COOPERATION 817did they seem to be suffering by comparison with those who could
boast of "first family" parents.
All of which is no reflection upon Harvard University-one of
the great universities of the world-nor upon the "first families" who
send boys to Harvard. To the contrary, it is intended as a bit of
encouragement to those unfortunates who, like myself, have but
little and know but little, but express what little they know in terms
of constructive, useful action.
The psychology of inaction is one of the chief reasons why
some towns and cities are dying. In one city in Maine, for example,
laws have closed up all the restaurants on Sunday. Railroad trains
must slow down to twelve miles an hour while passing through the
city. There are "keep off the grass" signs prominently displayed in the
parks. Unfavorable city ordinances of one sort or another have driven
the best industries to other cities. Evidence of restraint can be seen
everywhere. The people on the streets show signs of restraint in their
faces and in their manner and in their walk.
The mass psychology of the city is negative. The moment one
gets off the train at the depot, this negative atmosphere becomes
depressingly obvious and makes one want to take the next train out
again. The place reminds one of a graveyard and the people resemble
walking ghosts. They register no signs of action!
The financial statements of the banking institutions reflect this
negative, inactive state of mind. The stores reflect it in their show
windows and in the faces of their salespeople. I went into one of the
stores to buy a pair of socks. A young woman with bobbed hair, who
would have been a "flapper" if she hadn't been too lazy, threw a box
of socks on the counter. When I picked up the box, looked at the
socks, and registered a look of disapproval on my face, she languidly
yawned, "They're the best you can get in this dump:'
She must have been a mind reader, for dump was the word in my
mind before she spoke. The store reminded me of a rubbish dump;