The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-23
JUDGE GARY SPEAKS ON PUBLICITY AND
 ITS APPLICATION TO
 MODERN BUSINESS
Continued from Page one)

If the public is approached in fair spirit it will generally reciprocate.
 There are from time to time many facts in private business, some of great importance, which cannot properly be made public and ought not to be in sisted upon. All who are present know by actual experience, and every other intelligent person will recognize the fact that in current business affairs where competition is essential there are al- ways great variety of questions which must be treated as private and withheld from publication in order to stimulate business and accomplish success. This is and will always be the rule, though there may be exceptions in order to meet the exigencies of special condi- tions. If a man in business should open every detail to the inspection of all others he might seriously interfere with his own progress and benefit no one, except such as might be disposed to profit unfairly at his expense while, if he declined to disclose thu ye' private matters, nobody would be injured. Neither the public nor any one except the individual person or corporation in- volved is entitled. on any ground, to possess the kind of information now un- der discussion It is not necessary to specify the facts pertaining to individ- ral affairs which are strictly private; any man may apply the principle to his own matters. Perhaps it is impractic- able to draw definite line between the facts which should be given to the public and those which may be con- sidered private; and quite probably there should be an impartial public tribunal to determines: but this Is. another question. The public as used might comprise large or small numbers. .sss
 Tt is not practicable to determine {1It applicable to all cases. Circumstances and conditions must be considered; but general rule may be stated thus: There should be published whatever business matters the public is legally en- titled to know and also whatever may affect the public interest and may be exposed without detriment to the cor poration or individual concerned.
 Proper Legislation Regarding Pub
 licity
 "Legislation or administration of laws or any practice of governmental agencies that seeks to go further than this rule is vicious and should be condemned. I believe thoroughly in publicity, so far as it is practicable and proper. We should not be like owls. It should go without saying that the officials of a corporation ought to keep the stockhold- CTS promptly and fully informed, so far as possible. without damage to it's cur rent business. They have no moral right to profit individually to the detriment of other stockholders as the result of in formation officially obtained.
 However, during the present decade there has been a pronounced change in the attitude of large business interests concerning the disclosure of facts and figures to the general public. Many now voluntarily and without the requirement 1H I,x Ia ra- ports so that anyone interested may know the results of the business and the general policy of the company; and whenever requested by representatives of the press they furnish facts in cor roboration or denial of rumors which are considered important when the informa- tion can be given without prejudice to the business and appears to be of con- cern to the public Probably 1t will not now be denied that the average business man is quite disposed to be accommo- dating in this respect.
 Wisdom of Reasonable Publicity of
 Business Affairs
 And what follows? It will not be ques- toned that the great business interests of the country have been benefited by this change in disposition toward the public which has become less distrustful of capital and it's controlling influences. It has been more conslderate of the rights and claims of those engaged in great en- terprises and less inclined to listen to the plea of the demagogue. Indeed. 1t has patiently and fairly heard and read all that has been said in favor or granting relief to any concern that sought as- sistance on d fair and reasonable basis; and not infrequently, because of public sentiment that the request was just, it has been granted Included in this gem era al public that has seemed to change It's opinion toward the business interests are multitudes of wage-earners, of business men of small means, of educators lec- turers and editors, of the leading think CTS, writers and public speakers of the country. There is abundant evidence that at present the great general public is willing to meet half way the individual or the corporation in the determination of all questions that affect private or public interests.
 "Is it too much to urge that from every standpoint it pays the business man or any man possessed of information which affects the public veal, to disclose the same so far as practicable and reason able? Is 1t too much to insist that pub licity is the cure for many of the ills from which the country has been suffer- ing in the past? Publicity has never done as much harm as secrecy. The individual or the corporation with a disposition to publish whatever facts were proper to be known has, without many exceptions been treated justly; while those who have been defiant, arrogant and secretive have suffered. So far as can see. the great business men of this country are, at the present time. In close contact with the general public. They are striving to work together for the good of art. We shall sec great and favorable results.
 Proper Publicity on Part of Public
 Officials
 These observations relating to private men and enterprises apply with equal