The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1922-07-27
RUBBER
STAMPED

= RlnE Eli
We are living a superficial age.
While the generation that is passing
still exhibits thoroughness, and to a
certain extent saves the nations
bacon. the generation coming into
action does not go to the bottom
of things and frequently plumbers.
The generation passing did not have
educational and other advantages
comparable with those of the gen
Grafton coming into action, but made
greater use of what it did have
than the latter does of what it has.
Future prospects in this direction
do not promise larger employment
of advantages for we are using the
rubber stamp too freely.
In colleges as well as schools
there is disposition to "get
through" regardless of the manner
in which courese are completed. In
the industrial world there has been
too much of this rubber stamping.
Once the master of his trade was
compelled to be conversant with
every operation, so that he was able
to instruct in every detail of process.
When labor organized it so changed
this standard that journeyman
had only to serve apprenticeship
whether he mastered his trade or
not-time was substituted for know
ledge. The multiplication of ma
chinery contributed to this change
in standards, and so did the division
of trades, and specialization, for
these multiplied ''jobs" and thus ex-
tended organization. This was all
favorable to the promotion of the
union idea, but it did not tend to
efficiency and economy. In emerg-
ent and exceptional circumstances
it showed that rubber stamps did
not certify very much.
The social, fraternal, and religious
life of the country constantly dis
closes the rubber stamp. Rank and
class result from somebody's die
tum rather than from distinction de-
termined by quality, ability, or merit
of any sort. Emblems proclaim
men as members of this order, So
ciety, or organization, though they
do not consistently practise its pre-
cepts or demonstrate it's principles,
if they know what they are, which is
doubtful. If there is one super
ficiality above another that is dis
organizing religious denominations
today, it is found in division of its
forces, engeries and resources, to the
end that the church may more sue
cessfully compete with worldly at
fractions and temptations, when it
should concentrate its forces and
make solid it's own foundations
Theological schools, church councils,
and examining committees use the
rubber stamp too often.
There is no need to further cite
evidences of the rubber stamp. So
superficial is the thought of the
times that nothing would be gained.
Everything is all right, else it would
not be. The fact that it was not,
but now is, makes not the slightest
difference, for human advancement
and civilization are farther and
higher than ever before. The pos
sibility that they might be still
farther and higher is mere specula-
ton, and there is little or no salts
faction in mere speculation. And
yet there are some people who can
| still think and think straight. At no
time since the war has there beer
greater effort by straight thinkers
to combat superficiality than now,
at no time a more genuine attempt
to emphasize Fundamental principles.
The passing generation because
of its thoroughness is better able
to appreciate that superfeiality has
become a national sin to such an
extent that it must be checked else
sowing to the wind certainly will
reap the whirlwind. They are. try
ing to put common sense into the
use of the rubber stamp to the end
that what it stamps will be worth
it, and for this reason be entitled
to full confidence. A poor poet re-
Gently said; mot what men seem,
but what they are is better basis
by far, on which to calculate and
build in time of peace as well as
war"
| ----&9-