Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1906-12-31
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER
WAS INTERVIEWED
He SAYS ATTACKS MADE ON COR
PoRATE INTERESTS HAVE LOW.
Erred STOCKS.

Special to the Herald.
New York, Dec. 31.-In an interview
granted to NJ. E. Pew of the Newspa-
per Enterprise association, John d.
Rockefeller said:
In making inventories for the year
Just past a great many business men
Of this country will find they have
suffered a loss amounting to millions
OF dollars through the shrinkage in
values of their holdings during the
twelve months.
This is in the face of our great
prosperity, the greatest era of pros
perity in the history of the country.
Why should stock volues be lower to-
day than they were a year ago? l
can only account for it by attacks that
have been made upon corporate inter-
ests during the last year or two. I'M
warranted attacks that tear down the
structure that has been reared by our
people through great effort, energy
and patience.
THE effect of these attacks was,
of course. first felt by capitalists, and
through them by the debtor classes.
The debtor classes are feeling the eff
feet more than ever now. Who will
be next to suffer? Why, the man with
the dinner pail, the workingman,
whose wages are now higher than ever
before in history. 20 per cent higher,
believe the statistics show, than five
or six years ago. When stock values
are deprecated as at present capital
lists naturally began to take in loans.
dispose of collateral, and then the
debtor class feel the depression.
When they feel depression they re-
trench, and then it is the working
mani turn to suffer
= believe the January inventories
viii De a surprise to many people.
nFsR..a asked ne for en- eniaion Of
the business prospects for the forth
coming year. never have done much
prophesying. l never considered that
profitable, and 1 guess l had not bet
ter begin now.
Il will say, though, that l have great
faith in the American people. 1 have
great faith in the honesty and integ-
rity of our business men. A great ma
jority are good, honest, Woodworking
and enterprising. l have great faith
in their judgment. 1t has always been
pleasant to look forward to a new year
in which prosperity, success and bless
ings may be continued. sincerely
hope this country will realize its full
share next year and in the years to
come
These are the words of Mr.. Rookie
Teller, coming at the opening of the
new year, at a time when the entire
world looks upon America for her
greatest measure of success in COM
merce and trade; coming at a time
when the whole strength of the ad-
ministration at Washington is sup
posed to be directed against Mr.. Rock
efeller's oil trust and when State gov.
ernments seek to disrupt the nam.
moth monopoly.
Just before giving out the above in.
terview Mr.. Rockefeller had just made
the best round Of golf links in all his
playing. After the game he invited
the correspondent to lunch with him,
and after the lunch described why and
how the interests were consolidated.
Continuing he said:
THE prosperity we have been en-.
joying is due strictly to economy and
wise judgment of our business men.
| think the financial district in New
York contains some of the finest men
in the world. The Office boys of the
old days are now running our bust. |
ness. They have grown up in it, and |
are a part of it."
Mr.. Rockefeller said the shrinkage /
in the value of his own stock holdings
would be shown by January inventor,
les to amount to several millions OF
dollars. This he said without show
Of feeling, and in a tone of voice that
the average business man might speak
Of minor failure or some temporary l
disappointment in business affairs.
Speaking OF his health, Mr.. Rookie.
teller said:
Il don't remember having felt bet
Ter in my whole life than I do today.
Gods great blessings. pure air and
are all about us; certainly
We have much to be thankful for,
haven't WEI"
Rockefeller advised young men thus:
Go straight ahead and do the best
'ou can; make success for yourself:
Seep comfortable and happy those de
'endent upon you; be honest, and is
'ou will you will have a clear con.
cience, which is greater than fortune
aimed by dishonorable methods"