Norwich bulletin., 1918-11-23
ARMSTRONG GIVES SLOGAN
 PATRIOTISM BEFORE PROFITS

Benjamin L. Arm strong, head of the silk manufacturing company which has one branch in this city, believes that industrial concerns should put patriotism above profits for some time iti the reconstFuetion period after the war in handling the employment prob- lens that will arise through the re- turn of the men now in military ser vice.
 In an interview in the New York Evening Sun. MT. Armstrong says that not only should industry remember men now employed in large factories, taking the places of those in the ser vice, but places should be made for those who will soon return.
 'In many cases this will seem inn practical" he admits. but practical or not practical. patriotism before profits should be the slogan of all concerns employing large units of men. Even if certain industries find it is necessary to employ more fnen than needed, it should be remembered that
 American industry has been safe guarded by the men at the front and in the service. In the beginning these rhen may not find their employment to Justify their hire. Shortly after in- dustry has been adjusted from war | to a peace status lost motion of this 1 kInd will disappear. The great vol | tune of business American factories will have to handle after the war will l keep employment agencies throughout the country husy day and night. In-
 dustries which have trained men be- fore this development takes place will l find it much easier to meet this c>S- i dition of prosperity. The training De- 1 srtd ch ha eyir 1 men are discharged from the service | as possible"
 With this in view Mr Armstrong has addressed his letters to the boards of directors of all companies swith which he is connected Following is d copy of the letter in which he asked tthat consideration of this kind be giver to labor:
 Soon those young men who have
 aIisW cred their country's call will bt
 returning from the battlefelds 0
 France and the camps in our owr
 country
 AS they return to fill their olt
 places in the world of business tn,
 managers of business enterprises vii
 have new problems to solve
 Tt is. of course, our first duty ant desire to have their old places read, ; for them the moment they return. Thi
 re shall do as matter Of course
 for our first duty is to them; but " : also have duty and obligation t , those who have been filling thei places in their absence, and if to re lease from duty at once those wh have been performing the work of tl-
 men in service will result in an, . hardship in these days of high cost c l living, then l suggest that for ore yea , after the signing of peace we wh [ have the direction of corporations 0 business enterprises lay aside the or : dinary rules of business mana agemen ? which make a showing of a fair prof 9 every year (after paying the numerou 2 heavy expenses) and absolute neces 7 sity and let Us this year put the cues e ton of profits into the background. e Let us go, if necessary, a year tim V with those who have accommodate e the public and our company needs h : entering our employ and taking u , work to which they were not per11ar e accustomed. and let us keep them n our employ until they find other pos n tions even where this to consic e erable extent may result in our haN Il ing for several months more peop r on our payroll than the business dt
 nlands, and even though this n1ear Il we ignore for the time being the rult q of successful business management n "In other words let us back up ol - government and the boys who hay n been fighting for their country by pu l ting patriotism far and away sbov
 profits.
 $ Let Us go. if necessary, a yea if without profits or with very sma d profits and show the boys as they r, l. turn that we appreciate their cheerf Q rCSDONsA fO their ColInfTy'S eai1 AT q let. us show this appreciation n e merely by our words. but much mo I by our deeds.
 t q shall urge that this policy
 adopted in the case of all compani
 1 with which am assnciated