The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-06-24
ROCKEFELLER FORTUNE
Will Be $25, 1872, 100000 If John D. Lives
to Be 100 Years Old.

From the New York World.
With the solemn assurance from Mr..
John D. Roclxefellers own physician Paul
Allen, NJ. d. that Mr.. Rockefeller has
every prospect of living to be 100 years
old, a most interesting new question has
arisen as to the probable immensely of
the Rockefeller billions thirty-three years
from now.
Thirty-three years from now-or, to be
exact, on July s. 193S-Mr. Rockefeller will
celebrate the one hundredth anniversary
of his blrthday-provided, of course. that
/, he lives to fulfill his physicians predic-
ton.
And thrty-three years from now, If his
millions continue to increase at the pres
ent rate Mr.. Rockefeller, at the age of 100
years. will be worth $25, 732, 900. 000-almost
three times as much gold and silver as
there is in circulation, In banks and in all
, the treasure houses and minis on earth
today.
1t is impossible for the human mind to
comprehend the vastness of such a sum
of money as s25 1872 100000 But II anybody
wanted to count it, all In one-dollar bills,
counting steadily at ther ate of So a sec
Oliu, udy ll5utt Wlliout SlOpplIlB LOT
moment until the task was ended. 1t
would take two hundred and ninety-five
years five hours and thrty-three seconds
to complete the work.
Nobody knows Just how much Mr.
Rockefeller Is worth at the present time.
1t Is doubtful whether he himself could
give an estimate that was not a million
or two off the mark. Careful investiga-
tors have computed his wealth at $6l5.000-
900. within the past few weeks, and this
figure Is believed to be as accurate as it
possibly can be.
In 1905 Mr.. Rockefeller was worth $780,
100000. showing gain for the present
year of $65,000.000. In 1900 he had only
$500, 900 600 and the year before that he
was poorer STILL $250OOO000 representing
his total wealth. In 1885 he had sl0O 100000,
in 1875 Sc, 100 CO., in 1872 81 goo 0OO In 1870 $780,
900, in 1865 5000, and in 1855 not a solitary
penny. During the past fifty-one years
his fortune has increased from nothing at
, all to $6l5,0OG00O
Mr.. Rockefeller is now &C years old On
the Sth of next month he will celebrate
the 9th anniversary of his birthday. The
details of his early struggles, his thrift
ness and amazing business aptitude are
/ too well known to require repetition here.
Besides. they belong to the past and have
llOlHlllS 10 no Will llHS uTllcle, winch
deals with Mr.. Rockefeller's future and
the possible extent of his wealth by the
time he reaches the age of 100 years.
1t has been repeatedly declared that Mr..
l Rockefeller is already a Millionaire this
estimate of his future being based on the
value of his holdings in Standard OIL and
other interests AS rule these estimates
may often be regarded with with security
as fictitious. being founded more on in
flated than actual values. So for that
| reason 1t Is more reasonable to take the
most conservative estimate of Mr.. Rookie
feller's fortune which places his present
wealth at $6l5000,00O.
Mr.. Rockefeller has over thirty-three
years to live before he reaches his one
hundredth birthday During that time it
is reasonable to suppose that his millions
will be entitled to natural growth, just
, the same as every other persons money
grows when 1t is judiciously invested and
carefully guarded.
From 1905 TO 1906 the natural growth of
his millions added $65, 100000 to the prln-
cpal. Year after year at this rate the
! natural growth should become gradually
/ larger and larger UNTIL when Mr. Rookie
Teller is 80 years old. the mere interest
on his money should be s2,757. 100000 in one
year-over four times as much as he Is
worth at the present time.
In 1904. when Mr.. Rockefeller did not
have very much more than half billion
dollars to his name, his income was two
dollars and a few cents over every sec
ond of the day. The average man earn
ing 50 day can appreciate the difference
there is between 81 a day for six days
week and 81 second for seven days
week.
If in 1889 Mr.. Rockefellers fortune has
reached $25. 732, 100000 and he has reached
his one hundredth birthday anniversary he
will be drawing interest at the rate of
| 50, 1855 a second This Is more than
great many men succeed in earning in a
lifetime.