Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 44, Number 198, 2 June 1919 — Page 10

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THE RfCHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM MONDAY, JUNE 2, 1919 Eighty-Six Per Gent, of All Failures in 1918 Were Due to Individual Incompetency

-By CHARLES W. DUKE Are you a success or a failure In your business, trade or profession? Are you forging ahead or standing still "floating with the tide?" Or, worse yet, are you slipping back? Bradstreet's makes the astounding statement that the record for failures during 1918 shows that never before has there been a higher percentage of personal liability. Eighty-six per cent of all the failures reported during the last year were due as classed to the individual, while only 14 per cent were charged to extraneous causes. It Is sufficient to make the average in an and woman in the world of work "stop, look and listen" take mental inventory and get down to brass tacks. One result of the war has been to reduce the proposition of success or failure In individual life to the personal equation. Just as our armies in the world war were no stronger than the individual unit the man behind the gun on the firing line so also has the Avar developed the naked truth that our national Industrial life is no stronger than the man in the forge or shops, the woman in the mill or office. Opportunity Can't Be Blamed Never was there a time in the history of America when individual failure could be charged to lack of opportunity. Abraham Lincoln and a host

of others disproved that. There was a time, however, until recently, when ' -Jack of capital was the leading cause ft of inability to get going. But that time has passed. From 1890, when failure ""statistics were first compiled, until

1912, lack of capital was a leading cause of failure. Then personal incompetency went to the front and held the stage for two years. In 1913 and 1914 lack of capital took the lead again, only to be supplanted by incompetency in 1915. During the whole period of the war personal incompe tency has been held responsible for the majority of business failures. - In 1915 these two leaders, with inexperience added, accounted for 62.8 per cent of failures. In 1916 it increased to 69.5 per cent. In 1917 the figures were 74.2 per cent and in 1918 76.4 per cent. A Table of Faults. Going still further into the matter, the business statisticians figure that in 1915 74.6 per cent of the failures were due to the shortcomings of the v business man hlmsell, and 25.6 per cent to. uncontrollable factors. In 1916 the proportions were 81.5 personal and 18.5 nonpersonal. In 1917 the failures chargeable to the individual were 85 per cent and' only 15 per cent to outside causes. In 1918 the total of personal failures was 86 per cent as against 14 per cent non-personal. : How? Why? What's the trouble? i Those who have made up these figures tabulate the following faults grouped as follows: Incompetence irrespective of other causes. Inexperience without other incompetence. Lack of capital. Unwise credits. I - News Dispatches From NEW PARIS The Prebl3 County Sunday school convention held at Gratis on Wednesday was attended by a large number of people. Superintendent C. R. Roberts was one of the principal speakers. Those who represented the Sunday schools of New Paris Included: Mrs. Alice Dowler, Mrs. M. O. Penland, Misses Mildred Clark, Katherlne Reinheimer, Mildred Jones. Lon Reva Penland and Mary Coblentz. CHESTER Memorial Day will be celebrated here Sunday, June 1. HAGERSTOWN J. H. Bentley of Richmond, will speak at the Township Sunday School convention to be held at the Methodist Episcopal church in Hagerstown Sunday afternoon. Two readers. Miss Fannie Harrold and Miss Ruby Gilmer of Richmond, will take part in the program. There will be special music by a male quartette and other music. A large attendance Is expected. Memorial Day was observed hero with appropriate exercises at the school park Friday afternoon and decoration of soldiers' graves. The speakers were Attorney Carmon Sells and the Rev. C. W. Chad wick. The Rev. B. A. Hartley offered a prayer followed by "America," sung by the audience. Several songs were given by a male quartette composed of Dr. F. S. McKinnon, Jesse Replogle, Fred Hartley and James Stewart. Decorations were American flags and flowers. CAMBRIDGE CITY The Sixth District Indiana Medical association will meet in the Methodist Episcopal church here on June 9. Dinner will be served by the Methodist Episcopal social union. Fitting observance was given MemI orlal Day In Cambridge City. The principal speakers were the Rev. A. L. Brown of Rushville, and Ralph Teft of Spiceland, Henry county agricultural agent. Teft has recently returned from service In the army. Mrs. Viola Roth gave a reading; Josephine Portereus of Pershing, sang "America" : and the "Star Spangled Banner" was led by Mrs. Sallie Carr. An appropriate service was conducted by the Woman's Relief Corps on the bridge. The CentervlUe band played. Four chairs were draped in black in honor of the four men of this community who died in the service, Fred Sharp, Pennville, LeRoy Tout, Pershing, DonStop Itching" Eczema Never mind how often you have tried and failed, you can stop burning, Itching eczema quickly by applying Zemo furnished by any druggist for 35c. Extra large bottle, $1.00. Healing begins the moment Zemo is applied. In a short time usually every trace of eczema, tetter, pimples, rash, blackheads and similar skin diseases will be removed. For clearing the skin and making it vigorously healthy, always use Zemo, the penetrating, antiseptic liquid. It is not greasy and does not stain. When others fail it is the one dependable treatment for skin troubles of all kinds. Jlie E. W.Rose Co Cleveland, O. u

