9.5 Decades
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
EDDIE THE ELEPHANT In 1950's Marshall Field introduced a book for children. As an added attraction at the book signing, Eddie the Elephant made an appearance. The seventh floor Tea Room even had a special menu for children that day done in the shape of an elephant. Of course, all that happened after the signing was over turned out to be quite a story, long to be remembered by those involved. Early in the afternoon of the book signing Gerry Bergen, Personnel Vice President, and I were in the office of Bill Street, General Manager, quietly discussing a personnel matter. Suddenly the office door burst open and Austin Graves, Operations Manager, rushed in exclaiming, "Eddie the Elephant just got loose on the third floor!" All three of us were amazed that an elephant was even in the building. Bill regained his composure first and asked, "What? An elephant? An elephant is loose on the third floor of Marshall Field?" Austin was just as amazed that we did not know about the appearance of Eddie the Elephant in the Book Section for the book signing. In a firm voice Bill said, "Let's all calm down. Austin will explain just exactly why an elephant is loose on the third floor. I know nothing about this elephant and am very curious to learn the details." "Well," said Austin, " the signing was over and the handlers took her - for some reason that I do not know she is called Eddie - to the freight elevator. They were backing her in the elevator and she accidentally hit the control. Eddie was so startled that she charged out of the elevator straight into a room full of mothers and children. Fortunately, no one was hurt. There was just a lot of confusion but that scared Eddie even more. In her panic, she escaped into the Rug Department. Thank goodness the fire doors are down now so the elephant is contained in the middle Wabash Room." Bill called his secretary and instructed her to telephone Charlie Hunter in the Gun Department. Bill was an avid hunter and had been on several African safaris so he knew exactly how to instruct Charlie. "Meet me in the 3rd floor Rug Department with an elephant gun and plenty of ammo." On the other end of the telephone Charlie was evidently completely flabbergasted so Bill had to repeat himself. "Yes, a real live elephant is loose in the Rug Department. I am going there right now so meet me there." When we arrived at the Rug Department, sure enough there was a real elephant sitting quietly on a pile of Oriental rugs. Dick Chapin and Harry Steere from the maintenance department were also there, both staring in amazement at Eddie. Charlie soon arrived with the elephant gun and ammunition which he handed to Bill. If the elephant charged, Bill would have to kill her. Since this was a possibility, Bill was concerned about whether the floor would support the weight of the elephant if she was killed and fell. Would the floor hold or would the elephant fall through to the second floor China Department? No one knew the answer but Harry Steere offered a suggestion. Since there were heavy timbers in the 3rd basement wood working shop, perhaps ramps could be built down the stairs to the first floor. Then the trainer could lead Eddie down the ramps to the first floor and out of the store. Bill thought that was a good idea. The timbers were ordered and construction of the ramp quickly began. Construction of the ramps was a big undertaking complicated by the fact that there were platforms in the stairwells between each of the three floors. However, Eddie's trainer was confident that the elephant would walk down the ramps so everyone worked as fast as he could. Even so, it was dark by the time the project was completed. Then, everyone waited anxiously to see if Eddie would cooperate and go down the ramps. If so, all would work out okay. The journey started - the trainer, Eddie the Elephant, Bill Street, fully armed, Austin, Graves and I and, of course, Chapin and Steer, proceeded slowly down the ramp. When we finally reached the first floor, we found out that the Randolph Street door was too narrow. So, the procession turned and moved through the store to the Wabash Avenue entrance. That door was wide enough. Eddie was finally safely outside where a large van waited. As Eddie began her ascent up a ramp into the van, the scene was observed by two inebriated men across the street. One of the men noticed Eddie and started to run up the street. As he did, he shouted to his companion, "Run for your life - the elephants are coming." Believe it or not, this is a true story. Beebe Sise, Susie's sister, has a friend in Connecticut who was at the lunch preceding the book signing and Eddie's appearance. When Dan, Beebe's husband, repeated the story he had heard from me, she laughed and said that it was true because she was nine years old and was there. She had also saved the menu all these years and loaned it to Beebe who loaned it to me. # 20 20th Century American Revolution One way to look at nations is to consider their social, political, economic and military excellence. Using that criteria, I cannot call England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, Australia, any Asian or South American country a first rate power in the world. However, the United States, using the same criteria, is definitely the leading power in the world in 1999. This is an amazing achievement and is due basically to the tremendous power of the American spirit. The icing on the cake is that the ideas, ideals and values of 20th Century Americans have been "good for" both Americans and the other peoples of the world. Does all this mean America is perfect and trouble free? No. We are far from perfect. One evidence of that is the fact that 15% of all Americans live in poverty or near the poverty level. I think any thoughtful American can come up with what he or she considers serious and significant and need-to-be-solved problems. Fortunately, there are millions of Americans working in their own ways to solve or greatly alleviate the problems. What about America and The Future? I feel certain it will be a fine century for America IF we are true to our traditional ideas, ideals and values and believe in as did our Founding Fathers in Divine Providence. My belief in God and the spirit that made America free and good cries aloud! Make the 21st Century a good one for America and the world. God Bless America. * * * * * *
America's Rise from a 2nd Rate World Power to the No. 1 World Power in 1999
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
It is about me and my ninety-eight years on planet Earth. And about my great parents, and my three remarkable wives, my three fine sons. Also about my business and academic careers and my family life It is about a great American 20th Century Revolution. In 1900 the USA was a second rate power, and the great 20th Century Revolution made it become the worlds number one power. This achievement was based on the foundation built by 17th, 18th, and 19th Century Americans. Some of this is covered in the book. I think America is the greatest country – even – for most citizens - our poverty people – about fifteen per cent of the population is a shame. Just as slavery and no votes to women were. We need as a nation to learn how to do better – and thank goodness millions of Americans are working on this. One thing I forgot to mention was the excitement when Eddie the elephant got loose on the third floor of America’s Great Chicago Store, Marshall Fields. Thank God no one was killed.
About the Author
I am lucky to be here as I almost starved to death in my second year. I was saved by what sounded like a silly recommendation from a doctor who just happened to visit our town. My parents and my school made me skip past third grade. I hated that. When I was eleven, I got a paper route and made, if I recall correctly, $2.00 a week, I thought that was great. And so on through grade school, high school, and college and a long business career and a short academic one. I also established with a faculty friend a management consulting business.