The Washington herald., 1908-07-19

pIeted his truly monumental task he knew
more about Libraries and correct library
methods than any other man in the
country. for while making the index he
had studied the subject Of libraries from
every possible viewpoint His work on
the index landed him the position Of head
Of the New York City library system
short tine after his retirement from the
army.
Mr.. Billings Kept Busy.
Lacking less than q twelvemonth OF
being threeseore years and ten, Mr. Bill
Iiugs Is one Of those enviable aging men
who can do long DAYS work without
showing any great amount Of fatigue.
And he has plenty 10 do every working
day OF the year. what with personally di-
recting the workings OF the biggest mu-
nicipsi library system in America, giving
much time TO the affairs Of the Carnegie
Institution, advising Librarians all over
the country. and writing numerous naga-
zine and periodical articles and books on
medical. hygienIc. and library subjects.
George Foster Peabody, treasurer OF
the general education board. and as such
the custodian OF millions OF money. got
| considerably IN the political limeIght
I four years ago as treasurer OF the Dem
ocratic national campaign fund ApropOs
Of his connection with Mr.. Parker's ef-
{ fort to capture the Presidency, his
/ friends tell the story OF a strange young
! man who confessed 70 Mr.. Peabody that
: he didn't know whether 10 vote the Re
/ publican or the Democratic ticket. and
/ ended with the query, Now. tell ne.
| DO you think much OF Parker?''
Yes" replied AIr. Peabody. wearily,
/ about forty-eiEht hours q day I'm his
/ campaign treasurer
! Mr.. Peabody began 10 hustle for a Nv
I ing when he was thirteen. following the
I burning Of his fathers store and fortune
I down in Georgia. where he was born
I AT the time George was in a Northern
Z school He got a beginners position in a
I dry goods house in New York. and re-
sumed his studies Of evenings n d
Y NJ c. \ library II was in This
( library that he secured the greater part
OF his education and that he has not
l forgotten this fact is evidenced by tbs
/ several buildings. fully equipped, that h'
has given the association
Made Good Investments.
After a decade and q half spent IN II,
wholesale dry goods district. Mr.. Pea
body took E confidential position in {
Wall street banking house. and in
short time began 70 coin money for hi
employers and himself Some OF hi
financial transactions read like incidents
from the pages OF q novel He bough
narrow-gauge railroad IN Utah fOl
$4,000. changed the gauge 20 standard
i opened Cd the coal fields along the line
and eventually sold the road for $4,000.
CO. Against the advice Of his friends
he bought for a mere song what loOket
like Il Mexican cactus patch Six year
later the coal and coke from the patch
was netting its owners $4,000 a year
When electricity was being proposed 70
municipal lighting. Peabody saw furthe
than many OF his fellOw-fnanciers, an
IS result he made a snug fortune i
helping to develop the Industry Of elec
tric lighting IN New York City.
i In strictly personal matters and View
, Mr.. Peabody is quite as interesting a
times as he IS in finance he does no
believe in armies and fisvies- He gen
orally makes all his benefactions througl
phiIanthropic organizations No man i
the public eye to-day probably make
more small personal gifts 70 ciergymer