The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-10-22


and accomplish success. This ~
and VIII always be the rule. though
may oe exceptions In order to
meet .he cxlgencies OF special condi-
II a man In business should
open every detail to the inspection OF
ali others he might seriously interfere
with his progress n benefit no
except such AS might be dispis-
ed 20 pront unfairly a. his expense
while, II he declined to disclose these
private matters. nobody would be in
1ured. Neither the public nor any one
the individual person or cor
poration involved is entitled. on any
ground. 20 possess the Kind of infor-
now under discussion. II Is
necessary to specify the facts per-
To individual affairs which are
private; any man may apply
the principle TO his matters. Per
Il is impractlcabie 10 draw "a
definite line between the facts which
be given TO the public and
those which may be considered pri-
yate. and qui.e probably there should
be an impartial public tribunal to
determine: but this Is another qucs-
ton. THE public" as used might
comprise large or small numbers.
u ~ not practicable TO determine a
standard for publicity which IL exact
and applicable to all cases. Circum-
stances and conditions must be- con
sidered; ou: a general rule may oe
stated 'hus; There should be pub
lished whatever OF business matters
the public is LEGALLY entitled to know
and also whatever may AFFECT the pub
lie interes. and may bc exposed With
out detriment To the corporation or
individual concerned.
Legislation on Publicity.
Legislation OF administration OF
or n practice Of governmental
agencies :hat seek a. go further than
this rule rs vicious and should be con-
demned. 1 believe thoroughly in pub
licity, so far as u IL practicable aud
prosper. We should not be like owls
II should go without saying that the
officials OF a corporation ought 20 keep
the stockholders promptly and fully
Informed, so far AS possible, without
dnmage to its current business. They
have no moral right 20 profit indi-
vidually to he dctriment OF other
stockholders as the result OF informa-
ton officially obtained
However. during the present dec
adc there has been a pronounced
change in the attitude Of large BUSH
ness Interests |concerning the disclos-
ure of facts and figures To the general
public. Many now, voluntarily and
without the requirement of law. make
regular and complete reports 50 hat
any one interested may know .hc re-
suits OF the business and the general
policy OF the company aud whenever
requested uy representatives OF the
press they furnish facts IN corrobora
ton or denial OF rumors which are
considered impOrtan: when the infor-
nation can be given without preju-
dice To the business appears To 90
OF concern TO the public. Probably IL
will not now be denied that The aver
agc business man Is quite disposed to
be accommodating la this respect.
Publicity of business Afair-.
And what followsF IL will not be
Questioned hat the great business in
tcrcsts of he country have been ben
cnted oy this change in disposition
toward tho public which has become
less d%istrustful OF capital and It's con-
trolling influences. II has been more
considerable OF he rights and claims
of those engaged In great enterprises
u less inclined to listen TO the plea
Of the demagogue. Indeed. it has
patiently and fairly heard and read
all that has been said in favor uf
granting relief TO any concern that
sought assistance on a fair and rea-
sonablo basis and not intrequcntly.
because Of a public sentiment that the
request was Just. il has been granted.
Included In this general public hat
has seemed to change its opinion to-
ward the business Interests are null
tttudcs OF wage carncrs. of business
men Of small means. OF educators.
lecturers ana editors. OF the leading
thinkers, writer's ana puolic speakers
Of The country. There Is abundant
evidence that al present the great gem
eral public Is willing 10 meet hall 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 u pays he business
man or any man possessed of infOr-
nation which AFFECTS the public veal.
to disclose the same 50 Tar as pla-t!c-
able and reasonable? Is II too mach
TO insist tina. publicity Is the CIss for
many of the Ills from which the coun-
try has been suffering In the past'
Publicity has never done as much
harm as secrecy. The individual az
the corporation with a disposition to
publish wha ever facts were proper 10
1e known has. without many cxcep-