The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-24
BUSINESS MEN ARE
STATES FOUNDATION
While Business Is the Bed Rock on
Which Rests Civilization. Says
DIR. jerks.
FACT SHOULD BE REALIZED
II Men of Affairs Realized Their Inn
portaDce in the Business of Gov
crnnent, II Would Mean Death to
Political Demagoguc.

Business is the foundation of all
civilization. and it is only by giving
1t this solid basis that we can have
our civilization reach the highest de-
gree declared DR.. jeremiah w. jerks.
director of public affairs of New York
city and chairman of the board of
directors of the Alexander Hamilton
institute, last night before an audi.
ence OF business men in the audito-
rum of the Jefferson hotel. The APP
pearanCe of DR.. jerks here was I'M
der the auspices of the chamber of
commerce. which invited the Retail
Merchants association, Business Mems
club, Rotary club and other business
organizations in the city to hear him.
The business OF government" DR..
jerks told his audience, lis intimately
related to the people, in that the peo-
pie are part of it, There is nothing
that can be accomplished that is not
done without the assistance OF the
state. The people have its protection
and its support in all their endeavors.
support Is Mutual.
Thus it is" he stated. las the state
responds and assists the people. so
must they support the state, and it
Is on the shoulders of the business
men that the government must rest.
on all important occasions and to all
momentous tasks of the government,
IT is the business men who will be
called to its aid. and it is upon them
that the state depends This has been
clearly demonstrated" Dr. jerks con-
tinued, lin the European nations,
which have without exception called
the strongest business men of the
country to the support of the gov
eminent"
DR.. jerks told his hearers II the
business men of the country would
realize their importance to the gov
eminent, 1t would mean the death Of
the demagogue, and the end of his
pernlcious activities The speaker
stated that ignorance plus ignorance
ioes not equal wisdom, so when the
government wanted help it could not
go to the people as a body. but would
be obliged to select the leader in
each field OF industry.
Practically all public questions are
moral questions" DR.. jerks stated, "in
that they effect human interest The
| effects of the Civil War were to stim-
ulate moral ideas and on both sides
! there was a quickenine OF oetterment
| IN social ideas. The present war will
/ have a like effect in stimulating social
reforms"
The speaker declared to his audience
that the settlement OF labor questions,
as between government and business
would better be handled by the latter.
business men, he said. are getting
higher ideals. and they are promoting
I better conditions for their workers
and at the same time for their own
good. For the better the worker, the
greater results viii come to the bust
ness man. He declared that every man
who conducted his business with a re-
! ligious spirit. which was really one OF
service, would reap more business and
better business, greater profits, and be
distinct asset in lettering the con-
dit!ons of the community because he
/ served il. DR.. jerks. in conclusion.
! stated that the business men must sup
/ port the country In a time OF crisis
coming to It's aid by placing at the dis
+ posal OF the. government all their IA ,
cilities, For business men to aid the
government IN a righteous cause will
! bring TO them the commentator Of
! the righteous" he declared