St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-12-30

country was in its infancy. TIE stee
business had hardly been born. There
were few railroads. There were nc
trusts. Oil had not been discovered
The man with $4,000 was capitalist
and could with comparative safety EN-.
bark in any business he fancied. Name
to me an industry in which our young
friend Tom Jones can Independently
invest his $1,000,000 with fair chance
OF success. Which of our standard in
dustries would you suggest, JudgesSaw-
yer? Pick out one either in the manu-
featuring or mercantile line, in which
Tom can go into business for himself
with $1,000,0O0 for his capital"
Il should not care to answer that
question offhand," cautiously returned
Judge Sawyer, Il should not advise
him to enter on banking career with
a million. If Tom were my boy
should advise him to invest his money
in low interest bonds.''
Very sage advice, but not to the
point" returned the colonel. Cutting
coupons from bonds is not an industry,
though it is safe employment. With
his million thus invested Tom would
have an income of from $4,000 to $40
600 year. He will never acquire a
+ billion at that rate. What shall our
unfortunate young millionaire do with
his money? Let us look over the field.
Here is an almanac with list and the
capitalization of nearly 200 of our lead
ing corporations and trusts. They are
rated all the way from $10,OOO,O0O to
$1,000 100000. Which one of them shall
Tom attack? He is young, active and
bralny, and the million is in ready
cash. Shall he enter into the whole
sale dry goods business? Marshall
Field has $30,000,00O or more thus in
vested, and Tom lacks his knowledge
OF the details Say the grocery bust
ness! There are four firms each cap
ltalized at more than $10,000,OO0. Sug-
ar! How long would Toms puny mil
lion last in competition against the
sugar trust? Whisky or brewing? His
pebble would not create a ripple Ag-
rlcultural machinery? A modern plant
cannot be equipped for less than $15.-
100000, and Tom has no patents. To
bacco? Ridiculous. Matches? Matches
are small things, but Toms million
would have to grow many, many times
before he could face the match giant
How about electrical machinery? Here
is new industry not yet score of
years old, yet Tom would have one
competitor with actual assets worth
$30,00O,000, another of $50, ZOO, 900 and
a third with about $10,00O,OOO. He
might tackle paper against $4,000, 900.
salt against $30,000,000, ice against
$l5,0O0,000, asphalt against $20,000.000. |
biscuits against $50,000000, collins |
against S600Q000, lead against $780, |
100000, baking powder against S20.0O0,- |
OU oil against $100,000.00O and meat |
against $30,000,000. leather against
$l3O,000,000, rubber against $4,000 |
QUO, tin plate against $46,O00,000 or
steel against $1,50O,000,000 Would
you advise him to fight any one of
tiiSSN wi
Il cannot say that | would" replied
Judge Sawyer, 'but the inventive gen
lus of the country is constantly in.
stalling new industries"
VERY true, and Tom may get in ON
the ground floor" said Colonel Mon
roe, but his $1,000000 is small, very
small You must admit that, Judge
sawyer. And if he finds himself in
dilemma. as he will, what shall we saw
OF the young man who starts with
nothing? Years ago every one of the
hundred or more standard industries
was open to the competition of any
man who by luck or industry had ac-
quired a few thousand dollars. 1t is
mockery to assert that the same is
true today. The gates of opportunity
are not closed, but they are strongly
guarded"
perhaps Tom is going to New York
TO start a newspaper" suggested Post
master jenkins. He's splendid writ
err and tried once to get a Job on the
Lincolnyille Clarion"
In that event / should advise him
TO buy round trip ticket good for
six months" said Colonel Monroe "a
he arose to go.