EDITIORIAL

I N fffrs annual business forecast special issue I we present a number of forecasts from industry experts to help you in your planning for 1986. Many deal with the changes likely in the near future. The implicit challenge is for the reader to cope with and understand what new developments mean to the individual and the world in which he works and lives.

Recently we ran across a letter that puts into perspective this business of coping with change. It was written almost 157 years ago by then governor of New York Martin Van Buren, still eight years away from being president of the United States. Addressed to President Andrew Jackson, it is dated January 31, 1829.

Januart 3l' 1829

TO: presidenr Jackson

The canal system of this countrJ is being threatened by the spread of a new form of transporlalion known as roilroads, The federal government musl preserve lhe canals for the following reasons:

One. If canol boats are supptanled by railroads, serious unemployment will result. Captains, cooks, drivers, hostlers, repairmen, and lock tenders will be left without means of livelihood, not lo mention lhe numerous frtrmers note employed in growing hay for horses.

DAVID CUTLER editor-publisher

Two. Boat builders would suffer, and towline ship ond harness makers would be left deslitute.

Three. Canal boats are absolutely essenlial to lhe defense of the United States. In the event of the expected trouble with England, the Erie Canol would be the only means by which we could ever move the supplies so vital to woging modern war.

As you may well know, Mr. President, railroad carriages are pulled at the enormous speed oJ I5 mila per hour by engines which, in addition lo endangering life ond limb of possengers, roar and snort their woy through the countryside, setting fie to crops, scaring lhe livestock and frightening women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended thal people should lravel ot such breakneck speed.

Martin Van Buren

Covernor of New York

What Governor Van Buren said wasn't factually incorrect, yet it so obviously demonstrates (from this vantage point) that he had no understanding of the dramatic revolution the railroads would produce in the sleepy society of the early 1800s.

We wonder if computers andtheir ilk won't produce even more dramatic revolutions in our world. Will we be ready or will we be left behind, standing there with the tow line in hand, wondering what happened.