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For Better Days - Bruce Barton -

World War I presented America with mass production system. which could be regarded as a foundation for the 1920s’ prosperity, Mass production system resulted in over-production. which. in turn. spurred the business to promote sales, The business tried to bridge the gap between production and consumption. by raising wages, expanding credits. and step up advertising. Despite their efforts. consumption couldn’t catch up with production, and America had to fall victim to the Great Depression in 1929. This paper analyzes what Bruce Barton preached to the Americans of the 1920s to assuage their anxieties about lack of the virtues suitable (or the nell’ era. when the traditional virtues, like industry and thrift. became less significant. In this paper. by examining Bruce Barton’s relatively less known book. Better Days. in the context of the social changes in the 1920s we list Barton’s ingredients for success. and compare those of Benjamin Franklin. His recipe for better days are business for service. health harmony between work and rest, and so forth. Millions of middle-class Americans. living in an era of clashing values. thirsting for a new set of virtues. welcomed Barton’s ingredients enthusiastically. Barton concocted his better days recipe from traditional virtues. new interpretations of Christianity and the goal of business. service. Although Barton stresses the importance of service in business activities. the emphasis of service could be considered as just “a justification of material success.”