Very desirable information could also be obtained concerning the business conditions of the country as a whole. Since practically every business is affected by the general waves of financial prosperity and depression, a good man in this position could be of great assistance to the chief executive, by carefully studying some series of curves (which might, after long experience, prove to be the best barometer available) to indicate changes for better or worse in the general financial conditions affecting the particular business in question.

294 GRAPHIC METHODS

In a business of ordinary size, the yearly outlay for an office like that described and a man to run it would be comparatively small. It would probably be best to get a young man graduated within a few years from one of the technical schools, or from one of the schools of business administration now established as separate departments in several of the large universities. If a man of the right type were told that he would report directly to the chief executive, and that he would have a confidential position with complete access to the records of every department of the whole business including both manufacturing and selling, he would be quite willing to start the work at a reasonable salary, knowing full well that the opportunities given would soon permit him to demonstrate his ability. A recent college graduate could be obtained for $20 or $25 per week, as he would see for himself that there would be chances for him to make himself worth much more inside of the first year or so.