Olympia Imressions

"Although the lectures belabored certain business practices and policies, they also showed how essential were the businessman's functions. The businessman is today the ' forgotten man', and he is beginning to hunger for a little social recognition. He is willing to do a good deal in the way. of reforming business policy and accepting responsibility for the mess we are in, if he can see a way to win back public esteem which he lost in 1929-39. "This experience ought to quiet any fears that businessmen can't 'take it' or that they would be antagonized by straight talk. A new generation is in the saddle, and they want the best of the old, plus something new. These businessmen have the attitude of a good golfer who finds himself taking a beating by a dub from whom he used to win easily. Such a fellow is ready to run to the 'pro', asking, 'What's wrong with my game?' Ever since 1929 the businessmen have been losing out in prestige, political influence, and, most of the time, in wealth. Now.they are asking, 'What did we do wrong?' "Labor representatives came to the meetings reluctantly, somewhat suspicious and antagonistic. Before the sessions were concluded, however, some of their suspicions and antagonisms were gone. If more meetings were held, the labor representatives would feel much more hurt and suspicious at being left out than they could possibly be by anything the speaker might say."

LABOR REPRESENTATIVE (A. F. of L.): "I think that the course on economics and free enterprise has been very educational. A program of this type conducted by different economists throughout the nation would be beneficial to the public. It would be particularly helpful to capital and labor, giving them a better understanding of each other's problems. In my opinion, free enterprise is the assurance of our future. •Excerpts of letter from Dr. Watts written on conclusion of his lectures in Olympia.

OLYMPIA IMPRESSIONS 161 "I would suggest that the Chamber of Commerce make every effort to continue its economic courses." UTILITY EXECUTIVE: "The economic study classes have been based on common sense. We must carry on these important discussions if we expect to halt the trend toward socialistic government." LUMBER COMPANY PRESIDENT: "These classes have clearly demonstrated an important need: that groups of people should understand, and carefully consider, fundamental economic laws when making decisions affecting their relationship with other groups or with the general public. "We should see that our Chamber of Commerce has a permanent Committee on Economics. This committee should do everything possible to inform and instruct the citizens of Olympia and Thurston County in the fundamentals of economics. The committee should make it a further duty to help all groups in the practical application of economic knowledge to their affairs."

PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: "This has been one of the most interesting and valuable examples of 'democracy in action' that I have ever seen. I believe we still have to do some of our own thinking about economic problems, and these discussions have stimulated mightily that thinking. "We should have more groups of business, professional and labor leaders getting together to exchange ideas on the preservation of free enterprise." LABOR REPRESENTATIVE (C. I.O.): "As a representative of the C. I. O. in Thurston County I have attended the course in economic studies conducted under sponsorship of the Olympia Chamber of Commerce. While I do not agree with all of the theories presented, I did find the meetings very constructive and I feel that a lot can be accomplished through this type of meeting where a cross-section of the population of any community is represented. "I trust that at any future meetings of this kind I or some other representative of the C. I. O. will have the opportunity to attend."

162 DO WE WANT FREE ENTERPRISE ? RETAIL STORE PROPRIETOR: "The classes have been excellent. They brought us the first facing of FACTS rather than attempts to gain personal or business class advantage—a willingness to look issues in the face and decide them with an eye to the welfare of the people as a whole. The classes attempted to jolt every type of businessman, professional worker and labor representative out of selfish positions and get them back on the road of real Americanism—'one for all and all for one', with the good old competitive spirit, honest rules and fair play. "We must continue this program and get our fellow businessmen interested. We must do what every Chamber of Commerce and service club—both somewhat outmoded—fail to do. We must face facts, study controversial issues, both political and economic, and get information from really broad-viewed economists and social OIL COMPANY EXECUTIVE: "The manner in which these problems have been presented to us shows the way to settle misunderstandings among the various classes of Americans. Frankly, it was the first time I ever listened to this kind of a discussion and carried away from it well-formed thoughts."

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE: "I believe the series of lectures has met a great need. Many, possibly, a majority of, businessmen today do not have a broad, organized and intelligent understanding of the essentials of free enterprise. "It should be emphasized that a serious study of business theories and practices of the past, as they are affected by present trends, and future consequences upon free enterprise, is a definite and wholesome contribution to the war effort. It is a patriotic thing to give time and study in determining just where our nation is headed and to chart that course intelligently and honestly. "We know that it is the highest sort of moral order that leads to the spontaneous action of individuals in producing goods wanted by others, and in exchanging those goods for goods which the others have produced. Society thus acts together in supplying its wants. There is nothing anti-social, anti-moral or anti-Christian in such free enterprise.

