New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-30
WILSON SEES
PROSPERITY ERA
Continued from page |

been given for the big fellow, we can
sleep O. nights.
"The era of private business in the
sense Of business conducted with the
money Of the partners-l mean OF
the managing partners is practically
passed not only in this country, but
almost everywhere. Therefore, almost
all business has this direct responsi-
bility to the public in general. We
owe a constant report TO the public,
whose money we are constantly asking
for in order 10 conduct the business
itself. Therefore, we have got to trade
not only on our efficiency, not only
on the service that we render, but on
the confidence that we cultivate. There
is new atmosphere for business. The
oxygen that the lungs OF modern bust
ness takes in is the oxygen OF the
hubble confidence, and if you have not
got that your business is essentially
paralyzed and asphyxiated.
An Understanding Reached.
81 take it that we are in a position
now TO come to a common understand
ing, knowing that only common un-
derstandng will be the stable basis or
business. and that what we want for
business hereafter is the same KIND or
liberty that we want for the indlyid-
ual. The liberty of the individual IS
limited with the greatest sharpness
where his actions come into collision
with the interests of the community ne
lives in.
"There have been times-1 vii, not
specify them, but there have been times
when the field looked free, but when
there we're favors received from the
managers of the course, when there
were advantages given, inside tracks
accorded. practices which would block
the other runner, rules which would
exclude the amateur who wanted to get
in. That may be free field, but there
is favor, there is Partially, there Is
preference, there is covert advantage
taken of somebody, and, while II LOOKS
very we'll from the grandstand, there
are men whom you can md VINO were
not allowed TO get onto the track ana
test their powers against the othe.
men who were racing for the honors OF
the day. ., a. T.
81 think it is a serviceable figure. II
means this, that you are not gong 10
be barred from the contest because you
are big and strong, and you are not
going to be penalized because you are
big and strong, but you are gong 10 De
made to observe the rules OIL the tIacn
and not get in anybody's way except as
Won can keep out of his way by having
more yigor and skill than he has. IL IS
the spirit of true sportsmanshlP that
ought TO get into everything, and men
who when they get beaten that way
soueal do not deserve our pity.
because they have not the brains; they
have NOT the initiative; they have not
the skill: they have not the knowledge;
thew have not the same capacity that
other men have. They will have TO be
emploves; they will have 10 be used
where thew can be used. We do not
need 70 conceal from ourselves that
there are varieties of capacity in the
world. Some men have heads, but they
are not particularly furnished.
More Publicity Needed.
"There are. therefore, | suppose, GER
tain rules of the game. ! will mention
wbat seem 10 me some of them. have
already mentioned one of them by way
of illustration. First of all IS the rule
of publicity, not doing anything under
cover. letting the public know what
YOU are doing and judge of it accord
ing as il is. There are great many
businesses in this country that nave
fallen under suspicion because tney
were so secretive, when there was noth-
ing 20 secrete that was dishonoraDIe'
Publicity, which is required in sport,
is required in business. Let's see now
YOU are running the game!
"Then, in the second place, there IS
full equivalent for the money you
receive, the full equivalent in service,
not trying 20 skimp IN the service IN
order TO increase prohts above rea-
sonable return, but trying TO make the
profits proportional 20 the satisfaction
~ the people that you serve. There
isn't any more solld loundstloh lor
business than that.
"Then, in the third place, this game
REQUIRES something more than ordinary
snort. Il requires a certain kind OF
conscience in business, a certain feeling
that we are, after all, in this world be-
cause we are expected TO make good
according 20 the standards Of the peo-
ple we live with. That, after all, gen
tlemen. IL the chief compulsion that
is laid on all Of Us.
Then the fourth rule, as 1t seems 70
me, is the rule of having the spirit OF
service. know men in this city
there are men in the scientific bureau
Of this government whom ! could cite
who could make very big salaries, but
who prefer the satisfaction of doing
things that will serge the whole COM
munity. and doing them just as well
as they possibly can be done. /, for
one. am proud OF the scientific bureau
Of this government"
Concluding with reference TO his
belief in freedom of speech, the Presi-
dent said:
IL have been subjected TO free
speech myself, and II is hard TO endure
sometimes, because the once or the
President seems 10 be the clearing
house for original ideas. ! am brought
more original ideas per diem, ! dare
say, than any other person IN the
country. and therefore pay the penalty
of freedom Of speech"