The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1918-04-03

the holding Of world markets..
1--WE have been thinking so abb |
strusely of dollars and of cut-throat |
competition that we have forgotten !
that the very cornerstone of industry |
as it is of nations and life itself-is
humanity; that we are all human
brethren and all very much alike |
when we fling away our bankbooks
and personal apparel.
I'VE need not indulge in much |
discussion to realize the truth of all
this; that much of the heritage of our
past prosperity has rested on shifting
sands and that good luck, rather than
good management in our national af-
fairs has made possible our marvellous
advancement. But now, happily,
when the crisis demands a, new de-
gress of efficiency and a new spirit of
cooperation, the opportunity finds us
keyed to the very ideals we need
most. It suggests that in preparing
for peace, we build upon the founda-
tions of our wartime nationalism and
patriotism.
when business men realize that
the time had come for close-hauling
our individualism they have rallied
under the leadership of such men as
Vanderlip, Farrell, Hoover, Edison,
Coffin, Baruch, Davidson and others
men of business experience who I'M
derstand business motives and the OPP
GRAFTON of commercial principles.
There is no longer either opposition
or hesitation, but rather cordial CO.
operation. Convinced that it was for
the benefit of the nation and that fair
treatment will be the order of the day,
| Americas business men have thrown
into the national crisis such a gigantic
resource of organized industry as
| staggers the world.
ut is a time to make every Ameri-
| can whatever his station proud of his
citizenship, his heritage of patriotism
and our national spirit of loyalty and
| determination. But, if may reverse
| the old admonition: In time of peace
prepare for war; I would say to you
| today In time of war prepare for
| peace The war has shaken hui
Inanity to it's very foundations. Not
only are nations hanging in the bal
ance, but our social, Industrial and
economic institutions are facing most
radical readjustments.
Menace of misunderstanding.
| misunderstanding and ignorance
have been our greatest menace-mis-
| understanding of class toward other
! classes; misunderstanding of funda-
mental economic law; misunderstand-
ing of the mutually Of our RESPONSE
bility;. misunderstanding of the fact
that we are all human and actuated
by human attributes, whether rich or
poor. The employer too often views
his helpers as he does his machinery
and the worker too commonly regards
his employer as of the same GOODNESS
and hardness as the stones of his fac
tory wall
And how are we prepared to meet
this crisis? Can we boast a reassuring
measure of German efficiency and or
ganization? Or of French economy =?
Or of British determination?
is our industry today organized on
a basis of efficiency? Or are. we torn
by industrial uncertainties as to who
tshall direct, controversies as to the
division of the fruits of industry, mis-
taken relations between business and
the government, sadly involved in a
maze of half-baked notions about
business and economics, and largely
moulded by prejudices and theories,
rather than by experience and funda-
mental facts? Out of, an attempt to
play politics are we saddled with I'M
wise and partisan laws and a very
serious remnant of the menacing spir-
it Of class hatred and wasteful ami
mostly.
"And let US not forget that plans
for reconstruction are already engag-
ing the best thought of other nations
and all along the line, just as inteIli-
gent plans for rehabilitatfng business
are in progress England France,
Japan and even in Germany-as
there are for the prosecution of the
war.
Competition means something
more to us now than mere dollars.
Efficiency must be actual, not mere
ly responsive to the yard-stick of dol
lars and cents. 1t must embrace a
new realization of our triangular
partnership in industry three-sid-
ed fellowship, sharing the fruits of
isuccess, but also assuming our vari-
Gus share, of responsibilities and ad-
versity. The richer America grows,
the more she is the prize toward
which envious lands will turn We al
ready know the Teutonic dream
Three weeks to Paris-three months
to London-three years to America
American fcapitar-so caIled-has
proved it's sacrificial spirit and labor
faces such an opportunity as was new
er given any people to prove the
ISOn0dOpcC and of
cy. Germany has proved to US the
power of co-ordinated, concentrated
industrial intelligence; her efficiency
is alike the admiration and the hor-
ror of civilization. 1t now remains for
the three partners of industry to
adopt a new attitude, new spirit of
that will make American industry not
only irresistible, but irresistible by
reason of it's competitive efficiency.
New Spirit of Industry
1--WE have come to see the business
man as he is-a great national and
community asset, a force for national
security and prosperity. In place OF
the old antagonisms the war has
shown US the power of cooperating
,, and co-ordinating industry and of fol-
lowing our captains of industry rath-
er than the agitators and preachers
of discomfort. No man ever helped
the world progress by pandering tc
it's grievances and promoting antag-
onism.
"And wish I might tell you of the
immense gain in fellowship developed
within the past few years. There has
never been a time when such things
as wage dividends, bonuses, welfare