AMERICAN BUSINESS MEN.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 939, 5 March 1908, Page 22

AMERICAN BUSINESS MEN.

Physicians, says the New York “ Herald,” have long been preaching the doctrine that American business men live too fast. With the telegraph, the ocean cable, the telephone, and other modern facilities, the man of affairs can do in one hour work that formerly would have occupied six. It might be thought his working day would be correspondingly shortened. Nothing of the sort has occurred. The speed with which trade can be effected has simply accelerated his pace, and he not only works faster, but more hours than ever, with corresponding increase of business and responsibilities. To keep up this energy he eats too much —sometimes drinks too much —for a man who spends most of his working hours at his desk and takes no open air exercise. Physi-.-al deterioration is inevitable, and when a period of more than usual stress and anxiety arrives he is liable to succumb. Even from a sordid money-grab-bing poin ; of view his manner of life is a mistake. A day’s shooting, yachting, riding or golf and an occasional change of scene give new strength and vitality and a clearer brain. In perfect health and possession of all his faculties the man has an acuter insight for the direction of affairs, and can accomplish more than if he spent the whole time in his office or counting-room with his nose to the grindstone. The man who thus preserves his health pooh-poohs as mere spectres a host of things which otherwise would worry him into his grave, and he will be living, active and prosperous for a generation after the survivors among h : s unwis? colleagues have passed into a wretched and enfeebled premature old age. What American business men must learn is to slow down, take wholesome recreation and above all quit worrying, even over real troubles when they come, whereas most of them now worry over troubles that never come.