New-York tribune., 1906-12-23

than ever. although competition and the massing
of capital make it more difficult to get into and
develop large enterprises The ways to success
are many and the prices various. To sue
ceed may cost ones health, or IT may mean sepa-
ration from ones family and friends and ban
ishment to the desert. the mine. the forest
But no matter the way and matter the price,
success always demands unremittng toll. self
denial and enthusiasm. I sometimes feel as II
l should like to address myself to the young
men of the country, but fancy they would
think me to be old fashioned and self-satisfed.
Years ago Mr. Secretary Stanton's assistant
said 10 me: I believe the achievements of self
made men must be as surprising to themselves
as To their friends and all others who know
them He spoke truly. But. just the same.
there are basic principles underlying all success.
An expert mechanic can do nothing without
tools No one can do business without money.
The extravaganza of this age is startling
There are hundreds of thousands of young
men all the time. but only few of them ever
come to great success. Why is it? 1 have
CCived many answers But who supports all of
the saloons in this country? Certainly not the
rich. And the theatres? Not the wealthy but
the men who get from $500 to $1,000 year 1t
is improvidence that stands in the way OF the
average American.
Il hesitate TO say it, but I recoIlect when I
wore a thin OverCOat and thought how COM
Portable should be when l could afford long.
thick ulster. l carried a luncheon in my pocket
until | was a rich man. 1 trained myself in
the school of self-COntroI and seIf-deniaI / was
hard Fiagler, but I would rather be my own
tyrant than TO have some one else tyrannize
over me. However I realized that the vice OF
of cheerful and helpful spiris. So carried
sandwiches in my pocket. and as an Offset gave
much TO others as I could afford Thus I
got discipline in two ways.
Moreover. salaries are princely in cOmpar-
son with those which were paid in my youth.
William Fl Vanderbilt once asked if knew
where he could get a competent superintendent
for the New York Central Railroad. III pay
5000 year he said. The salary OF a man
capable of running big railroad is. suppose.
S5O 600 year in these days. The cost OF living.
of course, has also increased. but If economy
We're practised by those who work for wages
there would be less complaint about the changes
which have taken place In business conditions.
BEST USE FOR MONEY.
What is your doctrine as to the chief end
of money"
IF money is spent for personal uses. to pro-
mote fdIeness. luxury and selishness, it is
curse to its possessor and to society. Wealth
brings obligations. moral and governmental 1t
has only one legitimate function. and that Is
it's employment for the welfare OF the nation
The man who builds factory digs mine
serves his country.
I'VE sometimes forget that influence. aside
from wealth. has it's obligations also Useful
ness is the whole scheme Of a worthy life. In
that of course. is included kindliness. man
came to me not long ago for a letter of recon-
nlendation knew him. and felt safe in COM
plying with his request He thanked pro-
fusely said I had done him great favor. prom
ised to remember me as long he lived and
all that sort Of thing. After he left my Office I
began To think about his case. how grateful
he was and how he heSitated 10 ask a word OF
/ confidence and Introduction. Had / really done
him 2 favor? He deserving man. in
/ dUstrfous. honest and capable. Was IL my
duty 10 commend him? And was he not within
his rights To ask me do so? OF course. he
/ ought To thank me That is customary. You
/ acknowledge a glass of cold water any little
/ personal attention. But should this man con-
/ slider that he under a special obligation TO
/ me? Should he be grateful? Well. I came TO
| the conclusion that he was entitled TO any word
! that / might speak for him, and which would
I do him good. His life and his ability merited
| not alone my interest. but my help. I owed
/ him the letter ne sought and was sorry l per-
/ mitted him to thank me so abundanty and to
! go away with the wrong view OF his own equity
| in the premises"
| How did you get interested in Florl 80
That would be "a long. duh story. l ,ught
| the region could he developed and set about 20
! do IT, That is the history of my work in out
| line"
You are as years old. and still at work.
Yes: / am giving the new part OF the railroad
| In Florida my personal attention. But / come
| from iouglived family. My father in mis-
| SSth year when ne died. There were twelve
brothers and sisters in his family, all OF whom
lived TO old age.