The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1922-05-11
GOLDEN RULE APPLIED
TO BUSINESS
Summary of Replies Received to
QUESTIONABLE of Emmett
Pastor.

| The October, 1921 number Of the
American Magazine mas q lengthy ar
ticle written by Arthur Nash Of A.
Nash Il Company, clothing manufac-
turers of Cincinnatti, Ohio, who states
that the company he represents open
ly announced that they would practice
the principles of the Golden Rule in
all of their business affairs, both in
dealing with the general public and
with their employees. This decision
was reached few years ago, after
Mr.. Nash had personally become con-
WINGED that ne ought to inaugurate
the practice of these principles as a
man among men. The business was
running at loss and occupied a one
room place. He at once increased the
wages of his laborers, some of them
200 per cent and despite the prophets
of disaster the business began to in
crease and in the midst of the days
when strikes and failures were on
every hand the business of the A.
Nash and company increased until a
building of five stories was rented and
fully occupied. Other journals have
cited other manufacturers following
along similar lines, notably the Amer
lean Cast Iron Pipe Co. of Atlanta,
Ga, and in comments contend that
the Golden Rule, so long looked upon
by business as a merely beautiful
theory, is also a workable valuable
guide in all transactions with their
fellowmen."
This, Mr.. Editor, started me to
thinking along this line with the re-
suit that l sent questionable to a
number of business and professional
men in Emmett, the answers to which
are interesting and significant. Here
are the questions and the results that
/ had from them. First let me say
that / addressed the list to so men,
enclosing a self-directed stamped en-
velope, and | receive replies from
about so per cent of the number sent
out:
l. Do you believe that it is practi-
cal under present day business organ
ization to practice the Golden Rule?
A tabulation of the answers to this
question reveals the fact that Ia per
cent answered no and So per cent an
swered yes. Some of the reasons
given are: at will beget confidence"
Because Jesus recommended it and
he was always right" "An honest man
can do business in no other way" at
is practical because christianity is
practical" "The practice of the Col
den Rule begets confidence and con-
fidence is needed if prosperity is forth
coming" 81 have not found it difficult
20 follow the principles of the Golden
Rule in my 20 years of business ex-
oerience"
2. From your knowledge and OBJ
de you believe that any
considerable number of business in
iividuals and companies practice the
Golden Rule? What percent? The
otal percent averaged from all the
answers was that So per cent Of all
BUSINESS concerns and individual busi-
less men practice it. 1t is Indicative
# wide range of estimates when the
Individual answers ran from one one
housanth of one percent to SO per
ent.
g. Do you think that the practice
4 the Golden Rule in business would
lake for the financial prosperity Of
hose practicing it? State reasons.
o this question SO per cent Of the
len answered yves" A few of the
easons given are: at would restore
onfiGence which at present is badly
haken' mo business can continue
cry song unless the Golden Rule is
racticed." Fairness begets conf
ence; this in turn brings patronage
nd. this brings financial success"
In business it would make for disas-
.r-this is from experience"
4. What do you think would be the
oral effect upon the individual and
,ciety if the business world would
snerally nractice the nrincinle. ~
'e Golden Rule in all of their deal
gs? The answers to this question
ere 100 per cent in indicating that
e moral effect would be good. Hsre
e few Of the answers: would
. great boost for any city" at
,uld make q world fit to live in"
he millennium would be just around
E corner" Heaven ON earth; We
,uld need no jails, penal institutions
courts Of justice Tor preacherH)."
ceit, honor for dishonor, optimism
'tead of pessimism."
In the early part of the Eighteenth
ltury Sir Is2as Newton discovered
d published to the world "The Law
Equal Reaction" but he did not
Ike that law; it has been in the
rid since the creation. And in the
st century the Man of Gallilee stat
the same law in definite way, viz
18th what measure ye mete. it shall
measured to you again" These
rs seem to act regardless of per
s or things, and may we believe
t all Law, whatever may be its
I'm Of action, has its penalty or
ssing for all. In the language of
reat writer of old, the general prac
Of the Golden Rule among all of
is Consummation, devoutly to
wished"
ELMER GRANT KEITH