Evening star., 1931-06-24
Good News and Optimism
Are Needed for Business
TO the Editor Of The star:

| 40 tne Eoitor OF The Star:
There has been an epidemic of 'Iet-
ters to the editor" from @ group ol
calamity howlers. am particularly
severely criticizing DR.. Julius Klein, As
slstant Secretary Of Commerce, for his
radio talks and published statements
while have no desire to condone any
ones errors, 1t Is well to remember that
those who do anything in this world oc-
caS1onally make mistakes.
Or. Klein is consistently booster
and never acknowledges defeat. He
shows confidence in the ability Of the
United States to overcome its troubles
no matter how EeriouS they may be
temporarily. The country needs more
men having the confidence Snd opti-
/ mlSm and forward-looking iearlesSneSS
possessed by DR.. Klein.
| These panic stricken, unreasoning,
perpetual pessimists are worse than any
Communists we have so far had to con-
tend with. Their influence Is destruc-
tive rather than constructive. They un-
dermine the morale of the people. They
breed fear rather than the fighting
spirit that Is needed to overcome diff
culties.
nave the utmost sympathy for the
man VINO Is unemployed and has tramped
the streets for weeks or months looking
Tor work. He cannot be blamed for be-
coming discouraged. His criticism Of the
| existing order of things which permit
sucn widespread unemployment Is fully
luStined He probably has no idea where
the fault really lies. It is natural that
ne should look to the Government for
assistance in time Of need, without re-
garo 70 the sometimes questioned right
OF the Government to spend the tax
payers money for the support Of those
few who are in want.
l am thoroughly convinced that with
| 1our out OF every five business concerns
suffering loss Of business the fault lies
largely within their own organizations
and in their methods of doing business
Fools, towards nd lazy people follow
the line of least resistance and blame
otnerS Tor their woes. A look into a
mirror Will show the cause of most of
ones troubles.
Those business men who continue to
SIT back and do nothing but bewail con-
oltions and cut operating expenses by
wage and personnel reductions are only
perpetuating the very conditions they
want others to correct. Good business Is
waiting today, as it always has, for the
reaIly progressive man to come and get
N-and more and more of them are
getting back their nerve and good busi-
ness along with it.
A large department store here in
washington recently carried, I believe,
Iuu-page advertisement and in large
pIack type announced the fact that they
hao increased the number of their en-
ployes by 10 per cent to handle their
increased business this Spring. The
newspaper that carried the advertise
ment overlooked that important piece Of
encouraging news. which was of interest
10 every person in Washington, and es-
pecially to all those who are unem-
ployed. since 1t indicated improving
conditions and imminent prospects for
their own employment II the news
papers would stop playing up the dis
couraglng news beyond all proportion
TO its importance. and would give ap-
proprlate space and attention to the
bright side OF the picture, they would
Weld tremendous influence in restoring
public confidence and. consequently, in
speeding up the return to prosperous
conditions.
DR.. Klein and Merle Thorpe. editor
OF Nations Business, published by the
united States Chamber of Commerce.
are fighting hard battle to replace the
unreasoning fear in millions of people
with confidence properly tempered with
caution.
We don't need rose-tinted spectacles.
II we'll just wipe the dirt from our regu-
lar glasses, we'll see that things aren't
half so dark as we thought.
Come on! Let's go!
WENDELL C. HILL.