Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-11-21

q 7 is generally conceded, believe,
that Mr.. Rockefeller is worth
more than billion dollars" OBJ
served Judge Sawyer. ut seems
to be admitted in financial circles,
usually well Informed, that the recent
decline in prices in Wall street was
caused by his influence and that it
was the greatest and most profitable
coup in his wonderful career There is
little doubt that it resulted to his ad-
vantage in an amount exceeding $780,
100000" ..
'Twice that amount was lost by spec
ulators and scared investors" remark
ed Colonel Monroe, land it Is no. secret
that the lions share Of it was absorbed
by what is known as the Standard Oh
crowd. But there Is nothing remarka-
BILE about this. Nowhere is the trust
idea so thoroughly developed as in
stock gambling. The ,'outsiders,' by
which is meant the fool public, are per-
mitted to guess whether the insiders
are likely to force the market up or
hammer it down. Since these powerful
interests absolutely control all of the
factors which now enter into the estab-'
lishment Of quotations and do not hest
tate to use them they are sure to win
on every movement of prices. This be-
Ing the case-and the facts are exactly
as I state them-the winnings Of in
slders' are in proportion to the amount
! involved in the purchase or sale Of
stocks by the innocent outsiders If
Mr.. Rockefeller lives to the allotted
years Of those who take care Of their
health there Is no reason why he should
not leave an estate Of four or FIVE bill
lions of dollars" s. -.
Il find that am changing my views
on the subject Of these vast accumula.,
tons Of wealth in the hands Of one
man." admitted Judge Sawyer, las
an individualist once held that socie-
ty had no right to interfere with citi-
zen so long as he conformed to the spir-
1t Of the laws regulating the acquire
ment Of property. But am becoming
convinced that billion of dollars in
the possession Of one man may consti-
tute menace to the commonwealth.
l do not say that this is the case so
tar as Mr. Rockefeller is concerned. I
have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
and while I believe that some Of his
methods may be open to criticismsaI
know that he is conscientious man
and good Citizen But am beginning
to doubt If society can exist in its pres
ent form If one or more of its members
are permitted to WELD SO commanding
an advantage as that possessed by Mr..
Rockefeller" ~ y
"A man Is entitled to all that he can
earn" declared Postmaster Jenkins.
"Mr. Rockefeller saved his money
when he was young and has been saw
ing it ever since. Let him make all he
can, say. In this glorious republic Of
ours we all have a chance to become
billionaires. OF course do not expect
to become one myself, but l am not
sore because some one else is smarter
or more lucky than myself"
II doubt If the American people take
any steps which will interfere with
your prospects Of becoming a billion
aire. Jenkins" said Colonel Monroe,
lighting fresh cigar. AT the risk
Of hurting your feelings l will say that
you and other penniless Rockefellers
constitute the stumbling block in the
way of calm discussion or rational leg
islation. When any one speaks of a
millionaire you throw yourself on
guard. 1t is you and Mr.. Rockefeller
to the defense of society. You have
been drilled to say such things, and say
them with the accuracy and intelli-
gence of a parrot. Some one has as
sured you that the defense Of money or
property, no matter how acquired or
how used, is an evidence of your own
sturdy independence and Of your 10y
atty to our established institutions.
You say man is entitled to all he
can earn. What do you mean by
that?
IL mean that he is entitled to all that
he can get" stammered the abashed
and surprised postmaster.
"That's what supposed you meant.
and congratulate you on expressing
your meaning so clearly on your Sec
ond attempt" laughed the colonel, re-
covering from his anger. Your re-
marks annoy me at times, jenkins, but
I know that you mean all right. New
er repeat trite sayings unless you know
what they mean>and unless after hav-
ing given them thought you are con-
Vinced that they express a truth better
than you can word it. II the ,Ameri-
can people have one fault more glaring
than another it is the habit of chorus.
ing lot of set phrases, some of which
mean nothing and others express an
untruth. You say that man is en-
titled to all that he can get. You do
not believe anything Of the kind. Jen-
kins."
II mean get honestly" said Jenkins
after pause.
"Do you think that man can get a
billion dollars honestly?'
II don't Know" said Jenkins, who
hesitated to venture into deeper water
"Neither do L." admitted Colonel
Monroe sETt all denends IN what w.