mystic wand. It was, however, the effect of truth
entering where promotors had held sway before, or where addle-pated
sons of constructive fathers, now departed, had been trying to make
the business go on what they knew of actresses and automobiles.
These concerns did so well under the receivership that when they
began business anew, John MacDonald was generally engaged to remain
in control of the management. If he found the right man in the
shop--the fellow who might have saved it--or could put his finger
on such a man elsewhere, he would assume the task with that man in
charge under him. Concerns that were tottering to a fall through
bad management naturally drifted into his office before the worst
happened, and engaged him to save their corporate lives by his
superior executive ability. This he would do also if he could find
his man. As a lawyer, he had less regard for the law's power to
effect transformations than a layman, and a higher conception of
the value of good men. While the ignoramuses at the head of the
capital and labor trusts were for leveling all the men in our big
business concerns, MacDonald continued to have faith in strong
individuals.

The effect of close relationship with this man was to gain
strength. Gabrielle had studied his methods until they became her
own. As I stood there before them, I did not know them as I do now.
MacDonald's fame I knew, and that tended to frighten me. It should
have given me confidence, for John MacDonald was what I call an
"elemental man." He kept close to the earth--the simples of the
world, he dealt in. It may appear from what I have said that he was
loaded down with responsibilities and care; then I have not made it
clear that the exercise of these executive gifts was chiefly to
secure leisure and the opportunity for relaxation--a most important
thing in the MacDonald philosophy. He and his staff worked hard
that they might have time to play, and with short hours and good
pay they came near to having the right proportions of labor and
leisure to keep men and women sound in health and contented with
the world. Therefore, there were not many employed in his office.
Why, down in one of the city departments so familiar to Jim and me,
the same volume of business would have required ten times as many
employes, and at least thirty different systems.

During his leisure, which John MacDonald planned to maintain
against all comers, and the on-rush of business, he practi