The Value of Latter-Day Co-Operation

By Mr. J. O. Elmer, Strable Hardwood Company, Oakland, in the Last Issue of Their House Organ, "Ifardwood Shavings"

The r,vord "co-operate" means, briefly, to operate together for a common object. Appiied in a practical way to our every-day business lives it brings us very close to the Golden Rule, for how can we do unto others as we would they should do to us, if rve do not know and study those others ?

There is no more fruitful field for co-operation than in the lumber business. It would be possible to write at great length upon this subject, for every successful undertaking, great or small, is the result of concerted action, and yet, on the average, the man in the lumber business frequently pushes aside the forceful logic of this basic principle of suc-

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Bor Shool rnd Cut-up Mrtoridr cess. The rush .for dollars and cents absorb3 him too frequently. Percentages. and margins, combinations of figures, rvorries over competitiqn and all the details of his business are too often allowed to dominate his thoughts, and he thus loses the sense of finer and truer things.

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Let the individual weigh this matter thoroughly; let him look carefully for the true secret of success, whether in his private life or his business career, and co-operation will be found to be an important prerequisite. Men need to come in contact with men in order to receive encouragement, or to prevent discouragements. We cannot absent ourselves from our fellows and expect to achieve successful results. We must KNOW a man to appreciate him. Over two hundred years ago, Pope wrote: "The proper study of mankind is man," and it is as true today as it was then.,

Let us apply this principle to the operation of business: The manager finds it necessary in the employment of his force to secure men whose first qualification is loyalty. He must surround himself with men in whom he can place confidence, from the highest executive to the office boy, for upon his ability to judge men depends to a very large measure his own success.

If the amount of business transacted bv anv concern were limited to the amount of detail work that could be accomplished by the manager, their operations would be extremely limited. It is necessary, therefore, to have the co-operation of others in order that the volume of business mav be increased and expanded, and if harmony and unity of purpose prevail it means well for the success of the company.

There is but one conclusion to be arrived at in considering this subject, and that is that we need our fellow men; co-operation with someone is absolutely necessary to insure success; mind must meet mind in order to attain the greatest development. There is unexplainable strength and satisfaction resulting from the actual contact of men, when those involved are in unisonwith each other; hence, thoughtful men have come to the conclusion that great problems can only be worked out through co-operationnever through the efforts of a. single individual. Men in the same line of business should strive to elevate and improve the conditions of the particular business which they represent. Such unityof purpose means success that must re: dound to the benefit of the individual. The matter is worthy of the most careful consideration of every one and espe- cially those engaged in the lumber business.

Let me appeal, then, to all interested to do his part in bringing about a more wholesome condition of co-operation in the lumber industry so that eventually all can look back and say: "It is a work well done."