RUML CHALLENGES BUSINESS
Maverick, Maury
Ruml Challenges Business TOMORROW'S BUSINESS, by Beardsley Ruml. Farrar and Rinehart. $2.50. Reviewed by Maury Maverick NO ONE can disagree with Mr. Ruml when he says, "Not freedom for business,...
...After all, private enterprise is the twin of responsible individuality...
...The most challenging thought of the book is that the business man should accept the responsibilities of his position...
...Ruml included public works as an integral part of free economy...
...Hospitals, roads, bridges, sanitary systems, schools, and all constructive public improvements are as much a part of society as private business...
...In fact, at no point in the book is small business given special treatment...
...He must think of it as a form of private government such as the church, the home, and the school...
...Ruml when he says, "Not freedom for business, but business for freedom must be the objective of business leadership...
...Public works are essential since they mean a clean, decent, and safe society...
...His concept of freedom is not too narrow, for he agrees that some Government controls are necessary...
...On the other hand, he does not fail to speak forcefully of the need of labor to exercise its power wisely...
...Also, he places responsibility on business to keep control at a minimum by constructive action on its own part...
...He recognizes the RIGHT of labor to organize, and does it in a way which may not please many business men...
...I am glad that Mr...
...If he does that, business will be "in a position to move into the future harmoniously with the renewed impulse to freedom...
...There is wide agreement with his suggestion that corporation taxes be drastically changed, but unfortunately he does not suggest any tax preferentials for small business...
...Taxation is discussed fully...
...2) should be examined carefully after reading this book...
...He can no longer regard his business simply as a profit-making productive enterprise...
...However, in my opinion, he overlooked the fundamental justification of public works...
...Especially interesting are the chapters dealing with labor, taxes, fiscal policy, and international business...
...Therefore, Small Business and Venture Capital, by Rudolph L. Weissman (Harper...
Vol. 9 • April 1945 • No. 15
