Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-12
JOHN DIS VIEWS.
Oil Masnats Discusses Judge Gross
cups Speech.
copyrighted 1907 by Cleveland Plain
Dealer.)

the country was SO widely distributed
that 1t was really in the hands of the
moderately well-to-do class today said:
Copyright 1907 by the Cleveland Plain
Dealer)
They can hardly accuse Judge
Grosscup Of Partially to corporations
or railroads. He has shown very well
lhoeed now widespread is the damage
resulting from the persecution, through
prejudice, Of the country's transporta-
ton lines. The same applies TO
thoughtiess attacks on other lines of
industry. 1t is worse than thouehtless
10 say Offhand that the wealth and
the industries OF the country are in the
hands of a few rich men, who alone
VIII suffer. There is a direct loss 10
thousands Of frugal people who have
invested small savings in these enter
prises and the indirect effect reaches
still other thousands who depend in
one way or another upon the success
OF every industry. The business of the
country is interviewer until it is som.-
thing like the circulation OF the blood
In the body. An injury or operation at
one point shocks and weakens the
whole"
Referring to the financial situation,
Mr.. Rockefeller remarked:
Who is>mOre interested in the ma
terial prosperity Of this country than
] am?"
My eggs are not all I'm one basket,
by any means. A good deal Of nonsense
Is printed every now and then about
my having captured all the railroads
or The country or having monOpolized
this or that. The truth IL that l figure
as an investor and stakeholder rather
than as proprietor. But any depres-
sion Is likely to mean a loss Of values
to me. 1t is a fact that hardly any
sort of business can experience dull
times without loss to me. 1t should be
plain then, that l have the best right
to be anxious for good times all
around. Would / permit then, any
harm to come to any line of business
if | could help it?
an harnessed to a cart to which
the people ride" continued Mr. Rookie
Teller. Whether I like it or not, I
must work for the rest. cannot evade
this responsibility if I would But I do
not complain of this. 1 am willing to
draw my share of the load as long as
/ am able.
"The first step I took" he said.
meant obliging myself to working men
who hencetOrth looked to me for en-
ployment and investors who put in
their money and looked to me for re-
suits. AT every step forward the load
was heavier. The working men num-
bered few score first. then a few hun
dred, then the thousands. There was
similar increase in the number Of in
vestors who could hold me to account.
While I worked for myself, 1 had to
work for them, whether or no.
Today, retired from active business,
retired, that is from business for my
self, the capital have invested makes
work for thousands and opens Oppor-
tunities for other thousands to place
their savings profitably. No man with
money can escape this responsibility
or loose this yoke from his neck.
I'VE are servants. and not masters,
we who are or have been engaged in
large business affairs. 1t is to our vital
interests that the country prosper. that
the people prosper. They can destroy
us, or our business, or at least destroy
our power of serving them. We would
probably suffer least. The richest men
can eat but three meals a day and it
does not take a fortune to dress very
well indeed. or to provide real luxury
in living.
The men who have acquired the lar
gest fortunes have not pursued wealth,
but business success. Had they de-
sired money for the enjoyment of mon
ey they would have stopped far short
of spending their lives, as they have
in the struggle that is business. The
natural ambition of every man to make
provision for his family can be salts
fed far short of the point reached by
the big men of the industrial world OF
today. But they continue to toll at
their desks because they love achieve
ment, for the keen delight in creating
where nothing was. and sometimes. |
believe, people will be convinced that
they are toiling for love of country as
we'll"
When it come to attacks on him and
his associates, Mr.. Rockefeller shows
himelf the philosopher. He does not pre-
tend to like the assaults, nor does he pre-
tend to naughty Indifference. and he Is
not affectedly flippant in his comments.
But he Is not bitter toward those who
assail him. He says 1t is n misunder-
standing that will right itself in time.
He frankly regrets 1t. but he seems even
more distressed at what he considers the
danger Of losing a good opportunity TO
capture the trade of the world than over
he personal phase of the attacks.
I'VE are proud Of our national sense or
good humor," remarked Mr.. Rockefeller.
If we must have q little family jar
lmong ourselves, why should we let the
outside world laugh at our angry races.
Why should we waste energy we need to
up the country in tearing each other
% pieces? Admitting, for the sake OF
lrgument, that the business world Is a
atient that needs treatment. must 1t be
aid of the result that the operation was
uocessful but the patient died?"
Mr.. Rockefeller was asked why he did
ct run away from the hue and cry that \
pursued him. He said: THE United