The Merk
1339 Commerce Avenue, Longview, WA

Touchstones of Success

R.A. Long was especially sensitive about granting interviews, and did not offer many until a reporter from the Saturday Evening Post finally caught up with him and got him to talk. The reporter was especially interested in what factors Mr. Long felt contributed to his success. Below is Mr. Long's response.

Turning back, as it were, through my forty-three years of business experience seeking to ascertain what particular factor or factors contributing to whatever success I may have obtained, remembering that I started with practically no capital, and it was necessary to establish a reputation in order to secure credit, I conclude that I must have impressed at least some others with the fact that I possessed the following characteristics:

Honesty. Industry. Economy.

A keen sense of the necessity of fulfilling my obligations, financial and otherwise.

When I remember the liberal credit extended to me by a banker friend, I must have impressed him with the fact that I possessed all of the characteristics mentioned to quite a degree. As our business grew, and it became necessary to secure others to assist me in the handling of same, I must have exercised rather good judgement in my selection, and have treated those chosen in the proper manner, for we have made, comparatively speaking, very few changes, and the harmony, cooperation and good fellowship prevailing in our organization has been quite wonderful, and such as to cause our company---The Long Bell Lumber Company---to be known as “The Long Bell Family,” and so, in concluding, I commend for the careful consideration of youth starting in the world:

Honesty at all times and under all circumstances. Industry. Economy.

Meeting engagements of every kind and character exactly as agreed.

Treating the people with whom you may be associated, both within your own organization and without, as you would be treated.

Under these conditions, even with very ordinary ability, success is all but assured.

When you think about it, Mr. Long’s observations regarding success in life are true today as it was in the early 1900’s. Sage advice from a man whose wealth exceeded that of Bill Gates in today's dollars.

<h1>
	Touchstones of Success</h1>
<div id="C_align_141441195" style="text-align:right;">
	<img alt="R.A.+Long+Portait" class="wysiwyg-right" id="C_141441195" selectedalign="right" selectedsize="small" src="https://cdn.vflyer.com/r2/sr/1/4/1/4/4/1/1/9/5/141441195/141441195_small.jpg" style="margin:10px 10px;float:right;border-width:0px;border-style:solid;" /></div>
<p>
	R.A. Long was especially sensitive about granting interviews, and did not offer many until a reporter from the Saturday Evening Post finally caught up with him and got him to talk. The reporter was especially interested in what factors Mr. Long felt contributed to his success.  Below is Mr. Long's response.</p>
<hr />
<p>
	Turning back, as it were, through my forty-three years of business experience seeking to ascertain what particular factor or factors contributing to whatever success I may have obtained, remembering that I started with practically no capital, and it was necessary to establish a reputation in order to secure credit, I conclude that I must have impressed at least some others with the fact that I possessed the following characteristics:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
	<strong>Honesty.<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Industry.<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Economy.</strong><br />
	<br />
	<strong>A keen sense of the necessity of fulfilling my obligations, financial and otherwise.</strong></p>
<div>
	When I remember the liberal credit extended to me by a banker friend, I must have impressed him with the fact that I possessed all of the characteristics mentioned to quite a degree.  As our business grew, and it became necessary to secure others to assist me in the handling of same, I must have exercised rather good judgement in my selection, and have treated those chosen in the proper manner, for we have made, comparatively speaking, very few changes, and the harmony, cooperation and good fellowship prevailing in our organization has been quite wonderful, and such as to cause our company---The Long Bell Lumber Company---to be known as “The Long Bell Family,” and so, in concluding, I commend for the careful consideration of youth starting in the world:</div>
<div>
	 </div>
<div>
	<div style="text-align: center;">
		<strong>Honesty at all times and under all circumstances.  Industry.  Economy.</strong><br />
		 </div>
	<div style="text-align: center;">
		<strong>Meeting engagements of every kind and character exactly as agreed.</strong></div>
	<div>
		 </div>
	<div>
		<div style="text-align: center;">
			<strong>Treating the people with whom you may be associated, both within your own organization and without, as you would be treated.</strong></div>
		<div>
			 </div>
		<div>
			Under these conditions, even with very ordinary ability, success is all but assured.</div>
		<div>
			 </div>
		<div>
			<hr />
			<p>
				When you think about it, Mr. Long’s observations regarding success in life are true today as it was in the early 1900’s. Sage advice from a man whose wealth exceeded that of Bill Gates in today's dollars.</p>
		</div>
	</div>
</div>

The Merk

1339 Commerce Avenue
Longview, WA 98632

Building Hours:
8am - 6pm Monday - Friday
8am - 5pm Saturday
Closed on Sundays

Holiday Closures:
New Year's Day
Memorial Day
July 4^th
Labor Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas

<p>
	<span style="line-height: 19.6px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">1339 Commerce Avenue</span><br />
	<span style="line-height: 19.6px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Longview,</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 19.6px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">WA</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">   </span><span style="line-height: 19.6px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">98632</span></p>
<p>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Building Hours:</span></span></strong><br />
	<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">8am - 6pm Monday - Friday</span><br />
	<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">8am - 5pm Saturday</span><br />
	<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Closed on Sundays</span></p>
<p>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Holiday Closures:</strong><br />
	New Year's Day<br />
	Memorial Day<br />
	July 4<sup>th</sup><br />
	Labor Day<br />
	Thanksgiving<br />
	Christmas</span></p>