Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-06-05
PROBLEMS OF THE RICH.
The esF FiCULTlES WHICH BESET THE
AMERICAN MILLIONAIRE.

1 -
Philanthropic Movement Which Has
| Placed "A Burden on the Wealthy Man
| of Todny-Yankee millionaire the Best
There is nothing-not even books
and comstitutions-that gives us a
elearer and quicker insight into the
| political and social conditions of a
! time or country than do the manners
and habits of rich men. Throughout
Europe some hundreds of years ago,
when man had accumulated great
wealth he at once built himself a
strong castle, with a moat around it,
In order to protect himself from the
attacks of his neighbors. The develop
ment of lawful government has no
more striking illustration than that to
be found in the gradual change from
this style of architecture to that
which marks the palatial abodes of
wealth today.
/ 1t still occurs that a mans house is
the surest indication of the extent of
his wealth. From the earliest times
men of great riches have had to exer-
else considerable ingenuity in expend-
ing their incomes. Few men are con-
tent to be secretly and unobstrusively
rich. The pleasure of possession
breeds the desire for display, so the
wealthy man of today puts his money
into tangible visible property, that
people may see and envy. And his
buildings, open to the world in all
their beauty and magnificence. form,
! probably, the best illustrations of the
good of civilization and the omnipo-
| tency of law and government.
But, relieved from the bane of
power that formerly went with wealth,
and with his greater freedom and
liberties, it can hardly be said that
the rich man of today has reasons to
be happier than he was in the Middle
Ages. He owes vast duties to the
public. The modern philanthropic
movement has laid heavy burdens
upon him. The ethical writer's and
the clergy watch his expenditures
closely, and for his errors he is CEN
sured publicly and without mercy.
American fortunes are now the
greatest in the world. and the Ameri-
eth Lllillohelic Ia IdI utO-e
than any other millionaire. because
he faces so many new problems. Our
rich men may be divided Into many
classes. The men who have by their
own efforts mastered millions, and
who go on working with unconquer-
able energy, are apt to be looked upon
first as great men of business. Those
n - Il
to do deeds of philanthropy form an
other class.
The most interesting from an ethi-
cal standpoint are those who find leis-
ure and luxury in their wealth. 1t is
the member of this latter body-we
know it ordinarily as society-who
faces the unique problem of how, when
and where to spend his money.
In Europe when man comes of age
and to an inheritance of wealth he
finds settled for him the kind of house
he shall live in. the number of SER
wants and carriages he shall keep, and
the extent to which he shall entertain.
He inherits his duties. His caste is
settled for him and he knows exactly
WHat is expected OF him.
The American has few established
precedents. He must be his own
model. He may have one servant or
so. He may build mansions at New
port or on the Hudson or live quietly
at hotel. He is at the task of model
ing his own sphere. When the desire
for display seizes him he builds houses.
The direct personal expenses of the
working American millionaire are of
ten astonishingly small. His greatest
expense is the maintenance of his
great household. This he meets by
handing a blank check book to the
housekeeper. The wives of million
aires are usually free from the worries
of the great establishment. which are
shouldered by a capable and expert
enced woman who receives a big sal
ary. She has charge of the house
and the army of servants and is re-
sponsible for every detail in the man
agement of the establishment.
The expenses entailed in running
the home of modern millionaire are
vast. In many private American man
sions the kitchen, storage rooms and
systems of service are as complete and
extensive as similar departments of a
great hotel. Fortunes are expended in
furnishings, and the annual cost of
table linen alone aggregates thous-
ands of dollars. The feminine portion
of millionaire's family are almost
invariably ''in society,"" and the ex-
penses of entertaining form a vast
amount annually. Money is spent
lavishly on every side and excellent
prices are paid for everything.
The modern Social trust is one of
the most beneficial to mankind and to
trade generally. The love of luxury
grows with wealth, and the fast yachts
and special trains of the millionaire
Of today outdo in point of pure enjoy
ment the great equipages of the time
of the Roman Empire.
Notwithstanding all that has been