Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1914-06-11


OF the situation into consideration point with greater
pride to the American genius for organization and
executive ability than In the fed OF railroad
agement u has given us the greatest transportation
system in the world conducted at by far the lowest
cost to the public and paying to employees by far the
highest wages.
It is the railroad position however. that we find.
when examining the concrete facts OF the business
outlook the most substantial reasons FOR feeling that
otherwise sound statistical situation may not be
a sufficiently basis upon which to build struc-
of renewed business activities.
A survey Of concrete business conditions with such
facts and totals business statistics snow today
would, however have been sufficient ground ten
years to have predicted that we had straight
ahead OF us the possibility Of period of great
pansion. might then have felt thar the railroad
situation would take of itself II life
into general business: that such a crop outlook as
have present would be certain TO give that vivi-
Tying influence and that nearly all the unsatisfactory
statistics OF trade would be Immediately affected
favorably II the railroad situation improved.
What is in the way OF making similar prediction
now? Even if it is state Of mind-it is not much
the state of mind Of the Of business It is
the state Of mind OF the public at laree-the state OF
mind which call public opinion, and which through
political machinery finally find more less
expression I'm regulations, decisions and laws.
| / do not want to be understood believing that
this state of the public mind, this quality OF public
opinion is altogether wrong The basis that is back
of the demand for legislative restriction and control
OF business, believe to be in large measure made up
of sound economic facts. The development of in
dustrialism within our lifetime has been Of such a
revolutionary character as naturally and rightly TO
create demand for a body of controlling laws, such
as were never dreamed OF by our fathers. ! deny
that those laws have been made necessary by un-
fairness by wicked practices on the part of the
men who have conducted large affairs, although in
stances of unfairness and wicked practices may be
pointed out They have their sound basis the
lutionary changes in industrial life and If could
| only generalze upon the principles involved, instead
of matchmaking individuals who have been almost
| involuntary factors in this revolutionary movement
our chances for reaching sound Legislative principles
would be much better.
Legislation in accordance with sound economic
principles, formulated with justice and sincere human
sympathy, is what should all be striving for. SO
far that goal is missed by our legislative repre-
sentatives shall ourselves encounter proportion
ate measure of distress and suffering We will never
get such legislation by merely sitting and rail
ing at Washington The line of Washington Off
cals and representatives Is but passing procession
good. sincere well-intentOned; some other
wise; many intelligent some otherwise. and Wash
ingon Is but manifestation, only partly accurate
at times ] believe Of that spirit which is demanding
laws OF novel application to business insisting indeed
upon conceptions in ethics, new definitions of the
very fundamentals of right and wrong
DO not deceive yourselves that this pressing food
of new legislation the accomplishment alone of
strong-willed executive the work of a radically
minded Congress. The is back of that Do
not hopelessiy believe either, that the OF the
present legislative movement is to be laid wholly to
public opinion gone wrong, to a majority with its
mind set pundering the successful. The real
roots of this political movement with which business
is so vitality concerned are still deeper-and happily
so. II thought those were in perverted
human nature, in growing distaste for work and
thrift and in determination to reach prosperity
and equality by legislation instead of by the homely
virtues: or II / thought that this political movement
had its roots only in the mudded brains of dema-
gogues, playing for votes, l should be pessimistic
indeed pessmstic not alone to the future of bust
ness but quite much to the enduring form
To believe that there are sounder and better
back of this legislative movement with which
concerned is, II seems TO me, to have read his
tory without understanding; to nave seen the
development OF modern industrialism without appre-
hending its effect on the social order To have been
part of the deep-down fundamental changes wrought
through the formation Of great corporations through
the concentration of industrial and financial opera
lions, and by the creation of powerful agencies OF
management control, and then, though a part Of
q. that movement to have failed TO view with human
sympathy and Just appreciation its effects the lives
Of men, is indeed to have failed in public duty.
1t would be much better If all sides could recog-
nize that what has been and what is happening are
sequences that flow naturally from modern inventions
invention of corporate organization and management
which has found efficiency in cooperation, has
gathered capital from numberess sources and brough;
It together into powerful streams of credit capable
of performing hitherto undreamed Of tasks, and like
other powerful streams, liable also, once out OF con-
troll do rreparable damage
If the critics of business management and business
practice whether legislative representatives private
persons would justly appreciate the task which has
been laid upon business in conforming their work
to the Kaleidoscope changes that have come within
lifetime, If they would but take into just account
the rapid growth that must of necessity have lef
much that crude and but half thought out boil
in practice and i'm ethics if they would remember tina
have come to the recognition of ethical principles
q hitherto unperceived principles that men had never
thought upon much less understood; if the critics o
business methods thus clearly, they would thel
see that it is not against individuals that they
to direct their blows.
We have heard much OF the desrability of not mix
ing politics and business. Why should we not mi
politics and business? What greater duty have yo
to perform than give the best you have of wisdom
t. and judgment to the direction of political currents
e and give your wisdom and Judgment effectively
merely to stand aside In the role of dissatishe
critics. but rather by getting truy and effectively int
the organization and machinery of political life?
In democracy, the force that is potent is the fore
that be counted in the ballot boxes What create
l. deusion is there than that popular government viii
/ alone and because it is popular government secur
IA honest and equitable administration. Popular govern
2 is but instrument; its benehcent enicienc
~ depends upon the intelligent character and conscenc
Il of the people who WELD it, Instead OF denouncin
m politicians l tell you you should become politicians
IS If intelligence experience success, proved genius
w administration, trained executive powers-and hes
re the qualities business supposed have