The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-01-25
Howe About:
Simple Bchaviorism
The Yellow Streak
Original Law of Nature
By ED HOWE

the fine things of life. and that fol-
lowers of the religion Of simple be-
haviorism lack these appropriations and
helps, are mistaken. The advocates OF
good conduct for Its own sake. and
sufficient religion. enjoy all real ten
derness and beauty; believe In every
good thing. myself have been known
to appreciate rose. symphony, a
picture, the gentleness of women. the
beauty of children. The idealIsts claim
too much for their virtue sometimes
utter falsehoods Such conduct Is a
violation of the doctrine of behavior
Ism. which teaches good and correct
conduct In all things.
You may claim such unselfishness
and idealism as you please. In e1pla-
nation Of your good behavior, and |
shall give you credit. | believe many
claim too much nobleness for their
good citizenship. but can easily for
give such exaggeration In cases where
the good citizenship is actually prac-
ticed with reasonable modesty.
The idealists say simple behaviorism
FOR It's own sake. and for profit, Is not
enough; that good men should become
missionaries. and offer more hope and
help to the benighted. The teachers
OF behaviorism reply that their. doc.
trine has long been taught In every
community on the face OF the earth
by policemen. sheriffs. judges. parents.
neighhnrs: that one may travel every
where, and never be out Of sight OF
teachers of behaviprism. or OF material
triumphs for those who practice the
doctrine. To prove that the doctrine
of simple hehaviorism has succeeded.
Its advocates point out that every adj
vance In civilization has been accom-
plshed by It's followers; every good
man and woman triumph for It, that
Its doctrines have never been success
fully denied, as have the doctrines OF
the idealIsts. The idealists have fought
great wars In their crnsades, while. the
simple behaviorists have steadily adj
vocated peace. In the long march OF
practical men they have not neglected
education. moral teaching. the arts.
and sound progress. The men OF most
education have approved the doctrines
OF the hehaviorists the men of science
(which Ia honest education checked to
date) have accepted behaviortsm as
their own doctrine and practice, and
decided against those overwrought
ldealsts who claim simple good con.
duct for It's own sake Is not enough.
have known good many men to
apparently attain responsibility and
success In life, and then Jump out OF
a tenth-stary window because Of some
thing they couldn't satisfactorily ex-
plain.
have heen thinking them over. and
cannot recall one who. during his ap-
parent days of responsibility. did not
exhibit streak OF yellow, or occa-
slonally wave the black flag OF piracy
a little, display some dangerous belief
or habit
All men have bad habits Inherited
from the monkey, old Adam, or God
knows where. but good steady men
hide these weaknesses with consider
able success, and have the decency to
be ashamed OF them. When good
steady man gets In jam--as all men
do-his disposition is to work out OF
II with as little disaster as possible.
II he Is running around too much at
night. getting TOO much In debt, neg.
lecting his work. you are usually able
to note his attempting to LET up lit
tie he doesn't take the bit In his teeth
and run away until the only remedy
ID poison, bullet, or jump from the
roof.
In spite of the depression have a
steady job. So far as | am able to
estimate. 1t pays me around fifteen dol.
lars a week hear O. 0. Mcintyre IL
able to earn hundred times more
This is regrettable. from my stand
point. but am | warranted In accept
Ing the American philosophy that Mr.
Mcintyre be compelled at pistol point
to divide with me, since ! have had
every opportunity he has had7 In the
frst place, he won't do 1t, and there
is no power on earth to compel him to
the better and more efficient workers
have always been able to get most pay
Captain Kidd did 1t, working with al
capable gang Of radicals as the worlt
has ever known, 1t Is Captain Kidd's
treasure chest we look for. not tht
treasure chests Of his fifteen dollars {
week followers The sea Is free to ev
erybody for fishing, piracy, commerce
The more efficient win most: no Law
weak men can make will ever supplan
this original law OF nature.
When q man sits down to write, hi
usually concerns himself not will
plainly recording his opinions, bu
with displaying his talent as writer
and deciding what line Of plffle will
best suit buyers of books and manu-
scripts.
No other man In America can maxi
as good "cab wit" speech as an
able to make. Mote: "Cab wit