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Speculation outside regular business. Neglect of business due to doubtful habits. Personal extravagance. Fraudulent disposition of property. The "Wallingfords and "Blackie" Daws" seem to have been having hard sledding for some time, for the figures plainly show that while irauds slightly increased in 1917, the percentage of business failures in 1918 due to this cause was lower than in any preceding year back to 1890. Speculation has been at a low figure during the last four years, as have unwise credits, neglect and extravagance. Here are the figures for the years 1917 and 1918, which speak for themselves: 1918 1917 Failures due to per cent, per cent. Incompetency . ,. 36.5 35.5 Inexperience ........ 6.7 6.8 Lack of capital 33.2 31.9 Unwise credits. 1.3 1.9 Failure of others .... .9 .6 Extravagance ........ .6 .6 Neglect ......... 1.5 2.2 Speculation .4 .4 Fraud ..... 5.8 5.7 It is held by many industrial experts Surrounding Communities nell O'Connell Kelly and Wilbur Towell, Cambridge. WINCHESTER The funeral of Mrs. W. T. Rozzell, who died Thursday morning at her home three miles north of here wa3 held Friday afternoon at the family home. Mrs. Rozzell, who had always lived in the county, was 69 years of age. She is survived by a husband and two married children. The burial took place at Fountain Park cemetery, this city. Memorial Day was observed here with fitting ceremonies. The parade of school children, Sons of "Veterans, W. R. C, G. A. R.. Spanish-American and World War veterans was a very

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that the war was In an important measure responsible lor the Increase In Industrial Incompetency that developed during the period of the war, that the conditions growing out of the war called for the introduction of incompetency in many fields. The exigencies of a state of uppreparedness, the taking of many thousands of men out of industrial life and their mobilization in huge armies, virtually placed a premium on Incompetence, in that thousands of men were directed into new channels they had never negotiated before. Everywhere there was a need of men and women to fill the places made vacant by draft and enlistments. Everywhere many small business concerns were changing hands to meet some phase of the war's demands. From making one product that had been their hobby lor years, many a concern turned to making some war product. Wages Lured Inexperienced Workers. High wages, were the lure, too, that attracted many a man who, before the war had been a success in some other trade or profession. A story to the point concerns a workman who applied to a master millwright for a job as helper. Millwrights and assistants

large one, and many returned soldiers of the World War were in uniform. The Rev. G. M. Payne delivered an inspiring address at the M. E. church, after which the procession proceeded to the cemetery where the G. A. R. performed their ceremonies. The funeral of John Flight, 85, who 1 died Thursday evening was held Sat urday. Mr. Flight was born on Guernsey Island, but has lived in the United States nearly all his life. He had been in ill health for several years, but was down town only last Monday. The widow and one son survive. The case of Martha R. Dull vs. the Daniel Summers estate for the care of her father in his last sickness, went j to the jury Thursday forenoon and a verdict was reached in less than an hour. Mrs. Dull was given judgment for $1,192, the amount for which she filed claim. She alleges in her corn-

