprise involving risk,
business appeals to the hot and restless
lives of men.
The trend of the modern world is toward
democracy. There is growing demand
for equality of opportunity. 1t is becom-
ing increasingly and painfully clear that
that all men have not a fair chance, either
to make good living for themselves, or do
their best work for others. Some have next
to no chance at all. Yet they are brothers
to the men who gain all the conveniences
and luxuries of modern civilization. The
social situation as it commonly presents
itself reveals injustice which calls aloud
for correction, and many are the measures
of reform proposed. By law it is sought
to correct abuses, and the hope is cherished
that by law equality of opportunity and
equality in distribution can be secured.
More real encouragement comes, how
ever, from the spirit of democracy that is
taking hold of mems minds and hearts,
than from the political machinery which is
being invented in such profusion. The
larger motive is bound to play larger part
in business life. The ambition which has
taken the initiative, and supplied the en-
ergy and wisdom of leadership, and made
the modern industrial and commercial
world possible, will be profoundly modified
as true democracy comes to be understood
and practiced. Free initiative and leader
ship will continue in the business world.
But its motive will become less selfish and
more informed with the true spirit of the
brotherhood of man. The strong will en-
gage in business, not simply to please
themselves, but rather because the wise
Initiation and vigorous prosecution of busi-
ness enterprises affords splendid oppor-
tunity to please ones fellows for their
profit, by giving them what is infinitely
better than charity-the opportunity to
take part in wholesome and remunerative
work. The prostitution of the gifts of ini-
tiation and leadership to the qualification
of selfish ambitions, to the lusts of the flesh