The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-01
ROCKEFELLER HAS NOT BROKEN RULE Sticks to Resolution Not to be
 Interviewed HE STILL WORKS HARD Stories That He Is Greatly Objected as Result of Attacks Are Ab-
 surd, Though He Graves
 Human Sympathy.
Cleveland dispatch to the New York

Cleveland dispatch to the New York
 World.
 The appearance in a Cleveland news paper of short interview with John D. Rockefeller-following the purchase of wig and a merry hour with party Of newspaper humorists-has been taken as a sign that the richest man in the world has changed his stubborn policy of silence and is about to begin a defensive and of- fensive campaign of publicity.
 Nothing could be wider of the fact. In- vestigation proves that MT. Rockefeller is adamantine in his determination to go to his grave with closed lips.
 The mother of the clever young news- paper man to whom Hr. Rockefeller talk ed is the son of teacher in the Euclid Avenue Baptist church. MT. Rockefeller introduced himself to the young man in church, set down beside him and spoke in soft voice for about five minutes. The burden of his volunteered argument was that men always find their level ln the world just as water always fnds US level, and that opportunities for rising or falling in life were just as great today as when MT. Rockefeller began his career; it was all a question of mans ca pacity.
 Mr. Rockefeller talked swiftly, allow ing no time for questions, giving the i'm pression of a man trying to be meek and patient in face of great injustice, and asserting again and again that time rights all things.
 Nothing was said about the publication of his remarks. The account which was printed has not been questioned. But to the newspapers which have since asked him to speak MT. Rockefeller rep resentatives have said he has not changed his rules never to be interviewed and to accept all criticism, Just or unjust, in silence.
 The idea that when MT. Rockefeller Is not playing golf he sits among his trees and flowers reading the Bible, or con- templating the future life Is as ludricrous as the report that the attacks of Miss Tarbell, Thomas w. Lawson and the pull pit critics have reduced him to state of hapitual dejection.
 Works With Enthusiasm.
 In his ugly white mansion at Forest Hill Mr. Rockefeller has business office, furnished with underground wires and force of clerks and secretaries. Here he works every day with great industry and enthusiasm. The game of money-getting is kept up ceaselessly.
 Men who have been with him much during the first few days, say that there is no happier man in the world, that his
 
 and his capacity for enjoyment surpris- ing. He is 66 years old, and constantly laughs at the newspapers which describe him as a decrept, senle old man. In spite of his iron refusal to answer the charges against him, MT. Rockefeller occasionally makes an almost pathetic dis play of his inner craving for sympathy and good will.
 A teacher in his Sunday school recent ly told him that the boys in her class would like to be introduced to him. MT. Rockefeller beamed delightedly and shook hands with each of the little fellows He was about to leave when he called the teacher aside and said in an eager whis- per: "Do you thlnk'-jerking his head toward the scholars-"that they really, really wanted to meet me personality"
 He goes about in church shaking hands with all who show any signs of desire to know him. This habit is growing on him. He often slips money into the hands of the poorer members of the congrega- ton with whispered, That will help out little."
 Weeps for Ills Fellows. It Is said that when Dr. Eaton, pastor of the Euclid Avenue Baptist church, tells of wretched men who have been rescued from poverty or degration. MT. Rockefeller weeps. "Oh, doctor" he will say, as the tears stream down his face ''how I would like to be able to go about and SC men as you do! How l wish knew men as you do."
 q do not recognize in MT. Rockefeller the man who has been so much abused in public" said Dr. Eaton. 'rhe John D. Rockefeller I know is simple, beauti- full Christian character. gentle, patient and charitable He has not only noble spirit, but a marvellous mind. His intel lectual power is simply terrific when he concentrates it upon any subject. If he | had taken up philosophy as his life | study he would be the greatest philoso- | pher in the world. I think that he is absolutely misunderstood by the public. I have nothing to do with his business affairs, but I know him well and have | abundant opportunities for studying his real character, and I fail to see in him the man who has been so terribly pie | tured in the newspapers"