The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-05-14
earning Criticism-Knocking

We all arc natural-born knockers of one kind or an
other. The tendency is the offensive expression OF a
faculty for desiring to better conditions or OF ideals which
20 higher than the goals attained. Knocking is impetu-
GUS expression of dissatisfaction. that is it is the UNI
dienificd form of criticism and desire combined. 1t has.
therefore, been we'll termed in the slang sense. In a more
refined Technology it is classed as carping criticism, one
of tie most potent producers of WEAKNESS OF the soul
that is Imaginable.
In this era Of big things this sort Of criticism has be-
como moro or less the echo of great achievements, seek
ing to bclttle vision and genius and success.
During the last few years Americans have been doing
material things on a bigger scale, probably, than ever
before in all history. The engineer, the builder, the Or
ganizer have reached heights never gained before.
Hand hand with this, however, has come the rise
of a determined spirit Of criticism. Never before have we
had 50 many writers of reputation busily engaged IN
maintaining that these material accomplishments Of
ours are things of no account whatever.
A word-"Babbitt'-has been invented. 1t is applied
freely to any and all business men-to all men, III fact,
except those who think that making marks on paper is
the chief end of man and the noblest exercise of the
human spirit.
Now all of this, we submit. is a funny sort Of develop
ment. In an era that is, pre- -eminently, an era in which
things are being done, we are %indulging in an orgy of
talking that goes beyond anything in our national ex-
perience. We are clarifying the writer-the talker. IN
OCnCT WOCQ6, GQC q WIN AAuS1 0"N NvSo AN~N'
To be sure, every nation needs self-criticisn. But
haven't we a bit of an over-supply? Is all of this ink
singing really necessary?
Visit. some day, a really large-scale construction job IN
some American city. The experience is worth while,
not only for its inherent interest but because 1t puts
YOU in closer touch with the American spirit than a whole
five-foot shelf of books.
Below you is an excavation big enough to hide the
pyramids of E%gypt7gouged out, casually enough, IN a
months time. Above rises an enormous mass of masonry
and steel, more stupendous than any Of the breath-tak-
ing works OF proud old Rome, flung skyward by a mir
| aculous combination Of human skill and mechanical in
genuity. Thousands of tons of steel and stone are in
place, each piece cut to shape and marked for Its own
peculiar spot before ever it left the factory or quarry.
The sheer immensely Of the job Is overpowering, breath
taking.
Here you have action-things done that will help to
shape the conditions of life for millions of men and
women yet unborn. It is all the work of Babbitts-men
who read very little and write not at all. And it hap
pens that it is precisely this sort OF work by which the
present age will be remembered.
OF course, 1t is easy enough for the critic to maintain
that it Is all futile. But 1t is hard to give the knocker
a very high rating when you stand in front Of the doors
finished product.