The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-06-03
Speaker Cannon One Of the Fourteen Mem
bers Of the Lower House Counted in This
Glass How Their Big Fortunes We're

Is an officer. He lives quietly with his
wife at a Washington hotel and cares
little for society or entertainment. Until
q few years ago he had devoted himself
entirely to business and had never held
office until he was elected Mayor OF Ton-
kers in 1903. Tho next year he was
elected to Congress In what Is generally
close district, but he had more than
5000 majority to spare.
Second in point OF wealth to Mr.. An
drus. but. perhaps. exceeding him in
modesty. Is William B. Mckinley. OF
Champaign. Ill. He could be popularity
described as q short, Jolly. fat man.
with bald head That would very
nearly picture his personal appearance.
but 1t would como far short OF describ-
Ing his character. Republican In politics.
he is most democratio in manner.
Retiring in disposition almost to the
degree az timidity. he Ia strong OF pur-
pose and as firm as adamant when the
time comes for action; but he believes In
q square deal. and every man gets 1t who
has business with him. That there Is no
moro kindly or more lovable man in the
House is the opinion OF his associates and
those who come In contact with him.
No ono would suppose him to be a
millionaire. He began life in q very
simple way. AS boy he worked in u
drug store for 81 a week, and 1t was a
long time before he got an increase. and
when he drew SO on Saturday night for
the first time ne wondered what he would
do with SO much money. Now that he
has an income OF somathing like q quar-
ter OF million q year, he Is not so
invested judiciously In real estate, which
fortunately increased In value Gradu-
ally he added to his holdings and finally
no became interested In small way IN
an electric street railroad.
Quick to See Opportunities.
He was quick to see tho opportunities
in this sort OF investment Electric rail-
ways were Just then beginning to sup
plant the old horse car SYSTEM Mr. MO
Kinley saw the future prospects. ana ne
pushed for success, Now he owns rapid
transit electric railroads all over the
state OF Illinois and Into Indiana, con-
Meeting tho various cities and towns with
q yeritable network OF steel rails.
He has practical method OF combating
the big railroad companies. He builds
electric roads between cities and towns
and forces the steam roads to reduce
their rates both for passengers and
freipht. Transportation from town to
town In Illinois was never 50 cheap as
1t has been since William B. Mckinney
began building electric roads, and yet It
has made hin many tlIu6S u1uAoHoHO'
What he gives away as charity amounts
to over 100000 year. through we'll
organized system Of his own. which dis
eliminates against the unwortAy and be-
slows upon the deserving; yet this
amount does not take into account the
vast amount which he spends annually
to make others happy and which he
excludes from the category Of charity.
That is what he calls helping some OF
his friends to have good time
Mr.. Mckinley has only one serious TAD.
II Ia automobinng, He has nurnber OF
machines, and delights to take long runs
through the country. He 10 another reg-
ular attendant upon his duties IN the
House and in COMMITTEES Like Mr.. AM
drus, he is not speeoh-naaker, He Is
ono Of the quiet industrious workers.
who say nothing. but ''saw WOOD ana
Who. in tho long run in Congress-. accom-
Fplish fully as much as those who In.
dulge in a continuous conversations! con-
tests. In his autobiography In the Con-
gressonal Directory he simply sets ".rn-
self down as a ,armer and banker
Hearst Has Increased Fortune,
More is generally known Of William