The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-23
WOODRUFF TALKS OF BOSsES.
EnllEhtens Mr.. ROclkefeIIer's Young Men
on Politics and Insurance.

Speaking at the second quinquennial
reunion Of the honorary members OF the
John d. Rockefeller. Jr., Bible olass" at the
Fifth Avenue Baptist Church last evening,
ex-Lieut ,-Gov. Woodruff said:
What do | think of political bosses and
would ! advise a young man to identify him
self with a political party II he did not expect
to follow politics as a profession? Political
bossism is good or bad In just about the ratio
tina good men or bad men Identify them
selves with party management. Bosses,
or leaders,. or whatever you choose TO
| call them, cannot control parties without the
consent of the controlled, any moro than In
governmental affairs men can govern without
the consent of the governed. Therefore
every party should welcome into its ranks
good men and do everything to encourage
them to take an active part In party manage
ment. Nor are the benefits confined to the
party.
Participation In political and public affairs
everywhere In the world, but especially In this
free republic. broadens q man intellectually
and morally, and above ell II Ia q citizens
duty TO his country. his State and his city.
Participation of the right sort In politics In
varlably creates an incentive which arouses
a man to greater industry. so that he becomes
a good example 10 others; TO an energy that
leads him to let none of the opportunities Of
life pass by him without an effort to improve
them and to such perseverance that he 10 not
likely to falter In his efforts even when he
fails In some of his undertakings.
You must be on your guard every minute.
realizing that In this strenuous. money
making. money grabbing, ultra commercial
age the temptations are great, the pace Is
fest, the prize IL larger and proportionately
more coveted, and that the whole tendency
in the professions and In all commercial
and financial pursuits-is too much toward
the acquisition of wealth, or power. or both,
instead OF the attainment OF a substantial,
permanent position and an unsullled reputa-
ton. Referring to the insurance lnvestiga-
ton, as you have asked me to do. let me ask
right here, what would James W. Alexander
and James H. Hyde, or Robert and Richard
McCurdy and some other insurance men give
Of the wealth accumulated by them in their
greed for power and the almighty doll ar
to recover the regulations they all enjoyed
with 30 much pride Of place q year ago to-
day2
They are. however. nothing but the victims
OF a pernicious tendency, which has not been
and lie not now confined, | regret to say.
entirely to the business Of life insurance.
Granted that there is a difference between
the duty of guarding the interests of policy
holders. which should be regarded as a sacred
trust, and carrying on the business of rail-
roads and public utilities. even in the conduct
OI tue lHlttT tlcTt ls iulpOocu % 'cOp ObhbottVht
not only to the stockholders. but to the EN-
ployees and especially to the public; an obli-
cation which to our national and municipal
disgrace has had to be enforced by State
and Federal statutes. by the creation Of com
missions endowed with arbitrary powers,
and is about to be further enforced by the
strong hand Of Theodore Roosevelt.
President Jacob G.. Sohurman Of Cornell
spoke Of the good being done among young
men by classes of this kind. There is
no better way to get at young men. " he
said, "than through their social life. They
won't stand TO be preached to. Create
strong ties of friendship"
The Rev. Rufus p. Johnston, pastor Of
the church, complained Of the treatment
they" gave the Bible class. The they"
possibly referred to the newspapers. Il
think If we played jokes here every Sunday
morning" he said. we couldn't be treated
worse. But by the time their quilts veal
out maybe they will begin to appreciate
the work being done here
Mr.. Rockefeller was called upon to speak
The invitation was unexpected, he eaid.
There is one reason why / should not
be called upon to speak tonight, n that
is that one who has had but t~venty-four
hours experience Of being q father isn't In q
condition to talk"
DR.. Charles Fagnani also spoke. A
letter Of regret was read from Mark Twain,
who said that he had been too i'll to be