The Freeman 1972 - The Ludwig von Mises Institute

204 THE FREEMAN Aprilgroup of Americans who are gatheringand reporting news. Most ofthem are products of a very liberallyoriented undergraduate school- an area deserving much greatertime and attention - and are totallyinexperienced in business affairs.Until they know more aboutthe business community, whyshouldn't they accept the preachingsof America, Inc.? It's our jobto give them a true insight intowhat goes on and the good thingsthe muckraker ignores. I considercharacteristic the observation of afairly radical conservationist wehired. After observing our operationsand the extent of our effortsto eliminate pollution he commented,"I would never have believedit."Coordinate the Efforts 01Business and GovernmentFourth: We could spend hourstalking about the social responsibilityof business as it faces thefuture. One fact is clear - theworld is changing and society hasthe right to expect us to lead andnot follow..We must provide thecatalytic tool to coordinate the effortsof business and governmentas we approach tomorrow. Weshould not wait until a muckraker,a Federal·agency or a committeeof Congress prods us into defensiveaction. We have the ability toplan, organize and coordinate aneffective means of goal attainment,whether it be social or economic.At this moment, such an effort hasnot been given a sufficiently highpriority.Those four suggestions .areaimed at actions the business community·itself can take. But perhapsthe biggest turnaround inthis area of objectivity and accountabilitywould be achieved ifthe regulatory agencies and theCongressional committees wouldrequire.our critics to operate under.the same ground rules andlaws of disclosure and accuracy towhich we in industry are subjected.Until that goal is. miraculouslyachieved, we must continueto make those critics accountableto the final regulatory body: publicopinion. And this can only beaccomplished by continuous vigilanceon our part and a d~terminationto participate rather thanmerely to decry.•IDEAS ON$LIBERTYValue"THE VALUE of anything is not what you paid for it, not what itcost to produce, but what you can get for itat an auction."WILLIAM LYON PHELPS