The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-06
JUDGE GARY TALKS
 TO OFFICIALS ABOUT
 GENERAL BUSINESS
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tC0ncluded from Page FiveD
 before. Business is halting but expec- tant. We have always the production from the ground which is steadily in- creasing in quantity and value; and we have an energetic, persistent, courage ous and fair-minded people to deal with. That there are bound to be exceptions to the rule goes without saying. But the minds of men sooner or later reach the common basis that all share in pros- perity or adversity. No class can long proper or even survive to the destruc- tion or failure of another class
 T believe In the early autumn we shall see an improvement in our busi- ness conditions. We are already wit messing an increase in tonnage; and 1t VIII be further increased, trust. The mere Tact that tonnages are increasing from day to day will naturally infiu- ence some improvement In prices. Therefore l think our earnings should be more satisfactory in the latter part of the year. Indeed, as I have remarked before, generally when we have a very good six months during the early part of the year there is likely to be poorer business in the latter half of the year and vice versa. Now business has been bad enough during the first half of 1914, and we hope at least that 1t will be very much better than during the latter half of the year. And I am rathci expecting 1t. We must not be discour- aged on account of the adverse con ditions; we have every reason to be hopeful. And the realization of our hopes Is only a question of time. We must be more diligent and persistent than ever Let us do everything in our power to assist in restoring confidence and prosperity.
 
 mind and to discuss what should be our attitude toward each other and to- ward all others. We frequently criti- else one another and we think we have reason. Quite likely you may think that the president of the corporation or the chairman or even the finance committee or board of directors is not always considerate of your interests. Please remember that if there Is tusti- fication for your conclusion at any one time 1t Is not becausS of any inten- tion on the part of those whose de- cisions you may criticize. And in deal ing with one another each should re- member that the other is honest in his intentions and feels confident his opin- ion is justified. One or the other may be mistaken. Both are sincere. and both striving in the same direction. And the same is true of all those who are connected with the Steel corpora otin None of them fails to appreciate your merits or your work. None of them ever has the slightest disposition to accuse you of selfshness or of an intention to insist upon the claims of your own company to the prejudice of the interests of other companies, or the corporation. No one connected with the Steel corporation believes that you do not lie awake nights so to speak, as well as they, studying the interests of your particular company, or that you ever fail to do everything you can to advance the interests in your charge, or that you are indifferent to the in- terests of others. They know you are toiling day and night because you be- lieve in protecting and promoting the interests of the Steel corporation. We may say or we may do things at times that lead you to the conclusion that we are inconsiderate: but if we are wrong in what we do or what we say 1t is because we are mistaken. Remember, we intend to be honest and sincere, that we have no personal axes to grind, that we are not trying to advance ner- sonal interests, that we are considering who may be connected with or affected by it or its decisions And so you must continue to be as generous in your consideration of these questions as yos have and as we have tried to be. What nave Sdlu III lflS respect, may be applied to many others outside of our corporation whom we are quite inclined to criticise. We criticise the we crticise the officials of the state or of the country; and we sometimes go so far as to complain of the courts. As rule we ought not to find fault with the> individual law maker or the individual public official, and least of all the judges of the courts; for admit whpn a 1x a their decisions, as law -makers in the passage of a law. or in the admins tration and application of the law, or in the decision of question which Is brought up for hearing, these men in- tend to be honest; they are sincere. That they or any of them may be wrong in any individual case is true, but in such cases We should oppose the act done. the decision rendered, the law passed rather to attack the in fdvidual and thus bring reproach gen. orally upon the people of the county.
 'I do not intend to minimize or to neutralie the effect of what I may have said about the demogogue who, on the stump or in other places may indulge fin language which Is calculated to pro- mote his individual interest at the par ticular time Tn securing or retaining office. But 1t is wiser to criticse his action. His motive may be good I be- lieve this Is the fairer way. and that 1t Is for our own interest to take this position.
 These questions are very important at the present time, and you men have great infiuenceNday by day concerning these questions. Our position should be high-minded and entitle us to respect and confidence.
 There Is another thing very impor- tant to be considered. It applies to all men of wealth or influence or who oc- cupy positions similar to yours; but 1t Is sufficient now for us to consider the question as applicable to ourselves i'm dividually The undue. the unreasona- ble, the unjustfable agitation through out the world comes partly from mis- understanding of the facts from the belief that there is good cause for at tacking those who occupy positions of power and influence. No doubt all of us make mistakes. and do things we ought not to do; but there is no ex- cuse, or if there is excuse there will be no longer federation of the individuals occupying positions such as you occupy. If you Intentionally wrong any other interests which may be affected by vOur