OUIR IPKIOES AIRE

Pointing out the answer to the question:

were In great demand. So with little inquiry, the man was put to work. Within five minutes It was evident that he was not fitted for the job, but on being reproached for his false representations, he coolly replied that he had come for the job because the scale of wages had attracted him. And he held on to the Job until he had learned the business, because there was a scarcity of millwrights and assistants, and the foreman had to have men. It is said tens of millions of dollars were lost to the government last year due to the waste of labor and material, and due primarily to the incompetency of untrained employes. But now that the war is over, the weeding out process is at hand. The unskilled mechanic or laborer who earned the highest wages he had ever drawn In his pay envelope, must now prove his competence. Business, tak ing a cue from the government, proposes to apply the same measures lor the development of competency as the army and navy employed during the war. The psychlogical tests for rating army men according to their natural ability and Inherent talent are suggested to captains of industry and big business men as a logical instrument for the elimination of the mentally unfit, and it is held on this score that the utilization of such methods, a veritable "survival of the fittest," would save time and money. What Army Tests Showed Army tests developed the astonish ing fact that of those examined nearly 45 per cent fell below the average in telligence grade. Major Robert M. Yerkes, chief of the Division of Psychology, Medical Department, U. S. A., recently submitted to the members of the American Institute of Mining Engeers the following table summing up the ratings and proportions of the men examined in the army's unique tests: Very Superior Intelligence Four to 5 per cent of a quota, comprising men of marked intellectuality. Superior Intelligence Eight to 10 per cent, the men comprising many of the commissioned officer type and a large amount of noncommissioned officer material. plaint that she cared for her father over two years before his death. The will of the late Cyrus Bousman, banker and farmer of Saratoga, has been probated. He leaves all his property to his wife during her life time. He asks in his will that a monument be erected on the family' lot to cost not to exceed $1,000 and bequeaths $1,000 for the college education of Cyrus Dale Harmon. At the death of his wife the estate is to descend to Bessie Harmon, whom they reared, except $1,000, which is bequeathed to Malissa Fouse. The estate is supposed to be worth $50,000. FIFTEEN GRADUATE FROM OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL OXFORD. O.. June 2 Fifteen young men and women were Thursday night graduated from the Oxford high school.

INCOMPETENCY

"Why Is there such a high percentage High Average Intelligence Fifteen to 18 per cent. j Average Intelligence About 25 per cent, offering excellent private material and some noncommissioned officer material. 1 Low Average Intelligence About 20 per cent, these men usually making good privates and proving satisfactory in routine work. Inferior Intelligence About 15 per cent, men likely to prove fair soldiers but slow In learning and rarely rising above the rank of private. Many illiterate or foreign born. Very Inferior Intelligence The majority of these are below ten years in mental age. Among the army professions the engineer and medical officers rank at the top in mental alertness, while of men of other vocations telegraphers took a high standing. Army chaplains also proved highly intelligent, receiving high percentages in the language tests especially. Major Yerkes pointed out the possibility by use of the government tests in industry, and especially in mining, of ..quickly discovering men whose superior intelligence suggests their fitness for advancement and of men whose low grade mentality makes them either a burden or a menace to industry. "Measuring the brain" was a method employed in these army tests. It was held that this expedient offered a means of gauging a man's ability. "No up-to-date business man," says a writer on the subject, "should be without this great adjunct to settling definitely the caliber of a person about whom you are doubtful. Is he capable? Time might demonstrate to your satisfaction that he was or not. But why waste time or take chances? j Send him in to the professor and have his bram measurea. To which Commerce and Finance, a prominent business publication, takes exception editorially in the following terse language: "With all due respect to Major Yerkes, we doubt the virtue of the brain-measuring business. We have known persons who would score pretty close to 100 to whom we would not trust Confederate money, and a fair The address was delivered by E. D. Roberts, assistant superintendent of the Cincinnati schools, slated to succeed Superintendent Condon, when the latter goes to Detroit, Mich. The graduates were Misses Dorothy Brown, Mildred Craig, Fredericka Free, Mary Sheard, Edna Tutley, Helen Carpenter, Mary Flnkbine, Lucy Hewitt, Mabel Howell, Hazel Sheard, Elizabeth Tea, Grace Viney, Marjorie Woodruff and Carl Hogue and Othomer Maxwell. The suicide rate of Germany was before the war the highest in the world twenty-one in 100,000 yearly. Switzerland has a river called A and there is an island in the Baltic called Zee.

of personal failures In America."

