New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
By elk Orman
the broad windows
in his Office the automobile
f.- 1ooLed ont

in his once the auIonloOhe
u manufacturer looked out
upon a scene Of quick, eager IN
dustrial activity. The hurrying fig
ures Of workers passed through the
court; countless throbbing sounds OF
this hive Of industry fell upon the
ear. The manufacturer was talking
of his business, Of his personal and
executive aims and ideals.
But he was not relating story OF
manufacturing efficiency, Of practi-
cal plans Of selling and distribution
of the many intricacies Of business
that make for profit and success. In
stead, it was the story Of the hu-
man development of q great indus
trial organization, Of hopes and as
pirations TO make that business con-
Germ really and vitality human
through g complete communion OF
interest among all the elements that
constituted the industry.
This manufacturer talked not OF
details OF his business, but OF the
yarious forms of welfare work for
employees which he had inaugurated,
OF the countless movements he had
started to benefit, elevate and gen
erallv advance the interests of his
employes; he spoke Of systems OF
Notwithstanding, Of giving Maynard
men and women, even ex-convicts,
the opportunity to resstablish them
selves in society, of lettering the liv-
ing conditions of employees, Of stlm-
uiating the workers intellectually
and guiding them in their economic
life, and he dwelt enthusiastically
upon his wish to make his business
a real organization of public service.
There was no pose or atfectatlon
about this manufacturer. He was
very much in earnest. The inter
view is typical of many interviews
| have had with representative in
dustrial executives, and is described
because it reveals the quickening So
cial consciousness that has spread
and is more rapidly sinking into the
minds of the thinking, broadly
gagged business men and large en-
ployers of labor to-day.
New Business Trend
Not War Product
That The Tribune gave the very
remarkable article by Charles Fer
guson-"The Way to Win: Social
cation of Business, Not Socialism,
in its issue of August 10 such prom
inence indicates that the editor real
ICES the vast importance and slgnlh-
canoe of this social reorganization
of American business. However, tins
new trend in business must not be
regarded merely in its relation to
the war emergency. 1t should be
considered in its social, economic and
psychological aspects as they affec'
cur social life and shall affect oul
entire social structure in the future
For this socializing of business il
not a product of this war or Of oul
war preparations; it began long be
fore the war, though, in spite OF
tie labor unions and the |. w. VS.
this social consciousness in business
d viii help very materially in the wal
ard take large part in our social
and industrial readjustments at the
close of the war. This sociallzing
Of business, indeed, began some years
ago as an expression Of new or.
der that had been born in business
il was, in fact, reaction against
the unethical type of big business of
a generation ago. A new general
type Of business man arose, bringing
with him new business theories and
principles; he instinctively, and ju-
diciously as well, recoiled against
the methods that gave big business
a stigma when the large corporate
organizations were first making
their influence felt. Many such
knights of Business, at great self
sacrifice, to-day are in Washington
devoting their service to the govern.
ment.
Already In this country it would
seem we have made Roadway in
what Mr.. Ferguson calls GORE.
lating the forces of business with the
forces of politics." which he says
our allies have failed to achieve
But in those countries fighting Ger
man, says Mr.. Ferguson, business
has been compelled to act socially"
In spite Of instances Of extortion by
few INSCRIPTIONS manufacturers
among US who are selling to our gov
eminent and our allies, our business
men, as a body, have risen to this
war situation splendidly, and, in very
large majority, their conscience and
their patriotism will render unneces-