'Cbe Conservative * 11
now responsibilities , requiring new
alignments and changed methods.
Abreast of this , has come an evolution
in commercial life , to meet what we
suppose to be the conditions , and to re
tain for us the advantanges , that wo
now consider arc ours. The question
you ask , "What are the Young Man's
Chances , " in view of these facts , is one
of present interest.
My answer must be given from an
humble vantage ground , and my reply
has reference to the average young man ,
not the child of auspicious fortunes , nor
the youth of many disadvantages. The
issue , it seems to me , depends upon
whether or not changed conditions in a
large measure restrict opportunity. My
belief is that the opportunities for enter
ing railway service , under favorable
circumstances , are not so frequent as in
former years.
This is because of the system and or
ganization that have been constantly go
ing on , giving to railway employment
a semi-professional tone , and requiring ,
so far as may be , trained minds , and
also because of the introduction , where-
over it has been practicable , of civil
service rules. The result has , naturally
and not artificially , brought to the front
a class of men , to whom , all other in
fluences being equal , preferment will
be given in engaging their services at
the start , and in promoting their ad
vancement after being employed.
In support of this view , the free en
couragement of certain institutions ,
where the theory of railroad work is be
ing taught , or at least some branches of
the work , would seem to confirm the
statement. Having once entered rail
way employ , however , the chances for
success are as favorable as ever , though
perhaps along different lines. The pri
mary qualifications : loyalty , fidelity ,
industry , and proper ambition , are as
truly requisites as ever , yet other things
must supplement these more than here
tofore.
The restrictions of wasteful competi
tion and the introduction of "The Com
munity of Interests Policy" probably
mean the retirement of the tonnage man
and the advancement of the man who
works for legitimate revenue. In this
new line of work will be found the
student of railroad ethics , who will be
the sagacious diplomat of railway life.
Geography and climate , as specifically
pertaining to his road , foreign competi
tion ; and foreign market prices , as well
as the local environment of his company ,
must be the considerations for him ,
officially , so that he may conserve in
vestors' interests in satisfactory earnings
by having fully active , the various in
dustries and avocations that produce
them.
"Smart railroading" is being discard
ed. Cunning , crafty methods are being
supplanted bya broader general policy
on commercial lines , and each year sees
the idea more nearly in control , consequently
quently my opinion is , that the young
men now in railroad life , have better
chances for achieving great eminence
and well merited reputations along more
modern lines than ever before. On the
other hand , I feel equally confident of
the added difficulty of securing a favor
able start in the railway world.
The business evolution in mercantile
and commercial life , may substitute for
partnerships and individual ownership ,
corporate control , thereby eliminating
AV. B. BAUR.
the chances , largely , for purely personal
success. Railway men being employees
of corporations , and looking for ad
vancement under the rules that govern
their respective companies , the change
that has invaded other lines of occupa
tion will not affect their interests in a
similar way , for the reason that the re
ward of their efforts has not , except in
rare cases , assumed the form of owner
ship or control of the properties , whose
interests they served.
Chicago , July 10 , 1901.
GEORGE W. SCHWARTZ , M. D. , D. D. S.
Dentist.
What are the young man's chances in
dentistry ? We may not all agree as to
the definition of a successful dentist.
In my judgment , he is one capable of
doing his work well ; counted among
the best citizens of his community ; a
man who collects his bills , pays his
debts , and saves part of his income each
year.
The object of this article will be to
give the readers of THE CONSERVATIVE
some understanding as to the constancy
of purpose and continuity of effort re
quired to become a successful dentist.
No doubt the same is true of any other
profession.
To begin with , the young man must
be a vigorous specimen of manhood ,
having a well-balanced mind , possessing
some mental development , as a consequence
quence of the three R's. He enters a
dental college to spend three years in
the study of dentistry , before ho can qb-
; ain his diploma. State laws are now
so rigid it is almost impossible to prac
tice without first obtaining a dental
degree. When he is through college ,
and by the time he has his office furn
ished and fitted with instruments , in a
moderate way , he has invested nearly
three thousand dollars. He is now
ready to put up his sign with Dr. before
or D. D. S. , after his name , and begin
what the profession knows as the
"starvation period , " which may last
from a few months to a few years , ow
ing to his ability to make acquaintances
and inspire confidence.
For a young dentist to make his own
way , unaided , is harder , and tests his
metal more , than to start with and bo
recommended by his preceptor , or be
come associated with an established
dentist , who has made a success in dent
istry. To be a success in the dental
profession is a battle with brains from
the start.
Primarily , he must have mechanical
ability. He will find his daily duties
such as the filling of teeth , making of
crowns and bridges , the adjustment of
artificial teeth , fitting regulating ap
pliances to the natural teeth , etc. , to be
the scientific application of mechanical
principles. The science of the treat
ment of teeth by the application of med
icine is the least mechanical and most
scientific branch of dentistry , required
of the general practicing dentist , but a
branch well represented as regards the
number of patients.
For any dentist to be successful ,
whether young or old , he must have a
sympathetic nature and an artistic
temperament ; by cultivating these
characteristics , his power to please is
increased ; much of his success will be
due to this potent charm. To the youn
man endowed with the qualifications as
stated above , the chances are better than
ever.
People are better educated on the care
of their teeth than they have been since
dentistry was first practiced ; consequently
quently there is a greater demand for
the service of dentists ; then , again ,
dentistry has made much progress , in
that teeth are better oared for by the
dentist of later years , than they wore
fifteen or twenty years ago ; this in
creases the young man's chances.
To the young man who has the fibre
in him , willing to submit to the drudg
ery all successful men have had to sub
mit to , in the early years of their prac
tice , success will come. But to the idler ,
the adventurer or the craven-hearted ,
who are willing to change at the first
misfortune , I say , dentistry is not for
them , and quote from John Trotwood
Moore , and I hardly think he is a
pessimist :
"There's little in life but labor ;
And tomorrow may find that a dream ;
Success is the bride of endeavor.
And luck but a meteor's gleam. "
Chicago , July 25 , 1901.