number of slow pokes we might men tion have more real sense and ability than the majority of agile minded men. "The soldier who. In the Judgment of many impartial military students was the greatest general -In our Civi1 War, had difficulty in ' writing his name or in reading the printed word He would have been classed deficient by Major Yerke's test. " One of the ablest reporters New York ever had, rarely wrote a story He got all tangled up when he took pencil in hand, or set fornlnst a type writer, yet he would go out on a story, get every essential fact and telephone the details so well and In such perfect order that his worth was greater thar that of a gifted writer. He would have flunked if subjected to the Ma jor's test, "Lieut. George R. Jackson declarer that the most capable soldier he cam' in contact with in France was a ser geant. He also says he told this ser geant he, the sergeant, should rank above him and that he was qualifleto command a regiment, far bette qualiled than various commander Jackson had seen. "The sergeant, who had been in th service long, said he preferred to rr main as he was. 'I make 'em and break 'em,' he said, referring to the officers above him. 'As for myself, I prefer to remain a "sarge." "This old soldier wouldn't scale above low ordinary in the brain specialist's examination. "Alertness of mind, education, count for much, but clear thinking counts for more." The psychological test also has been proposed as a medium for testing the young man about to matriculate at a college. Indeed, Columbia New York, proposes to initiate this system at the beginning of the new college year this fall. It is proposed to eliminate the old entrance examination system and substitute instead the psychological tests patterned after those used in connection with the students' army training corps, but definitely to test the applicant's fitness for continuing academic work. Dean HERE IS ONE THING Rheumatism Ha Never Been Cured by Liniments or Lotions, and Never Will Be. You never knew of Rheumatism that most painful source of suffering being cured by liniments, lotions or other external applications. And you will never see anything but temporary relief afforded by such makeshifts. But why be satisfied with temporary relief from the pangs of pain which are sure to return with increased severity, when there is permanent relief within your reach? Science has proven that Rheumatism is a disordered condition of the blood. How then, can satisfactory results be expected from any treatment that does not reach the blood, the seat of the ,

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Hawkes, says: "We expect these tests to show us whether it will be

worth our while to try to educate the student and whether It will be worth, his while to have us try." A more intelligent selection of students. It la expected, will be the big result of the new experiment. Whether we agree with the propo sition of the psyshologlcal test as a means of eliminating incompetency and producing the highest efdeency, we must agree that the new order calls for the development of personal efficiency as never before. The world's greatest problem at the present mo ment resolves itself into a question of personal lltness. Education as a Cure. You can never change an Incompe tent," says a leading American banker. "The trouble with the incompetent Is that he is born that way; It's his destiny. You can't make a swan out o a goose. .

To which another replies: "Such a pessimistic view is based upon a misconception. However true it may be that one's character is unchangeable, there can be no doubt that education can effect a complete change of mentality; and after all, it is upon the latter that competency Is chiefly based." L. E. Brooks, of Dun's Mercantile Agency, sums up in this fashion: Education means the elimination of incompetency in every field of commerce and industry; hence the fitness of the individual to successfully embark in commerce or pursuit of a rade is governed not so much by 4 previous lack of knowledge ol the meiium through which he seeks success, is by the mental equipment and approach."

fcrnest t. Tngg, presment or tne "Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce .nd a close student of success and .allure In economics, adds: "Competency can be gained and naintalned only by intelligent applicaion and education, not so much by ducatlon obtained from books as from ducation in the channels and risks of he chosen field of endeavor." "Get Wise to Yourself." .. The handwriting on the wall seems o be plainly: "Get Wise to Yourself f You Want to Make Good." Like . lieutenant Jackson's sergeant, some men feel they are qualified only to be sergeants, and happy with their lot. But they at least have to be good sergeant's to hold their Jobs. As for the majors and colonels they have to win their spurs by proving their worth and thereafter fight everlastlingly to keep their high place. It is hardly lair to say that America is a nation of incompetents because of the Bradstreet figures for 1918. disconcerting as they may prove. It is plausible to say that many of these failures resulted because of the uncertain conditions and varying changes of the war era. It is quite to the point, however, to say that incompetency must go in the new post-war era, where every man is to be judged as the soldier in the trenches and the sailor on the seas was weighed, and continued in his position only because he is able to "deliver the goods." THAT

IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE

trouble, and rid the system of the cause of the disease? S. S. S. is one blood remedy that has for more than fifty years been giving relief to even the most aggravated and stubborn cases of Rheumatism. It cleanses and purifies the blood by routing out all traces of disease. The experience of others who have taken S. S. S. will convince you that it will promptly reach your case. You can obtain S. S. S. at any drug store. A valuable book on Rheumatism and its treatment, together with expert medical advice about your own individual case, will be sent absolutely free. Write today to Medical Depart-, ment, Swift Specific Co.. 250 Swift Laboratory, Atlanta, Ga. Adv.

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