Chapter II
SIMPLE COMPARISONS
One of a business man's chief assets is his ability to show things
to others in their true proportions. He is continually making
contrasts, and holding up for comparison different propositions
which come up in his daily affairs. The graphic method lends itself
admirably to use in making comparisons. It is surprising how much
clearer even simple comparisons of only two or three items will appear
when their numerical value is put in graphic form rather than in figures.
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Fig. 16. Bacteria in the Waters of New York Harbor
This illustration is taken from the report of the Metropolitan Sewage
Commission. The representation as though seen through a microscope
is decidedly effective
Fig. 16 is a cut taken from the report of the Metropolitan Sewage Commission. Most people know so little about bacteria that it would mean nothing to them to say that the Harlem River contains 15,600 bacteria per cubic centimeter of water. When, however, such a comparison is made as is shown in Fig. 16, even the most casual glance would convince anyone that the Harlem River is not the most ideal swimming place. The figures for the bacteria count are given with the chart so that all the data are available to anyone who may wish to study the facts from a scientific standpoint.
The drawing of Fig. 17 is of the cartoon type, effective for wall exhibitions or for use in the more popular magazines. This particular
