The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1916-08-02
TAKING CITIZENS
into CONFIDENCE
A New Move On Part Of
Corporations.
THE BETHLEHEM STEEL FOLKS
Have Set An Example OF Put.
ting Their Business Before
the Public.
THE CORRECT WAY TO DO 1T


The Bethlehem Steel Company
is running series of advertise
ments in more than three thousand
daily and weekly new spapers in the
United States, with view to in
forming the public upon its side of
the constroversy growing out of the
proposition looking TO the establish
ment of Government armor plate
plant.
In the first advertisement of the
series it calls attention to the fact
that the United States is now buying
armor plate from the private manu-
facturers at price less than that
paid by any other OF the great naval
powers and it asks why the federal
Government should invest $11, 0O0,-
900 in a plant under these circum-
stances when, after the initial ex-
penditure is made. it can manufac-
ture armor plate no cheaper than it
can buy it.
The assertions in this statement
are evidently to be amplified with
evidence supporting them in the
campaign which the Bethlehem
Company has undertaken.
The company is no doubt assured
of the business and correctness of
it's position. else it would not have
set out to attempt to educate the
people of the United States to it's
contention.
The Bethlehem Steel Company
adopted and is pursuing the correct
policy.
The American public is not an
unfair or a prejudiced court.
Given both sides of a problem, it
makes up its mind on the basis of
the evidence presented. and ballot
box decisions following free and
complete discussion never go far
wrong.
diule W 'dhe tHt puDll' lhlo
their confidence has been the stumb-
ling block of railroad and other cor
porations throughout the country on
more than one occasion.
There is no doubt that the public
is suspicious; mystery and secrecy
have always been the greatest causes
for imputation of venality and Grim
inality.
The Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany has made more friends not only
in it's own territory, but the country
over. through its policy of inviting
the public confidence through the
newspapers, than it could have done
by any other method in a thousand
years.
Other corporations which have
tried this system have discovered the
advantages of it.
These advantages and opportuni-
ties are there for those who Will
take them.
1t will be interesting to know in
this connection that the action Of
the Bethlehem Steel Company in
thus seeking the public confidence
was taken upon the advice of for
mer well known Georgian, Ivy l..
Lee, son of DR.. J. w. Lee, for many
years pastor Of Trinity church of
this city. and now of st. Louis. The
high ground upon which the Bethle-
hem Steel Company puts its purpose
thus to advise with the people is
stated as follows by Mr.. Lee:
1.-The Bethlehem Steel company APP
preciates that questions like aGovern-
ment armor plate plant ought to be
considered without special reference
to any private interest. but with su-
preme regard for adequate national
defense and sound public policy. The
company is DESTROYS. therefore. that
no matter what action Congress may
take ON this subject. the people
throughout the country should be
fully informed concerning the situa-
ton"
How much better would be the re-
lations between the people and all
of the great corporations that serve
them IL the corporations would but
get this viewpoint and act upou it.
I Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution.