Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-02-05
THE BUSINESS SIDE OF IT.

Modern war is very largely a matter Of business.
This particular war is not, on the part of America and
her associates. as is often falsely stated. "a rich man S
war" or a war for the benefit of the business interests"
but is nevertheless a matter of business because its sue
cessful prosecution calls for the application of the prin-
ciples that are found indispensable in the management
of every large business enterprise.
There enter into the situation elements which are
not conspicuously manifested in the ordinary private
commercial enterprises. There must be, as the founda-
ton of everything, the spirit of patriotism. with all that
it implies of effort, OF sacrifice. of striving after an ideal.
But that mental and spiritual condition will be barren
of results if the methods employed in order to establish
the principles which are sought to be established are not
the principles of business management raised to their
highest power.
There must be man power. There must be national
willingness. And then there must be the application of
business principles. The business problems to be solved
are the same in character with those which confront the
business man in his daily work. only of infinitely greater
magnitude. Men and materials are to be transported.
All the business Of manufacturing, and buying, and SELL
ing and distributing necessary for the ordinary subsist-
ence of the people must be continued. and in addition
there must be handled a volume of commerce and man,
ufacture and transportation and distribution greater than
has ever before been attempted.
If all this related to the ordinary affairs of men
there would be no question as to the kind of men whose
ability and experience should be utilized for the prose-
cution of the work. If any of us had a great manufac-
turing enterprise to inaugurate we would, as a matter Of
course, seek for some man conspicuously successful in
manufacturing work to place in charge. If we had enor-
nous freight shipments to handle we would seek some
one familiar with the transportation business. If our
enterprise were a financial one we would hunt for an
experienced banker to take charge. But because the
great business in which we are engaged is a national
business there seems to be an impression that all the
laws which govern such matters may be violated, and
that the fact that a mans political notions are in harmo-
ny with our own is a guarantee that he can manage with
success enterprises whose conduct requires special ability,
years of experience, and skill of an unusually high or
der.
1t takes time to change preconceived notions, and 1t
will take time for us to reach a state of mind which will
induce us to follow the course which is necessary to
success in this as in any other enterprise. Our govern
ment has, of course, been making use Of the experience
of business men in the handling of the affairs of the war,
but that work must be continued and expanded until the
nation is able to take full advantage of the great Test wis
dom and ability that it has in all lines. We have a Ions
way to go before that condition is reached. :