A large manufacturing company is necessarily an integral
part of the whole social community in which it functions, and
its history must tell some of this broader story too. More than
any other cities in the world, American cities have been influ-
enced in their development by the needs of business enterprise.
Most American cities have a social core composed of a group
of key business concerns, the people to whom these companies
give a livelihood, and certain other auxiliary business organiza-
tions to care for the daily needs of the employees. The hours
of work and the rates of pay of both manual and office workers,
and the profits of these enterprises, determine the standard of
living and the material welfare of the community. But the key
enterprises not only furnish the economic basis of life, they also
must provide in large part the intelligence and administrative
ability for social, political, religious, intellectual, and artistic
leadership in the community.

The general types of influence exerted by a large company
in its community may be listed under six headings. (1) Oppor-
tunities provided for the training and stimulation of young ex-
ecutives, and for successful careers. (2) The effect on the liv-
ing conditions of the mass of the company workers and their
dependents, including creation of special educational, housing,
or recreational facilities, provision for old age and sickness, and
the general interest of the company in the "tone" of lower-class
community life. (3) Community improvements resulting from
improvement of the company's business facilities, and, con-
versely, benefits to the company and its business from indepen-
dently initiated community developments. (4) Influence of the
company or its leaders in politics and in the public expression
of community opinions and ideals. (5) Encouragement given

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