Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-10
Getting BACK To business

HE year 1920, now i'm its dying DAYS.
mas been one OF uncertainty and stress
i'll the business world Two things. one
development and the other an institution
brought about its unscttlcmcnt and be-
wilderment. The former VIZ the economic
ana financial outgrowth of the war; the lat
ter the political CONFUSION which the coun-
try undergoes every four years, hut which
this year was particularly violent in its
effects because of the vitality important il.
sues involved following the war and tho
probable effects Of the policies 10 be adopted
by that party which should defeat the other
NJ the polls
All That is over now, and reconstruction
Is well on its way to completion The gen
eral trend is fixed aud the business world
knows i'll large way just what il may
expect Politics Is ont of the way, the ten
lative program OF the dominant party is
iaifiy well understood, The minority party
IS showing laudable desire to co-operatc
for the public good. and there is every rca-
son to believe that business has nothing
further TO fear.
The year 1921 will open with = ccor
held. and it depends on business itself 10
what high degrees of prosperity il will at
tam. IL mas, OF course, been readjusting
itself To changed conditions That adjust
ment is not finished, but i, is proceeding
rapidly, and tho sound hard sense or tho
American business man who has hs doI
iars invested i'll trade or industry NAV he
expected to surmount any obstacles tina,
ma! threaten IN the coming twelve months
Changes in methods are mandatory In
me last few years business has been able
To SIT back contentedly and survey its ne
crmu!ating profits Now, the mcrchan, and
me manufacturer must go ont and get the
business which, until recently had bee,,
lowing III without effort on their mari
rom The manager 10 the clerk and The
salesman on the road, it is to he a bot,Io
Tor trade against the kecncst SORT NJ co,,,
petition. Customers no longer come from
inb IN besg'ng to be served. They feel
htW independence. They again are
"pio ~ PICK ana choose, and henceforth the
vii, need more than Il perfunctory
smile ana The salesman more than n cood
s'ory ana an order book to CAPTURE and
toio them. II is going To he q case NJ
hustle tweniy-four hours every day in ,b.
Sood, old American fashion and tho so1os
man VINO lMstes most is the one who will
reap the biggest profits. Under tho now
regime there are going to be no snnu iohs
no easy berths.i II is back TO hard wort
i"r every one. and the man who won't wor,,
VII ma dozch applicants for his place
BUSINESS men generally understand these
~''"iNiohSt anu tHeE are 'muDiliZinp thcir
forces, educating them in the sel,inr
strategy OF the coming campaign. ana y.,-
''hg ready for real competition. They can
anord to overlook opportunities. ana Tho
w'sest among them are preparing IA on.
| ,ars" their advertising Appropriations TO
ho!o me Old and capture the new busi
ness, WHICH now must be sold instead of
waiting to be served
There is no cause for despondcncv in
hichmohd or elsewhere. The business 10
mere THIS nation OF $4,000. 900 noonIo
VIII not lover its living standards. and the
NATIONS OF Europe, Asia and South Amcrico
! TOOK TO this country for their markets. Tb,
| year 1871 should set a new high mark a.,
! commercial progress. but il will he nocos
"a'N 10 get back TO business" hard. cold
niatler-oi-iact business, il We would realize
! we opportunity in ia fulncss The war
- EVER ,so ,no campaign is over Now let's
f'th }! Knox gets b place in the Cabinet
ie VIII not be expected to go Philandering
around among other )nations
t-=-------=.--
| me President has .renominatcd the