Evening star., 1938-08-28
Arrangements Duty.

The relationship of business and in
dustry to the social and economic struc-
ture OF the modern world is subject
which has occupied a prominent place
IN the public mind, particularly in the
past nine years. 1t is one which has led
to many accusations, misunderstanding
and false viewpoints. 1t has given rise
to bitter diSputation as regards the
'Haves' and the "Have-nots." Some of
the accusations apparently are justi-
ned, and some of the misunderstanding
are understandable. Many OF the dis
putes have been fostered deliberately by
subversive interests or by those seeking
eelf-aggrandisement.
Now business itself is going to do some
thing about the problem It's action is
not to be in the nature of counterargu-
ment, nor OF publicity campaign. 1t
will take the form of a soul-searchlng
study, by its own members, of its own
place in the scheme of life.
The occasion is the seventh triennial
International Management Congress.
which will be held in Washington for
week beginning September 10. This is a
meeting OF the executives of the great
corporations and Government experts of
more than forty nations, convened to dis
cuss problems OF industrial and business
management; to study the social, eco
nomic and political responsibilities of in
dustry, and to consolidate executive in
formation and technique. The aim is to
improve the management of the worlds
industry with view to enhancing the
welfare Of all who depend, directly or
indirectly, upon industry.
The program OF the congress covers
many fields: Administration. production,
distribution, personnel. agriculture, and
the home. But the issues which OCCUPY
the most important position on the
asenda are those concerned with the eco
nomic and social forces involving busi-
ness enterprise in modern society. Typ
ical are few of the many papers to be
given In paired open forum addresses,
presenting the American and foreign
points Of view: Arrangements Respon-
sibilities to Society" Human Aspects of
Management "A Common Ground for
Labor and Management" Influences of
Technical Progress Upon Social Develop
ment." "Reshaping Distribution to Mod
ern Economy"
program such as this, before an
audience Of the type to be convened here,
must come as a shock to the enemies OF
predatory interest" Surely the "Haves"
and the rugged individualists. whether
they belong TO the Sixty Families or are
merely minor economic royalsts, would
not drop their proflt-seeking and their
stalking of the "Have-nots" for even q
week to come to Washington to discuss
such matters as these. II some of the
concepts which have gained so wide a
circulation in recent years were entirely
sound, these industrialists would have no
use for such study. Their philosophy
Wuulu nave Deeu iaIlleO OUT 10 tnem wears
ago on the golden spoons with which
they were born.
But there is no mistake. The program
outlined above is not that OF conven-
ton OF idealists, dreamers or social the
orists. The men who will come here
are the actual leaders of the units which
make up the world of industry, men who
occupy that position because of their
exceptional talents for organization and
leadership. They are men who know the
vell-being of every nation, and on the
world commonwealth OF nations depends
largely upon their co-ordinated wisdom
In establishing higher standard OF liv-
ing for all men.
In the eighteen years OF its existence,
this is the first time the Management
Congress has convened in the United
States. 1t has the best wishes of the
world for success in achieving its primary
goal: that is, to determine how manage
ment is to do a better job in providing
q greater stability of employment. better
wages, higher quality of products, lower
costs and fair return on investments