The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-01

iority., provide no time inp their sched- iule for quiet, undisturbed thinking.
 IA good many arrange their life SC that they can spend one or two quiet eveings a week, when they read and take time for more or less reflection.
 A great many other business men are driven along by the force of events. day by day and week by week, and are content to give quick decision alf day long on any matter whatsoever which the days events bring up.
 / When Frank A. vanderlip was presi- dent of the largest bank in America his Whole day at the bank usually was taken up by appointment after appoint mont, meeting after meeting. I asked 4 him once, When do you find time to think?" He replied, "As you can well imagine I certainly cant get the time here in the bank to do any real think ling. have to do all of 1t at home."N
 Hartman, the railroad wizard, once declared that he liked to drop in un- announced and find one of his execu- lives with his feet on his desk, appar- ently doing nothing. Hartman as- stunned that the man was taking time to think.
 But isn't 1t true that nine executives of every ten would hesitate, would De almost ashamed, to be seen sitting at a desk apparently completely idle? Has 1t not come to be regarded as proper lto appear busy every moment of the day9
 During the last spasm of acute busi- ness depression in this country very large enterprise became financially crip- pied and the bankers had to take hold. There was urgent necessity for evolving a reorganization plan. The bankers were supposed to get their minds busy and to. offer suggestions or program at later meeting.
 At this meeting young1sh bank presi- dent, after listening, to the rather vague talk of his elders, got up and outuneu a complete plan. He first presented a clear picture of the exact status Of ev- cry phase of the corporations position land then recommended how each mat ter should be handled. His plan was greeted with cordial approval.
 Leaving them, the older bankers told lthe younger man that he would be will ling to give a million dollars to be able Ito analyze so clearly such a compli- cated problem and to work out so thor ough and business-like solution.
 How was the younger banker able 70 do 1t? Because he devotes five or six evenings every week, not simply to idle reading, but to serious reading and to intense thought and study. This whole ,reorganizatlon plan was evolved by him at his home during long evenings of se- were application.
 Daniel Guggenheim, head of the fa- nous smening family, occe said to me: ssThe man who works twelve months a year works only six months a year" He meant that any man carrying tre- mendous responsibilities must take time for recreating his bodys and mind.
 Do we always keep In mind the sim pie, basic fact that all success springs from thinking? Not only success, but everything else first comes into being as thought in some mans mind. The Woodwork building for years was noth- ing more than thought, an idea, in the mind of Frank w. Woolworth. The hillion dollar steel corporation first was a thought in the mind of one individual, generally understood to have been Charles M. Schwab. The Egyptian sphinx, which has come down to us through the ages, was once nothing but a thought.
 If we can only get this thought firmly into our heads, and will eternally keep 1t at the forefront of our mind, that thinking Is the material of which success is made, will it not influence us so to plan our days and eur weeks that we shall set aside more time for calm, sustained thinking?-
 Here's, hoping. -