Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-02-06
BY Frederick D. Gardner,
Governor OF Missouri


There is a growing necessity for
business men to enter the field of poll
tics. This necessity exists both in
business and in politics, and arises
from the fact that there is a lack Of
mutually between the two.
To a large degree the machinery OF
the government is necessarily manned
through the agency of politics. Since
the functions OF government are being
extended in the regulation and super
vision of business enterprises, the re-
lation between business and govern
ment is so close that cooperation
and confidence are essential to both.
Modern business methods are often
criticized by the government on one
hand, and the government is the
more often criticized by business men
on the other hand, in spite of an
urgent necessity for business men to
have the proper sympathy and cooper
alton with government and the govern
ment the support of the business men.
The best way for business men to
exert influence in public affairs is for
them to participate in politics and
render sincere and active service in
the public interest, but business men
have failed to make their knowledge
and experience felt in this direction.
This Is not because they are unpa-
triotic but because they are indiffer-
ent. They have not demanded that
participation in the councils of the
government that they are entitled to
have, except when they haze APP
pealed to the government for aid or
complained of governmental restric-
lions.
In so far as government relates to
business, its purpose should be TO
encourage and stimulate industry and
not TO retard 1t with unwholesome
restrictions. In other words, there
should be wholesome cooperation be
tween government and business. Such
cooperation will depend upon the
force With which business men witt
sincere and unselfish purpose make
themselves and their experiences fell
in shaping our political course.
Business men should give greater
heed to seeing that the men TO whom
they delegate the great responsible
ties Of government are the right type
of men. They should be ready Il
render service instead of contentins
themselves with criticism. Wheneve
the stalwart citizenship makes itsel
felt politically, we will have NOR
economically sound laws and more ei
iiclent government.
That there should be a state q
mutual understanding and confidenc
between business and government
of superlative Importance to boil
The common sense of mankind dt
Inands that there should be no III
reasonable handiCaps imposed by go
ornamental regulations on the on
han1, and no unfair advantage n
gumcd by business enterprises. which
by the cheer magnitude of their II
flucnce, are able to dominate the
several fields OF industry.
Present conditions present an Q
traordinary opportunity for this cou
try to take an advanced position
International commerce and finanC
This can only be accomplished by Il
government. the manufactures, Il
farmer the banker, the merchant al
all other business men pulling
gether. This is the way TO reali
national solidarity
To attain this, business men mu
participate in the field Of politics al
deal with social forces. They mu
learn 10 subordinate the individual
the good of society, and thus TO q
greater good of the individual. TIL
must attain that attitude of mi
best impulses nd enable them TO q
preciate that the only way to 'Ori
about q practical application of bu
ness methods TO the management
the machinery of government IL
business men to take an interest
the affairs OF the government.
The trouble with business men h
been that they have not recogniz
any duty or responsibility In the II,
Of politics. There should b. q J
tional awakening to the necessity
Gound business judgment applied
practical business men In the opc
ton of the government Government
regulation is being extended into
most every field " business emit
prise If it's agencies are proper
administered. they should stimula
and stabilize business; but IN ord
that they may be properly admin
tered they must be under the sup
vision OF competent. experienced bu
ness men. Tbe machinery of goYei
mcnt Is becoming more compllcat
with the extension OF these Cover
mental agencies and requires great
skill and efficiency for It's prop
management
Furthermore, there is necessity