New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-02

urOplet 70 preach a variation OF the lLSlhS VI
4he simple life. This is Nelson Q. Nelson, a St.
Louis millionaire. who recently stirred up
Chicago audience by the assertion that getting
rich was merely a habit. end bad one at that
Mr.. Nelson's dictum was delivered in the course
~ an address on Need Captain Of Industry
Get Rich?" His answer 10 the query was an
emphatic no
.oh. now. don't misunderstood me say
ang that to be rich TO have riches is
crime" said Mr.. Nelson when in his ONCE he
was asked for an explanation OF his remarkable
views That isn't my idea at all. But do
believe that it is a bad habit. and assuredly
aasbit for men 10 so on piling Up wealth merely
Tor wealth's sake.
my Chicago sermon embodied no new dis
oovery with me-" continued Mr.. Nelson. Nor
do think I can justly be accused of being
mere theorist, who needs 20 practise what he
breaches II have been blessed with a goodly
share of the worlds goods. It has been ac-
cumulated apace with the profits which my firm
has shared with its employees. 1 am not un-
comfortable in imposing mansion. with a
corps OF stin more imposing servants for my
house is much the same ia its modest comfort
as any one Of dozen Of the houses Of my
employees which surround il.
THAT the habit OF getting rich is bad one
IS easily susceptible Of proof For instance.
nearly every intelligent millionaire recognizes
the truth ard justice Of many things which
ought 10 be done for the amelioration Of his
fellow man, but the trouble is that he recognizes
Il only in theory. He does not put his belief
into practice.
The average captain OF industry begins his
business career with almost only one object be-
fore him as a goal That is 10 get rich. H
losas eieht OF his true and higher functions,
EmonE which are that he is a manager Of men
and 81 products and q hard working servant
Of The pubic II he would accept this high
status. instead of being content with and. in
deed. choosing that of q mere money getter. We
would have fewer captains q Industry with the
bad habit u getting rich"
Mr.. Nelson smiled as he quoted his own ex-
preston. then continued:
If he did accept this high ideal of what the
captain Of industry should be he would pay
more attention to improving the quality of the
service and the just and proper compensation Of
those who are helping him 10 accumulate all
This wealth and far less attention TO The mere
,,eaning Id ~ vast boards which he cannot
rake away with him when he dies and which.
left behind are destined 10 BE- q danger and
q menace to his children and his chdrens
children.
Then this millionaire whose philanthropy has
taken q turn So original and who holds his mill
ions in such Right esteem. proceeded 10 draw
more or less narrowing picture OF the woes OF a
millionaire.
"And as als wealth increases hts cares in
. crease iu 1he same ratio. He worries lest 4
turn Of fate shah sweep al this work Of years
away over what VIII become Of it when he dies.
over hov TO invest it 10 bring the best returns;
sn fact tho possession Of vast boards of wealth
brings an ileyitabl- train of woes in its Peake.
And ss conipensations are 50 lamentaby
Few. tt can furnish the means of rearing a
fine house. very palace, in fact. fashion
able boulevard, il can furnish that palace like
thar IF king. with objects Of art. with rare
books and pictures and statues; il can maintain
a retinue Of servants, trained to minister TO
every want II their master: in fact. money can |
by everything but happiness. And when the |
master ~ an this which he has attained through
this bad habit Of getting rich enters mis- palace /
he realizes Inc truth. HIS palace is full Of
everything but this. It lacks nothing but this
'lt IS 40 easy thing 10 live high or, as some 4
believe is the same thing, to live up 10 a big
income. But they are not quite the same thing +
man may live high and yet fall far short Of (
living up 70 his income. which he can 90 only by .
getting The most real good out or il for himself (
and for others
But The man VINO has acquired this habit Of .
getting Iisa nose training. surroundings and &
ambitions have fos1erod the habit al the years .
OF n-s business lfe, has not this resource he .
mas become so STEPPED in the idea OF accumuIat- /
Ing ana ever accumulating wealth that he has
lost the heart 10 respond He is overwhelmed
daily with appeals from all sorts and conditions
OF persons for aid. Some Of them are worthy
and many are not but. good or bad, they are an
eahoyanee 10 him and he ignores them.
The children OF the rich are not ordinarily a
comfort or a happiness 10 them. The merely
f-ch man lacks the happiness which the children
o. The poor nearly always bring their parents.
soT the children Of The rich are nearly always
Epencthrifts or worse. and they waste that for
which their parents bartered the best in life 10
pie "
This may be dreary picture" said Mr.. Mel
son. but ] think It is a true one OF the average
mere money getter But there Is a way for
AM 10 DO good. 10 he cured OF the bad habit
1AeTe is social laboratory in every large city
"heTe the poor and their conditions confront
society. This laboratory is the only practical
way II which 10 study and understand these
problems the righting % which is engaging
-e attention Of earnest minded students OF the
wrongs OF society. II he would know how 20
appreciate what they are aud how they are to
= 'eineoleq he must be in their surroundings
I'VE lheir daily life as they live it.
Here he viii see how the Door in their ten
s'-9'ils I'VE, lacking the light and the air and
80 sweetness OF sunshine IN their squaId
-Oi.ss. Then be VIII know that there IS work
= DC done for these people IN improving their
'-'e MONIES so that they may be habitable Tor
--1l.sn beings. and that they may give at least
IlAe Of value received for the rent paid
~ Attle Of this laboratory study is worth
'----l theoretical study far away from the actual
0oHaitions themselves.
mere Is a much more serious purpose IN life