Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-02
BIZ MERLE THORPE.

"HERE is one phase of the many
complex factors that enters into
an answer to the usual question
i of "How's busineSs?" That
factor is sentiment, or public
opinion, or mob psychology It is a
mighty hazard and threatened us re-
Gently. The stock market reverses of
october might have brought on severe
depression. In fact 1t probably would
have done so except for the prompt
action Of President Hoover in taking
measures to restore public confidence in
the condition Of Americas business
structure
You win recall that rumors began to
ny-rumors based on half truths, on a
distorted perspective Of the whole, but,
nevertheless, such as to create a state
OF mind which, If unchecked, might
nave brought about a general hystsria,
resulting In shrinkage of purchases
and extensive unemployment.
HOOver's Conferences.
You will recall that President Hoover
called a series Of conferences in WASH
1ngton. They served as a sounding
board to bring to public attention the
true facts as to business conditions.
This Immediately had a calming influ-
ence. Then the President asked BUSH
ness leaders to keep moving ahead and
thus set an example for the fearful and
the humorous. The reports of railways,
utilities and the great manufacturing
industries gave assurance of continued
normal expansion and improved pro-
grams and III some instances the
promise to go even farther than they
had previously intended. Thus the first
step IN bringing about a sentiment, a
public opinion, state of mind.
The second step was to set I'D a
national business survey conference.
which was designed to keep business
stable over the period which might be
affected by the stock market collapse.
Four hundred leaders of industry met
In washington on December 5. They
searched the business structure for
weak spots. Such spots did exist, some
perhaps due to the effects of fear and
some due to other causes.
Today an executive committee of 81
men, under the Craftsmanship Of Julius
H. Barnes, Is carrying on with the
assistance of some 400 industries.
wonder II we business men in
Washington who are living day by
day close to this activity estimate the
slenincance OF it. 1t is great expert
ment, as important as any since
economic history began. We have
always suffered by valleys Of depres-
sion. Here we were laundering down
the decline, facing the usual period of
stress and strain, Of unemployment, of
fear and suffering. both mental and
physical. We are engaged in an
attempt to halt that plunge in midair,
as 1t were. If it is successful it will
cnange the course Of future economic
history; 1t viii relegate the business
cycle to the museum with the dodo.
Seeks to Accomplish Two Things.
The experiment seeks to accomplish
two things. The first I have already
mentioned, that of dispelIing false
1umors and through accurate informa-
ton to get a better picture of the
immediate future. This is important,
rs you viii readily agree, because COM
mitments which every business must
make are largely determined by what
the immediate future holds. And accu-
rate information produces a sound state
OF mind; 1t may be pessimistic, it may
be optimistic, but at least it is sound.
The second objective is to arouse
communities, industries and, indeed, the
individual, to greater effort, In war
times whenever there is militay crisis,
the Nation gets its second wind.
Through its citizens and organizations
1t is able to do things beyond the inagi-
nation OF peace time. Quickness of de-
ctS1on Is perhaps the most important
factor in the success Of a business man.
or, indeed, Of any man In any activity.
do 1t now" Is a slogan worn thread
bare and frayed at all the edges. Yet I
nave observed that success perchss on
the banner OF the man who can make
the decision Saturday instead of fol-
lowing the line of least resistance and
letting 1t 60 over until Monday In war
time we appreciate the value Of quick
decisions. The thing must be done
now" we say; so decisions are made,
some right, some wrong, but the big
thing is to start matters moving.
II at this time of peace we can get
Snat wartime second wind, we shall be
able more nearly to accomplish the full
Dotent1ality Of our abilities We, of
course, could not expect to move as we
would move If an enemy fleet were an
preaching us on the Atlantic and on the
Pacific, but we can approximate that
energy. From the reports brought into
this committee Of 81 last Thursday, I
believe such approximation is under
way.
Problems of Washington.
Again, it Is a state Of mind, and to
that one phase wish TO address myself
20 the individual problems Of Washing
ton.
1t is human always to look to the |
other city or to the other man for re-
suits. Just now each Of us is doubtless
saying TO himself, "I suppose Philadel- |
phia and New York and Baltimore and
Duluth. and Kansas City are respond |
ing" But in those cities there are men
who are expressing the same assurance
OF other cities, including Washington. It
IS human that we fail to see opportu-
nlCles at nome: washington needs diff
ferent state Of mind.
H. @. Wells, the eminent English
novelist. with whom talked last Sum-
mer in London, is the author of a book
called The Country of the Blind" It
Is a delightful parable. 1t is also a
powerful treatise upon the human
tendency to be blind to the things in our
own neighborhood. 1t might have been
dedicated to the City of Washington.
After reading it, one is moved to ask,
rs Washington City OF the Blind'?"
Hollywood is still chuckling over the
movie director who was filming a scene
IN which a band of hard-riding Cos
sacks swooDed down upon a Russian
detail OF the Cossacks' outfits be real
astic. He insisted that even their sad
dies must be genuine Russian saddles.
so an order was sent to Russia for
ZOO CosSack saddles. After a long and
costly delay they arrived. Examining
them, the director found stamped on
each this telltale legend, Made in
America"
Could Shop at Home.
What a Sardonic side light upon the
human tendency to 60 far afeld for
things that are near at hand There
are folks in Washington who travel to
other cities to purchase the very things
their home shops are displaying.
There are those of US who visit far
points Of historical and artistic inter-
est and have never seen those in our
own community. Most important Of all