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The Wall Street Journal’s
“two young men” letter
Dear Reader:
On a beautiful late spring afternoon, twenty-five years ago, two young men graduated from the same
college. They were very much alike, these two young men.
Both had been better than average students, both were personable and both -– as young college
graduates are -- were filled with ambitious dreams for the future.
Recently, these men returned to their college for their 25
th
reunion.
They were still very much alike.
Both were happily married. Both had three children. And both, it turned out, had gone to work for the
same Midwestern manufacturing company after graduation, and were still there.
But there was a difference. One of the men was manager of a small department of that company. The
other was its president.
What Made The Difference
Have you ever wondered, as I have, what makes this kind of difference in people’s lives?
It isn’t
always a native intelligence or talent or dedication. It isn’t that one person wants success and the other
doesn’t.
The difference lies in what each person knows and how he or she makes use of that knowledge.
And that is why I am writing to you and to people like you about The Wall Street Journal. For that is
the whole purpose of The Journal: To give its readers knowledge
– knowledge that they can use in
business.
A Publication Unlike Any Other
You see, The Wall Street Journal is a unique publication. It’s the country’s only national business
daily. Each business day, it is put together by the world’s largest staff for business-news experts.
Each business day, The Journal’s pages include a broad range of information of interest and
significance to business-minded people, no matter where it comes from. Not just stocks and finance,
but anything and everything in the whole, fast-moving world of business ... The Wall Street Journal
gives you all the business news you need —
when you need it.
Knowledge Is Power
Right now, I am reading page one of The Journal. It combines all the important news of the day with
in-depth feature reporting. Every phase of business news is covered, from articles on inflation, wholesale
prices, car prices, tax incentives for industries to major developments in Washington, and elsewhere.
And there is page after page inside The Journal filled with fascinating and significant information
that’s useful to you. A daily column on personal money management helps you become a smarter saver,
