Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-12
SAYS BROAD VIEWS
NOW ARE ESSENTIAL
H. G. SeIfridge on Business
Differences Between u. S.
AND England.
CHICKERING'S DUE TO GREED
BY GORDON. STILES.

BY GORDON. STILES.
Cablegram to The Evening Star and
Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 1919.
LONDON. June Sit is only the
adoption of broad and liberal views
in commercial affairs which will do
away with business misunderstood
ings between England and the United
States. That is the opinion Of H. Cor
don Selfridge, who came from Chi
cago and built up the greatest de-
partment store business In the British
Isles.
THE occasional small chickering's
which we hear about are due to need
business men whose attitude IL the
result Of greed and pettineB." said
Mr.. Selfridge. Such can be found on
both sides Of the Atlantic They only
place difficulties in the way Of those
who are honestly trying to reach
that common ground of commercial
understanding which is not only desir-
nations. A man must look beyond
his own office doors in these times.
He must realize that others are in
the same position that he is and that
an amicable give-and-take policy IL
the sort that will pay in the long
run"
Holds Restrictions Retard Trade.
do you think that tho present
trade restrictions in England are
harmful in their effect upon the gen.
eral business situation r' I asked him.
mo doubt certain of these re-
strictions are necessary. but I believe
that II most of them were removed
and an approximate return to pre-
war conditions in trade regulations
were brought about the business men
OF the two countries would straighten
out matters more quickly and salts
factorily than the bureaucrats will.
A bureau must follow the procedure
laid down to the employees without
discrimination, while we know that
each individual deal carries certain
elements peculiar to itself. These can
best be adjusted by the parties di-
rectly concerned. There are also
cases where manufacturers taking
advantage of the government re-
strictions. benefit themselves.
Why Policy Is Bad.
1T is bad policy because it is
one which cannot go on indefinitely.
1t happens just now that we wish to
buy quantity of structural steel for
an addition we are building to our
LonuoH eStdpllShm0ht. NOW We want
to buy that steel in England, but the
prices quoted US thus far are too
high. The material can be purchased
in America and delivered here at a
sufficiently lower price to warrant us
going there for the several thousand
tons we need. In business such he
ours all these things have q direct
effect on the purchases of the people.
Every item additional in the creation
and maintenance of q distributing
house like this does it's part in keep
ing UP the prices of goods sold over
the counters.
There are goods sold In America
which the British people need and
which they could obtain II the ban
were lifted. And II in these cases the
restrictions were removed 1t certainly
would result in a saving in the
pockets of the general British public,
There need be no fear Of oyeppro-
duction on the part Of any manufac-
turer or dealer in staple commodities
here or in America. Everything they
can produce will find a ready market
for years to como. and at fair profit.
And differences that may exist be-
tween English and American ooncorns
must be frankly faced and squarely
adjusted.