The Semi-weekly leader., 1920-12-18
BENNINGTON SAYS
BUSINESS TO REVIVE
jackson Business Man Makes optinis-
tic Talk Before Board Of


An interesting talk on causes that
have brought about present business
conditions was made at the Board Of
Trade meeting last night by Mr.. r. E.
Remington, one of the foremost mer-
chants in the south, says the Jackson
News.
In substance Mr.. Kennington's talk
was optimistic. There is considerable
psychology. he said, in the situation.
Pessimism prevails everywhere, and 1t
is just as rampant in New York as 1t
is in Jackson. However, it was inev-
liable that such condition should fol-
low an era of phenomenal prosperity
and high prices, the pendulum swinging
from one extreme to the other.
There is, said Mr.. Remington, much
cause for optimism if one views the
situation calmly and dispassionately. He
quoted an interesting article from the
editor of the Wall Street Journal, who
stated that the foundation is now being
laid for a great business BOOM and
that it will make it's effect felt during
the coming year, probably within the
next four or five months. This editor
he said, may be a bit too optimistic, but
there is much logic in the arguments
he offers showing why a business re-
vival is inevitable.
RELIGION IN TRADE
Mr.. Remington read to the board a
highly interesting talk made by Robert
w. Babson, of New York, one of the
foremost financial authorities and bust
ness statisticians in the country This
article is of general interest and is as
follows:-
"The future of American business de-
pends on the development of the soul
of the man and upon again permeating
labor, capital and management with 10y
atty, integrity and a desire to serve.
The need of the hour is not more sales
men, or more foremen, or more techni-
cal men, but the need of the hour is to
get employer and wage workers to give
their hearts to God. Business depres-
sion can be avoided, but only by redi-
recting the minds of your people to the
need of integrity, industry and thrift
Business conditions are due to mans
attitude toward life. Business condit.
ions can be changed for the better on
ly as mans attitude toward life changes
There are a great many factors
which today fortell business prosperity.
Let me mention ten.
81. The great mass of people still
have the government bonds which they
bought during the war. Until these
are sold, there will remain a big reserve
buying power.
"2. Millions of dollars which hereto
fore have been spent for drink are now
being spent on the building of homes,
the buying of comforts, and general
merchandise.
BANKING MORE FLEXIBLE
"S. The banking system of the Uni
ted States is more flexible than it has
ever been during any preceding period
of financial stress.
4. National advertising has come to
stay, and is destined to be a great
force in the producing and steadying of
business.
IS. The war has ersulted in the
Standardization of many lines which
causes greater efficiency in production.
&c. An impetus has been given to
foreign trade which will continue for
many years, especially as we now have
d great merchant marine,
STERILIZATION
u. Senasonable fluctuations in man
ufacturing and selling are being elimi-
mated.
q. A reduction in taxation may be
expected. This especially applies to
business and profits taxation.
"9. Recent political elections show
that the mass Of people are at heart
conservative and can be counted on to
back up a business mans government
10. The war made the United States
the richest country potentially in the
world.
THE CHANGING CYCLES
Why this apparent inconsistency?
Let me explain. Business runs in cy-
cles-frst a period of prosperity and
then a period of depression. When stu
dying these business changes, it was
necessary to resort to certain statistics.
In endeavoring to ascertain what causes
the statistics, it was found: (1) that
a period of depression is the result of
the unrightcousness, dishonesty, extra
vagance and inefficiency which develop
in the latter half of a period of pros
pa - anu N@l thdI period OF pros
perlty is the reaction from righteous
ness industry integrity and thrift
which develop in the latter half of a
period of depression.
The meaning of this is plain. 1t is
not railroads, steamships or factories
which cause our prosperity; it is not
bank clearings, foreign trade, or COM
modify prices which give US good busi-
ness. All these things are mere ther-
mometers that register the Temperature
of the room. Prosperity is based on
those fundamental qualities of faith,
temperance, service and thrift, which
are products of religion. The fundamen-
tals OF prosperity are the Ten Com
mandments."