The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-13
SIM .R|NG'S MILLIONS
Americas Richest Chinaman
Tells How He Made 1t
WORK OF BRAIN AND HAND
No Sentiment Abodt Him.
His Marriage Philosophy

town is entertaini ing an extraordinary
vTsiaor during the New Year holidays
He is Mr.. Sam Hi ig of Mexico, the rich
est Cnnaman in a america.
Mr.. Sam Hing is reported TO- be worth
from $S,OOO,OO0 to $z5,Ooo,OOO. The subject
O his wealth, howe .ver, is one Of a. great
n any upon which Or. Sam is hetioent.
That knowledge is wealth" is one OF
tina first principles from WHICH sprang
TIL 5 wealthy Orientals success. and it is
not a Chinese chara cterstic to- give any
thin away. Mr.. S am, theref ore, keeps
as light rein upon his wealth of know
ledg, as upon his wealth of d:Ilars
VIII en- had proved to Sam Kings sat
isfac4 ion that 1 could ask as many oues-
tions in the same breath as he could 1
won is respect and he told me the in
teresu ng history Of a Chinese boy who
came 20 this country without money or
educaA on or a knowledge of the 1angu-
age pl. zee, or people, and amassed mil
lions in spite of all these obstacles. Sam
Hing ha4 out grown most of his Chinese
habits an tendencies.
Sam H ing speaks splendid English
when the, subject pleases him. When it
doesn't he mo speakee Inglis.''
when Acame to this countryS' he said
st was seventeen and had lit lie educa-
ton. 1 had not even a knowle ige of hu-
man nature, and the world. The only
thing knew that was positive and worth
while was the fact that Chin q, with its
masses and Glasses and its restrictions
held out no chance for a young man in
my position. so 1 joined my brother in
America. He knew no hglish. He
knows none now. The eleme nts of sue
cess were not With him, or if they were
he never woke them UP. He worked as a
laborer on the railroad. I cslne and did
likewise. That was my start"
did you save any money!" I asked.
Certainly" replied Sam Ftifg evincing
surprise. What would do with it?''
Probably spend it," I suggested 'if
you had been American"
well" said Sam Hing. grin My, that's
where I was Chinese, and that's why
I'm not poor now. I saved the m ost of
It. When I was twenty-thres, had been
in the country six years. I took con-
tracts for laying railroads myself
MY first start toward nIthing really
big was a contract with c. P. Hunting
ton for laying thousand miEas of the
Southern Pacific Railway. L got $3.50 a
mile It cost me S475. The money
drew out Of that deal invested in Gov
eminent bonds, in a gold mine which had
been given up as worked out, and later
on. when I visited the West Indies, in
two coffee plantations. 1 put coolies to
work on the plantations, and stayed on
them till MADE sure they were in pay
ing condition. Then L found market for
nv coffee. and directed my attention to
the mine. It proved not to be worked
out. I put FIVE hundred men to work in
it."
"Americans?"
mo. very few Americans: some Mexi-
cans and some Chin csc"
do you prefer to give Chinese the first |
charce?"
Not particularly; why should I"
"Why, from sympathy with your coun-
trymen. Just little sentiment"
Another grim smile.
Sentiment has nothing to do with sue
cess" said Sam Hing. 1.-THE man who |
does his work best for the least money |
is the one I engage. It doesn't matter to I,
me if he is Chinese or Irish or Mexican |
'Greaser. The trouble with the American |
laborer is. he wants too much money: |
and the Chinese laborer won't work.
'I worked with both the night and day
squads. No amount of work kills a man, |
If he is prospecting It isn't labor but |
mental worry that runs a man down"
Did you manage your own enterprises
personality"
Yes" was the prompt reply. ''and |
that is one mistake Americans make
''They are too proud to get down to the
level of their employees and see that |
things are going rights The presence of |
the chief is a great thing. When I make
an investment I studied all the branches
of business that controlled it,
But now that You have amassed this
great fortune doesn't it occur to you
that you might retire from active bust
ness and enjoy your wealth?"
Again Sam Hing smiled He does it
often. and it is not a Chinese habit
How would you suggest that I enjoy
it?" he incurred.
well by resting"
but I am not tired
you've been working thirty-six years"
Work is not tiresome." said Sam Hing
profoundly sit is not working that makes
people tired. it lack of work. And it is
not work that wears out their eonstttu-
ton, either" he added. but recreation.
For myself. I have grown so used to
earning and accommodating money that it
is a habit. I should be uneasy if stop
ped warking. Then. there are my boys
They deserve all I can get for them.
I had not that opportunity. but they
shall have it to the fullest extent"
How many boys?''