, 1921-10-31
PUBLIC SERVANTS.

The best stuff put out by editors Of newspapers ii
the stuff that is written close to the people. Matter
that has not taken form in the minds Of the people
but of which they have been hazily conscious for
long time. The art of the thing is in telling the read
es what they have known but which has not yet
reached the stage of expression. In a recent issue Of
the Saturday Evening Post the subjoined article Il
found and 1t is recommended for the careful perusa
of those interested in public affairs;
"In the palmy days Of that journalistic phase known
as undertaking a series of articles was published bear
ing the striking title of The Shame of the Cities II
is probable that city government has improved IL
many respects since that time, and the abuses Their
acclaimed against now appear less menacing. But
shame, like other qualities and attributes Of govern.
ment, may take on new forms with passing years, one
evil following bard upon another. So to bring the
story Of the cities shame down to date account must
be taken of that species Of terrorism which prevents
so many distinguished and competent citizens from
entering public life.
I'm one Of the great cities but recently in the throes
of a mayoralty election an honest and competent re
form or coalition candidate was pitted against a ma.
chine opponent, distasteful. to say the least, to most
of what might be considered the better element. But
the reform candidate could not by any stretch Of
imagination be described as a really eminent man, and
when a stranger within the city's gates asked one Of
the reform party managers why someone of great dis
tinction could not be found to run he received THU
cynical but no doubt literally truthful answer:
1t is almost impossible to find a man who is dis
tinguished and eminent who is not in some way di
rectly or indirectly connected with business, and thai
is fatal. The yellow press will at once say he is con
nected with the money power, and that is the end Of
him. The man who should have been nominated
s~piendidly equipped in every way for the position ant
of delightful personality, married a niece or cousin o.
something of that sort of one of the country's lead
ing bankers. He can't be elected to any public posi-
ton because the yellows will go after him.
"Of course II the residents of our great cities wan
the gradual deterioration of public spirit and publi
service that is sure to follow the elimination Of fit an,
able men from public life, they will get what the,
want. But the pity of it is that the fit and able mel
are eliminated not so much by the voters themselve
at actual elections as by the preliminary terrorism o
take the delightful position that all successful me-
other than themselves and their immediate associate
are criminals.
Certainly the average voter cannot be such q pin
head as to ignore the fact that business success
though not always, is usually a guaranty not only o
ability but of an even more important qualification
integrity. The head of a small banking firm recent
called upon the head Of one of the richest firms i
the world to inquire about a certain young man VIII
had formerly worked there and had Just applied for
position with the smaller house. The great banke
spoke highly of the young man.
But 1 want to know said the caller, whether h
is of partnership caliber.'
Yes was the reply; and the fact that he ha
money makes him more 30. He will not be temple
to go into any get-rich-quick enterprise. He will b
above many other forms of temptation Also
Fortunately there are many poor men as well
rich who are above temptation; but anyone who is Il
milar with the lives and habits Of those who have a
tanned conspicuous success, who have arrived far b,
yond the necessity of striving, know that more tina
90 per cent of their time is devoted to nonproft-mal
ing work, to Strengthening out tangles, to keepin
things going right, to helping out. For most Of the,
there are always some misers-money has lost i
charm. Accomplishment is the end in view.
"The great boast of this country is its progress
industry. Business men are the real leaders. WheI
formerly the brightest members of college ~graduatin
classes looked forward to teaching and the ministr
they now prepare for positions in banks and corporl
tons. This tendency may have gone too far. and
is said that no good can come from starving the ranl
Of the clergy and teachers. But the very complain
that such is the case is eloquent proof Of the ealibe
of those who go into business.
ANow the greatest single interest in the country
the sum total of federal, state and local government
what is called the public service. and it is starved NOR
than any profession. The pull toward private bus
ness is strong enough in alhconscience. To make it Al
tifcially stronger by preventing men whom succes
has put above the enticement of political graft froi
devoting their time and energies to the most impol
tant of all industries Is worse than a shame to tn
cities. 1t is unutterably silly"