The Washington times., 1907-11-30
GREAT WEALTH DISTRIBUTION
MUST BE MADE DURING LIFE,
AND NO INDIVIDUAL DIE RICH
By ANDREW CARNEGIE.

The problem OF our age is the proper
administration OF wealth, that the ties
OF brotherhood may still bind together
the rich and the poor in harmonious
relationship. Accepting conditions as
they exist the situation can be sur
veyed and pronounced good. What then
is the proper mode of administering
wealth after the laws upon which civili-
cation is founded have thrown IL into
the hands of the few? 1t is Of this
great question that I believe / oftcr the
true solution.
There are but three modes in which
surplus wealth can be disposed of.
II can be left TO the families Of the de-
cedents: or 1t can De beIueathed for
public uses; or. finally. 1T can be ad-
ministered by its pOssessOrs during
their lives. The first IS the most in
judicious. In monarchiaI countries, the
estates and the greatest portion of the
wealth are left to the first son. that
the vanity OF the present may be graft
fed by the thought that his name and
title are to descend unimpaired to sue
ceeding generations. The condition OF
this class in Europe today teaches the
failure Of such hopes and ambitions.
Division Among All Fairer.
Under republican institutions the di-
vision OF property among children Is
much fairer, but the question which
forces itself upon thoughtful men in all
lands is. why should men leave great
fortunes TO their children? Beyond pro-
viding for the wife and daughters
moderate sources of income. and very
moderate allowances indeed, If any, for
I'll N,Hn for
It is no longer questionable that great
sums bequeathed often work more for
the injury than for the good Of the re-
Cipients.
AS to the second mode. that Of Ieav-
ing wealth at death for public uses,
it may be said that this is only 2
means for the disposal Of wealth, pro-
vided a man is content TO wait until
he is dead before he becomes OF much
good in the world. Men who leave
vast sums in this way may fairly be
thought men who would not have left
Il at all had they been able to take
IL with them.
There remains, then, only one mode OF
using great fortunes; but In this We
have the true antidote for the tenn
pOrary unequal distribution of wealth.
the reconciliation of the rich and the
poor. Under its sway We shall have
an ideal state, IN which the surplus
wealth of the few. will become. in the
because administered for the common
good: and this wealth, passing through
the hands of the few, can be made a
much more potent force for the eleva-
ton OF our race than II distributed in
small sums TO the people themselves
Even the poorest can be made TO see
this.
Duty Of the Man of Wealth.
Tlis. then, is held TO be the duty OF
the man OF wealth: First, to set an
example OF modest. transformations liv-
ing, stunning display or extravaganza;
20 provide moderately for the Iegiti-
mate wants OF thoso dependent upon
him; and. after doing 50, to consider
all surplus revenues which como tc
him simply as trust funds. which he
Is called upon 70 administer in the
manner which, in his judgment Is best
calculated to produce the most bene-
fetal results for the community.
IN bcstowing charity, the main con-
slderatiOn should be TO help those who
viii help themselves: TO provide part