Torch, Spring 1986

himself and reconnoitered the prison . The task force was successful in storming the prison, freeing the EDS people, and t>vacuating them over land through Turkey! Industry is not the only segment of the economy that provides examples of success in our free enterprise system. A TOUCH OF WONDER by Arthur Gordon, pictured above, is the source of Mr. Linton's following comments. The book is copyright© 1974 by Fleming H. Revell Company. Published by Fleming H. Revell Company . Used by permission. When writer Arthur Gordon was at the age when he was convinced that he could twist the world into a pretzel, he left his native Georgia and got a job with a small New York magazine . He figured he'd soon quit this job and start publishing reams of his own writing . It didn't work out that way . Publishers consistently rejected the things he wrote. He devised a plan whereby his employer would translate some of Gordon's better articles into Spanish and assign a star salesman, himself, to sell them all over Latin America. Before taking the idea to his boss, he thought it would be prudent to learn more about that part of the world. A fellow writer suggested he talk to T.J. Watson at IBM, a company that did a lot of work in Latin America. Gordon had never heard of IBM. So he searched a telephone book for the number and address of IBM and called Mr. Watson . When a secretary answered, Gordon announced cheerily that he would like to buy Mr. Watson lunch and pick his brains on Latin America . Gordon explained that Friday (payday) would suit him best and proposed eating in the park at the zoo. There was a chuckle, a pause, and then, "Please hold." When the secretary came back on the line, she said that Mr. Watson would see him on Friday and, if he didn't mind, Mr. Watson would like Gordon to be his guest for lunch at IBM. In light of Gordon's meager finances, this struck him as a first-rate suggestion. On Friday he arrived at the IBM address. An elevator took him to a most impressive lobby. He was astounded at the luxury of the waiting room - the deep pile carpet, the dark rich paneling, and the reverential silence. He introduced himself to the secretary who said, "The president will see you." "President?" he replied hoarsely. He was ushered into an office roughly the size of Grand Central Station. At the far end of the room, behind an enormous, polished desk, was a tall, silver– haired gentleman. On the desk was a neatly lettered sign - "Think." Gordon was thinking he should have stayed in Georgia. Mr. Watson sensed his discomfort and with a wave of his hand said, "My surroundings have changed but I am pretty much what I was when I was a clerk in upstate New York ." During lunch Mr. Watson learned much about Gordon's activities and his job. He suggested they might have a place for Gordon at IBM, probably at a substantial increase in pay. Gordon declined the offer because he wanted to be a successful writer even though his rejection rate was discouraging. Mr. Watson said he didn't know much about writing but he thought he could give him a formula for writing success. It was quite simple: DOUBLE YOUR RATE OF REJECTION. He then explained, "You 're making a common mistake. You're thinking of failure as an enemy of success. But it isn't. Failure is a teacher, a hard one, perhaps, but the best. You say you have a six inch high stack of rejection notices on your desk - that's great. Every one of those manuscripts was rejected for a reason. Analyze those reasons and build on them." Gordon said that by following this sage advice he started his climb to success as a writer. A wise and tolerant man had given him a simple but powerful idea. As Gordon was leaving, Mr. Watson told him why he had agreed to meet with him . "You were the first person who ever invited me to have lunch at the cafeteria at the zoo!" This is a great illustration of the latitude a free economy makes available to those who have ideas, unique methods, and a willingness to move into virgin territory - and also of the willingness of a busy and successful man to counsel youth. My observations as a free enterpriser of 67 years cause me to favor this economic system over all others. Through it our country is the most powerful nation on earth and the most able to help meet the needs of less fortunate parts of the world . Long may free enterprise continue for the good of all mankind. 7