The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-05-26
HETTY GREENS sHREwDNEss.
She Interviews the Enemies of a Cor
pOratiOn Before Investing in Its

pOrattOn Before Investing in Its
Securities.
From the New York Mail and Express.
How did Mrs. Hetty Green accumulate
her vast wealth?
The small army Of men who speculate
through brokers on the stock and produce
exchanges cherish the belief that a large
part OF the enormous accretions to her in
herited estate have been won through
lucky deals in bonds, stocks and grain.
Nhen their hearts are heavy because of
prices going persistently against their
hopes they are wont to find renewed cour-
age in contemplating her as an example
of what may be done by a woman. who
naturally has fewer sources of informa-
blackboards.
So deeply is this belief rooted that the
news OF her advent upon the street is suf-
ncent to gather q crowd in her vicinity
The merest touch of her garments is re-
garded as better luck than the possession
OF foot Of a graveyard rabbit killed
when the moon is dark.
And yet there is the strongest sort of
testimony that Mrs. Green has never
bought a share of stock for merely speocl-
lative purposes. Ever since She has con-
trolled enough money to make her bank
account worth handling she has conducted
her financial affairs through the Chemical
National Bank. Her drafts and deposits
lndlcate the nature of her transactions,
and Mr. William J. Quinlan, Jr., cashier
is authority for the statement that the
bank has never cleared or Hqudated a
share of speculative stock for her.
The same authority attests the fact that
Mrs. Green has made her money by the
shrewdest sort of Investment in railway
and corporation bonds, in real estate and
in loans at high interest upon real estate.
How does she acquire the Information
concerning investment properties which
has enabled her to avoid the clutches of
the many shady operators who make life
a burden to most persons who are seeking
investment for pital7
Mr. Quinlan says that Mrs. Green has
in most cases relied mainly or solely upon
her own methods of acquiring accurate in
formation. A favorite plan of hers is to
go to the enemies of any corporation which
has attracted her notice IS a possible in
vestment. After having learned everything
ascertainable against the management and
prospects she Is armed for an Interview
with the persons in control. If they can
satisfy her of the rectitude of managers
and of the reasonable prospect of success
upon the lines employed, she backs her
judgment with the cool certainty of a vet
eran gambler. Otherwise she cannot be
persuaded or bamboozled into investing a
Is Mrs. Green entertaining an application
for a loan upon house property? There
her shrewd detective methods come into
full play. She calls upon the tenant, learns
everything she wants to know touching
the condition and rental of the property
OF course she must depend upon her law
yers for ascertaining the legal encum-
her own inQuisitorial powers and she rare
" makes a mistake. Dwellers In apart
ment houses have often been surprised
by visits from an elderly and not wei
dressed woman, who does not hesitate "a
dicker for the fiat as II she wished to rent
it furnished. 1t is Mrs. Hetty Green who
in this way is enabled to inspect every
room and make up her opinion as TO value
This habit of finding out everything as
certainable about what she contemplates
buying. Mrs. Gren carries into the smallest
concerns. Last summer she thought she
could Outfank the livery stable men of heI
Vermont home by buying here and rig
of her own. She told Mr. Quinlan that
every one was trying to rob her ana that
the man who owned the horse land car
riage she contemplated buying wanted tc
charge her $500, or just double value in her
Judgment. The next time she saw Mr
Quinlan she was in great spirits.
II got that horse and rig for $50" she
said.
How did you manage it?" Mr.. Quinlan
asked.
Il went to a man who had grudge
against the owner and got him to tell me
of every fault of the horse and carriage.
I would have given him 800 for 1t, but with
that knowledge l beat him down to $50.