Opportunity through the free enterprise system has been instrumental in developing the high standard of living Americans enjoy. Business and industry create jobs and payrolls. pay a whopping share of the tax bill, provide goods vital to the typical family. Yet polls occasionally indicate many American teenagers are suspicious of business, profits, and advertising. Only 20 percent of top teens polled in a recent survey believe profits “are the best measure of how well a business serves its customers.” Eighty percent think that advertising “is misleading.” Half suspect that companies fix prices; about 37 percent believe the “typical big company is above the law and can get away with just about anything.” The survey covered 24,000 of the 340,000 teenagers listed in “Who’s Who Among American High School Students.” published by Educational Communications inc. of Northbrook, lll. By a solid majority. those polled favor government wage and price controls – but only if they do not cut productivity or raise unemployment. Ninety percent favor a national economic policy framed jointly by business and government. About 43 percent believe “some business profits are excessive and should be limited by law. Only 11.5 percent say business needs more profits to invest and modernize. Less than one-third (32.3 percent) think the American economic system is the worlds best. About equal numbers want a Swedish-style mix of state and private ownership (25.5 percent) or more freedom for private enterprise (28.1 percent). The opinion poll’s results – with a strong attitude of suspicion toward business – may be disappointing to many. But it isn’t necessarily surprising. Many such polls spanning over a generation have similar responses. A survey 15 years ago among high school students asked the question, “Who contributes most toward improved living standards – business. govemment or union leaders?” Business ran a poor third. A poll of similar vintage by three midwestern universities and U.S. News and World Report revealed this line of thinking among high school and college students: Sixty-two percent thought a worker shouldnt produce all he can; 56 percent favored government regulation of all business. and Gl percent rejected the profit incentive as necessary to survival of free enterprise. Aside from whatever value such polls have in pointing to needed adjustment and reform. the significant revelation is the lack of understanding and appreciation of the free enterprise system. This matters, because if our young men and women are to make full use of their opportunities and abilities they must understand the system under which they live. If the United States is to maintain economic leadership. private enterprise must be understood and permitted to function without overregulation. Obviously the public needs a better education in this field, especially the young people. In this, business, industry and education have worked together to some extent. But judging by the polls. they need to strengthen the partnership and the effort.