The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-03-07
HAL
BOYLE
SAYS

NEW YORK ,tR-The measure of
a mans business success today
often isn't the size of his salary.
It's how big an expense account
be draws.
The expense account is a won
derfully flexible instrument, the
passport into a golden world of
spending splendor. =
IAN expense account beats
paycheck because you don't have
to explain it to Uncle SAM" says
the lucky holder Of one. And the
company doesn't ask too many
questions about where the money
goes, as long as you're bringing
in business.
"Why should they boiler? Every
dollar you spend on expenses ac-
tually costs them only Is cents. The
rest would go to the government
anyway under the excess profits
tax"
The expense account probably is
as old as civilization. But rising
income taxes and spreading busi-
ness prosperity have enabled it to
create new privileged class, both
here and in England.
Many a man woos and weds a
wife now on expense account mon
ey, or gives his dear old mother
a winter vacation in Florida, or
sends his son to a college he
couldn't otherwise afford.
The joys and woes of this post
war ariStocracy are explored in
the current issue of Life Magazine
by Ernie Havemann, who says:
'"In cities like New York, Wash.
ington, and Chicago it is safe to
say that at any given moment well
over half of all the people in the
best hotels, the best nightclubs and
the best restaurants are charging
the bill to their companies. which
in turn are charging ii to the gov
eminent in the form Of tax deduc-
tons. Even smaller city like
Seattle reflects the phenomenon
The cheerful advantages Of a big
expense account are obvious to
anyone. The tragic side is just as
real.
It is an open invitation for a
man to live beyond his own means.
He finds that his mere signature
on a check win let him enter into
a glamorouS world Of free drinks,
free food, free theater tickets and
other kinds of entertainment. He
mixes with celebrities and people
of real wealth.
He gets the idea he really be-
longs in this world, and soon his
expense account doesn't cover the
tabs he signs. He is in over bis
head. He spends mere money-his
own--trying TO buy a customer $
business instead If selling him on
facts. And the final price too many
pay is--aIcoholism, marital break
UP, loss of job.
But as they disappear, new men
with new expense accounts step up
to the bar. The running effect Of
entertainment allowances on their
men worries top executives, but i
is hard for them TO draw the line.
Who are the temporary aristoc-
raey of the age Of the expense
account?
Anybody who sells anything. !"
! is the definition Of Toots Shor,
noted restaurateur and graduate
student of Manhattan night life.
1.-THE big spenders are advertising
men, public relations guys. manu-
factnrers, motion picture people,
brokers and auto statesmen.
MorsIists may decry the expense
account evil. but only a business
recession is Likely 10 curb il. Every
body who has an expense account
says he loses money On il. but be
viii break into tears il the boss
tries to take II away. And no man
| in business who doesn't have an
expense account feels he Is really
forging ahead until he can cuff >
L.. a.. -. LIE Ezra