Page:The Ethics of the Professions and of Business, with a supplement - Modern China and Her Present Day Problems.djvu/251

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''A statement of certain well-known violations of the code of correct practices, with strong discouragement of such practices. In brief—a statement of the "Donts" of business conduct.''

There are very few illustrations of Don'ts shown in existing or proposed codes. The "Don'ts" might be misunderstood to be the opposite rules to the "Do's" contained under all the other topics. It was not the desire or intention to have negatives developed in this way. The Don'ts were to be of a general character, or of a very broad principle. In fact, the rules to be covered could not logically be included elsewhere. The Don'ts should be ascertained by examining the three cardinal principles which have recently arisen in the business world, namely: "Let the buyer beware," "Treat the keen and confiding buyer alike," and "Truth and service — the handmaidens of business prosperity."

The National Association of Ice Cream Manufacturers includes this paragraph in its code, under the heading, "Unfair practices of sellers":

Bribery of buyers or other employes by the seller, by the payment of percentages of the purchase price of goods bought, or with gifts of money, presents, treats and so on, to obtain business or to induce continuance of business.

From the proposed Code of Ethics for Contractors (Lancaster, Pa.), may be quoted:

That a contractor cannot honorably accept a remimeration, financial or otherwise, from more than one interested party. "No man can serve two masters."

Financial or other arrangements as part of the purchase, commonly designated as graft, shall not be made. As regards the "Don'ts" covering the elimination of the corrupt and growing practice of commercial h>ribery, fifteen large national associations have formed commercial standards of practice. They propose to devote a vigorous attention to this topic and support national legislation for the suppression of this form of business graft. The secret giving of commissions, money, or other things of value to employes of customers, for the purpose of influencing their buying powers, is a dangerous evil more wide-spread than is acknowledged and one which is unquestionably growing.

During the month of March an intensive study was conducted by Rotary into each one of the eight suggested topics for a model code. Twenty-five district conferences were held throughout the Rotary world. Each conference was asked to discuss a single topic, in much detail. The results of this discussion will be passed to a committee for standardization and generalizing. The campaign, furthermore, was carried through the month of April in the Rotary Clubs by having Rotarians present the need for codes of standards of practice; the advantages which come to a craft through the adoption of such a code; brief experience talks by members who have been instrumental in having codes written or revised by their crafts; and talks by Rotarians before the clubs and their craft associations on the relations of employers and employes.

As regards the results of the campaign, to this point, we may summarize as follows:

1. Many men who were not members of their craft association realizing for the first time, the vital importance of such an association, in establishing higher business standards, have joined their craft associations. One national association secretary states that his association has almost doubled its membership.