Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-02


No country can afford to build a
Chinese wall around It's edges. Reel
procity, CO. operation, internationali-
cation are driving from the world ex-
Clusion, isolation and insularism.
To keep out foreign brains were
more foolish than to keep out foreign
trade.
Britain apparently needs to learn
that simple fact. Her cutlery against
the employment of an American to
manage one OF her railroad systems
Is puerle. short sighted and In pecu-
liarly bad taste; for how would brainy
Britons English, Scotch and also
Irlsh) fare were every other land to
refuse them opportunities for
achievement?
What nation has sent so May men
oversee to make their mark? What
people has won so many rewards in
foreign chimes? Visit any country
you will, north, south, east or west,
and there you will find Britons fill-
ing positions OF comfort and ample
compensation.
Why, then, should Britain, OF all
countries, raise national protest
simply because in one instance the
tables are turned and an American
receives an important appointment
within its shores? The behavior OF
the English has brought the blush of
shame to those who best know how
much that tiny country is indebted to
this and other lands for lucrative
openings for her sons.
The incident has sharpened the
point Of the charge that "the English
are insular."
Britain believes in free trade in
merchandise, but evidently not in
men. You may send US goods, but
not the flower of your citizens, is
her amazing wall.
If II. w. Thornton can accomplish
as much for British railroading as
his intimates are confident he SHALL
then the British Parliament, instead
OF ringing with denunciation of him,
| should ring with his praises. That
there is room for improvement in
British railroad conditions everyone
especially the average English
men-readily grants If an American
cousin can bring even a moderate
measure of relief, If he can remove
only a few causes for complaint, If
he can do something to establish less
combustible relations between the
roads and their employees, then his
engagement will have been blessing
! worth a hundred times the salary
paid him.
Infusion of little new blood into
British railroading should prove help
full. 1t can not easily prove hurtful.
Would America stand where she
does o-day had there been no influx
| Of oversee brains and Drawn? Let
| Britain emulate the United States in
| according a welcome to any and
| every healthy, law abiding humah
being that knocks at her gate. Mar
| row -mindedness i'll becomes Britons
| In this respect. Their bad tempered
| growl over Mr.. Thornton's appoint
| ment could not have been louder had
he been Chinese mandarin instead
| of man of the same color race,
habits and religion as themselves.
|
| MY belief is that within three years
| the very newspapers which are now
flashing themselves into a frenzy over
| Mr.. Thornton's selection will be I'M
! able to find words strong enough to
! commend his work, He is no ordi-
nary, mediocre, mechanical railroader.
! To conspicuous technical skill he
adds that rare quality, craftsmanship
ability TO lead and inspire men, to
| smooth over difficulties, to unite
knots, to instil loyalty among CO.
workers and create confidence among
| customers. the public.