The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-24
Business Men In Politics.

Practical men or nHalrs are going nc
have large opportunity for n long
time to come to develop and make eff
fectlve their qualities of leadership In
the formation of public opinion about
the nature and privileges OF business.
Politicians of the sort that has been
shaping popular thought on this sub
ject have n tremendous surprise await
Ing them in the lessons which the Euro.
pear war will teach. Events are al
ready showing that politicians do not
make the safest guides TO getting IA llv.
ing and accommodating competence,
and there will he further persua sive
demonstrations Of the fact that the
survival of business depends on the
hope of profit and not on fantastic
projects of vote coaXing politics.
The teaching of events can. however,
Ice assisted. md the action OF the New
York state Bankers Association in mp.
pointing publicity committee for this
purpose deserves special notice and
cOmmendntion. The function of the
committee is indicated by It's insplra-
tlOn In the address which Mr.. FRANK
\. VANDERBILT delivered at the last con-
vcntion of the association advocating
the entrance Of bankers and business
men into politics. not Into machine
politics, hut into the field OF political
discussion and activity. so that the pub
lie could derive information about busl-
ness from sources other than those rep
resented by professional politicians. The
movement thus started should spread to
every State.
American business has Mt last begun
to realize the controlling force of pub
lie opinion and the extent 10 which IL
will determine the freedom OF business
endeavor. II is Of paramount impor-
lance for the liberty OF economic en-
terprSe that business should find In.
tclligcnt Spokeslnen and representatives
who will not allow the chief impression
TO be made on the popular mind by
mere seekers after political place.
Thanks to disposition on the part
Of business 10 ignore the challenge Of
politics or 10 allow 1t 10 be answered
only by hired attorneys, the politician
has had the field pretty much 10 him
self. The time has gone by for efforts
to establish and maintain business
influence over politics through indlrec.
ton. This inspires nothing now save
resentment on the part OF the electorate,
oh, to Mt 20 ttOn1f IA a
thoughtlcss. ignorant and prejudced
vote against the best interests of trade,
industry and finance. The time has
come for the exercise OF n business In
fuence over politics through direct ap-
peal to public opinion. Thoughtlessness,
/ ignorance and prejudice in the cleo.
torate can he corrected by the effort OF
1 Informed business men who can eX-
plain business in its relations to the
common good.
Finance and business, corporate and
/ otherwise have been mendlng the ways
Of which there has been justlflnble
complaint. hut there must be n vast
change In political tendencies II the
] country ~ w u'ultNf " lull HlfISuIr "
prosperity. Advantage should be taken
of every opportunity TO impress on the
public the handicaps placed on eco
homie growth and development by the
experiment OF excessive commission
government Of business ana by the
enactment of political programmes de-
signed 10 limit the rewards of fore
sight, ingenuity, energy and thrift on
u theory Of profits equnllzed through
! Government supervision Of their dis.
trlhutlOn.
THIS means necessity for business To
abandon attitudes Of mere protest
against political propaganda ana mere
defence OF business purposes, It means
acceptance of the degree of business
suhordnation to the general welfare
which sound public opinion may Justify,
but It means also the expression Of re-
Elective intelligence which will not allow
mn honest political purpose to he per-
verted to the ends Of self.seekinG
agltntors.
Going and Coming