The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-11-29
knowledge and Service

anu tflAAHUntHta
Practically our entire Industrial
structure. and much OF our social
organisation. Is built. In relative
ignorance. on "A foundation OF self.
ishness. 10 rs often said that the
real Incentive that drives men TO
great efforts is desire for personal
profit or galh. This sounds piaus.
ihlc. and n seldom denied In bust.
ness circles. but Il II actually not
true except IN very few cases. al
most all Of which are cases OF
bankers or financicrs, Further. hu.
manity invariably suffers loss
when they make their gain. since
the power and compensation IN
money which they get In. a. An.
nouncef' has shown. nbsurdly out
Of proportion to any service which
they render. 90 their knowledge. ef.
fort or foresight.
The fact Is that realty important
steps In human progress have al.
ways been made for their own sake.
In a spirit OF idcatlsm and service.
Merely mention Edlson. Bell. Mar.
conf. Darwin. Newton. Lincoln,
Washington. Jefferson. Shakespeare,
Michel Angelo. St Paul, Christ.
Mcses-tben compare with such brne.
fits as tho race owes 20 Morsans.
Nanderbllts. Astorr. Gceirta. Gonids.
Rothschllds. Stiilmans, Croesus.
Midas. and that certain rich man
who so richly adorns tho parablel
Note how history. art. religion and
science In thousands OF literary roc.
ords. paintings. sermons and Urea.
tiSrr. show forth their scorn and
contempt for tho miser. the money
grabher. the banker. who IL. Of ell
ealiings, the most det~rmlnediy tx
norant OF everything but money. and
selfish where money IL concerned.
Tho presidents Of Seattle banks no
doubt would deny vehemanfly
charges OF Ignorance and seiflshneax.
But ask them n few questions n
have tried thisl and they will prove
without any doubt the above state
ments.
The obvious antsdotes for ignorance
and selfishneSs are knowledge and
service. and Il IL pleasant 70 note a
general trend In business toward
knowledge as basis for making ex.
ccutiye decisions. and toward service
a. a fundamental business policy.
Many business men now realize that
their business difficulties are largely
due TO their own ignorancc--or costs.
OF markets. OF the technique Of their
lire ne ~ thn. ..h... - ss.s...n.. -.
fure that demands service rendered
In return for payment Some have
realized that real service cannot fail
20 be rewardcd--uaually in money
A very few have learned that the real
meaning OF service Is to save or util.
ire time--tn bind time. az II passes
for future use. Those who aave time
for others as well as for themselves.
do service.
Tho mere operation OF natural
selection tends 20 increase the per.
centaee of those who bind time by
using II. and by saving their Chi.
dren' from the blunders and ignor.
ance OF their fathers. In the same
way u Increases the percentage OF
factories that keep accurate records
and use them. treat their employees
with consideration and justice. put
out a high grade producss and sell IT
with an honest and intelligent pol.
icy. and eliminates those which try
10 get along with the methods which
were In use before the civil war.
This same process OF natural seiec-
ton will eventually reorganize the
railroads. re-arrangc the mining and
distribution of coal. eliminate a great
deal OF armament. put legal proceed.
ure and practice on a basis some 900
years ahead OF It's present condition.
and. let US hope and pray. develop a
system of political government and
possibly a financial scheme based on
knowledge and service.
The converse OF the above propo-
sition is evident. The man OF the
institution which wastes time. and
especially which Is the cause Of loss
Of time TO other people will newt.
ably feel the rctribution soon or
late. The real. objectionable social