The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-25
CAN BEDONE'
 BEST MOTTO
Forbes Tells Why Corporations Must Change Their
 Attitude
By B. c. FORBES

Always count at least ten before you say "It can't be done."
 The reply given by Judge Gary and other steel leaders when urged to abol- tsh the twelve-hour day used to be "1t can't be. done" Then followed what ap- parently were to the steel leaders them selves convincing reasons why 1t would be impossible, why it would be ruinous to attempt to adopt the eight-hour day.
 We all know what has happened since. Public opinion compelled the steel masters to act.
 f@d instead of ruin, there shortly l sefne the declaration of an "extra" div .tend by the United States Steel Cor N By the way, Judge Gary has in his office an illuminated motto, "It can be done.r
 : Events have proved it.
 You may recall that when Louis Brandeis years ago declared that the railroads of the country could save at least a million dollars day by intro ducfng greater efficiency, the howl went up from railway operators. "It can't be done" Since then the railway managers have introduced efficiency to save them far more than a million dol lars a day. The improvement which has been effected in railroading in the United States during the last five years has been phenomenal. Events have
 
 raflwaymen themselves did not real ize it.
 j A great many employers at the pres is made that they introduce profit shar- ing in their business, "It can't be done"
 True, no plan has yet been devised whfeh has been unanimously accepted as ideal There is still much groping ~ff
 Nevertheless, a larger number of cor porations each year demonstrates that 1t can be done
 vorite cry of our anthracite coal barons for years.
 Unless they drastically change their tactics they are destined to learn that many things can be done which they have tried to make us believe can't be done The public will take them in hand fin the same way as it took the steel masters in hand and will put them through their paces unless they adopt as their motto. "It can be done."
 The problem of high rents is one of the most serious aff1icting millions and millions of people of this country today. There Is a nationwide demand for lower rents. Tt can't be done'' is the sum and substance of the excuse given by interested parties.
 Without presuming to be able to state definitely or dogmstica1ly just how and when it will be done, I know that by and by not only will rents be lowered, but some form of readjustment will come whereby a great many people will be relieved of the burden of paying rents and will be enabled to become their own landlords. Progress is al- ready being made in this direction at many centers, and one can foresee the day when rent paying will become dis ttnctly unfashionable.
 Take shipping. Whenever any dis eussion arises beaping on the advis- ability and importance of America be- coming power on the mercantile seas, the rejoinder is "It can't be done" strong reasons and explanations are supplied.
 We'll, one American shipping concern has had the hardihood to inaugurate a round Underworld all-American passen- ger and freight service within the last few weeks, and even shipping men themselves are inclined to believe that fthis enterprise will be made successful Without question, the future will demonstrate, in regard to the upbuild- ing and permanent maintaining of an American mercantile marine, that 1t can be done.
 Looking back at your own experi- .ences. do there not come to your mind things which you now wonder how on earth you accomplished obstacles which even when you look back appeared to have been insurmountable? There have been certain crises in my career which managed somehow to meet and over come, but which, even after the event. I feel like saying, "It can't be done.'' The truth is, that not one of us knows what he or she is capable of doing until the pinch comes..
 The trouble is that most of us get into the habit of jogging along as com fOrtahly as we can. We seek and fol- low theA path of least resistance. We dodge difficulties wherever we can. We prefer ease to effort, leisure to indus try, comfort to exertfon- The dynamic general sales manager of one of the largest companies in America shot out a striking phrase in addressing more than a thousand of his salesmen the other evening" After the company expected more of them in 1924 than it had ever expected before and after telling them that they would Brecefve every cooperation from head quarters, he shook his forefinger at them. declared in loud voice that the company was determined to get from the men greater results, not excuses, he explained, Remember, winners have to be whipped across the post" Do not most of us who are dissatis- fled with our lot, who are dissatisfied with the progress we have made, in dulge overmuch in coddling ourselves and neglect to whip ourselves across the winning post?
 Yes. it is a good plan for all of us to count ten before we weakly claim Tt can't be done"