"Keep up the good work. Definitely you are on the right track I"

OLYMPIA IMPRESSIONS 163 STATE PROGRESS COMMISSION OFFICIAL: "These classes have offered an opportunity to crystallize opinion as to action needed on the part of business, the public and government, if we are to have an intelligent policy toward free enterprise after the war. "A permanent Committee for Free Enterprise should be created. Let this committee adopt a policy of action to include: 1. Continuing study of economic developments to keep all of us up-to-date on conditions. 2. Machinery for expression of opinions and conclusions through media of public information, such as the press, radio and speakers, and for transmission of this information to members of Congress. 3. Cooperation with other groups of similar nature in the Pacific Northwest and on the Pacific Coast, and ultimately over the nation." DEPARTMENT OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION OFFICIAL: "These classes have been very much worth while, primarily as an initial step in a constructive attempt to preserve the things that are best in our economic system. Factors which have made this country great are being rapidly undermined. Unless an organized defense of them is established, it is entirely possible that we are headed for a long period of decline. It is certainly patriotic and worth while to attempt to preserve the best economic structure the world has yet found.

"The program (1) should be carried to all important communities in the country; (2) should be expanded after basic principles have been agreed upon; and (3) should then be translated into action on a nationwide basis. Local organizations should be maintained for continued study." HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: "This has been a very constructive program. I believe conferences of this type can be continued. I am sure the group should be made up of a cross-section of farmers, workers, and business and professional men. The more people brought in contact with such studies, the better." BANKING EXECUTIVE: "The classes have been both interesting and instructive. With the ground work so well laid, every effort should be made to continue the studies, and with very much the same pattern followed.

164 DO WE WANT FREE ENTERPRISE? "An economist should be selected to guide the studies, with a supporting group of committeemen working in close cooperation. Classes should not be restricted to members of the Chamber of Commerce. "The work is far too important to drop after such an excellent SOCIAL SCIENCE INSTRUCTOR: "This is a very fine course. It brings out prominently many of the most important problems of today. It lays down certain fundamental economic principles which are invaluable in understanding the present American scene." BANKING EXECUTIVE: "The course of lectures has been a source of inspiration to the group of Olympia businessmen attending. Thoughts developed in the discussions will, to my mind, cause many to take a new inventory of their plans and practices to see if they have been operating on a basis that would perpetuate their usefulness to society." Y. M. C. A. OFFICIAL: "A widespread exposure to these economic principles so popularly presented should result in much greater unity of ownership, management and labor interests. It is clear gain just to get these representatives together under Chamber of Commerce auspices."

INSURANCE BROKER: "The course gives heartening hope that the Chamber of Commerce can provide a new kind of leadership, not only for business but for general society. What is needed is enlightenment and understanding of a few fundamentals. That businessmen want to know more about them has been proved by the increasing numbers who have attended this course. "The Chamber of Commerce can save free enterprise by a vigorous program of education along this line—motivated by unselfish service and constructive civic interest." MAYOR OF OLYMPIA: "I cannot commend these studies too highly. I recommend the work to all chambers of commerce with the hope that the discussions be opened to as many business and professional men as possible. I believe a thorough understanding of the doctrine of free enterprise is necessary to the postwar future of this country and the world.

OLYMPIA IMPRESSIONS 165 "The Chamber of Commerce should continue these economic studies through the medium of a permanent committee, with attendant radio and newspaper publicity." INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICIAL: "The classes have been practical and have not dealt in schoolroom abstractions. The studies did not show any class, industry or 'special interest* bias. "If private enterprise on a basis of free competition is the best safeguard for our prosperity, people must be given a chance to have a knowledge of the facts in support of such a conclusion." DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICIAL: "If we were to do it again I would favor discussion periods—discussion of the application of the fundamentals—specifically, what should be done about tariffs, the state's Fair Trade Practices Act, which monopolies should we try to break up and how, what is the best way to deal with unemployed persons when they exist in large numbers, etc.

"Economic laws can be ruthless, and the question of letting ourselves be dominated by such laws at all times, or using them only so long as they help us, merits further discussion. "We should continue to hold forums, listen to competent speakers on different sides of a question, and have discussion periods following their talks." CEMENT COMPANY EXECUTIVE: "This series of lectures has presented a complete picture of fundamental economic problems confronting us. Keen analysis and common sense have pointed the way toward mutual understanding and a free competitive enterprise that can maintain and improve the American standards of living. "For their own salvation, it is time that businessmen got down to a study of these problems with representatives of labor and agriculture. We must learn to understand the various factors influencing our economic conditions, and then through mutual effort we must strive to eliminate the evils and restrictions that obstruct our system of free competitive enterprise."